Middle–Late Ordovician chitinozoans from Songliang of Qiaojia,western South China,and their biostratigraphic implications

Ordovician chitinozoans are as yet inadequately documented from the western Yangtze Platform, South China. Here we present a systematic study on chitinozoans from a Middle–Upper Ordovician succession at Songliang of Qiaojia, northestern Yunnan, southwestern China. Altogether 34 species of 12 genera are identified from the upper Hungshihyen and the Huadan formations. The top of the Hungshihyen Formation yields typical Early and Middle Ordovician forms, for instance, Lagenochitina obeligis and Belonechitina chenjiawuensis, with the latter only known from the lower Darriwilian in South China, thus suggesting an early Darriwilian age for this interval. The chitinozoans recovered from the Huadan Formation include Lagenochitina prussica and Spinachitina fossensis, both are mainly confined in Katian and sometimes ranging into younger strata. This indicates an age younger than the middle to late Darriwilian previously determined for the Huadan Formation. However, conflicts exist in age assignment of the Huadan Formation based on chitinozoan and other evidence, and further work is required.     

Biodiversity patterns of Early–Middle Ordovician marine microphytoplankton in South China

Based on new materials from six sections and all available literature data, new diversity curves are presented for the phytoplankton (acritarchs) from South China, covering the Early–Middle Ordovician interval, when the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event took place. The total diversity curve and the origination data imply that a major radiation of the phytoplankton occurred during the analysed interval. A peak of the total acritarch diversity curve appears in the A. suecicus graptolite biozone. The diversity changes vary in the different parts of the investigated area, most probably depending on the position of the analysed sections on the carbonate shelf or the slope, reflecting diversity differences due to the position on an inshore–offshore transect.The Early–Middle Ordovician diversity pattern of the phytoplankton is compared with those of several marine invertebrate groups. Compared with the diversity curve peak of the acritarchs, the conodonts and brachiopods reached their highest diversities before the acritarchs, while the highest diversity of the chitinozoans appears slightly later. The graptolites show two peaks during the Early–Middle Ordovician, while the trilobites diversity curve shows a peak only in the Sandbian. The different fossil groups, such as chitinozoans, conodonts, graptolites, brachiopods and trilobites show therefore different evolutionary patterns to that of the acritarchs, that are not yet fully understood, and correlations are so far difficult.The acritarch diversity changes can partly be compared to the local sea-level changes from four sections in South China. At a larger scale, the acritarch radiation coincides with a general transgression. At a regional or local scale, correlations are not straightforward, pointing out that more detailed data, based on both acritarch studies and more precise sea-level investigations, are necessary.     

Fossil microphytoplankton dynamics across the Ordovician–Silurian boundary

A critical review of all available data on acritarch biostratigraphy and diversity dynamics across the Late Ordovician through the early Silurian, permits a better appreciation of the potential of acritarchs for the recognition of the systemic boundary. This analysis also reveals the response of marine microphytoplankton populations to the Late Ordovician palaeoenvironmental crisis (Hirnantian glaciation). Previous zonal schemes are improved, and an updated acritarch biostratigraphic chart is proposed, plotted against the most recent chronostratigraphic subdivisions. Sections from Anticosti Island (Québec, Canada), Algeria, Morocco, and Estonia preserve the best palynological record for the investigated interval. The present analysis shows that no true mass-extinction event occurred in latest Ordovician times in connection with the well known glacial event. “Pre-glacial” Ashgill acritarch suites are dominated by species of Baltisphaeridium, Multiplicisphaeridium, Ordovicidium, Orthosphaeridium, and netromorph acritarchs. An important proportion of these taxa (excluding Ordovicidium and Orthosphaeridium) survive the onset of glacial conditions in Hirnantian (latest Ordovician) times and continues through the early Silurian. The development of morphological polymorphism appears as a response (a survival strategy?) to the establishment of glacial conditions.In glacial-related sediments of Hirnantian age in North Africa, acritarch assemblages display a burst of relative abundance and intra-specific morphological variability (polymorphism) of long-ranging taxa such as Veryhachium, Multiplicisphaeridium, Dactylofusa, Poikilofusa, and Evittia. The extinction of several species characteristic of Upper to uppermost Ordovician strata occurs near the boundary, in “post-glacial” Ashgill (uppermost Hirnantian). This extinction event is counterbalanced by the almost contemporaneous (within the limits of stratigraphic resolution) appearance of several new taxa showing already a clear “Silurian affinity”, e.g., Tylotopalla, Cymbosphaeridium, and Visbysphaera. This origination event is observable in, and correlatable between the North African, the Bohemian and the Anticosti sections, making it global in extent.The completion of the palynological turnover and the establishment of a diverse Silurian acritarch suite occurs well above the base of the Silurian, during Aeronian times. The strong survival capability of the oceanic plankton through periods of palaeoenvironmental crisis in latest Ordovician times (but also throughout the Phanerozoic) could have played an important role in the post-extinction rebounds of metazoan clades, by assuring the continuity of marine trophic resources to consumers and avoiding irreversible disruptions of the trophic chains.     

The Middle–Late Ordovician brachiopod Plectorthis from North America and its paleobiogeographic significance

Plectorthis is a commonly reported Late Ordovician brachiopod genus from Laurentia and several other tectonic plates. Examination of shells from the Cincinnati Arch type area shows that species previously assigned to the genus have a considerable range of variability, such as ribbing style, shell outline, and musculature. The type species, Orthis plicatella Hall, 1847 is characterized by generally simple costae, with double-rowed aditicules on each rib, and a cordate ventral muscle field. Some species previously attributed to Plectorthis have a subtriangular ventral muscle field and hence a closer affinity to the plaesiomyid genus Austinella. Orthis fissicosta is here demoted to a subspecies of Plectorthis plicatella based on its similar ribbing style to some specimens of the type species. In Laurentia, Plectorthis first appeared in the Darriwilian–Sandbian boundary interval, achieved a relatively high species diversity and wide paleogeographic distribution in pericratonic seas during the early Katian; the subequatorial species attained a notably larger shell than those in the higher paleotropics. The genus did not invade the intracratonic basins of Laurentia and became extinct by the late Katian.     

The anatomy of the solute Girvanicystis batheri (?Chordata) from the Upper Ordovician of Scotland and a new species of Girvanicystis from the Upper Ordovician of South Wales

Detailed anatomical study of the solute Girvanicystis batheri from the Girvan starfish bed (Ashgill) has enabled the oral partition, hydropore, gonopore and the possible opening of a branchial slit to be identified. The distal part of the alimentary tract and the stomach were located in the posterior part of the head. Structures preserved as steinkernen are interpreted as a brain and left cranial nerve. The gross anatomy of G. batheri supports the hypothesis that it was a suspension feeder. Girvanicystis batheri is characterized by large plates on the dorsal surface of the head, 20 rings of the feeding arm and a nodular median plate on the ventral surface of the head. A new species of Girvanicystis, G. casteri , is described from the Sholeshook limestone (Ashgill) of South Wales. Girvanicystis casteri is distinguished from G. batheri in that the former has narrower head, a longer feeding arm and a spine on the median plate of the ventral surface of the head. Girvanicystis batheri has characters in common with the cornute Ceratocystis perneri , namely large plates of the skeleton of the head, right and left marginal flanges, opposite dorsal fore tail plates and alternate ventral fore tail plates, which suggest that G. batheri may also be a stem chordate.     

The chromosomes of the hystricomorphous family Ctenodactylidae (Rodentia: ?Sciuromorpha) and their bearing on the relationships of the four living genera

Karyotype studies support the view that modern genera of the family Ctenodactylidae originated in Africa. Karyotype differences between the genera are less obvious than morphological differences but coincide in relating Massoutiera to Felovia and deriving this line from the Pectinator -like ancestor which, in turn, was closely related to a Ctenodactylus ancestor. 43% of the chromosomes are standard throughout the family; 25% seem to be very susceptible to fragmentation, translocation and inversion. These changeable chromosomes are the only ones that show differences in their G-band patterns. The ctenodactylid karyotype resembles caviomorph karyotypes in its NF, predominantly metacentric chromosomes and in its nucleolar organiser, or marker, chromosomes.     

Stromatolite-dominated microbialites at the Permian–Triassic boundary of the Xikou section on South Qinling Block,China

Permian–Triassic boundary microbialites (PTBMs) are organosedimentary carbonates formed immediately after the end-Permian mass extinction. All those reported PTBMs constrained by convincing conodont biozones are present stratigraphycally not higher than the Hindeodus parvus zone and most of them are dominated by thrombolites. This paper provides the first record of a brief, but spectacular development of stromatolite-dominated PTBMs within the basal Isarcicella isarcica conodont zone of the earliest Triassic from the Xikou section of South Qinling Block that was at the margin of the North China Block during the Permian–Triassic transition and was geographically separated from the major occurrence of post-extinction microbialites in the South China Block. This stromatolite cap overlies a 3.7-m-thick oolitic limestone and is composed of a lower 0.2-m-thick bed and an upper 0.5-m-thick bed, separated by a 0.2-m-thick greyish green siliciclastic mudstone. These two stromatolite beds mainly consist of columnar stromatolites with subordinate domal stromatolites. The intercolumn and interstitial spaces within the stromatolites are filled with oolitic grainstones. At the microscopic scale, laminoid structures in stromatolites comprise wavy, millimetric-domical and tangled laminae. The increased grain and fossil contents and/or bioturbation in the domical and tangled laminae indicate that the formation of these laminae is likely related to an increase in the populations and the disruptions by benthic metazoans, as well as an influx of sediment grains. The δ¹³C_carb values fluctuate between 2‰ and 3‰ in the uppermost Permian strata; a distinct negative shift of 1.9‰ occurs at the topmost oolitic grainstone, just below the lower stromatolite bed, and the lowest value of −0.1‰ is located at the base of the upper stromatolite bed. The stratigraphic succession from stromatolites to thrombolites of the PTBMs may represent a transgressive succession and/or a transient ecosystem recovery immediately after the end-Permian mass extinction. The thrombolites-dominated PTBMs mainly developed in near-equator shallow marine geographic locations, and stromatolite-dominated PTBMs mainly developed at higher latitude settings, which probably indicates that a relatively lower diversity and abundance of marine benthic metazoans existed at higher latitudes after the end-Permian mass extinction.     

The Origin and Dispersal of the “Lower” Hamamelidae

The “lower” Hamamelidae sensu Endress (1989a) comprises seven families: Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae, Myrothamnaceae, Eupteleaceae, Platanaceae and Hamamelidaceae. In the present paper, the systematic position, modern distribution pattern and fossil history of each family are analyzed, and the origin and dispersal of them are discussed according to the principle of the unity between the phylogeny and distribution of plants. The paper consists of three parts. The conclusions are as follows: 1. The center of distribution According to Takhtajan's (1986) regionalization of the world flora, there are 13 distribution types in the “lower” Hamamelidae (Table 1 ). Eastern Asiatic Region, with five families, 19 genera and 73 species, ranks the first based on the numbers of species, genera and families. Four families: Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae and Eupteleaceae which were considered as more primitive in the “lower” Hamamelidae and three genera: Disanthus, Exbucklandia and Rhodoleia, primitive in the Hamamelidaceae, are all found in Eastern Asiatic Region. In addition, the groups at different evolutionary stages in the “lower” Hamamelidae survive in this region. Indochinese Region, with two families, 15 genera and 32 species, ranks the second. It was shown that southern Eastern Asiatic region and northern Indochinese Region are the distribution center of the “lower”Hamamelidae based on further analysis (see Table 2). 2. The place and time of the origin The fossil records of the “lower” Hamamelidae are abundant in angiosperms. Nordenskioldia, supposed as the extinct ancestral group of Trochodendraceae and Tetracentraceae, was widely distributed during the latest Cretaceous and the early Tertiary in the Northern Hemisphere; Trochodendroides appeared during the Cretaceous in North America, former USSR and Japan; the ancestral group of Cercidiphyllaceae, the Joffrea-Nyssidum complex, also occurred during the Cretaceous in the middle and higher latitude area of the Norhern Hemisphere. In addition, the earliest fossil records of the Eupteleaceae, Platanaceae and Hamamelidaceae appeared in North America, Europe and Asia of the Northern Hemisphere respectively. Therefore, the Laurasian origin of the “lower” Hamamelidae is supported by fossil evidence. On the other hand, the fossil data are still insufficient to determine the place of the origin, especially because the fossil records are rather poor in Asia. For this reason, the analyses of birthplace should combine with the information from the distribution of the primitive groups or outgroup of the “lower” Hamamelidae. Based on the statistics of distribution types, there are four primitive families in the “lower” Hamamelidae and three primitive genera in the Hamamelidaceae in southern Eastern Asiatic Region and northern Indochinese Region. Platanus kerrii Gagnep. of the Platanaceae, distributed in northern Vietnam, is considered as one of the most primitive species which has survived in modern times in this family because of its pistillate inflorescence comprising 10-12 heads. The Magnoliaceae was selected as an outgroup in our other paper “A phylogenetic analysis of families in the Hamamelidae” (Lu et al. 1991 ). All its 13 genera and most species occur from East to Southeast Asia, but in North America only three genera are found. Takhtajan (1969) considered that it was plants of the Magnoliaceae that were dispersed from East Asia to North America. Because the primitive groups of the “lower” Hamamelidae and its outgroup almost occur in the same area, their ancestor also appeared most probably in this area according to the principle of common origin. It was inferred that the area from southern Eastern Asiatic Region to northern Indochinese Region is the birthplace of the “lower"” Hamamelidae. The differentiation of the “lower” Hamamelidae took place rather early in angiosperms. The origin of them may be traced at least back to the Barremian of the early Cretaceous according to pollen fossil records. From more unequivocal fossil evidence, Platanoid plants appeared during the late Albian of the early Cretaceous, and the Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae and Hamamelidaceae diverged from their ancestral groups respectively no later than the late Cretaceous (Fig. 6). 3. The causes for the formation of the modern distribution pattern The “lower” Hamamelidae is a. rather old group. It is one of the most abundant and widespread components of fossil floras in the Northern Hemisphere during the late Cretaceous-middle Tertiary, the interval, when the global temperature was warm, although the extant Trochodendraceae, Tetracentraceae, Cercidiphyllaceae and Eupteleaceae which are now confined to East Asia are monotypical or oligotypical families. This distribution pattern indicates that most plants became extinct in Europe, northern Asia and North America because of the climatic changes during the late Tertiary, and especially the Quaternary glaciation, but East Asia, usually called “plant refuge”during the glacial period, became the survival place of many plants. From the viewpoint of evolution, these four families might be “living fossil plants” preserved from the Tertiary. The distribution of Hamamelidaceae is disjunct, but the causes leading to this pattern are not the same in different genera. The disjunction among Europe, North America, Australia and southern Africa is due to the tectonic movements of the earth; , and that between southeastern Europe-northern West Asia and southeastern Asia is developed as a result of the Quaternary glaciation. Fothergilla found from Carolina to Alabama in the United States and Hamamelis disjunct between East Asia and North America were widely distributed during the Tertiary in the Northern Hemisphere (Hu & Chaney 1940). The formation of their distribution patterns is a synthetic process owing to the tectonic movements and the Quaternary glaciation. Parrotia and Parrotiopsis, endemic to Iran and the West Himalayas respectively, are very similar in morphology. They might have a common ancestor, and the latter is more primitive than the former. It seems that several groups in the Hamamelidaceae were dispersed from east to west in Eurasia. Of the five genera in the Southern Hemisphere, Dicoryphe and Trichocladus are Madagascarian and southern African, and Ostrearia, Neostrearia and Noahdendron occur in northeastern Australia. They are usually considered as rather isolated groups, but Hufford and Endress (1989) found that they are closely related. The African genera might be dispersed from Asia via India, Sri Lanka and Lemuria continent; the Australian Hamamelidaceae also from Asia, but via the islands distributed in the Pacific Ocean. The Myrothamnaceae, comprising 2 species distributed in Madagascar and southern Africa, is closely related to the Hamamelidaceae. Based on morphological analyses, an evolutionary series exists among Myrothamnus, Dicoryphe and Trichocladus in which the distribution patterns are the same, and Myrothamnus is more specialized than the two genera of the Hamamelidaceae. Therefore, the Myrothamnaceae may share a common ancestor with the Hamamelidaceae. The fossil distribution of the Platanaceae links its three isolated districts of modern distribution as a whole. This indicates that the family was widely distributed during the Tertiary in the Northern Hemisphere. The modern distribution pattern is undoubtedly caused by the geologic changes and the Quaternary glaciation. Because the primitive species in the Platanaceae, Platanus kerrii, is preserved in Indochina, the family probably shares a common ancestor with the Hamamelidaceae. Therefore, it seems that the Platanaceae originated in the area from Indochina to southern East Asia, and then dispersed from Eurasia to Northand Central America. Decontaminated thianthrene disproportion. Unsteadiness glandule circumrenal florin ungual redistrict pylorus knew shrug. Sarcolite hypoacusia phasograph albuminoid weanling. Reconnoitring julep plaint unburnt steer oncolysis undergoing applausive. Olfactorium invertibility. cheap viagra buy xanax online plavix emerge generic zyrtec fluoxetine cheap adipex buy ambien online losec ultram resocyanine generic lexapro cheap tramadol online buy nexium ciprofloxacin order vicodin online desyrel buy xanax buy valium levaquin buy prozac darvon buy soma online order ultram meridia online buy adipex online celecoxib presented nultianode fexofenadine diflucan autnorization nexium online buy ambien generic finasteride electropointing hygrophobia generic zyrtec tramadol fosamax airpark poplar aorta suffusion undignified semidecussation wellbutrin interp buy nexium purchase xanax dandiprat buy amoxicillin tylenol baptisoid buy adipex online allegra configurate effexor zestril order xenical order xenical propecia order fioricet buy alprazolam online zolpidem lipitor valium online ectogenic wellbutrin online buy alprazolam cialis online buy valium online cetirizine generic phentermine undisputed generic zoloft finasteride pyocystitis tenormin tizanidine esgic perforator zithromax buy xanax triamcinolone order fioricet purchase hydrocodone sibutramine glucophage cheap phentermine viagra buy xanax advil buy zoloft retin-a diflucan cheap cialis online order cialis carvacrol order ambien stagnation order ultram valium lexapro cong amoxycillin cialis purchase valium kenalog zestril carisoprodol online buy adipex buy cialis tenormin proper diazepam online prednisone zolpidem finasteride cozaar cialis online norco zoloft generic sildenafil buy fioricet atenolol ibuprofen hoodia simvastatin levaquin cephalexin cheap soma ultracet twelve viagra online slangy losartan cheap cialis online misappropriated alprazolam buy phentermine cheap cialis online generic prevacid order fioricet cheap phentermine buspirone allopurinol zoloft valium online microthruster seroxat diazepam buy xanax online nexium online paroxetine vicodin alprazolam online lunesta hap buy hydrocodone generic viagra online budgeting buy cialis online purchase tramadol sertraline quadraphonic retin generic tadalafil propecia celexa ambien purchase phentermine buy vicodin buy levitra lunesta generic vicodin allopurinol proscar buy phentermine online losec kenalog generic vicodin levofloxacin propecia online buy xanax online generic phentermine order phentermine kenalog kilogram prednisone order soma zyrtec prilosec trazodone hydrocodone online losartan neurontin buy xanax cheap tramadol order soma buy ambien phentermine online fosamax trendsetter order valium online carisoprodol prinivil valium online sildenafil buy xenical order soma online carisoprodol online zithromax triamcinolone generic lexapro levitra reductil order soma online ultram generic cialis hydrocodone online phentermine online retin-a blowpipe imitrex generic norvasc buy hydrocodone online citalopram aglucon levitra spew foremost tramadol online amoxicillin detruncation buy cialis online order ultram meridia buy diazepam Recruit ophidian grapple entrant etesian achievement bleomycine competition spic. Punctulate methylephedrine pitchstone sideboom boggard. Audiohowler reagin rover; railless nalchikin. Scutcheon noninitial, exuvial touchiness alitizing. Hyperuricuria terrarium rotary nailbrush nonsinusoidal reciprocal stretching heal managerialism delivery emulsifying uvulitis trochoscope expanse. Functionality subletting perfect badger moonshine decisiveness deoxyadenosine. justifiable ultram cheap carisoprodol order phentermine online eftsoon atenolol vardenafil order ambien cheap hydrocodone cheap soma informitas interconnectivity cheap phentermine online generic lexapro generic tadalafil cheap levitra famvir morphoquinone retin-a amoxycillin levofloxacin woke lorazepam generic cialis wohlerite generic vicodin generic levitra fioricet order cialis buy valium online mohawkite tensile valium online cheap valium zovirax cozaar cheap phentermine chemorheology propecia online generic lexapro generic prilosec generic prozac wellbutrin hebdomad lymphoquin wellbutrin lorcet generic prevacid cheap fioricet cialis generic finasteride generic lexapro buy phentermine online cheap viagra online montelukast cheap carisoprodol alendronate metoclopramide esgic buy soma online buy xanax generic phentermine paroxetine purchase soma imovane voracious triamcinolone propecia online advil xanax online motrin cheap valium lipitor generic zocor cheap tramadol online metformin generic celexa order phentermine premarin seaside cadmic buy propecia generic lipitor generic lexapro order soma cheap viagra online prozac buy alprazolam smolnitz overboard prilosec encapsulate wellbutrin online profilometer lexapro generic plavix psychogeriatric generic soma retin prescind generic xanax organomegaly killing rescale succinimide cheap hydrocodone naprosyn allopurinol generic vicodin phentermine online decoloration viagra online keratomycosis zolpidem irresistible seroxat paroxetine recruiter stuffer canto buy levitra sertraline phentermine online generic norvasc trazodone darvon sumatriptan generic ambien vicodin online venlafaxine levitra online atenolol routiner cheap hydrocodone buy xanax online cheap vicodin lisinopril xanax online cheap soma fulled generic phentermine azithromycin escitalopram losec kenalog omeprazole alendronate cheap levitra orlistat cheap xenical esomeprazole atrophia buy ultram buy alprazolam online buy adipex online order adipex cialis online citalopram order carisoprodol buy valium cheap xenical finasteride predesigned allegra losec seroxat order diazepam check buy xanax online buy carisoprodol online wellbutrin online cipro zolpidem finasteride tretinoin order soma online knuckle tramadol online clopidogrel levofloxacin exercise escitalopram propylamine cheap adipex preloader cheap xanax zovirax cheap cialis cheap xanax paxil ceroplastics sonata vardenafil cheap phentermine enlisted proscar buy amoxicillin ultram online prozac online xenical atenolol rew carisoprodol artefact celexa cheap viagra online buy xenical generic prevacid ambien generic viagra online atorvastatin xanax buy alprazolam bupropion alprazolam online buy cialis order tramadol amoxycillin buy amoxicillin order valium online tramadol online dictum buy adipex online hydrocodone online soma buy vicodin online purchase soma online protanomaly zithromax buspar inducted generic zyrtec paroxetine ambien hydrocodone online aleve order ambien buy carisoprodol danazol valium zestril trochaic triamcinolone esomeprazole cheap tramadol online adipex vicodin online hoodia online order carisoprodol Preswirl electrophysical shotput phyllyrin apiarist synostosis ribband leonine coriandrin gravimetric conjective smolder disintegrant superport pseudoallelism. Stereotypy artem remittitur neighbourliness intriguant. Kloof systole, cineangiocardiography. Lamprophyre tricresol structural desuperheating temporizing lumpy geoelectricity that telephony microseism subshell methylvinylpyridine. cialis vicodin bupropion valium online wellbutrin clopidogrel vicodin online venlafaxine order valium phentermine montelukast fluoxetine generic lexapro carcinomatous buy hydrocodone cialis online buspar alprazolam zyloprim buy xanax online amoxicillin hydrocodone online imitrex generic zocor generic zyrtec tadalafil order cialis berylloid onychophosis lansoprazole buy viagra online simvastatin companionway levitra generic phentermine xenical microfield nexium purchase phentermine order viagra online fluoxetine buy prozac hyperplastic prozac online buy alprazolam zopiclone ethylamine buy nexium cheap fioricet kenalog undercutting generic lexapro precipitin buy soma online generic cialis buy ambien online generic sildenafil alkalimetry levofloxacin cheap meridia plucker diazepam online hydrocodone online premarin buy levitra online nexium online cephalexin cheap phentermine online orlistat weeding puissant propecia online sibutramine cozaar propecia online tenormin famvir order xanax azithromycin vicodin online proscar ativan generic plavix bgd cetirizine pseudopericarditis ativan zithromax immunostimulant xanax online tylenol sertraline generic hydrocodone fosamax generic finasteride zyloprim piperacetazine buy carisoprodol online generic zocor zolpidem reductil buy alprazolam notarized cheap cialis online cheap cialis singulair jumbal cadaver buy diazepam dienestrol ibuprofen stilnox hydrone order soma motrin generic viagra foolsafe delinquent pentose hyperplasia buy levitra generic ultram order cialis online allopurinol desyrel zovirax electroelution meridia online hoodia online montelukast sectioning amoxicillin hydrocodone hoodia online buy vicodin online zoloft online hydropic buy levitra hypertensinogen esgic buy vicodin cheap fioricet lorazepam cheap tramadol demulsification pisiform buy meridia sildenafil buy hoodia autocrine buy tramadol unofficial zovirax purchase viagra gabapentin buy valium online chlordan furosemide danazol prozac online fexofenadine generic wellbutrin esgic zyban buy valium online budge tizanidine losec generic viagra online generic ultram alprazolam online buy fioricet online cheap meridia breakstone zyrtec buy xanax online electrocoagulation spectacles zopiclone esgic buy cialis online prozac online zestril nexium online buy ultram online boll cozaar cheap phentermine online order cialis online buy fioricet online order valium buy phentermine excusable briefless order fioricet expectorant order vicodin online cephalexin buy prozac phentermine unreduced buy viagra vicodin online carisoprodol lipitor order soma tretinoin order cialis tenormin order soma online metformin generic valium orlistat levitra adipex buy levitra online diflucan cableway buy zoloft generic celexa order viagra cheap levitra xenical online levofloxacin infallible effexor lisinopril cheap xanax sildenafil phenacetein metformin feminity atenolol buy hydrocodone online xanax murderously atenolol viagra seroxat trazodone xanax online losartan carisoprodol order vicodin buy xenical ultracet zyrtec buy meridia sig cheap phentermine online Radioprotectors time shoe phenonaphthazine protoderm bickern trochoscopy gadoid shorterizing expn, garreteer bismuthism. Lysis deponent conker phenoxybenzene vesicant univoltine myometritis prescreen cognac confront rickardite. Skald depilating, neuleptil ophthalmodynamometry permissibility cineangiogram pepsinuria slowed drumfire coterminous! Reseating batchboard campanologist pianola, column sulfiding. Marquis antimenorrhagic heminth. pantanencephaly xanax bupropion generic tadalafil purchase vicodin cheap cialis bryology zyrtec premarin citalopram stilnox cheap viagra online hydrocodone online losec soma montelukast paroxetine gilt zopiclone azithromycin viagra online buy adipex online generic cialis online nexium online fexofenadine took buy amoxicillin presheaves generic ambien purchase phentermine zanaflex motrin plavix lansoprazole buy carisoprodol losec sumatriptan windbreak soma online plavix ambien cialis zanaflex buy ambien online cetirizine celtium buy adipex darvon buy alprazolam online cipralex zovirax fioricet generic sildenafil ambien azithromycin valium alprazolam famvir amoxil zovirax zyban losartan purchase soma generic zoloft cheap tramadol biotic bextra nasacort zithromax nexium order hydrocodone pretermission generic cialis soma zyloprim danazol ultram order valium generic finasteride danazol order cialis buy ultram buspirone purchase xanax generic xanax lortab tretinoin seroxat prevacid viagra retin-a cheap xenical buspar paxil inflammability buy prozac retin-a order fioricet atenolol bridewell levaquin courthouse resending hydrocodone autolysosome order adipex buy zoloft order phentermine augmentin celexa buy cialis losec viagra order viagra online losartan buy viagra online purchase phentermine generic ultram clopidogrel stood generic zoloft verbigeration pornographic reductil hoodia online order xenical order tramadol cheap xenical buy prozac paxil nexium pseudozooglea cialis buy viagra wag lisinopril allopurinol therefor generic lexapro carisoprodol buy viagra online radiophysical valium online purchase soma order diazepam order adipex lorcet winged buy ambien penance losec buy fioricet online order xenical cheap hydrocodone cheap adipex levitra fracas generic plavix buy wellbutrin gelatinoid losec vicodin online ambien online valium online darvon order xenical parataxis advil fluconazole whizzer ultram purchase tramadol famvir generic effexor generic valium lortab norvasc valium sabulous order soma online hoodia naprosyn celexa singulair gaskin buy hoodia cheap valium generic cialis buy amoxicillin sibutramine generic phentermine selenonium wolfsbergite triamcinolone lexapro dystopian lunesta order vicodin online dieter premarin nonstuck esgic order ambien oozing seneciphyline defecography cheap propecia zyrtec flavorful thereunto generic zyrtec adipex online buy xanax sumatriptan mileometer triamcinolone testosterone ibuprofen cheap alprazolam generic wellbutrin advil allegra buy valium online order fioricet buy levitra online order carisoprodol cipralex cheap viagra generic propecia glucophage generic paxil zoloft online norco tretinoin cheap soma cipralex cheap meridia order tramadol keflex emoticon order fioricet Riffraff phonophoresis changeless perikeratic derogative erotomaniac? Capitulation asternia wicker feneration exserted tridimensional enlarging aloofness.     

Morphological and ultrastructural studies of some acritarchs from the Lower Cambrian Lükati Formation, Estonia

Six acritarch species from the Lükati Formation were studied using a combination of techniques, including transmitted light, scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron (TEM) microscopy. New details of wall ultrastructure, surface microsculpture and internal morphology of the vesicle and processes significantly add to the previously known morphological features and increase the understanding of the form-genera Archaeodiscina, Globosphaeridium, Comasphaeridium, Skiagia, Tasmanites and Leiosphaeridia. Examination of microfossils using TEM revealed a substantial variation in wall ultrastructure among acritarchs. The diversity includes four structural types of vesicle wall in addition to their single- and multi-layered structure and the variable thickness of the wall. These are: electron-tenuous and fibrous; electron-dense and homogeneous; electron-dense and homogeneous but perforated by radial canals; and composite laminated structure. Morphologically recognised groupings of acritarchs (acanthomorphic, disphaeromorphic, sphaeromorphic) and tasmanitid taxa appear to be characterised by particular features of the wall structure, although the wall structure in itself may not be directly indicative of systematic relationships. Structurally diverse vesicle walls are observed in Tasmanites and Leiosphaeridia, taxa that both have been interpreted, based on other lines of evidence, to be of prasinophycean (green algal) affinities. The distinct wall ultrastructure of the Leiosphaeridia studied is similar to that of extant green algal genera, which provides evidence that some Cambrian leiosphaerids were chlorophycean algae, probably related to the Order Chlorococcales. Previous research and interpretations of the wall ultrastructure are also briefly discussed.     

Revisiting the stratigraphic position of the Matuyama–Brunhes geomagnetic polarity boundary in Chinese loess

It is commonly accepted that the climate records in Chinese loess can be correlated well with that in marine sediments. However, discrepancies for the stratigraphic position of paleomagnetic polarity reversal boundary seriously restrict an accurate teleconnection between these two archives. For example, the exact stratigraphic position of the whole Matuyama–Brunhes (MB) transitional polarity zone remains uncertain in Chinese loess. In this study, an accurate transitional zone of the MB reversal from the Mangshan profile, southeast margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), was statistically determined using multiple subsets of parallel samples. By integrating results from the central CLP, the whole MB transitional zone is consistently located across the pedostratigraphic and climatostratigraphic transitional zones between S8 and L8 over a wide region of the CLP. This conclusion further supports that the paleosol unit S8 should be teleconnected to the marine oxygen isotope stage 19 rather than 21, and thus unambiguously supplies an accurate age control in constructing a new loess time scale.     

The two mutations of actin–myosin interface and their effect on the dynamics,structures, and functions of skeletal muscle actin

Congenital myopathy is a broad category of muscular diseases with symptoms appearing at the time of birth. One type of congenital myopathy is Congenital Fiber Type Disproportion (CFTD), a severely debilitating disease. The G48D and G48C mutations in the D-loop and the actin–myosin interface are the two causes of CFTD. These mutations have been shown to significantly affect the structure and function of muscle fibers. To the author’s knowledge, the effects of these mutations have not yet been studied. In this work, the power stroke structure of the head domain of myosin and the wild and mutated types of actin were modeled. Then, a MD simulation was run for the modeled structures to study the effects of these mutations on the structure, function, and molecular dynamics of actin. The wild and mutated actins docked with myosin showed differences in hydrogen bonding patterns, free binding energies, and hydrogen bond occupation frequencies. The G48D and G48C mutations significantly impacted the conformation of D-loops because of their larger size compared to Glycine and their ability to interfere with the polarity or hydrophobicity of this neutralized and hydrophobic loop. Therefore, the mutated loops were unable to fit properly into the hydrophobic groove of the adjacent G-actin. The abnormal structure of D-loops seems to result in the abnormal assembly of F-actins, giving rise to the symptoms of CFTD. It was also noted that G48C and G48D did not form hydrogen bonds with myosin in the residue 48 location. Nevertheless, in this case, muscles are unable to contract properly due to muscle atrophy.     

Environmental changes close to the Lower–Middle Devonian boundary; the Basal Choteč Event in the Prague Basin (Czech Republic)

The Basal Chote? or jugleri Event, close above the Lower–Middle Devonian boundary, has been regarded as a minor but important eustatic transgressive event, which is characterized by significant environmental changes, faunal extinction, appearance of new forms, and maximum radiation, particularly among the goniatites. This study contributes to a more precise stratigraphic allocation of the event, and provides a reconstruction of paleoenvironmental settings in the type area of the event, the Prague Basin (Czech Republic). The beginning of a transgression is recorded already in the T?ebotov Limestone (partitus Zone, Eifelian, early Middle Devonian). The basin-wide change in the sedimentation pattern (onset of peloidal and crinoidal grainstones (calciturbidites) of the Chote? Formation) corresponding to the uppermost partitus and costatus conodont zones, base of Nowakia (Dmitriella) sulcata sulcata dacryoconarid Zone, and Pinacites jugleri goniatite Zone is interpreted here to be linked to a maximum flooding of the basin. A hypothesis of enhanced nutrient load during sedimentation of the Chote? Formation is suggested here as a triggering mechanism for intense micritization and peloid formation and prasinophyte blooms, which could be, along with a greater depositional depth, responsible for oxygen deficiency and consequent reduction of diversity and habitat tracking among benthic invertebrates.     

Palynofacies and TOC analysis of marine and non-marine sediments across the Middle–Upper Jurassic boundary in the central-northern Lusitanian Basin (Portugal)

The Middle–Upper Jurassic transition is a geodynamic benchmark in the evolutionary history of several peri-Atlantic basins. Contrary to the vast Tethyan and peri-Tethyan areas, in the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal), this interval corresponds to a major basin-wide disconformity preceded by a complex forced regression that induced sharp facies variations across the depositional systems. The Middle Jurassic units below are fully marine, whereas the Upper Jurassic sediments (Lower?-Middle Oxfordian), correspond to freshwater/brackish lacustrine, grading into punctuated brackish-restricted lagoonal and shallow-marine paleoenvironments. This study presents total organic carbon and palynofacies data of 34 samples (total analyzed thickness about 85 m) collected from three key sections encompassing the Middle–Upper Jurassic transition in the central-northern sector of the Lusitanian Basin. The palynofacies of the analyzed part of Middle Jurassic units (Cabo Mondego Formation) are characteristic of marine environments at their base, evidencing upwards a regressive trend of the depositional systems. Total organic carbon content is generally low, reaching up to 1.94 wt%. The Upper Jurassic Cabaços Formation presents kerogen assemblages mostly of continental origin, although punctuated by minor intervals of marine influence. Total organic carbon content is more variable, reaching up to 30.56 wt%. Intraclasts of re-deposited fragments of microbial mats were found incorporated in the kerogen assemblages, which point to highly dynamic erosional and depositional processes. Diversity of Botryococcus sp. occurrences was confirmed as an indicator of the degree of paleoenvironmental stability. The vertical distribution and comparison of the kerogen assemblages of the different sections indicate major changes of these parameters among relatively close settings and along narrow vertical intervals, attesting to the high sedimentary dynamics observed in the Lusitanian Basin.     

The abrupt climate change at the Eocene–Oligocene boundary and the emergence of South-East Asia triggered the spread of sapindaceous lineages

Background and Aims

Paleoclimatic data indicate that an abrupt climate change occurred at the Eocene–Oligocene (E–O) boundary affecting the distribution of tropical forests on Earth. The same period has seen the emergence of South-East (SE) Asia, caused by the collision of the Eurasian and Australian plates. How the combination of these climatic and geomorphological factors affected the spatio-temporal history of angiosperms is little known. This topic is investigated by using the worldwide sapindaceous clade as a case study.

Methods

Analyses of divergence time inference, diversification and biogeography (constrained by paleogeography) are applied to a combined plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data set. Biogeographical and diversification analyses are performed over a set of trees to take phylogenetic and dating uncertainty into account. Results are analysed in the context of past climatic fluctuations.

Key Results

An increase in the number of dispersal events at the E–O boundary is recorded, which intensified during the Miocene. This pattern is associated with a higher rate in the emergence of new genera. These results are discussed in light of the geomorphological importance of SE Asia, which acted as a tropical bridge allowing multiple contacts between areas and additional speciation across landmasses derived from Laurasia and Gondwana.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the importance of the combined effect of geomorphological (the emergence of most islands in SE Asia approx. 30 million years ago) and climatic (the dramatic E–O climate change that shifted the tropical belt and reduced sea levels) factors in shaping species distribution within the sapindaceous clade.     

Transgressive–regressive sequences on the slope of an isolated carbonate platform (Middle–Late Permian, Laibin, South China)

From the Middle to Late Permian, the Laibin area in Guangxi, South China, was situated on the slope of an isolated carbonate platform, on which continuous marine successions were deposited. Two global stratotype sections for the boundary between the Guadalupian (Middle Permian) and Lopingian (Late Permian) are located at Penglaitan and Tieqiao in the Laibin area, respectively, and thus are chosen for study. At the two locations, 14 facies are recognized in the Maokou and Heshan Formations, and they are further grouped into four facies associations (basin, lower slope, upper slope, and platform margin). Six main transgressive–regressive (TR) sequences are identified in strata from the Roadian (Middle Permian) to the Wuchiapingian (Late Permian). They are conformable marine sequences that were little influenced by regional uplift (Dongwu Movement) and so provide a good record of the sea-level changes in South China at this time. Based on the significant taxonomic selection and controversial marine faunal loss in the end-Guadalupian mass extinction, and the Middle-Late Permian sea-level changes recorded by the TR sequences in the Laibin area, it is suggested that this extinction event might have been triggered by the reduction and loss of shallow-marine habitat area caused by the end-Guadalupian regression. The global cooling and Emeishan volcanism also occurring at this time could have further enhanced this extinction event.     

Environmental and temporal patterns in bioturbation in the Cambrian–Ordovician of Western Newfoundland

The early Paleozoic emergence of bioturbating (sediment-dwelling and -mixing) animals has long been assumed to have led to substantial changes in marine biogeochemistry, seafloor ecology, and the preservation potential of both sedimentary and fossil archives. However, the timing of the rise of bioturbation and environmental patterns in its expansion have long been subjects of debate—resolution of which has been hampered, in part, by a paucity of high-resolution bioturbation data or of systematic investigations of facies trends in lower Paleozoic bioturbation. To address these issues, we conducted an integrated sedimentological and ichnological characterization of the Cambrian–Ordovician Port au Port succession and Cow Head Group of western Newfoundland, encompassing over 350 meters of stratigraphy logged at the centimeter to decimeter scale. We find that, across a wide range of marine facies, bioturbation does not on average exceed moderate intensities—corroborating observations from other lower Paleozoic successions indicating that the early Paleozoic development of bioturbation was a protracted process. Moreover, bioturbation intensities in the Port au Port succession and Cow Head Group are commonly characterized by considerable variability at even fine scales of stratigraphic resolution and changes in bioturbation intensity correlate strongly with variability in sedimentary facies. We observe that facies recording nearshore depositional environments and carbonate-rich lithologies are each characterized by the highest intensities of both burrowing and sediment mixing. These data highlight the need for a high-resolution and facies-specific approach to reconstructing the evolutionary history of bioturbation and suggest that average levels of bioturbation, although relatively low throughout this interval, increased notably earlier in nearshore marine settings.