Le bassin lacustre miocène de Bes-Konak (anatolie-turquie): Géologie et introduction a la paléontologie des vertébrés

The tertiary lacustrine and marshy facies ofBes-Konak (Ankara-district) has provided a rich fauna of Vertebrates preserved as molds and casts in Diatomites and volcano-sedimentary beds.In this assemblage are: Cyprinid fishes (Leuciscus(P.) etiliusRückert Ulkümen) with among them a new species of Barbus, some Amphibians both Urodela (mature Triturinae) and Anura (larval forms of Pelobates sp. and mature Rana sp.), a Turtle (Chelydridae-Chelydropsis sp.) a Snake (Colubroïde-Colubridae or Viperidae) and Birds (among them a new species of cormorant).According to the others various data resulting from palaebotanical, palynological and structural investigations, this fauna is clearly suggestive of a lower or middle Miocene deposit. It supports readily the climatic features (local sub-tropical microclimate inside a regional hot-temperate context) as invertebrates, macro and microflora and sedimentology had already shown.Once more, it points out the peculiar trophic type of the limnic area of Bes-Konak and its evolution to a well-marked eutrophic condition.     

Ischyodus bifurcatus, a new speciesof chimaeroid fish from the upper cretaceous of New Jersey

Toothplates of the ratfish Ischyodus are rather common fossils, distributed throughout the Campanian-Maestrichtian of New Jersey and Delaware although heretofore unrecognized or described. A new species of Ischyodus differs from the European species, I. thurmanniPictet & Campiche and I. dolloiLeriche, by the fusion of the median and internal posterior tritors of the mandibular apparatus. Except in rare individuals the palatine elements of I. bifurcatus do not show any fusion of their tritoral aspects. The vomerine elements show no distinctive features that could separate them from of any of the known Ischyodus species, and the dorsal fin spine is not significantly different from those of other known chimaeroid fishes, including Edaphodon, Elasmodus, Elasmodectes and Leptomylus. Ischyodus bifurcatus is erected as a new species based upon the bifurcated appearance of the fused mandibular tritors. A temporal range from late Santonian to medial Maestrichtian is indicated by occurrences in Belgium, California, Montana, Arkansas, and Delaware as well as New Jersey.     

The latest Miocene Rhinocerotidae from Sahabi (Libya)

The Rhinocerotidae material from the latest Miocene of Sahabi (Libya) is here revised in detail in order to clarify its systematic position and the paleobiogeographic implications. The family is represented by four specimens only at Sahabi, a phalanx, a mandible, a second upper molar (M2), and a second upper premolar (P2). Except for the phalanx, which can be only identified at the family level, the morphology and the dimensions of these specimens have revealed the presence of three taxa: Aceratheriini vel Teleoceratina, Brachypotherium lewisi and ‘Diceros’ sp. The presence of the large-sized B. lewisi has been suggested in several papers, but without a detailed comparison or critical revision. The Brachypotherium from Sahabi also resembles Brachypotherium heinzelini, suggesting a probable synonymy between this species and B. lewisi. A P2 from Sahabi differs from several species belonging to Ceratotherium, including Ceratotherium neumayri, and it resembles the genus Diceros. The rhinoceros association (Brachypotherium and a dicerotine) recognized at Sahabi has been recorded at Lothagam (Kenya), suggesting a biogeographic affinity with the eastern Africa assemblage.     

Additional fish recordsfrom the Judith River Formation (Campanian) of Montana

The recent recovery of additional fish remains from several fossil sites in Blaine County. Montana, allows us to add a new species of selachian and the occurrence of two genera of Chimaeriformes to the total vertebrate faunal assemblage of the Judith River Formation (Campanian).The new selachian genus is: Chiloscyllium missouriensis, a representative of the family: Orectolobidae.In association with the new orectolobid, there are representatives of the Chimaeroids: Ischyodus bifurcatusCase, and Elasmodus cf. greenoughiAgassiz.These new additions increase the total vertebratefaunnal assemblage of the Judith River Formation to twenty species.     

Differential effects of abandonment on the demography of the grassland perennial Succisa pratensis

Abandonment of traditional land-use practices can have strong effects on the abundance of species occurring in agricultural landscapes. However, the precise mechanisms by which individual performance and population dynamics are affected are still poorly understood. To assess how abandonment affects population dynamics of Succisa pratensis we used data from a 4-year field study in both abandoned and traditionally grazed areas in moist and mesic habitats to parameterize integral projection models. Abandoned populations had a lower long-term stochastic population growth rate (λ _S = 0.90) than traditionally managed populations (λ _S = 1.08), while λ _S did not differ between habitat types. The effect of abandonment differed significantly between years and had opposed effects on different vital rates. Individuals in abandoned populations experienced higher mortality rates and lower seedling establishment, but had higher growth rates and produced more flower heads per plant. Population viability analyses, based on a population survey of the whole study area in combination with our demographic models, showed that 32 % of the populations face a high risk of extinction (>80 %) within 20 years. These results suggest that immediate changes in management are needed to avoid extinctions and further declines in population sizes. Stochastic elasticity analyses and stochastic life table response experiments indicated that management strategies would be most effective if they increase survival of small plants as well as seedling establishment, while maintaining a high seed production. This may be achieved by varying the grazing intensity between years or excluding grazers when plants are flowering.     

Ludlovian,Pridolian and Lochkovianin la Meignanne (Massif Armoricain): Biostratigraphy and correlations based on Bivalvia and Chitinozoa

Black carbonate rocks («ampelitic limestones)exposed in la Meignanne, NW of Angers, Massif Armoricain, as tectonic lenses within a complex tectonic structure of grey Pragian limestones are assigned from Bivalvia and Chitinozoa to the Upper Silurian and Lowermost Devonian. Biostratigraphical and paleoecological analyses show that the Silurian-Devonian boundary in this area is developed in offshore facies and that it may be correlated directly with the international stratotype of the Prague Basin (Barrandian, Bohemia). Paleogeographical communication between the two areas is indicated by 28 species of bivalves in common from two Pridolian assemblages (with Cheiopteria bridgei and with Snoopyia insolita) and one Lochkovian (with Antipleura bohemica). Stratigraphical correlation with the Prague Basin is also based on the chitinozoan zonal index species for the Uppermost Pridolian (Urnochitina urna) and Lowermost Lochkovian (Eisenackitina bohemica). A Lochkovian age is further supported by the discovery of Monograptus uniformis uniformis in the assemblage with Antipleura bohemica. A Ludlovian age is indicated by the occurence of «Hemicadium elevatum and an abundance of the ostracode Entomozoe (Richteria) migrans, which is an index species for the Middle Ludlovian in Bohemia.     

Les nouveaux gisements villafranchiens du ravin de Cornillet (Moustiers Sainte-Marie,Alpes de Haute Provence,France) et leur contexte géologique

Several mammal remains were recently discovered in the Cornillet gully deposits: Nyctereutes megamastoides, Pachycrocuta perrieri, Dicerorhinus etruscus, Gazella borbonica. Eucladoceros senezensis, Croizetoceros ramosus. This fauna is attributed to the middle Villafranchian.The most recent beds of the Riez-Valensole basin include several superimposed units with three type of facies: fluvio-eolian (i. e. a conglomeratesand-silt sequence), lacustrine and breccian. The Upper Pliocene represented in the Puimoisson-Ségriès region by fossiliferous lacustrine deposits is covered with coarse detrital material. The Cornillet deposits can be found at the lower part of the calcareous formation continuing this Plio-Pleistocene stratigraphy.The breccias of Balène, located at the top ofthese formations, constitute a thick spread of the detrital material of cryoclastic origin. This spread appeared later than the tectonical thrust of the surrounding calcareous mountains upon the Tertiary basin.     

The therapeutic responses to I-131 ablation in patients of differentiated thyroid carcinoma complicated with nodular goiter

IntroductionWe applied the response to therapy reclassification system (RTRS) to evaluate the disease status after surgery and I-131 therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients with nodular goiter (NG).Materials and methodsA total of 268 DTC complicated with NG patients who underwent the I-131 treatment and thyroidectomy between 2010 and 2018 were analyzed. The RTRS were classified into excellent (ER), indeterminate (IDR), biochemical incomplete (BIR) and structural incomplete response (SIR). Logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the relevant clinicopathologic and laboratory variables in the prediction of non-ER (IDR, BIR and SIR).ResultsIn the logistic analysis, gender (OR: 3.543, P = 0.01), lateral cervical lymph node metastases (N1b) (OR: 6.646, P = 0.005), pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin (Ps-Tg) (OR: 0.859, P = 0.000), and anti-Tg antibody (TgAb) (OR: 64.546, P = 0.000) were predictor of non-ER. The cut-off value of ps-Tg for predicting the ER was 19.98 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 92.6% and specificity of 83.2%. The non-ER rate of N1b group was significantly higher than the central cervical LNM (N1a) group.ConclusionFor patients with DTC complicated with NG, the cut-off value of ps-Tg for predicting the ER was 19.98 ng/mL. N1b patients showed inferior responses to I-131 therapy compared to N1a patients.     

Prominatherium dalmatinum from the late Eocene of Grancona (Vicenza,NE Italy). The oldest terrestrial mammal of the Italian peninsula

So far, the oldest terrestrial mammal associations in Italy dates to the beginning of the Oligocene, with Anthracotheriidae being the most represented taxon. Sites from northern Italy yielded remains of the genus Anthracotherium that spread from Asia to western Europe after the Grande Coupure. A finding at Grancona, which is Priabonian in age, implies that Anthracotheriidae family reached the Italian Peninsula before the Eocene–Oligocene boundary. Thus, the dispersal of this family in northern Italy is anterior than previously believed. The fossil consists of a poorly preserved right hemi-maxilla with well-preserved P4 and M3. The shape and the size of the teeth are not compatible with the genus Anthracotherium. On the contrary, the closer affinities with the Croatian species Prominatherium dalmatinum suggest a connection between the Balkan area and the Italian peninsula and a possible new way of dispersal for this family.     

Bacterial diversity and the antimicrobial resistome in the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia

Soil is a reservoir of microbial diversity and the most supportive habitat for acquiring and transmitting antimicrobial resistance. Resistance transfer usually occurs from animal to soil and vice versa, and it may ultimately appear in clinical pathogens. In this study, the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia were studied to assess the bacterial diversity and antimicrobial resistance that could be affected by the continuous development of tourism in the region. Such effects could have a long-lasting impact on the local environment and community. Culture-dependent, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and shotgun sequencing-based metagenomic approaches were used to evaluate the diversity, functional capabilities, and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from collected soil samples. Bacterial communities in the southwestern highlands were mainly composed of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. A total of 102 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and variants were identified in the soil microbiota and were mainly associated with multidrug resistance, followed by macrolide, tetracycline, glycopeptide, bacitracin, and beta-lactam antibiotic resistance. The mechanisms of resistance included efflux, antibiotic target alteration, and antibiotic inactivation. qPCR confirmed the detection of 18 clinically important ARGs. In addition, half of the 49 identified isolates were phenotypically resistant to at least one of the 15 antibiotics tested. Overall, ARGs and indicator genes of anthropogenic activities (human-mitochondrial [hmt] gene and integron-integrase [int1]) were found in relatively lower abundance. Along with a high diversity of bacterial communities, variation was observed in the relative abundance of bacterial taxa among sampling sites in the southwestern highlands of Saudi Arabia.     

Taxonomic status of the belemnite genusBelemnopsis Bayle 1878

The Tethyan genus “Belemnopsis” of authors, notBayle 1878, includes 110–120 Bajocian to Hauterivian belemnite species and subspecies from Europe and the southern hemisphere. Its type species,Belemnites sulcatus Miller 1826 from the Callovian to Oxfordian of England, belongs to the Boreal belemnite genusLagonibelus Gustomesov 1956, since Phillips selected a lectotype for it in 1870. But the subsequent designation of the type species byDouvillé in 1879 is invalid according to Art. 67 (h) ICZN, and consequentlyBelemnopsis Bayle gets a nomen dubium. It is also a homonym ofBelemnopsis Edwards inGray 1849, and has, therefore, to be replaced byPachybelemnopsis Riegraf 1980, a junior subjective synonym, the family Belemnopseidae Naef 1922 by MesohibolitidaeNerodenko 1983, and the suborder BelemnopseinaJeletzky 1965 by PachybelemnopseinaRiegraf inRiegraf et al. 1998.     

Crassostrea gryphoides et C. gingensis (Schlotheim, 1813) deux expressions morphologiques d'une même espèce (Miocène, Bivalvia)

The assemblages of Crassostrea gryphoïdes of the Loupian's quarry is constitued of differents morphotypes which result of ecological effects (population density, locality and position in the assemblage). The selection of individuals with her life position shows two lots of Ostreidae the morphology of which is statistically different. The observations about Crassostrea of outcrops of Rhone's Valley and Touraine confirm the relations between position (liable to population's density) and morphology. The two types which are point out are often recognize as different species describe by E.F. von Schlotheim, 1813: Crassostrea gryphoïdes and Crassostrea gingensis. Therefore this two species must be consider as synonymous.     

Potential impact of harvesting on the population dynamics of two epiphytic bromeliads

Large numbers of epiphytes are extracted from cloud forests for ornamental use and illegal trade in Latin America. We examined the potential effects of different harvesting regimes on the population dynamics of the epiphytic bromeliads Tillandsia multicaulis and Tillandsia punctulata. The population dynamics of these species were studied over a 2-year period in a tropical montane cloud forest in Veracruz, Mexico. Prospective and retrospective analyses were used to identify which demographic processes and life-cycle stages make the largest relative contribution to variation in population growth rate (λ). The effect of simulated harvesting levels on population growth rates was analysed for both species. λ of both populations was highly influenced by survival (stasis), to a lesser extent by growth, and only slightly by fecundity. Vegetative growth played a central role in the population dynamics of these organisms. The λ value of the studied populations did not differ significantly from unity: T. multicaulis λ (95% confidence interval) = 0.982 (0.897–1.060) and T. punctulata λ = 0.967 (0.815–1.051), suggesting population stability. However, numerical simulation of different levels of extraction showed that λ would drop substantially even under very low (2%) harvesting levels. Matrix analysis revealed that T. multicaulis and T. punctulata populations are likely to decline and therefore commercial harvesting would be unsustainable. Based on these findings, management recommendations are outlined.     

Estimating the rate of increase for the finless porpoise with special attention to predictions for the Inland Sea population in Japan

The finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis inhabits coastal waters and rivers in East Asia and is exposed to various human activities. This species is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to a reduction in abundance. Although human-induced mortality can be a threat to porpoise populations, future anthropogenic impacts have not been quantitatively evaluated due to lack of demographic information. Adequate future population projections are needed to form the basis for conservation measures before the population declines to critical levels. We conducted a population viability analysis for the population of finless porpoise in the Inland Sea, Japan using a Leslie matrix model composed of age-specific survival and fertility rates. We described the uncertainty in the annual rate of increase (λ) for the finless porpoise using randomly sampled estimates of survival rate for other cetaceans with similar life histories. Plausible median estimates of λ ranged from 1.041 (age at first reproduction [AFR] = 7) to 1.056 (AFR = 5). Future population changes and extinction probabilities were predicted after combining these estimates with a predicted human-induced mortality rate (M) and available abundance estimates. The extinction probability after 100 years was 0 %. However, the probability of the quasi-extinction (<100 individuals) was as high as 79.0 % after 100 years. The results also suggest that the persistence of the finless porpoise population could be achieved with a small effort to reduce anthropogenic mortality.     

The relationship between Pseudo-nitzschia (Peragallo) and domoic acid in Scottish shellfish

The diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Peragallo) associated with the production of domoic acid (DA), the toxin reposnsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning, is abundant in Scottish waters. A two year study examined the relationship between Pseudo-nitzschia cells in the water column and DA concentration in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) at two sites, and king scallops (Pecten maximus) at one site. The rate of DA uptake and depuration differed greatly between the two species with M. edulis whole tissue accumulating and depurating 7 μg g⁻¹ (now expressed as mg kg⁻¹) per week. In contrast, it took 12 weeks for DA to depurate from P. maximus gonad tissue from a concentration of 68 μg g⁻¹ (now mg kg⁻¹) to <20 μg g⁻¹ (now mg kg^‐1). The DA depuration rate from P. maximus whole tissue was <5% per week during both years of the study. Correlations between the Pseudo-nitzschia cell densities and toxin concentrations were weak to moderate for M. edulis and weak for P. maximus. Seasonal diversity on a species level was observed within the Pseudo-nitzschia genus at both sites with more DA toxicity associated with summer/autumn Pseudo-nitzschia blooms when P. australis was observed in phytoplankton samples. This study reveals the marked difference in DA uptake and depuration in two shellfish species of commercial importance in Scotland. The use of these shellfish species to act as a proxy for DA in the environment still requires investigation.     

Varying response of breeding waders to experimental manipulation of their habitat and predators

Many ground-nesting bird species including waders are of conservation concern across Europe. Population declines of Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (hereafter Curlew), a globally Near-threatened wader, exemplify this and are driven by low breeding success due to predation, and loss and degradation of breeding habitat. We tested whether the combined delivery of vegetation management and lethal control of Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes and Carrion Crows Corvus corone and Hooded Crows C. cornix improved Curlew nesting success and breeding abundance across UK study sites over five years. On trial sites, vegetation management improved habitat condition and Curlew distributions shifted towards managed areas. However, changes in predator abundances, Curlew nesting success and Curlew breeding abundance did not differ between trial and reference sites. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus numbers increased on trial sites and decreased on reference sites, whilst Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago numbers showed no treatment response. Some of these outcomes were associated with additional environmental variables added to Treatment:Year terms in three-way interactions (changes in fox abundance associated with abundance of non-native gamebirds; changes in Crow abundance associated with gamebirds and woodland area; changes in Curlew nesting success associated with crow abundance), highlighting that outcomes depend on site-specific contexts, and consistent responses to interventions cannot be assumed. The difficulty in increasing Curlew nesting success likely relates to underlying mesopredator densities in the UK, which are known to be high in a European context. Our results suggest that a model of delivery like this study, including management of predators using lethal control, at comparable intensities, is highly unlikely to be effective for Curlew or Snipe within agri-environment schemes, but could be for Northern Lapwing. To make progress on wader recovery it is imperative to understand the underlying drivers of high mesopredator densities and address these through landscape-scale intervention and policy changes.     

Genetic diversity and structure of Rhizobium leguminosarum populations associated with clover plants are influenced by local environmental variables

The identification and conservation of indigenous rhizobia associated with legume plants and their application as biofertilizers is becoming an agricultural worldwide priority. However, little is known about the genetic diversity and phylogeny of rhizobia in Romania. In the present study, the genetic diversity and population composition of Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar trifolii isolates from 12 clover plants populations located across two regions in Romania were analyzed. Red clover isolates were phenotypically evaluated and genotyped by sequencing 16S rRNA gene, 16S-23S intergenic spacer, three chromosomal genes (atpD, glnII and recA) and two plasmid genes (nifH and nodA). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis revealed that red clover plants are nodulated by a wide genetic diversity of R. leguminosarum symbiovar trifolii sequence types (STs), highly similar to the ones previously found in white clover. Rhizobial genetic variation was found mainly within the two clover populations for both chromosomal and plasmid types. Many STs appear to be unique for this region and the genetic composition of rhizobia differs significantly among the clover populations. Furthermore, our results showed that both soil pH and altitude contributed to plasmid sequence type composition while differences in chromosomal composition were affected by the altitude and were strongly correlated with distance.     

Une piste avec traces de soies épaisses dans le Trias inférieur a moyen de Lodève (Hérault,France): Cynodontipus polythrix nov. gen., nov. sp. les Cynodontes en France

A new ichnological genus, Cynodontipus species-type C. polythrix) has been created to define the unusual tract of a large but still unknown hairy Vertebrate of the Early to Middle Trias, Southern France. Horizon: just below the Chirotherium white sandstones slabs at Fozières (Hérault).This new type of footprint indicates that, as early as the Middle Trias, some Vertebrates were covered with an abundant protection of hair. A short systematic comparison is attempted with the last big Therapsids of that age, mainly the Cynodonts.