Vertebral pneumatic structures in the Early Cretaceous sauropod dinosaur Pilmatueia faundezi from northwestern Patagonia,Argentina

One of the diagnostic characters of dicraeosaurid sauropods is a reduction of pneumatization of dorsal and caudal vertebrae relative to their Flagellicaudata sister taxon, Diplodocidae. Here, we analyse pneumatic structures in the dicraeosaurid sauropod Pilmatueia faundezi, compare them to those of diplodocoids and report the first record of camerate chambers in a dicraeosaurid. The pneumatic structures are in a posterior cervical centrum (MLL-Pv-002) and consist of lateral pneumatic fossae on the centrum that communicate internally with large camerae. By contrast, Pilmatueia's dorsal and caudal vertebrae (MLL-Pv-005-016) lack pneumatic fossae on the centra, which is consistent with the previously reported reduced pneumaticity in dicraeosaurids. Nevertheless, the base of the neural arch and possibly the base of the bifid neural spines of a posterior dorsal vertebra (MLL-Pv-005) show pneumatic internal chambers. The pneumatic features of the Pilmatueia cervical centrum and dorsal neural arch we describe indicate that the degree of pneumatization is variable within dicraeosaurids.     

新疆准噶尔盆地早侏罗世掌鳞杉科植物化石 及古大气CO2浓度

植物化石气孔参数分析是目前恢复古大气二氧化碳浓度较为精准的方法之一,银杏类和松柏类等是恢复古大气CO_2浓度常用的化石类群。本文利用新疆准噶尔盆地下侏罗统三工河组的松柏类掌鳞杉科Brachyphyllum(Hirmeriella?)sp.化石对早侏罗世大气CO_2浓度进行了重建,获得早侏罗世大气CO_2浓度为～1200ppm,丰富了早侏罗世大气CO_2浓度信息,进一步说明掌鳞杉科植物通过气孔比率法在重建侏罗纪大气CO_2浓度方面的可靠性。掌鳞杉科植物的旱生构造和较高的大气CO_2浓度表明早侏罗世Toarcian期大洋缺氧事件在陆地生态系统内可能产生了一定的响应。     

新疆准噶尔盆地不同径级梭梭和白梭梭的水分来源

在干旱区,水是植物生长发育的主要限制性因子。运用稳定氧同位素技术探究了准东地区生长在相邻地段不同径级的梭梭(Haloxylon ammodendron)和白梭梭(Haloxylon persicum)的水分来源。通过测定不同径级梭梭和白梭梭的小枝木质部水、不同土层的土壤水以及地下水的δ¹⁸O同位素值,运用MixSIAR模型、平均吸水深度模型和直观图法分析不同径级梭梭和白梭梭对各潜在水源的利用比例和主要吸水层位。结果表明:生长在丘间低地的四个径级梭梭主要水源是土壤水,随着径级的增长,梭梭水分利用方式更加灵活,趋向于利用稍浅层的土壤水。生长在沙丘顶部的四个径级白梭梭主要水源是土壤水,随着径级的增长,白梭梭更趋向于利用深层土壤水。梭梭和白梭梭通过不同的水分利用策略合理的利用干旱区有限的水源。     

Two new dinosaur tracksites from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation of Sichuan Basin,China: specific preservation and ichnotaxonomy

Two new dinosaur tracksites are reported from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation in the Sichuan Basin, Qijiang District of Chongqing. These are the Gaoqing-Yongsheng and the Huibu tracksites, which represent the 13th and 14th reports from this formation. The Gaoqing-Yongsheng tracksite reveals the trackway of a large biped (ornithopod) in association with isolated sauropod tracks and large indeterminate undertracks with radial cracks. These features are preserved as natural casts with pebble infillings in a coarse, cross bedded and very thick bedded sandstone sequence. The Huibu tracksite reveals isolated theropod tracks and ornithopod tracks, the latter having a quadripartite, Caririchnium-like morphology, preserved in a thin bedded sandstone sequence with intercalated mudstone.     

新疆阿尔泰山曲尾藓科2个中国新记录种

阿尔泰山是欧亚大陆最为宏伟的山脉之一,其中段的西南坡坐落于中国新疆境内,众多具温带性质的藓类植物分布于此。作者在对阿尔泰山进行苔藓植物区系调查过程中,发现了分布于阿尔泰山的喀纳斯自然保护区及布尔津县禾木乡的2个藓类植物中国新记录种——隶属曲尾藓科的短叶曲尾藓[Dicranum brevifolium(Lindb.)Lindb.]和卷叶小曲尾藓[Dicranella crispa(Hedw.)Schimp.]。由地理分布可知,短叶曲尾藓和卷叶小曲尾藓在中国皆为稀有种类。     

新疆鳞网衣属地衣的初步研究

采用形态解剖、化学等传统分类方法,对新疆天山的鳞网衣属地衣进行了初步研究,发现该属的3个种,其中脑状鳞网衣（Psora cerebriformis W. A. Weber）和小红褐色鳞网衣［Psora luridella (Tuck.) Fink］是中国新记录种。文中对鳞网衣属3个种进行了详细的描述,并提供了相关彩色图片。     

Structure and affinities of the petrified plants from the cretaceous of Northern Japan and Saghalien XIIIYubaristrobus gen. nov., A new Taxodiaceous cone from the upper cretaceous of Hokkaido

Yubaristrobus is a new genus of the Taxodiaceae based on a permineralized seed cone from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido. The type species,Y. nakajimae sp. nov., is characterized by peltate bract-scale complexes consisting of a completely-fused bract and scale. The bract-scale complexes are spirally arranged as in most taxodiaceous genera. Their vascular arrangement is specialized and unique in the Taxodiaceae and suggests a relationship with the Cupressaceae. Consecutive number from the previous paper (Ohsawa, M. Nishida and H. Nishida, 1992b).     

A longirostrine tyrannosauroid from the Early Cretaceous of China

The fossil record of tyrannosauroid theropods is marked by a substantial temporal and morphological gap between small-bodied, Barremian taxa, and extremely large-bodied taxa from the latest Cretaceous. Here we describe a new tyrannosauroid, Xiongguanlong baimoensis n. gen. et sp., from the Aptian–Albian Xinminpu Group of western China that represents a phylogenetic, morphological, and temporal link between these disjunct portions of tyrannosauroid evolutionary history. Xiongguanlong is recovered in our phylogenetic analysis as the sister taxon to Tyrannosauridae plus Appalachiosaurus, and marks the appearance of several tyrannosaurid hallmark features, including a sharp parietal sagittal crest, a boxy basicranium, a quadratojugal with a flaring dorsal process and a flexed caudal edge, premaxillary teeth bearing a median lingual ridge, and an expanded axial neural spine surmounted by distinct processes at its corners. Xiongguanlong is characterized by a narrow and elongate muzzle resembling that of Alioramus. The slender, unornamented nasals of Xiongguanlong are inconsistent with recent hypotheses of correlated progression in tyrannosauroid feeding mechanics, and suggest more complex patterns of character evolution in the integration of feeding adaptations in tyrannosaurids. Body mass estimates for the full-grown holotype specimen of Xiongguanlong fall between those of Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurids and Barremian tyrannosauroids, suggesting that the trend of increasing body size observed in North American Late Cretaceous Tyrannosauridae may extend through the Cretaceous history of Tyrannosauroidea though further phylogenetic work is required to corroborate this.     

Morphological differences and molecular phylogeny of freshwater blooming species, Peridiniopsis spp. (Dinophyceae) from China

In 2008–2010, several freshwater dinoflagellate blooms caused by Peridiniopsis spp. were observed in China. P. penardii and P. niei sampled from various geographical localities were examined by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. After comparing morphological and molecular differences, the new freshwater variety Peridiniopsis penardii var. robusta var. nov. (Peridiniales, Dinophyceae) found in Manwan Reservoir, Yunnan Province was described. The new variety differed from P. penardii since it possessed numerous robust antapical spines and a conspicuous apical spine. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on SSU, LSU and ITS indicated P. niei, P. penardii and P. penardii var. robusta were closely related with P. kevei, and clustered into a monophyletic clade. The new variety possessed an endosymbiotic diatom which was similar to P. penardii and P. kevei, whereas the endosymbiont was not present in cells of P. niei. The endosymbiont SSU and ITS phylogenies showed that the endosymbionts of these three dinoflagellates were closely related to members of Thalassiosirales. Furthermore it was concluded that the endosymbionts might originate from Discostella-like species.     

准噶尔盆地南缘两种典型禾本科植物根鞘土壤微生物群落功能多样性

以准噶尔盆地南缘两种禾本科植物的根鞘与其外围土壤为研究对象,采用Biolog-ECO微平板检测法对土壤微生物群落功能多样性进行了研究。结果表明:两种植物根鞘土壤的有机质、全氮、速效氮和速效钾均高于根鞘外围土壤;两种禾本科植物根鞘土壤的微生物平均颜色变化率(AWCD)、香农多样性指数、均匀度指数、优势度指数和丰富度指数均高于根鞘外围土壤;两种植物根鞘土壤微生物主要利用的碳源类型为羧酸、糖类和聚合物,其中芨芨草根鞘微生物是以利用羧酸、糖类、聚合物和氨基酸类物质为主,羽毛针禾根鞘土壤微生物是以利用糖类、氨基酸和聚合物为主;微生物平均颜色变化率与Shannon多样性指数、均匀度指数、速效钾和全氮呈显著相关性,除了全钾以外,与其余的土壤理化指标均存在正相关性。总而言之,根鞘结构改善了微生物的生存环境,提高了土壤微生物群落功能多样性,从而增强了缓冲外界不利影响的能力。     

A new fossil bird from the Early Cretaceous of Gansu Province,northwestern China

We report on the discovery of an Early Cretaceous bird from northwestern Gansu Province, in northwestern China. Represented by a nearly complete left wing and shoulder girdle the size of a rock dove, the new bird was quarried from laminated yellowish mudstones of the Xiagou Formation (Xinminpu Group) near Changma, in the Jiuquan area. These deposits have previously yielded the only known specimen of Gansus yumenensis, a basal ornithuromorph represented by the distal half of a hind limb with long and slender digits. Several derived characters of the new occurrence supports its allocation within Enantiornithes: (1) a convex lateral margin of the coracoid, (2) a minor metacarpal that projects distally more than the major metacarpal and (3) a proximal phalanx of the major digit longer than the intermediate (second) phalanx. The general proportions of the wing suggest it was a flier comparable to most other known enantiornithine birds. Although, direct comparisons between the new fossil and Gansus are not possible, phylogenetic based inferences supports their placement into two different clades. While the new fossil falls definitively within the enantiornithines, G. Yumenensis falls within the ornithuromorphs. The new occurrence thus adds to the taxonomic diversity of Early Cretaceous birds from Gansu Province in particular and central Asia in general.     

Yezonia,a new section ofAraucaria (Araucariaceae) based on permineralized vegetative and reproductive organs ofA. vulgaris comb. nov. from the upper cretaceous of Hokkaido,Japan

A new specimen of an araucarian cone,Araucaria nihongii, was found attached to the vegetative organs ofYezonia vulgaris, and is described asAraucaria vulgaris comb. nov. Thick branches show characteristic bark structure with lenticular patches. Secondary wood is usually araucarioid. Leaves are arranged helically on shoots, which are imbricate, appressed and fused to surface of the stem. External and anatomical features of leaves closely resembleBrachyphyllum. The seed cone is spherical with winged bracts and thin ovuliferous scales. One seed is borne per cone-scale complex. The seed coat and nucellus wall show typical araucarian structure. An araucarian plant that boreBrachyphyllum-like foliage and aEutacta-like seed cone was predicted by Harris in 1979. This reconstructed plant,Araucaria vulgaris, supports this theory and proves the presence of an extinct characteristic-form of the genus. A new section of the genus was proposed forAraucaria vulgaris. Structure and Affinities of the Petrified Plants from the Cretaceous of Northern Japan and Saghalien XV, Consecutive number from previous paper (Nishidaet al. 1993).     

准噶尔荒漠大翅霸王的生殖物候及结实格局

大翅霸王是多年生早春开花草本植物,是准噶尔荒漠地区的建群种之一。对野生大翅霸王的生殖物候、果实形态、结实格局和种子萌发特性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)大翅霸王的营养期生长期为20—30d,占整个生活周期的1/4,生殖生长期长约90—100d,其中花期约占1/2,果熟期短;(2)大翅霸王种群能产生3种形态的果实,可将植株分为5翅型、4/5翅型和3/4/5翅型植株,它们分别占种群植株数的3.45%、83.15%和13.40%。(3)依据个体大小的变化,3种类型果实在植株上的比例发生了显著变化。随植株个体的增大,三翅果所占比例逐渐增多,由0增加到2.65%;四翅果所占比例也增多,但在二级个体上有最大比例17.01%;五翅果实所占比例最高(80%)且没有显著变化。(4)三翅果、四翅果和五翅果内种子形态无差异,萌发率均小于30%;划破种皮能不同程度的加速和促进种子的萌发。大翅霸王特有的生殖物候和果实的表型多样性是其对荒漠干旱地区恶劣多变环境长期适应的结果。     

新疆柳属一新记录种——粉枝柳

在研究新疆阿勒泰地区柳属(SalixL.)植物时发现了新疆杨柳科(Salicaceae)柳属植物新记录组粉枝柳组(Sect.Daphnella Seringe ex Duby)及新疆新记录种粉枝柳(Salix rorida Laksch.)。该种雌花苞片长圆形、倒卵状长圆形、倒卵状椭圆形和倒卵形,先端锐尖,苞片基部两侧各具3~4个腺点;雄花苞片倒卵形和倒卵状长圆形,先端锐尖,稀凹陷,在个别苞片基部一侧会有不明显的2~3个腺点,与其他分布区的粉枝柳稍有差异。主要分布在哈巴河中、上游及其2个支流,生于河岸及人工渠道岸边,海拔900~1 500m之处。     

新疆黑尔衣属地衣的研究

该研究对采自新疆天山及阿尔泰山山脉、保存于新疆大学中国西北干旱地衣研究中心地衣标本室(XJUNALH)的130余份黑尔衣属(Melanohalea O.Blanco et al.)地衣标本进行了研究。研究发现,新疆黑尔衣属地衣包括2个中国新记录种——烟色黑尔衣(M.infumata)和亚橄榄黑尔衣(M.subolivacea),1个新疆新记录种亚长芽黑尔衣(M.subelegantula)以及4个常见种地衣等7个地衣物种。并提供了新记录种地衣的形态-解剖特征描述和彩色照片,以及包括这些种的检索表、地衣名录和分布地区。这些新记录种的发现,为中国和新疆的地衣资源提供了基础资料。     

内蒙古被子植物分布新资料

报道了内蒙古1个新分布记录属:粟草属(Milium L.);2个新分布记录种:翅柄车前(Plantago komaroviiPavl.)和粟草(Milium effusum L.)。     

四川省香薷属植物地理分布新记录

报道了四川省香薷属植物地理分布新记录1种——四方蒿(Elsholtzia blanda Benth.)。四方蒿主要分布于中国西南部（云南、贵州、广西）至东南亚及南亚的热带地区,在四川为新记录,且是该种分布区的北缘。凭证标本存放于上海辰山植物园标本馆（CSH）。     

Use of fluorescent microscopy in defining a small ligule-like ovuliferous scale of a permineralized taxodiaceous cone from the upper cretaceous of Hokkaido,Japan

Fluorescent microscopy was proved to be effective for structural identification of permineralized plant tissues in calcite nodules from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. A minute, scale-like projection on the bract of a fossil Taxodiaceous cone is identified as a true ovuliferous scale because it is bordered with a continuous epidermis that exhibits prominent fluorescence. The presence of the ovuliferous scale suggests that the fossil is aTaiwania archetype.     

Structure and affinities of the petrified plants from the cretaceous of Northern Japan and Saghalien. XII.Obirastrobus gen. nov., petrified pinaceous cones from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido

Two new species of pinaceous cones belonging toObirastrobus gen. nov. are described from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido. Bract-scale complexes are arranged helically and each consists of a small bract and a large scale. The bract and scale are separated. The scale tapers distally and its apex does not become papery. The anatomy of the bracts, scales, and seeds shows a combination of features unique in the Pinaceae and resembling those of the extant genusKeteleeria and the extinct genusPseudoaraucaria. Consecutive number from the previous paper (Ohsawaet al., 1992). Supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Nos. 63540545 and 02640533 to Makoto Nishida.     

新疆乌伦古河流域蒙新河狸巢穴特征和巢址生境选择

2014年11—12月和2015年4月,采用样方法对新疆乌伦古河流域冷季和暖季早期蒙新河狸(Castor fiber birulai)巢穴特征和巢址生境选择进行了调查研究。确定冷季160个蒙新河狸巢穴和暖季早期158个蒙新河狸巢穴,其中61个地面巢平均长(2.54±1.69)m,宽(1.68±0.91)m,高(0.54±0.32)m。与冷季相比,暖季早期蒙新河狸利用的巢穴生境具有河宽、水域面积、水深和植物郁闭度较大,河岸坡度较小的特征,是由季节更替导致的温度等气候变化引起的,而在其他生态因子选择上无差异(P0.05)。以冷季为例,蒙新河狸巢址生境选择特征表现为:(1)地理分布因子:海拔1000m,临近水域河岸1.0m、坡度75°、水深1.0m、河面宽度和面积适中;(2)隐蔽因子:巢穴隐蔽级较高,附近的植物特征(郁闭度高,乔木密度大、灌木密度低以及高度低)也辅助实现了较好的隐蔽性;(3)干扰因子:巢穴位置选择最近公路或居民点的河流异侧;(4)食物因子:巢穴多选择在密度较高的柳树林中,且距离冬季食物堆较近。建议:寻找适合蒙新河狸生存的其他潜在生境;减少在蒙新河狸生活流域修建水坝,或者在其附近修建蒙新河狸迁徙通道;加强蒙新河狸分布区的保护管理。