Ostracodes et stratigraphie du néogène et du quaternaire méditerranéens

A stratigraphical chart of marine ostracoda from Lower Miocene to Recent is established. Selected species (approximatively 220) are those morphologicaly well characterized and known from different parts of the Mediterranean area. It appears that: • lower Miocene ostracodes are still poorly known; • specific diversity is high during the Tortonian and the Lower Messinian before the complete disappearance of marine Mediterranean species during the Upper Messinian évaporitic episodes; • during the early Pliocene, about half of the Upper Miocene marine species are reintroduced with the Atlantic waters; other species migrate for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea by the same way; • at the end of the Pliocene or at the beginning of the Pleistocene several species known in Mediterranean since the Middle Miocene or before, such as Cytherella sp. gr. transversa and Ruggieria tetraptera, as well some “nordic guests” such as Hemicythere villosa and Cythere lutea, appear. This work is an opportunity to confirme a Late Miocene age for the Neogene of Skyros (Aegean Sea), to assign the “Upper Pliocene” of Terquem to the Lower Pleistocene and to refute the existence of a pliocene psychrosphere.     

Alcaloïdes steroidiques du Malouetia Brachyloba et du M. Heudelotii

Malouetine and funtumafrine C have been isolated from the leaves of Malouetia brachyloba, indicating that this species is not very different from M. bequaertiana. Five conanine derivatives have been extracted from the leaves of M. heudelotii, a species which does not contain any alkaloid with a quaternary ammonium function.     

Les ammonites du Bathonien-Callovien du Boulonnais : biodiversité, biostratigraphie et biogéographie

The ammonite fauna of the outcropping Bathonian-Callovian of the Boulonnais (Northern France) is described in detail for the first time. In the middle and Late Bathonian, the fauna is very restricted, reduced to some Perisphinctidae (Procerites) and Clydoniceratidae (Clydoniceras, Delecticeras). The abundance and the biodiversity of assemblages increase during the Callovian. These faunas are typically Subboreal, marked by Gowericeratinae (Kepplerites, Sigaloceras), Kosmoceratinae (Kosmoceras) and Proplanulitinae (Proplanulites), associated with Boreal taxa such as Cadoceratinae (Cadoceras) and Cardioceratidae (Quenstedtoceras), and Submediterranean taxa, Pseudoperisphinctinae (Homoeoplanulites, Poculisphinctes), Peltoceratinae (Pseudopeltoceras) and Macrocephalitinae (Macrocephalites). Representing the only Jurassic onshore outcrops, between the English and Normandy coasts, and the Ardennes area, the interest of these faunas for correlations between the Western and Eastern European (Russian) platforms is emphasized. Palaeobiogeographically, particularly concerning the southward migration/dispersion of the Boreal taxa, the role played by the transgressions/regressions and the resulting paleobathymetric and palaeoclimatic implications is discussed.     

De nouveaux restes de Primelephas dans le Mio-Pliocène du Nord du Tchad et révision du genre Primelephas

The genus Primelephas Maglio 1970 gathers two primitive species of Elephantinae, only known through dental remains. A large sample of new fossils, discovered by the MPFT field missions in northern Chad Mio-Pliocene localities and attributed to this genus, allowed questioning the validity of one of the species. An intrageneric morphological variability analysis led us to consider this species as a synonym. Therefore, Primelephas should be conserved as a monospecific genus, P. korotorensis being its type and sole species. The provincialism previously described for Primelephas is rejected in favour of a large African distribution of P. korotorensis.     

Protoglobigérines et Oberhauserellidae (Foraminifères) du Bajocien-Bathonien du Jura méridional, France

A detailed investigation of the Bajocian-Bathonian protoglobigerinids and other globigerina-like foraminifera of the Southern Jura Mountains reveals an unsuspected diversity, with seven species of Conoglobigerinidae and two species of Oberhauserellidae. The discovery of two umbilical apertures in Oberhauserella as well as in some Conoglobigerina questions the generic taxonomy and raises the problem of comparisons with literature. For these reasons, five new species have been proposed: Oberhauserellaparocula and O. aff. parocula (with two apertures), “Conoglobigerina”trilocula and “C”.biapertura (with two apertures), C.solaperta and C.pupa. We demonstrate that Globuligerinabalakhmatovae (Morozova, 1961) (here emended) has a small globuligerine aperture as well as G. aff. dagestanica (Morozova, 1961). Despite the different taxonomic concepts, the Southern Jura Mountains associations, that are typical of the epicontinental platform, most closely match those of the Dagestan in the Caucasus. They clearly differ from those of the oceanic Tethys.     

Xanthones et C-glucosides flavoniques du genre Gentiana (sous-genre Gentianella)

Xanthones with 1,3,5,8 or 1,3,4,5,8-oxidation pattern, the C-glucosides mangiferin, isoorientin and swertisin, were isolated from the aerial parts of G. germanica and G. ramosa. The distribution of these compounds within the subgenus Gentianella is given. Phenolic patterns in Gentiana and in Swertia are compared.     

Etude comparee des lipides et de la fixation passive du calcium dans les racines et les fractions subcellulaires du Lupinus luteus et de la Vicia faba

In both lupin and broad bean, the root lipids contain paraffins, triglycerides, diglycerides, free fatty acids and polar lipids (phospholipids and galactolipids). The polar lipids and the triglycerides are the more abundant classes. The root galactolipids are mono- and di-galactosyldiglycerides; two steryl glycosides are also present. The phospholipids in both species are: phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. This last phospholipid represents 8·3% of total lipid phosphorus in Lupinus against 2·3% in Vicia. The other acidic phospholipids represent 30·4% in Lupinus against 20·9% in Vicia. The lipids of Lupinus are rich in linolenic acid whereas those found in Vicia are richer in linoleic acid. The various subcellular fractions prepared from the roots of both species have an homogeneous lipid composition, reflecting exactly that of entire cells. The calcium passive fixation capacity in microsomes and mitochondria of Lupinus roots is more important than that in the same organelles of Vicia faba roots. Thus a relationship is suggested between the amount of phospholipids in membranes and the passive fixation of calcium.     

Xanthones et C-glucosides flavoniques du genre Gentiana (section Cyclostigma)

Xanthones with a uniform 1,3,7,8-oxidation pattern, the C-glycosides isoorientin and isovitexin, and in some cases mangiferin, were isolated from the aerial parts of G. nivalis, G. brachyphylla, G. favrati, G. rostani, G. utriculosa and G. schleicheri Kunz. The distribution of these compounds within the section Cyclostigma is given. Comparison of phenolic patterns in other sections of Gentiana is made.     

Diverses proprietes de l'absorption du citrate du malate et du succinate par les lutoides du latex d'Hevea brasiliensis

Lutoïds from Hevea latex are microvacuoles with lysosomal character. In vitro in a medium free of energetic substrate citrate, malate and succinate are absorbed. The properties of this absorption and the action of some modifiers are discussed.     

Essai d'inventaire bibliographique des algues Dasycladacees du Jurassique et du Cretace inferieur

Bibliographical, geographical and stratigraphical index of all Algae Dasycladaceae describedin Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous from the world.     

Position systematique et phylogenetique du genre Pelagosaurus Bronn, 1841 (Crocodylia,Mesosuchia), du Toarcien d'Europe

The Toarcian crocodilian Pelagosaurus, usually considered as belonging to the family Teleosauridae, has a numberof apomorphic characters in common with the Metriorhynchidae, and is referred here to this family, as already suggested by J. Mercier (1933). The Metriorhynchidae were apparently descended from early Liassic Teleosauridae, and both families can be included in the same infraorder of the Mesosuchia, the Thalattosuchia FRAAS.     

Les Spatangus du Miocène et du Pliocène de l’Ouest de la France

Numerous fragments of spatangoid echinoids have been discovered in the Pliocene deposits of Challans, in Vendée (western France). In spite of the fragmentary data of the samples, a reconstitution of a complete test could be realized using the different fragments and their symetrization. The general shape of the test, and its architectural and ornemental characters allow establishing the presence of the genus Spatangus in western France during the end of Neogene. It allows to precise the biogeography of the genus Spatangus and of the morphological group S. (S.) purpureus on the Atlantic coast after the Messinian crisis. The Pliocene species is compared to the Miocene Spatangus (Phymapatagus) brittanus, abundant in Anjou, Brittany and Touraine. This older species was refered to the subgenus Phymapatagus according to the presumed lack of primary tubercles on its posterior interambulacrum. The discovery of well-preserved specimens, with primary tubercles on every parts of the test, in the Middle Miocene of Brittany allows to refute this subgeneric distinction and to refer the species brittanus to the subgenus Spatangus (Spatangus). The presence of this subgenus in western France is finally confirmed from Middle Miocene to Pliocene.     

Pachyceras arenosum (Waagen) (Ammonitina,Pachyceratidae)du Callovien du Kutch: Nouvelles definition et position systematique

The revision of Waagen's figured specimens from Kutch (India) shows that “Stephanoceras arenosum” after being considered as a Macrocephalites and than as a Mayaites is really a Pachyceras. This species is morphologically very close to the microconch of Pachyceras la landeanum (d'ORBIGNY) from Lamberti zone (Upper Callovian) of Western Europ. Its validity and that of others species of this genus collected in India is discussed. Its importance for stratigraphical correlations between european and indo-malagasy provinces is pointed out.     

Feretoside et gardenoside du Feretia apodanthera: rmn du carbone 13 en série iridoide

The ¹³C NMR spectra of some iridoids of known structure are analysed. The data obtained have been applied to the determination of structure of feretoside and the identification of gardenoside, both isolated from the stem bark of Feretia apodanthera.     

Les faunes des sites du Pléistocène supérieur du Caucase méridional : Grotte de Saka?hia, Grotte d’Ortvala et Grotte du Bronze (République de Géorgie)

The paleontological analysis of the fauna from three Late Pleistocene localities in Southern Caucasus (Saka?hia, Ortvala, and Bronze cave) confirmed the presence of Ursus spelaeus, Canis lupus, Equus ferus, Rhinocerotidae, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Alces alces, Bison priscus, Capra caucasica, Ovis ammon and Sus scrofa. The study also permitted the identification of new taxa for these localities. There may be the presence of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) at Saka?hia, however it has not yet been confirmed. Moreover, remains of aurochs (Bos primigenius) were identified, in particular at Bronze cave where its abundance is exceptional. Indeed, Bos and Bison are generally very rare in Southern Caucasus. The analysis of the proportion of the different species in each locality revealed the two types of occupations of the caves, one dominated by hominids and the other by carnivores. At Saka?hia, where fauna is dominated by the presence of cave bear, the cave was seasonally occupied by Neanderthal groups. On the other hand, Bronze cave corresponds to a habitat of hunters, which occupied the site for longer periods.     

Description d'une nouvelle espèce et analyse morpho-fonctionnelle du genre Doryaspis White (Heterostraci) du Dévonien du Spitsberg

Doryaspis groenhorgensis nov. sp. is a new pteraspidiform from the lower devonian of Spitsbergen. The genus Doryaspis is now considered as the most abundant pteraspidiform of the Wood Bay formation, with five described species. Moreover, the pteraspidiform diversity of this formation has been under rated all along the XXth century. A morpho-functional analysis of the Doryaspis generic characters (e.g. flat dorsal shield, ventral pseudorostrum, long cornual plates) allows to consider two possible mode of life. However, none of the pelagic or benthic mode of life is better supported than the other. The same analysis introduce some interpretative hypothesis on histology and moving of the Pteraspidiformes. The Pteraspidiformes diversity of Spitsbergen is important for further Devonian circum-arctic comparisons (e.g. siberian platform).     

Industries lithiques du centre et du nord-est du Brésil pendant la transition Pléistocène–Holocène et l’Holocène ancien : la question du Technocomplexe Itaparica

In publications on Brazilian prehistory, the Itaparica tradition corresponds to the first relatively dense human occupation in central and northeast Brazil, during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition and early Holocene. It is characterized in typological terms by the presence of unifacially shaped stone tools, traditionally called lesmas. We present here a critical review of the concept of Itaparica tradition, testing, beyond these typological similarities, its technological coherence. For this, we rely on the techno-functional analysis of lithic collections from reference site GO-JA-01, in State of Goiás, compared to those of sites Boqueirão da Pedra Furada and Pica-Pau, in State of Piauí. The results of this study demonstrate the existence of a technical system based on the design of an original tool blank, the unifacially shaped artifact, and a complementarity between these and the associated tool flakes. The comparative approach between the different sites shows a strong technical relationship. Consequently, we can talk about the existence of an “Itaparica technocomplex”. This implies a cultural link between human groups that participated in this first dense peopling of central and northeast Brazil.     

Goniatites et conodontes du Viséen/Serpukhovien dans les Pyrénées centrales et occidentales, France

Cephalopods and conodonts from the upper part of the Aspe-Brousset Limestones and lower part of the Iraty Limestones in Central and Western Pyrenees are described. Two levels differing in age are distinguished on their behalf. The oldest one belonging to the Late Visean or Early Serpukhovian yields specimens described as Goniatites baylei Leymerie, 1957, by Mirouse (1957, 1962). They are placed here in the species Dombarites falcatoides Ruzhentsev and Bogoslovkaya, 1971 for which the new subspecies D. falcatoides mirousei is established. The upper level corresponds to the Albergian (upper Serpukhovian) and is characterized by Proshumardites delepinei Schindewolf, 1939. Numerous conodonts belonging to the Lochriea and the Gnathodus groups occur together with this fauna. The joint study of goniatites and conodonts allows us to show the relationship existing between the distributions of both these two groups of organisms as well as to provide precisions on the stratigraphic and the palaeogeographical data in these areas.     

Nouvelles observations sur les Miogypsinidés du Miocène inférieur et moyen de Provence et de Corse (France) et de Sardaigne septentrionale (Italie)

The detailed study of the Miocene strata of Bonifacio has revealed an atypical Miogypsinid assemblage. In addition to the three already cited genera, Miogypsinoides, Miogypsina and Miolepidocyclina from this region, Miogypsinodella is for the first time represented by two new species (Mdella corsicana nov. sp. et Mdella pillaria nov.sp.). The stratigraphical ranges of each genus in the Miogypsinidae are not verified here. However, Mdes bantamensis is still present in the Upper Burdigalian and the genus Miogypsinoides is also present in the Lower Langhian. Six species of Miogypsina coexist in the Upper Burdigalian (M. tani, M. globulina, M. intermedia, M. cf. sabahensis, M. cushmani, M. mediterranea) and two species are present in the Lower Langhian (M. antillea, M. digitata). This distribution is apparently an example of palaeoendemism resulting from the geographic isolation and the rotation of the Corso-Sardinian block and also from the palaeogeographical and palaeoecological favourable environment during that time.     

Charophytes du Crétacé/Paléocène du Moyen-Atlas (Maroc) : systématique et implications biochronologiques

Gyrogonites of charophytes from two localities of the Oudiksou syncline (Middle Atlas, Morocco) are studied. The Irbzer formation in the Achlouj-2 site yielded charophytes (Feistiella oblonga, F. globosa, Strobilochara apiculata, S. diademata) that suggest a Campanian-Maastrichtian age; this result is consistent with all previously published biochronological studies. The overlying Bekrit-Timahdit formation, supposed to be Thanetian to Lutetian in age, without paleontological evidence, yielded charophytes in the Saf locality (Peckichara cf. llobregatensis, Feistiella sp. 1, Maedleriella sp.). This association indicates a Paleocene age for the middle member of this formation.