Stratigraphical distribution of the Ordovician graptolite Azygograptus Nicholson & Lapworth in the Central Andean Basin (northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia)

We analyzed new occurrences of Azygograptus lapworthi from the Cordillera Oriental, Argentina. The bearer sandstones levels, corresponding to the Acoite Formation, are overlying the deposits, in which the Didymograptellus bifidus Biozone (Lower Ordovician, upper Floian, Fl3) was previously recognized, and are overlain by younger pelitic levels yielding Xiphograptus lofuensis (Middle Ordovician, early Dapingian, Dp2). Previous records from the Central Andean Basin are also reviewed in detail and accurately correlated, allowing us to conclude that the Azygograptus lapworthi Biozone corresponds to the Middle Ordovician (lower Dapingian, Dp1). This biostratigraphic framework documents that the transition between the Lower and Middle Ordovician deposits occurs in the uppermost levels of the Acoite Formation in the Argentine Cordillera Oriental. It is additionally integrated with up to date conodont records to establish a high-resolution regional correlation, with equivalent deposits from the Puna of northwestern Argentina and Cordillera Oriental of Bolivia, and to discuss new insights for global correlation.     

Review of taxonomy,geographic distribution,and paleoenvironments of Azhdarchidae (Pterosauria)

The taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironmental context of azhdarchid pterosaurs are reviewed. All purported pteranodontid, tapejarid, and azhdarchid specimens from the Cenomanian Kem Kem beds of Morocco are referred to a single azhdarchid taxon, Alanqa saharica. The four proposed autapomorphies of Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis from the lower Maastrichtian Sebeş Formation of Romania are based on misinterpretations of material and this taxon is likely a subjective junior synonym of Hatzegopteryx thambema. Among 54 currently reported azhdarchid occurrences (51 skeletal remains and 3 tracks) 13% are from lacustrine deposits, 17% from fluvial plain deposits, 17% from coastal plain deposits, 18% from estuarine and lagoonal deposits, and 35% from costal marine deposits. Azhdarchids likely inhabited a variety of environments, but were abundant near large lakes and rivers and most common in nearshore marine paleoenvironments.     

The Madenli (Central Taurides) Upper Cretaceous platform carbonate succession: Benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and platform evolution

The Upper Cretaceous succession in the Madenli area (western Central Taurides, Southern Turkey) consists of platform carbonate rocks deposited in entirely peritidal environments, which are sensitive to sea level changes driven by global eustasy, but also strongly affected by local and regional tectonics. It includes economically important bauxite deposits. Previous works suggest different ages for bauxite formation ranging from the Albian to the Santonian. Benthic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and facies analysis of the Madenli and Doğankuzu outcrop sections allow for a more precise dating of the platform emersion periods. The footwall limestones of the bauxite deposits consist of well-bedded limestones (Unit-1), which contain a benthic foraminiferal assemblage (BFA) including mainly Biconcava bentori and Pastrikella biplana, Chrysalidina gradata (BFA I), assigned to the middle-upper Cenomanian. In the Madenli section, the first bauxite deposit occurs in the upper part of Unit-1 as a layer interbedded with pinkish sparitic and dolomitic beds (subunit-1a) deposited in supratidal environment. Subunit-1a is stratigraphically equivalent to the Doğankuzu and Mortaş bauxite deposits considered as karst-related, unconformity-type deposits. The hanging-wall limestones of the bauxite are represented by the massive limestones (Unit-2) starting locally with either the upper Cenomanian characterized mainly by the presence of Pseudolituonella reicheli or upper Campanian comprising mainly Murciella cuvillieri and Moncharmontia apenninica (BFA II). There is no field evidence of a discontinuity surface at the contact between the lower part of Unit-2, including BFA I, and the upper part of Unit-2, including BFA II. This contact is defined as a paraconformity indicating a stratigraphic gap from the Turonian to the early Campanian. The top of Unit-2 is truncated by another discontinuity surface associated with a minor bauxite deposit. The overlying Unit-3 is characterized by well-bedded, rudist-bearing limestones topped by laminated and dolomitized limestones organized in shallowing upward cycles. It is assigned to the upper Maastrichtian based on the presence of Rhapydionina liburnica (BFA III) and rudist assemblage. A third emersion period of the platform corresponds to the early Maastrichtian.     

Simimys and origin of the cricetidae (Rodentia: Muroidea)

Simimys is a late Eocene and earliest Oligocene genus that shares dipodoid (zygoma) and muroid (dental) characters. The Oligocene record of dipodoid rodents includes Plesiosminthus from middle Oligocene deposits of Asia and late Oligocene deposits of Europe. The Oligocene record of muroid rodents includes at least two genera (Eucricetodon and (Cricetops)) from Asia, six genera (Eucricetodon, Pseudocricetodon, Melissiodon, Paracricetodon, Heterocricetodon and Adelomyorion)) from Europe, and three genera (Eumys, Scottimus and Nonomys)) from North America. The known record, as given above, suggests that Siminys is the earliest and most primitive genus with muroid affinities; it also implies that muroid rodents were derived from unknown Eocene dipodoid rodents.The Oligocene cricetid rodents display progressive expansion and inclination of the anterior plate of the zygoma. These changes in the zygoma probably reflect evolutionary stages in the development of a myomorphous zygoma from an hystricomorphous zygoma. Changes in the zygoma apparently took place at different rates and times in Asia. Europe, and North America; they probably reflect differenciation of Cricetodontinae in Palaearctica, and Eumyinae in Nearctica during the Oligocene.     

Fossil wood of Piceoxylon burejense sp. nov. (Pinaceae) from the Upper Cretaceous of Zeya-Bureya Basin, Amur Region (Russian Far East)

A new species, Piceoxylon burejense sp. nov. (Pinaceae), is described from the Middle Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) of the Zeya-Bureya Basin, Amur Region (Russian Far East) based on the fossil wood anatomy. The new species is characterized by a combination of anatomical wood features of the modern genera Picea and Larix. The fossil wood of Pinaceae was found in the Cretaceous deposits of the Amur Region for the first time.     

Diversity and distribution of Tanaidacea (Crustacea) along the Victoria Land Transect (Ross Sea,Southern Ocean)

The Victoria Land Transect Project was established for the assessment of a possible latitudinal environmental gradient. During the expedition on the board of the RV Italica carried out in February 2004, four areas of the eastern Ross Sea sublittoral were investigated. The diversity and distribution of 2,678 individuals of Tanaidacea found in 18 samples from a depth range of 84–515 m using a Rauschert dredge were analyzed. Fourty species of tanaidaceans almost exclusively of the suborder Tanaidomorpha were identified; 14 of them were apparently new for science; only five species had been found in the Ross Sea before. Two main groups of the samples, with two distinct tanaidacean assemblages associated with the different bottom sediments (sand vs. mosaic bottom deposits), were revealed by cluster analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling. The sample arrangement in the cluster and ordination analyses did not correlate with the depth or the latitudinal gradient, but it indicated a relationship with the quality of bottom deposits. It is also assumed that the structure of the assemblages might be determined by local habitat conditions. At two stations at Coulman Island, a distinct value of tanaidacean diversity is attributed to the destructive effect of passing icebergs on the benthic groups documented in earlier studies. A similar pattern of distribution and diversity had been observed for cumacean distribution. Analysis of the distribution confirms the previously observed preferences of Nototanais dimorphus and Paratyphlotanais armatus for sandy sediments, and Nototanais antarcticus and Akanthophoreus cf. multiserratoides for muddy bottoms.     

Representatives of the genus Fabaeformiscandona Krstič, 1972 (Crustacea,Ostracoda) from Quaternary deposits of Western Siberia

The present paper deals with the study of the Ostracode species of subfamily Candoninae Kaufmann, 1900 from the Quaternary deposits of Western Siberia. The main goal is to reassess their generic affiliation based on their morphological features. The Siberian forms mentioned by Kazmina (1968, 1975, 1989) as Candona caudata and C. fabaeformis should be assigned to the genus Fabaeformiscandona. Shells classified by Kazmina as Candona rectangulata Alm are referred to Fabaeformiscandona balatonica Daday (Konovalova, 2012b). For the first time in the Pleistocene deposits of Western Siberia, species Fabaeformiscandona aff. hyalina (Brady et Robertson) and Fabaeformiscandona holzkampfi Hartwig were encountered, along with Fabaeformiscandona harmsworthi (Scott).     

Cambrian (Series 2 to Miaolingian) platform facies from central Sonora,Mexico and the regional correlation

This study provides new insights about depositional paleoenvironments through siliciclastic microfacies, carbonate microfacies, and biofacies analysis from sedimentary formations of the lower and middle Cambrian (Stage 4–Wuliuan), exposed in central Sonora, northern Mexico. Results of the petrographic analysis of 48 samples revealed the following lithologies: quartzarenite, oncolytic rudstone, grainstone-packstone, wackestone, mudstone, and to a lesser extent sandy limestone. Two siliciclastic microfacies were identified: (A) quartzarenite with cross-bedded and horizontal stratification deposited in an intertidal and supratidal environment; and (B) massive quartzarenite with Skolithos ichnofacies deposited in subtidal and intertidal environments. Four carbonate microfacies were identified: microfacies 1 is a sandy limestone with trilobite fragments; microfacies 2 is a grainstone with intraclasts, salterellids, hyolithids, trilobites, and echinoderms plates; microfacies 3 is an oncolytic rudstone consisting of microbes and abundant echinoderms plates; and microfacies 4 is a packstone-grainstone with abundant ooids, trilobite fragments, and echinoderm plates. Two biofacies were identified: Agnostid-polymeroid biofacies with predominance of the trilobites Pentagnostus, Bathyuriscus, Oryctocephalites, and Elrathina; and Pagetia biofacies with abundant trilobites of the genera Pentagnostus, Pagetia and Elrathina. It is concluded by the sedimentation model that changes in sea level is the most important parameter in determining the siliciclastic microfacies, carbonate microfacies and biofacies; as well as the depositional environments that vary from the coastline (subtidal to supratidal) to shallow-water open circulation marine platform with low and high energy waters. The Cambrian deposits of northern Mexico are correlated with the deposits of California and Nevada (USA), as well as to the Precordillera (Argentina), where the species in common show a strong affinity.     

A crinoid concentration Lagerstätte in the Turonian (Late Cretaceous) Conulus Bed (Miechów-Wolbrom area, Poland)

More than one hundred centrodorsals of the comatulid crinoid Glenotremites paradoxus have been found in Turonian deposits (Upper Cretaceous) in the Miechów-Wolbrom area (southern Poland). This is the first dense occurrence of the genus Glenotremites in the Upper Cretaceous of Poland. Furthermore, so many individuals of this species in one level (the so-called Conulus Bed) forming a crinoid Konzentrat-Lagerstätte are very surprising because only disarticulated remains (cirrals and brachials) are encountered in the older (Cenomanian and earliest Turonian) and younger (late Turonian) deposits. The Glenotremites individuals are accompanied by isocrinids, which prove that stalked forms remained in shallow-water settings for some time after the initiation of the Mesozoic marine revolution.     

Morphology and ultrasctructure of spores Klukia tyganensis Krassilov (Schizaeaceae, Filicales) from the Berriassian of the Tyrma Depression (Russian Far East)

In situ spores of the fern Klukia tyganensis Krassil. from the coal-bearing deposits on the right bank of the Tyrma River (Berriassian, Bureya River Basin, Tyrma Depression) have been examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The spores of K. tyganensis are demonstrated to be similar in the ultrastructure of sporoderm to that of some species of the extant genus Anemia and to differ from the spores of Lygodium in the ultrastructure of perispore and exospore.     

Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis (Mammalia,Rhinocerotidae) from the late early Pleistocene deposits of the Denizli Basin (Anatolia,Turkey)

Pleistocene rhinoceroses are poorly documented in Turkey where they have been reported only from the late early Pleistocene (1.3–1.1 Ma) travertine deposits of the Denizli Basin. In this work, new rhinoceros remains collected from this basin are assigned to a relatively large-sized Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis on the basis of their morphology and morphometry. The first Turkish record of this species is approximately coeval with the first appearance of S. hundsheimensis in Europe, chronologically referred to the late early Pleistocene, ca. 1.2 Ma. During that time, S. etruscus still survived in Iberian Peninsula, central Italy and Dacian Basin. The presence of two successive evolutionary morphs for S. hundsheimensis during the Pleistocene is not confirmed.     

Arvicolidae (Rodentia) from the Pliocene of Tollo de Chiclana (Granada, SE Spain)

Several new fossiliferous Pliocene localities have been identified in the continental deposits of the area of Tollo de Chiclana (Guadix Basin, SE Spain), that have yielded a rich rodent and insectivore fauna. In this paper, we study the Arvicolidae from these localities. Remains adscribed to the genera Dolomys, Mimomys and Kislangia have been found, which are very interesting from a biostratigraphical point of view.     

Bryozoan (Stenolaemata) records from the upper Callovian (Middle Jurassic) of the Moscow region

Encrusting bryozoans (Stenolaemata, Tubuliporida) discovered from upper Callovian deposits (Middle Jurassic) near the town of Kolomna in the Moscow region are described. They belong to two new species: Microeciella kolomnensis sp. nov. and Diplosolen akatjevense sp. nov. These bryozoans encrust a fragment of the large shell of cephalopod mollusk (ammonite), which is an unusual substrate not only for bryozoans but also for the other encrusting organisms.     

Heavy-metal (Zn,Cd) tolerance in selected clones of duck weed (Lemna minor)

Cryo-microprobe analysis of quench-frozen fronds of a Zn-tolerant clone of Lemna minor exposed to a high level of Zn (300 μM) showed the presence of cellular deposits consisting of Zn, Mg, K and P or Zn, K and P (Zn phytate). The same Zn-tolerant clone of Lemna minor, when exposed to a high level of Cd (30 μM), showed the presence of globular deposits consisting of Cd, K and P in mature fronds, but the immature cells of the enclosed daughter fronds contained relatively large deposits with Cd and S as the main components (Cd-phytochelatin?). Selection for Zn tolerance in a population of Lemna minor was easily achieved but selection for Cd tolerance has so far not been successful. The Zn-tolerant clone also tolerates high levels of phosphate.     

Evidence for the longest stratigraphic range of a post-Triassic Ichthyosaur: a Leptonectes tenuirostris from the Pliensbachian (Lower Jurassic) of Switzerland

A three-dimensional well-preserved ichthyosaur skull and parts of the postcranial skeleton are attributed to the species Leptonectes tenuirostris (Conybeare, 1822). It was found vertically embedded in Pliensbachian deposits representing three successive biozones (ibex to margaritatus Zone). The find is dated as early Late Pliensbachian (margaritatus Zone) by a rich ammonite and ostracod fauna. It is the first record of the genus Leptonectes from Switzerland and from the Late Pliensbachian. It is so far the best preserved and most complete ichthyosaur from this time interval worldwide. With diagnostic specimens known from the Rhaetian (Late Keuper) up to the early Late Pliensbachian (Middle Liassic), L. tenuirostris (Conybeare, 1822) has the most extensive stratigraphic range documented for any post-Triassic ichthyosaur so far.     

The parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) from the Middle Miocene of Sansan (Gers,Southern France)

The occurrence of Archaeopsittacus sp. (Psittaciformes) in the fossil deposits of Sansan (France) is reported, testifying to a survival of this genus in the Middle Miocene, as Archaeopsittacus verreauxi was described from the Early Miocene of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy (France) and was recorded only from its type locality. The data discussed here indicate the presence of two parrot species from Sansan, as it is the type locality of another parrot species, Pararallus dispar, only known from this locality. The differences between the humeri of these two taxa are described in detail, together with the differences from the other European fossil parrot species. The presence of more than one species of parrot in the same locality is not rare, but in Europe it is recorded in Sansan for the second time. Evidence for parrots also confirms the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Sansan, as parrots are primarily arboreal species. Archaeopsittacus also represents one of the few common elements between the Early and Middle Miocene European bird assemblages.     

Cytochemical localization of lectin-binding to intracellularly melanized first stage larvae of Brugia malayi (Buckley) (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Cytochemical localization of Concanavalin A (Con A) lectin followed by gold-labeled horseradish peroxidase binding to carbohydrate moieties on intracellularly developing normal and melanized first stage (L₁) larvae of Brugia malayi (Nematoda: Filarioidea) was investigated in the thoracic muscles of Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Diptera: Culicidae) females. Con A did not bind to the carbohydrate moieties on the larval cuticle or in tissues around the normally developing L₁, but bound moderately to the carbohydrate moieties in the cellular matrix of the larva. It bound intensely to the carbohydrate moieties of the dense cytoplasmic material and melanin deposits in the melanized capsule surrounding the melanized L₁. The results suggest that the dense cytoplasmic material in the melanized capsule surrounding the L₁ contains materials with exposed carbohydrate moieties specific for Con A.     

Middle Ottnangian (late Burdigalian) mollusks from the Rott Valley (SE Germany): the ultimate marine fauna of the Western Paratethys

The Bivalvia and Gastropoda from the Upper Marine Molasse deposits of the lower Rott Valley (North Alpine Foreland Basin, Lower Bavaria, SE Germany) comprise the first mollusk fauna of middle Ottnangian age (ca 17.5 Ma) to be documented in detail. Altogether, the assemblages from Brombach, Kainerding and Anzenkirchen yielded 27 species of Bivalvia and 9 species of Gastropoda. The bivalve species Spisula brombachensis n. sp. is described as new to science, and Aequipecten camaretensis is first reported from the Ottnangian of the North Alpine Foreland Basin. Furthermore, the well-preserved material allowed for the taxonomic revision of the Ottnangian index fossil Pecten herrmannseni. The bivalve community is dominated by suspension feeders, mostly shallow, soft bottom dwellers (Glycymeris, Anadara) and cementing epifauna (Ostrea). Gastropods almost exclusively comprise carnivorous browsers and predators. The parautochthonous assemblages are indicative of normal marine, well-oxygenized sandy-silty shoals at a water depth of presumably less than 20 m. Except for the presence of a single estuarine Crassostrea, the middle Ottnangian fauna is not indicative of reduced salinities. Consequently, the paleoenvironmental turnover to the brackish-water fauna of the directly overlying upper Ottnangian deposits of the Rzehakia Lake was abrupt. Glycymeris–Anadara–Ostrea communities similar to the one recorded from the Rott Valley are widespread in European seas and beyond during the Neogene and Quaternary.     

Roveacrinids (Crinoidea,Roveacrinida) from the Cenomanian-Turonian of southwest Algeria (Saharan Atlas and Guir Basin)

In the southwestern part of Algeria, the Cenomanian-Turonian marine deposits build up a prominent ledge in a perched syncline (Ksour Mountains, western Saharan Atlas) or at high radius of curvature (Guir Basin). The petrographical analysis of the Cenomanian-Turonian deposits of the Ksour Mountains and of the Guir Basin reveals unexpected assemblages of roveacrinoidal ossicles comparable with those formerly reported from the Tinrhert area. For the first time, isolated ossicles of genuine and undisputable Roveacrinidae are illustrated. Three sections, Djebel Rhoundjaia (western Saharan Atlas), Berridel and Kénadsa (Guir Basin), were scrutinized to recognize the microcrinoidal sections within the carbonate microfacies and to compile the successive occurrence of respective roveacrinid taxa (besides the classical search for standard index microfossils) in an attempt to pinpoint more precisely the position of the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (C/T B). These assemblages are particularly morphologically and taxonomically diverse with three species of genus Roveacrinus and one of genus Orthogonocrinus. The presence of Saccocomidae (Applinocrinus) is especially unusual in such stratigraphic levels. The relative abundance and diversity of Roveacrinidae evidence a peak when approaching the C/T B. Such an event is recurring in the latest Cenomanian in various Tethyan and Atlantic areas. These fluctuations are consistent with a high surface-water productivity just before the C/T B.     

Rhabdomesid and cystoporid bryozoans from the Permian of Deh-e Mohammad, Shotori Mountains (northeastern Iran)

Seven bryozoan species belonging to the Order Rhabdomesida and Order Cystoporida are described from the Permian deposits exposed near the small town of Deh-e Mohammad, Shotori Mountains (northeastern Iran): Rhabdomeson cf. consimile Bassler, Pamirella nitida Gorjunova, Clausotrypa conferta Bassler, Streblotrypa (Streblotrypa) elegans Sakagami, Streblotrypa (Streblascopora) supernodata nov. sp., Cystodictya sp., and Filiramoporina cf. kretaphilia Fry and Cuffey. The described fauna identifies the age of the Jamal Formation at the locality near Deh-e Mohammad as Lower Permian. It displays palaeobiogeographic connections to the Lower Permian of Pamir (Tajikistan), Indonesia, Thailand and Kansas (North America).