The first find of a spadefoot toad (Anura,Pelobatidae) in the Miocene of Moldova

A skeleton fragment of a spadefoot toad (family Pelobatidae Bonaparte, 1850) from the Middle Miocene (Early Sarmatian) of the Karpov Yar locality (northern Moldova) is described. Since the material is incomplete, it is only determined as Pelobatidae gen. indet. This is the first spadefoot toad from the Miocene of Moldova.     

副特提斯东部地区Sarmatian期(中-晚中新世)古植物群的演化

摩尔多瓦位于东特提斯地区内,海相,陆相Sarmatian期沉积都很发育,根据软体动物和有孔虫化石,当地Sarmatian期沉积被分为三段,最后从摩尔多瓦各地37口井下和露头700块样品获得的孢粉结果支持Sarmatian期三分,这些孢粉化石资料说明区域性植被响应气候演变,海进,海退等所发生的变化,含有亚热带种类的山毛阔叶林统池了早Sarmatian期,有时暗针叶林增加,在海退期的晚Sarmatian期,含有喜盐植物（Chenopodiaceae,Amaranthus,Artemisia)的草本类增加。已有的资料显示了在东特提斯地区Sarmatian期植被的周期性变化,伴随着亚热带植物不断减少和禾草类不断增加,说明当时气候在朝年均温逐渐降低,干旱化增加,更加大陆性方向变化。     

Morphogenesis of rissoidae in the inland basins of the Eastern Paratethys

Miocene rissoids from the heterochronous low-salinity seas of the Eastern Paratethys (Early Chokrakian, Karaganian, Late Konkian, Early Sarmatian, and Early Maeotian) were revised. The polyphyletic genus Mohrensternia is subdivided into several generic and subgeneric taxa. The new genus Zhgentia and the new subgenera Rissoa (Turboellina), R. (Pseudoturboellina), and R. (Maeotia) are established.     

Trochidae (Gastropoda) from the Sarmatian Basin of the Eastern Paratethys

The gastropod family Trochidae from the Sarmatian deposits of the Eastern Paratethys is described in detail. Detailed faunal characteristics of 22 Sarmatian sections in Volyn–Podolia, Moldova, southern Ukraine, and Crimea, some of which have yielded the material of this study, are provided. Based on the study of an extensive collection of Trochidae, the family system is revised. The taxonomic composition of four Trochidae assemblages from Lower and Middle Sarmatian deposits is provided. These assemblages can be used for stratification of the Lower Sarmatian Kuzhorskie and Zbruchskie beds and Middle Sarmatian Novomoskovskie and Dnepropetrovskie–Vasilevskie beds. The results of the biogeographical study of Trochidae development in the Sarmatian basin of the Paratethys are provided. The data obtained on the evolution of Trochidae can be used for resolution of the paleoecological, biogeographical, and biostratigraphic questions.     

中国中生代晚期及第三纪鱼类区系中的若干分布格局问题

日本列岛和中国大陆东部的现生淡水鱼类区系存在显著的差异,但这两地上新世和中新世的鱼类区系已发现的组成成分却似乎比现代鱼类区系要接近得多。而在中国东部渤海沿岸发现的早第三纪或始新世的鱼类区系成分则显示出与北美西岸同时代鱼类区系的惊人相似,展现出一个“跨太平洋格局”。中国中生代晚期或早白垩世的鱼类区系从组成和分布上可以划分为两个组合。分布于北部的一个组合中土著类型较多,分布于东南部的组合表现出一些与南美东北部及非洲西部鱼类区系的相似性,这种分布格局涉及到南、北两半球的大陆。 本文对上述分布格局作一简单介绍,并作初步解释： １）早白垩世的副鲚鱼亚科鱼类在西非、南美洲东北部的分布曾被解释为１）历史上曾存在过一个包括副鲚鱼亚科在内的广布单系类群;２）中国东南部早白垩世鱼类区系起源于冈瓦纳;３）中国东南部早白垩世鱼类区系中至少有某些种类是近岸鱼类。本文倾向于接受后两种建议。 ２）始新世渤海沿岸及北美绿河页岩鱼类区系的“跨太平洋”分布格局曾有人用“太平洋洲假说”来说明。本文作者不赞成这种解释,认为这一分布格局的形成有多种原因,如当时宽阔的白令陆桥及露出海面的北极地区可作为两地鱼类的通道;两地的近岸鱼类可沿当时连续的海岸来往,     

A new clupeid genus (pisces, clupeiformes, clupeidae) from the Sarmatian of the Eastern Paratethys, Krasnodar Region

Two collections of clupeid fishes, which have previously been assigned to the species Sardinella sardinites (Heckel, 1850), from the Lower and Middle Sarmatian of the Pshekha River Basin (Western Ciscaucasia, Krasnodar Region) were studied. A new genus, Illusionella gen. nov., with two species, I. tsurevica sp. nov. and I. pshekhensis sp. nov., was described based on morphological characteristics. They are the most abundant species in Sarmatian fish assemblages of the Psekups-Belaya interfluve.     

On the miocene centracanthidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) from the eastern Paratethys

A new genus, Naslavcea, is erected for the Middle Miocene species Spicara fundata Bannikov, 1990 (Centracanthidae) from the Lower Sarmatian of northern Moldova. This genus is characterized by the relatively small number of rays in the dorsal and anal fins. At the same time, Pelates islamdagicus Prokofiev, 2001 from the Lower Miocene of the Apsheron Peninsula (Azerbaijan) is transferred from the family Terapontidae to Centracanthidae and referred to the genus Spicara.     

Serpulid-bryozoan-foraminiferal biostromes controlled by temperate climate and reduced salinity: Middle miocene of the Styrian Basin,Austria

Summary Reduced salintiy and a temperate climate prevailed during the Sarmatian in the Styrian Basin, the westernmost embayment of the Central Paratethys. At its northern margin (in the study area) tectonic processes initiated a transgression causing the incision of a cliff into the metamorphic basement and the formation of a carbonate buildup in the latest Sarmatian. The buildup consists of two serpulid-bryozoan-foraminiferal biostromes separated by a microbialite. Serpulids, bryozoa and the encrusting foraminifer Sinzowella caespitosa (Steinmann) as well as microbial mats formed a rigid framework, in which biogenic debris and siliciclastics were baffled. The different biota show complex growth relationships. Stromatolitic crusts and laminated micritic microbial crusts with birdseyes grew in a small sheltered lagoon. The upper biostrome is truncated by a ravinement surface of eustatic orgin and is overlain by ooid grainstone. The buildup drowned during maximum sea-level rise.     

Sarmatian (Late Middle Miocene) gastropod assemblages of the Central Paratethys

Summary A rather diverse gastropod fauna from Sarmatian deposits of the Austrian/Hungarian Eisenstadt-Sopron Basin was studied. The fauna derives from two layers of clay and silt within a siliciclastic section at St. Margarethen in Burgenland (Austria). These layers are interpreted as littoral mudflats which formed during the Sarmatian (Late Middle Miocene) along the western coast of the Central Paratethys. Strong shifts in the composition of the gastropod fauna, dominated by Potamididae (Cenogastropoda: Cerithioidea), within each layer indicate successions of limnic-fluvial to oligohaline, brackish-littoral, and marine-littoral environments. These shifts in facies are reflected by an alternational of thePotamides hartbergensis assemblage,Granulolabium bicinctum assemblage, and thePotamides disjunctus assemblage. The speciesJujubinus turriculus (Eichwald, 1850),Gibbula buchi (Dubois, 1831), andCylichnina elongata (Eichwald, 1830) are reported for the first time from the Sarmatian of the Paratethys.Mitrella agenta nov. sp. (Neogastropoda: Columbellidae) is introduced as a new species. These species might represent relics of the diverse Badenian fauna but could also prove a minor ingression of marine species from an adjacent bioprovince in the Late SarmatianMactra “Zone”.     

New baleen whale genera (Cetacea, Mammalia) from the miocene of the northern caucasus and ciscaucasia: 1. Kurdalagonus gen. nov. from the middle-late Sarmatian of Adygea

A revision of previously known material and analysis of new records of Miocene baleen whales from the Sarmatian of Adygea (city of Maikop, Blinovo Formation) resulted in the establishment of a new genus, Kurdalagonus with three species: K. mchedlidzei sp. nov. (Middle Sarmatian, Nagiezh-Uashkh locality), K. adygeicus sp. nov. (Upper Sarmatian, Hydroelectric power station locality), and K. maicopicus (Spasskii, 1951) (=Cetotherium maicopicum Spasskii, 1951; Middle Sarmatian, Hydroelectric power station locality).     

Early Miocene gastropod and ectothermic vertebrate remains from the Lesvos Petrified Forest (Greece)

The Lesvos Petrified Forest (western Lesvos, Greece) has long been famous for its plant fossils. Recently, one proboscidean (from the Gavathas locality) and seven micromammalian species (from the Lapsarna locality) were described; these were the first animals to be found in the Early Miocene subtropical forest. For the first time, a fauna of gastropods and ectothermic vertebrates from the Lapsarna locality is now available. This fauna derives from lacustrine sediments under the pyroclastic material that contains the petrified plants. Based on fragmented mollusc remains, isolated fish pharyngeal teeth and utricular otoliths (lapilli), fragmented amphibian vertebrae and a tooth-bearing element, and reptile fragmented dentaries, teeth, osteoderms and vertebrae, the presence of eight freshwater and three terrestrial gastropod species, three freshwater cyprinid species, and two amphibian and five reptile taxa has been confirmed. Stratigraphical and radiometric data suggest an age older than 18.4 ± 0.5 Ma (latest Early Miocene), in good agreement with the faunal composition. This paper is the first report of the concurrent presence of three cyprinid fish species in a Greek Early Miocene locality, as well as the first documentation of an Early Miocene proteid amphibian in southeastern Europe. The present findings represent one of the best-documented Early Miocene gastropod and fish faunas in the Aegean/southern Balkans, thus adding to our knowledge of Early Miocene amphibians and reptiles from that region and providing valuable information on the local subtropical ecosystem.     

Evolution of organogenic carbonate buildups in the Middle through Late Miocene of the Euxine-Caspian Basin (Eastern Paratethys)

Two types of organogenic carbonate buildups (bryalgal and algal-microbialite) occurring for approximately 11 Ma from the Middle through to the Late Miocene in the Euxine-Caspian Basin are considered. Four main stages in the formation of these structures are established: Chokrakian-Karaganian, Early-Middle Sarmatian, Maeotian, and a specific Late Sarmatian one. Each of the first three stages began with bryalgal bioherms that, during the growing basins’ isolation, transformed into algal-microbialite buildups. Only bryalgal buildups are found in the Late Sarmatian Basin.     

First fossil record of early Sarmatian didemnid ascidian spicules (Tunicata) from Moldova

Numerous ascidian spicules are reported for the first time from the lower Sarmatian Darabani-Mitoc Clays of Costeşti, north-western Moldova. The biological interpretation of the studied sclerites allows distinguishing at least three morphospecies (Polysyncraton-like, Trididemnum-like, and Didemnum-like) within the Didemnidae family. Eight other morphological types of spicules are classified as indeterminate didemnids. Most of the studied spicules are morphologically similar to those of Recent shallow-water taxa from the Mediterranean Sea. In contrast, some sclerites resemble those of taxa from the Indo-Pacific region. The greater size of the studied spicules, compared to that of present-day didemnids, suggests favorable physicochemical conditions within the Sarmatian Sea. The presence of these stenohaline tunicates that prefer normal salinity seems to confirm latest hypotheses regarding mixo-mesohaline conditions during the early Sarmatian.     

Shifts in the composition and distribution of Pacific Arctic larval fish assemblages in response to rapid ecosystem change

The Pacific Arctic marine ecosystem has undergone rapid changes in recent years due to ocean warming, sea ice loss, and increased northward transport of Pacific-origin waters into the Arctic. These climate-mediated changes have been linked to range shifts of juvenile and adult subarctic (boreal) and Arctic fish populations, though it is unclear whether distributional changes are also occurring during the early life stages. We analyzed larval fish abundance and distribution data sampled in late summer from 2010 to 2019 in two interconnected Pacific Arctic ecosystems: the northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, to determine whether recent warming and loss of sea ice has restricted habitat for Arctic species and altered larval fish assemblage composition from Arctic- to boreal-associated taxa. Multivariate analyses revealed the presence of three distinct multi-species assemblages across all years: (1) a boreal assemblage dominated by yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera), capelin (Mallotus catervarius), and walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus); (2) an Arctic assemblage composed of Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) and other common Arctic species; and (3) a mixed assemblage composed of the dominant species from the other two assemblages. We found that the wind- and current-driven northward advection of warmer, subarctic waters and the unprecedented low-ice conditions observed in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas beginning in 2017 and persisting into 2018 and 2019 have precipitated community-wide shifts, with the boreal larval fish assemblage expanding northward and offshore and the Arctic assemblage retreating poleward. We conclude that Arctic warming is most significantly driving changes in abundance at the leading and trailing edges of the Chukchi Sea larval fish community as boreal species increase in abundance and Arctic species decline. Our analyses document how quickly larval fish assemblages respond to environmental change and reveal that the impacts of Arctic borealization on fish community composition spans multiple life stages over large spatial scales.     

Metabolism of Hydrocarbons in Microorganisms

The fatty acid composition of the lipid of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) caught in two different localities, Philippine Sea (a tropical zone) and the Pacific coast area of Japan (a temperate zone) is described. The total lipids of various organs (dorsal ordinary muscle, ventral ordinary muscle, dark muscle, liver, heart, pyloric cecum, and orbital region) and of the stomach contents were extracted, and the fatty acid comosition was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC).

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) was the major unsaturated fatty acid in the lipid of all organs in the specimens examined from both localities, the mean DHA content accounting for more than 25% (mean ± S.D. of 26.9 ±5.7%) of the total fatty acids. This value is markedly different from the fatty acid profile of other fish species, because, in general, the fatty acid composition of other species is variable and the DHA content is less than 20% of total fatty acids.

Although the mean DHA content of the total fatty acids in the lipid of yellowfin tuna caught in the tropical and temperate zones was markedly higher than that in other fish species, there was a small difference between that in the northern samples (temperate waters, 30.5 ±6.1%) and the southern samples (tropical waters, 25.9 ± 5.2%). It is suggested that this difference may be due to environmental effects, e.g., the fatty acid composition of the lipids of prey organisms, because there is also a small difference between the mean DHA content of northern prey fish (22.7 ±6.1%) and that of southern prey fish (19.2 ±4.0%).     

Non-indigenous fish in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor

The assessment of risks associated with non-indigenous species implies a detailed knowledge of their taxonomical composition and distribution within a certain region. The northern branch of the central European ‘invasion corridor’—a series of canals connecting different watersheds—has formed an important migratory route for Ponto-Caspian fish (i.e. fish from the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea). However, the current status of non-indigenous fish species in this region is very scarce. This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent distribution data of non-indigenous fish species in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor. Here, extensive data are integrated based on studies performed during 2003–2014 comprising reliable published and unpublished records from the last 12 years. Altogether, ten non-indigenous fish species were currently found in the northern branch of the central European invasion corridor, constituting 19 % of its freshwater fish diversity. Three species, including the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), and the Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii), are considered invasive species. Eight species may potentially invade this region in the near future. A comparison of the history of non-indigenous fish species introduction in the inland waters of the northern branch and other countries of the central European invasion corridor revealed similar introduction trends. Potential expansion of non-indigenous fish species across the central European invasion corridor has international implications that require awareness, cooperation, and government support from each individual country. Disclosure of recently operating vectors for non-indigenous fish introductions within the central European invasion corridor will help predict and prevent their further spread and establishment in this region.     

Das Trockenelement in der jungtertiären Flora Mitteleuropas

Zusammenfassung Im Jungtertiär Ungarns sind einzelne Floren wie im Alttertiär durch das massenhafte Vorkommen mikro- und stenophyller Holzarten ausgezeichnet. Sie verdanken ihre Entstehung, wie im Alttertiär, einem im nordatlantischen Raum Eurasiens gelegenen Entwicklungszentrum und einem Halbtrockenklima. Dieses Klima entsprach dem heutigen Klima in höherem Mass als das Klima desselben Raumes im Alttertiär. Ein Teil der jungtertiären Trockenarten sind aus dem Alttertiär zurückgebliebene Elemente. Sie überlebten die feuchteren Zeiten an günstigsten Stellen. Unter ihnen sind die meisten mit rezenten Arten abgelegener Gebiete, so des öfteren der südlichen Hemisphäre, verwandt. Nur wenige (z.B. Arbutus unedo L.) sind heute mediterran. Die im Jungtertiär entstandenen Trockenarten sind mehrheitlich mit mediterranen Arten verwandt. Die Hartlaubgehölze mediterraner Verwandtschaft kamen im Karpatenbecken in grösster Zahl im ersten Abschnitt des unteren Sarmats vor und beherrschten zu dieser Zeit die Trockenwälder.Die Umweltverhältnisse des oberen Tortons waren jenen von Makaronesien ähnlich. Im unteren Sarmat entwickelte sich ein Klima von echt mediterranem Charakter. Etwas später milderte sich indessen die sommerliche Aridität und die Niederschläge nahmen zu. Die Trockenwälder wurden durch mesophile Waldungen verdrängt. Die Entwicklung der Strauchschicht verspätete sich aber gegenüber der Kronschicht und mediterrane Straucharten erschienen in grösster Anzahl unter einer Kronschicht, die zur Hauptsache aus mesophilen Arten bestand. Eine überaus reiche Entwicklung von xerophilen Quercus-Arten charakterisiert den stark geschichteten xero-mesophilen Mischwald von Balaton-Déllö.

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Summary By analizing the Late Tertiary floras of Hungary the writer found that from Middle Miocene time the number of the leaves of xerophytic character increases. According to his opinion these xerophytic types were — like those of the Early Tertiary — formed in a plant evolution center situated in the North Atlantic region in the latitude of the Spanish and Moroccan meseta or a little more northward. This dry element called xero-atlantic element appears as third besides the temperate Turgayan and the warmer evergreen Poltawa-element.In Hungary the climate changed in the Tortonean to a subtropical one with a hot and dry summer and a mild and moist winter approaching the recent climate of the Mediterranean region. This climate was favourable to the hard-leaved arborescent vegetation.In the German text a list of the dry elements hitherto observed is given with their leaf character, their living equivalent and its geographical distribution. Then the origin of these species is discussed especially whether they are descendants of the Poltawan or Turgayan flora. At the beginning of the dry period of the Late Tertiary, during the Late Tortonean and Early Sarmatian, some dry elements of the Austral type (Proteacea, Myrsinaceae, Callistemophyllum) are yet found. Then the forms of Mediterranean type become dominant. A special attention is paid to the dry oakes. The majority of the hard-leaved oaks is Mediterranean but some of them (e.g. Quercus pseudoilex Kov.) have their equivalence in the Gulf region of North America. The typical hard-leaved oaks of the Pacific region are in no connection with the species of Mediterranean relationship and according to Axelrod (1958) they had their center of evolution in the Sierra Madre region. Besides the hard-leaved forms there are deciduous and semideciduous oaks and one of the laurel type. The latter has his equivalence in southern Atlantic North America.The climate from the Tortonean to the Early Pliocene is fairly well known. During the Tortonian it was similar to the recent climate of the Canary Islands with a rainless summer and a mild winter. The aridity of the summer was nevertheless moderated by the equalized temperature and the high air moisture. At the beginning of the Sarmatian the climate changed to a more extreme one, the summer became hot and dry. In the younger Sarmatian the precipitations increased and the summer aridity decreased.The changes in the vegetation followed the changes of climate. The greatest evolution of the arid and semiarid plant forms took place during the early Sarmatian. But no treeless formations, steppes, or desert vegetation can be supposed. The Tortonean forests were dominated by the Lauraceae. In consequence to the increasing aridity the Lauraceae disappeared from the tree level but remained as shrubs. In the Early Sarmatian especially in the flora of Erdöbénye, the hard-leaved forest was the dominant plant formation consisting of hard-leaved, half-evergreen oaks and other deciduous trees with xeromorphic foliage (Acer decipiens A.Br. etc). The majority of the dry elements were of Mediterranean type. The evolution in the undergrowth of the forest was a little late and the hard-leaved shrubs reached their highest evolution at a time in the Sarmatian when the hard-leaved forest changed gradually into a mesophilous one.

     

大亚湾鱼类群落嵌套分布格局

为保护大亚湾渔业资源,2015年4月(春季)、8月(夏季)、10月(秋季)和12月(冬季)对大亚湾进行了4航次底拖网渔业资源调查,结合距最近大陆距离、距最近大岛距离、水深、水温、盐度、叶绿素a、总氮、总磷、鱼类的最大体长和捕捞努力量(CPUE)这些参数,研究了大亚湾鱼类的群聚特征。结果表明,大亚湾鱼类呈嵌套分布格局,鱼类最大体长对嵌套格局的形成具有显著影响;大亚湾鱼类群落嵌套格局的形成支持选择性迁入假说;大亚湾鱼类全年与四季的嵌套最友好位点均在湾口杨梅坑和大辣甲北部海域,此两海域为大亚湾鱼类的主要群聚区,大辣甲北部海域是鱼类的产卵场繁殖区,杨梅坑海域是鱼类的主要育肥区,均应优先进行保护和管理,是开展大亚湾鱼类增殖放流的最适宜海域。     

中国石炭纪和二叠纪植物群

本文总结和讨论了中国石炭纪和二叠纪植物群分布特征,在对植物群成分分析的基础上,认为中国早石炭世（杜内期、维宪期和纳缪尔A期）分布一个全球一致性的植物群,即拟鳞木植物群Lepidodendropsis flora。中国的晚石炭世（纳缪尔B_C期、维斯发期和斯蒂芬期）和二叠纪植物群为华夏植物群。本文还对北方华夏植物群亚区和南方华夏植物群亚区植物群进行了对比,并论述了这两个植物群在组成成分上的差异。