Susan Hayes, Gerrit D. van den Bergh, Indra Sutisna
et al.
Excavations undertaken at Mata Menge, the securely dated Middle Pleistocene open site on the Indonesian island of Flores, have resulted in the recovery of over 670 well-preserved fossil murine molars from two distinct stratigraphic intervals. This research is the first systematic metric and morphological analysis of this material, with the results indicating the predominance of a single murine species, though the finds from the lower interval (0.7 million years ago) are for the most part significantly smaller than those recovered from the ~70,000-year-younger upper interval. Comparison of our findings with the analyses of the Flores endemic recent and fossil giant rats undertaken by Hooijer in 1957 and Musser in 1981 indicates the Mata Menge large murine maxillary molars, and, in particular, those from the lower interval are very similar to the limited Middle Pleistocene material Musser designated to be <i>Hooijeromys nusatenggara</i>. However, the associated Mata Menge mandibular molars are most similar to, though smaller than, the mid-Holocene <i>Papagomys theodorverhoeveni</i>. In addition to providing a detailed reference for future studies of large fossil murines excavated from Wallacea, our findings indicate Musser’s reassignment of Hooijer’s maxillary holotype of <i>P. verhoeveni</i> to <i>P. armandvillei</i> would benefit from re-examination.
George E. Konidaris, Athanassios Athanassiou, Vangelis Tourloukis
et al.
Recent investigations in the upper Lower–Middle Pleistocene deposits of the Megalopolis Basin (Greece) led to the discovery of several sites/findspots with abundant faunal material. Here, we provide an updated overview including new results on the micro- and macro-mammal fauna. Important new discoveries comprise partial hippopotamus skeletons from Marathousa 1 and the new Lower Pleistocene site Choremi 6, as well as a second partial elephant skeleton from Marathousa 1, including a complete tusk and the rarely found stylohyoideum. Based on the first results from the newly collected micromammals, we discuss age constraints of the sites, and we provide biostratigraphic/biochronologic remarks on key mammal taxa for the Middle Pleistocene of Greece and southeastern Europe. The presence of mammals highly dependent on freshwater for their survival, together with temperate-adapted ones in several stratigraphic layers of the basin, including those correlated with glacial stages, when conditions were colder and/or drier, indicate the capacity of the basin to retain perennial freshwater bodies under milder climatic conditions, even during the harsher glacial periods of the European Middle Pleistocene, and further support its refugial status. Yet, the smaller dimensions of the Megalopolis hippopotamuses may represent a response to the changing environmental conditions of the epoch, not optimal for hippopotamuses. Overall, the Megalopolis Basin comprises a unique fossil record for southeastern Europe and provides valuable insights into the Middle Pleistocene terrestrial ecosystems of Europe, and hominin adaptations in particular.
FELIX SCHLAGINTWEIT, SABRINA AMODIO, FILIPPO BARATTOLO
et al.
Campanellula capuensis was described as belonging to the Trochamminacea (trochospiral tests) and later transferred to
the genus Orbitolinopsis of the Orbitolinidae (uniserial tests). Challenging its identity as a species of Orbitolinopsis, the
most widely accepted classifications of agglutinated foraminifera reinstate Campanellula but retain its inclusion within
the Orbitolinidae, subfamily Dictyoconinae. New material from the type locality and the San Lorenzello section (Matese
Mountains, southern Apennines, Italy) as well as the construction of a 3D model allow to reinstate the original description
as a low- to high-trochospirally (conical) coiled foraminifer with numerous chambers per whorl and to display an overall
conical test morphology. An orbitolinid test construction including uniserial chambers (throughout the test or in its adult
part) is absent. The conflicting opinions on taxonomic status of Campanellula are discussed leading to the removal from
the order Loftusiina and the suborder Orbitolinina. Instead, Campanellula should be included into the order Lituolida and
the suborder Verneuilinina. Campanellula capuensis represents a biostratigraphic and palaeobiogeographic marker taxon,
restricted to upper Hauterivian–lower Barremian inner platform carbonates of the southern Neotethyan margin.
Rodrigo Muñoz-Cofré, Pablo A. Lizana, Máximo Escobar Cabello
et al.
Abstract Background Body composition (BC) influences respiratory system mechanics, provoking air flow limitation (AFL). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of AFL in small- and medium-caliber airways with BC in young adults. Methods Eighty-three individuals were recruited (40 men and 43 women). To determine AFL, the following measurements were taken: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% (FEF25–75%), airway resistance (Raw), and specific airway resistance (sRaw). The measured BC variables were body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%BF), and fat-free mass (FFM). Binary logistical regression analysis was used to estimate the association between the AFL variables and %BF, BMI, and %FFM, adjusting for weight and gender. Results Among men, a relationship was observed between Raw and %BF (r = 0.728; p < 0.0001) and sRaw and BMI (r = 0.617; p < 0.0001). Among women, significant relationships were reported between Raw and BMI (r = 0.615; p < 0.0001) and sRaw and BMI (r = 0.556; p < 0.0001). Among participants with a BMI over 30 kg/m2, higher risks of increased Raw (OR = 26.8; p = 0.009) and sRaw (OR = 9.3; p = 0.002) were observed. Furthermore, higher %BF was associated with greater risks for increased Raw (OR = 14.04; p = 0.030) and sRaw (OR = 4.14; p = 0.028). In contrast, increased %FFM (OR = 0.14; p = 0.025) was a protective factor for lung function. Conclusion Increased %BF is associated with increased AFL in small-caliber airways. Furthermore, increased %FFM is associated with decreased risk for Raw and sRaw in women. Therefore, evidence indicates that increased %FFM is a protective factor for adequate lung function.
This article introduces one of the largest rock art sites found in the central Dakhleh Oasis. Firstly, an overview of all the panels with petroglyphs is provided and the images briefly described. The panels’ description contains basic information on their location and visibility, motifs and their compositional aspects, and chronology. This is followed by a brief summary of the presented data and a discussion situating the site in the broader context of Dakhleh and the surrounding Western Desert. Particular motifs and their arrangements, like a herd of giraffes, are further briefly discussed, and parallels from the Dakhleh region and the Nile valley cited in order to compare the CO178 rock art.
Sarah Nelson, Irina Zhushchikhovskaya, Tao Li
et al.
Archaeolinguistics, a field which combines language reconstruction and archaeology as a source of information on human prehistory, has much to offer to deepen our understanding of the Neolithic and Bronze Age in Northeast Asia. So far, integrated comparative analyses of words and tools for textile production are completely lacking for the Northeast Asian Neolithic and Bronze Age. To remedy this situation, here we integrate linguistic and archaeological evidence of textile production, with the aim of shedding light on ancient population movements in Northeast China, the Russian Far East, Korea and Japan. We show that the transition to more sophisticated textile technology in these regions can be associated not only with the adoption of millet agriculture but also with the spread of the languages of the so-called ‘Transeurasian’ family. In this way, our research provides indirect support for the Language/Farming Dispersal Hypothesis, which posits that language expansion from the Neolithic onwards was often associated with agricultural colonization.
The article discusses the contribution of Jan Kowalczyk to the study of the Funnel Beaker culture. The paper presents his achievements in field research on settlements and funerary sites in Central and Eastern Poland (cemeteries and settlements on the Nałęczów Plateau, settlement in Gródek in the Hrubieszów Basin) and thoughts on the methodology of searching and exploration of the Neolithic graves. The most important publications of this author were also recalled. The results of his work are placed in the context of the present state of research.
A limestone deposit with an unusual fauna is reported from the late Miocene of northern Italy (Ca’ Fornace site). The petrography of the carbonate and its distinct carbon isotope signature (with δ13C values as low as -57.6‰) clearly identify this limestone as an ancient methane-seep deposit. The dominant faunal elements are serpulid tubes belonging to Protis, and extremely inflated, medium-sized shells of the lucinid bivalve Anodontia mioinflata sp. nov. Also common is the small bathymodiolin Idas aff. tauroparva, plus some large specimens of the lucinid Lucinoma, and poorly preserved, medium-sized specimens of a possible vesicomyid bivalve, an arcid bivalve, small gastropods of the genera Laeviphitus (Elachisinidae), Anatoma (Scissurellidae), as well as desmophyliid and caryophyllid scleractinian corals. This faunal assemblage is quite distinct from the typical Miocene seep faunas in northern Italy, which are dominated by large bivalves of the Lucinidae (Meganodontia), Vesicomyidae (Archivesica), and Bathymodiolinae, possibly due to a shallower depositional depth of the Ca’ Fornace site.
Abstract Background The human mirror neuron system exists in adults, and even in children. However, a significant, unanswered question in the literature concerns age differences in the effect of visual orientation of human body movements. The observation of actions performed by others is known to activate populations of neural cells called mirror neuron system. Moreover, the power of mu rhythms (8–13 Hz) in the EEG is known to decrease while performing and observing human movements. Therefore, the mu rhythm could be related to the activity of the mirror neuron system. This study investigated the effects of the visual perspective on electroencephalography responses to hand actions in two age groups. Methods The participants were 28 elementary school students and 26 university students. Videos of the two hands operating switches were used as stimuli. The electroencephalogram mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) was measured during stimuli presentation as an index of mirror neuron system activity. Results Adult participants showed significant mirror neuron system activation under both conditions, although no effect of visual perspectives was observed. On the other hand, children only reacted to egocentric stimuli and not to the others. Conclusions These findings confirmed the suggested differences in the activity of the mirror neuron system between different age groups. The demonstration that brain activities related to mirroring change during development could help explain previous findings in the literature.
Al celebrarse el 21 de noviembre de 1980 el 25o aniversario de la fundación de la Asociación Paleontológica Argentina, se realizaron una serie de actos conmemorativos. Los textos de estas conferencias se incluyeron en una Publicación Especiál, con la intención de brindar una síntesis de los orígenes directos e indirectos, mediatos e inmediatos, de este desafío que hace 25 años llevó a crear la Asociación Paleontológica Argentina.
Sergio F. Vizcaíno, Marcelo A. Reguero, Francisco J. Goin
et al.
Abstract. The record of Paleogene terrestrial vertebrates from Antarctica is restricted to the shallow marine water sediments of the La Meseta Formation (Eocene) of Seyrnour Island (56° 43'W 64° 14'S). Marnmals are represented by marsupials, edentates and ungulates. Among birds, a falconid and two ground dwellers (a ratite and a ?phorusrhacoid) were recorded. Estimates of body mass and dietary specializations are proposed for these species. Medium- to large-sized carnivorous mammals (greater than 1 kg body mass), such as South American borhyaenid marsupials, are not yet recorded, although their presence is expected. Their absence is interpreted as a consequence of the low proportion of homeothermic carnivorous in all modern vertebrate communities and the relatively small sample recovered to date. The carnivorous role could have been partially fulfilled by some of the birds (falconid and ?phorusrhacoid).
KEY WORDS. Seymour Island. Antarctica. Eocene. Land vertebrates. Palaeoecology.
Resumen. ESTRUCTURA DE LA COMUNIDAD DE VERTEBRADOS TERRESTRES DEL EOCENO DE LA PENÍNSULA ANTÁRTICA. El registro de vertebrados terrestres del Paleógeno de Antártida está restringido a los sedimentos marinos someros de la Formación La Meseta (Eoceno) de la isla Seymour (Marambio; 56° 43'W 64° 14'S). Los mamíferos están representados por marsupiales, edentados y ungulados. Entre las aves se registraron un falcónido y dos formas no voladoras (una ratite y un probable fororraco). Se estimaron las masas corporales y los hábitos alimenticios de los distintos taxones. Aunque su presencia es esperable, no se registraron mamíferos carnívoros con masa corporal superior a 1 kg, como podrían ser los marsupiales boriénidos. Su ausencia se explica como una consecuencia de la baja proporción de carnívoros homeotérmicos, tal como lo reflejan las comunidades de vertebrados actuales, y la relativamente pequeña muestra recuperada. El papel de los carnívoros podría haber sido parcialmente cubierto por algunas aves (falcónido y fororraco).
PALABRAS CLAVE. Isla Seymour (Marambio). Antártida. Eoceno. Vertebrados terrestres. Paleoecología.
La información para la elaboración de esta ponencia se obtuvo a partir de: I) encuestas realizadas a los docentes e investigadores que en la Argentina desarrollan sus actividades dentro del campo de la Antropología Biológica. Los datos solicitados consistieron en: a) nombre de las instituciones de investigación y de docencia, y de las carreras donde se dictan materias con contenidos bioantropológicos; b) nombre de las instituciones, centros e institutos que desarrollan investigaciones, pero no docencia, en bioantropología, y II) consultas de las actas de resúmenes de las comunicaciones presentadas en las Jornadas Nacionales de Antropología Biológica que se realizaron en la Argentina, durante los últimos diez años.
Se constató que en las Facultades de Humanidades, Ciencias Sociales, Filosofía y Letras y Ciencias Naturales de seis universidades del país se dictan materias de Antropología Biológica en carreras de la Licenciatura en Ciencias Antropológicas, mientras que en otras tres unidades académicas esa asignatura se cursa en carreras de la Licenciatura en Ciencias Biológicas. En base a la información relevada se procedió a: 1) evaluar los programas de las materias y los planes de estudio de las carreras arriba mencionadas; 2) analizar las líneas de investigación que se están desarrollando en las universidades, centros e institutos y sus principales fuentes de financiamiento y 3) discutir aspectos vinculados con el mejoramiento y calidad de la enseñanza.
En el presente trabajo se aplicaron técnicas moleculares sobre muestras poco conservadas de pieles depositadas en la colección del Museo Regional Monseñor Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, con el objetivo de identificar la especie con la que fueron confeccionadas. Se extrajeron pelos de mantas realizadas con pieles de guanaco (<i>Lama guanicoe</i>) por Selk’nam y de una piel de puma (<i>Puma concolor</i>) procedente de la provincia de Santa Cruz. Ambas muestras se encontraban almacenadas en el Museo Regional Monseñor Fagnano y en la Misión Salesiana Candelaria en Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. La extracción de ADN de los fragmentos de pelos de 5mm de longitud se realizó en un buffer de lisis PCR-compatible. Se amplificaron por PCR fragmentos específicos de ADN mitocondrial y se secuenciaron. Las secuencias fueron comparadas con las depositadas en la base de secuencias de nucleótidos del National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) de Estados Unidos. La aplicación de técnicas moleculares permitió recuperar secuencias de ADN de muestras de pieles con un estado de conservación poco óptimo para análisis genéticos, pudiendo extenderse a otras fuentes de pelos como las fibras textiles de origen arqueológico de la región.
Scolecodonts from the Gualcamayo Formation, Lower Llanvirnian from San Juan and La Rioja Precordillera are reported for the first time. The studied material was recovered from the Potrerillos creek, northeastern of Jáchal city. Eight species are recognized.
RESUMEN Durante más de 10.000 años el Area Andina Centro Meridional proporcionó un escenario ideal para el desarrollo de distintas poblaciones y entidades culturales, interactuando a través de una amplia red de intercambio y distribución de productos. A pesar de este nivel de interacción, la información métrica disponible (Bolivia, Norte de Chile y Noroeste Argentino), reveló un fuerte proceso de divergencia genética (FST = 0.195) entre subregiones (Varela et al., 2008). Esta evidencia es contrastada en el presente trabajo a partir del análisis de una muestra integrada por 1416 individuos de ambos sexos, cubriendo un intervalo de 4.500 años. Se emplearon 12 atributos (rasgos no métricos) del cráneo registrados como presencia-ausencia. Las diferencias entre subáreas fueron evaluadas mediante la estadística MMDS y D2 de Mahalanobis calculada a partir de componentes principales. Ambas matrices de distancias fenotípicas presentaron una alta correlación, destacando una significativa diferenciación a nivel regional. La mayor distancia se registra entre el Noroeste Argentino y el Norte de Chile, ocupando Bolivia una posición equidistante entre ambas regiones. Dentro de cada región las muestras están más relacionadas entre si ((Cochabamba, (Puna, Quebrada, Valliserrana y Pampa Grande), (Arica, Pisagua, Norte Semiárido)). Hay mayor vinculación entre Cochabamba y el Noroeste Argentino y mayor divergencia entre los grupos de Chile. Se confirma un modelo de poblamiento a partir de la subdivisión de una población ancestral en dos ramas que ocuparon: una el Norte de Chile y otra el Noroeste Argentino. En cada una de ellas el proceso dispersivo originó varias líneas que se diferenciaron gradualmente hacia el sur, durante la exploración de nuevos ambientes cuya conquista y colonización garantizó la subsistencia de la población.
ABSTRACT For more than 10,000 years, the south central Andean region was an ideal location for the development of different populations and cultural entities, interacting through a wide network of exchange and distribution of products. In spite of this level of interaction, the available metric information (Bolivia, North of Chile, and Northwest of Argentina) showed a strong process of genetic divergence (FST = 0.195) among the sub-regions (Varela et al., 2008). This evidence is contrasted in the present work by means of the analysis of a sample of 1416 individuals of both sexes, covering a span of 4500 years. Twelve non-metric cranial traits, observed and scored as either present or absent, were employed. Differences between sub-regions were evaluated by means of the standardized mean measure of divergence (MMDS) and Mahalanobis distance (D2) was calculated with principal components. Both matrices of biological distances, representing phenotypic distances, presented a high correlation, level. The greatest distance was registered between northwestern Argentina and northern Chile, with Bolivia in an equidistant position away from both. Within each region the samples are more related to each other ((Cochabamba), (Puna, Quebrada, Valliserrana and Pampa Grande), (Arica, Pisagua, Norte Semiarido)). The greatest connection is between Cochabamba and northwestern Argentina, while the largest divergence can be seen between the groups of Chile. Thus, we propose a populating model based on the subdivision of an ancestral population into two branches, one occupied the north of Chile and the other the northwest of Argentina. In each case, the dispersal process gave rise to several lines that differentiated gradually as they moved south in their exploration of new environments guaranteeing their survival.
Hidalgo, Pedro C., Bengochea, Milka, Álvarez, Inés
Durante las últimas décadas los movimientos migratorios internos han configurado cambios importantes en la población uruguaya, con una clara tendencia al incremento de los centros urbanos a expensas del medio rural. Estos movimientos poblacionales han contribuido a un complejo proceso de amalgamiento que se ha evidenciado en las características de la capital (Montevideo) y los departamentos limítrofes. En este estudio proponemos analizar tres sistemas genéticos (HLA, ABO y Rhesus) para comparar la población uruguaya de diferentes áreas de acuerdo a su lugar de nacimiento. Para esto, se analizó una muestra de 400 individuos separados en tres regiones: Montevideo, sur (departamentos limítrofes a Montevideo), y norte del país. Los resultados muestran una baja pero significativa diferenciación de Montevideo con las otras regiones de país, lo cual se evidencia en los valores de Gst y de distancia genética. Puede concluirse que la ciudad de Montevideo presenta patrones diferenciales que no se observan en los departamentos limítrofes, mientras que evidencias indirectas muestran un flujo indirecto de la región norte hacia la capital.
La isonimia es frecuentemente utilizada para efectuar estimaciones de consanguinidad. A su vez, el método de los pares repetidos permite inferir si la población en estudio presenta subdivisión. Ambos métodos pueden aplicarse a registros de población en que se detallan los apellidos de los cónyuges, como el censo de 1795 para la provincia de Córdoba, que se analiza en este trabajo. Se consideró aquí el grupo etno-social de los “españoles”, numéricamente mayoritario en el registro. Con el objeto de estimar la consanguinidad, se realizaron análisis mediante isonimia tanto a escala provincial como a nivel de las unidades administrativas (curatos) individuales. Para apreciar qué tan diferenciadas genéticamente estaban aquéllas se estimó el Fst promedio, y para conocer si existió subdivisión poblacional dentro de las unidades de análisis se aplicó la metodología de pares repetidos. A nivel provincial, se observó que la población analizada presentaba baja consanguinidad y diferenciación promedio. A escala de curatos no se manifestó preferencia por cónyuge con el mismo apellido, a la vez que se evidenció subdivisión poblacional en casi todos ellos. Estos resultados parecen reflejar una estrategia tendiente a preservar alianzas familiares evitando al mismo tiempo uniones consanguíneas.
La información arqueológica acerca de las poblaciones prehispánicas que ocuparon la región austral de las Sierras Pampeanas sugiere, desde inicios del Holoceno hasta la llegada de los españoles, la existencia de diversas estrategias de adaptación. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la diversidad temporal y espacial de la dieta de las poblaciones asentadas en esta región, analizando bioindicadores como caries e información isotópica -δC13 y δN15-. Como hipótesis de trabajo, es de esperar cambios tanto en la frecuencia de caries como en los valores isotópicos entre poblaciones de cazadores-recolectores y aquellas que han incorporado la agricultura. El registro de caries se realizó sobre un total de 50 individuos adultos de ambos sexos, y el análisis isotópico se efectuó sobre 9 muestras de colágeno óseo, cuyos fechados radiocarbónicos las ubican desde fines del Holoceno Medio al Holoceno tardío final (4500-300 a.P.). Se aplicó el test de X² para evaluar la significación estadística de las diferencias observadas. Los resultados isotópicos y bioantropológicos serían coincidentes con información arqueológica previa, y permitirían interpretar la introducción de los cultígenos a la dieta de estas poblaciones como un proceso paulatino, que no supuso un cambio radical en la dieta de estas poblaciones.