Devonian antiarchs (Pisces,Antiarchi) from central and Southern European Russia

Antiarchi (Pisces, Placodermi) from the Devonian of central and southern European Russia (Central Devonian Field) are studied. Antiarchs belong to three families, the Asterolepididae, Remigolepididae (suborder Asterolepidoidei), and Bothriolepididae (suborder Bothriolepidoidei). The diagnoses of the order, two suborders, three families, and five genera (two of which are new) are given. Sixteen species, including one new, are described; ten taxa are determined in open nomenclature. Morphological structures of representatives of these families are considered in detail. Classifications of antiarchs and their position in the system of the lower vertebrates are discussed. Devonian vertebrate localities of central and southern European Russia that have yielded antiarchs are listed. Each locality is characterized by its ichthyoassemblage.     

Middle Devonian bothriolepiform antiarchs (Pisces,Placodermi) from central Kazakhstan and their implication for the antiarch system and phylogeny

The bothriolepiform antiarchs Tenizolepis asiatica (Obrucheva, 1955), Bothriolepis kassini Malinovskaja, 1988, and B. babichevi Malinovskaya, 1992 from the Givetian (Middle Devonian) of Central Kazakhstan are redescribed. Tenizolepis bychkovi Malinovskaya, 1992, known from the Konyr Formation of the Trudovoe vertebrate locality, is considered to be a synonym of B. babichevi. The history of investigation of bothriolepiforms from Kazakhstan is discussed. The system and phylogeny of antiarchs are discussed.     

Les vertebres devoniens de l'Iran central. III: Antiarches

The Upper Devonian of the Kerman region (Central Iran) has yielded but a few remains of antiarchs. Some ofthem may be referred to the almost world-wide distributed genus Asterolepis, whereas others are suggestive of the genera Byssacanthus and Stegolepis, previously recorded only from the Middle and Upper Devonian of Soviet Union.     

Bothriolepiform antiarchs (Pisces,Placodermi) from the devonian of Central Kazakhstan

Bothriolepiform antiarchs (Placodermi, Antiarchi) are represented by two genera in the Devonian of Central Kazakhstan: Bothriolepis Eichwald (Bothriolepididae) and Tenizolepis Malinovskaja (Dianolepididae). The first includes five species: B. babichevi Malinovskaja, 1992, B. kassini Malinovskaja, 1988, B. amankonyrica Malinovskaja, 1988, B. nikitinae Malinovskaja, 1988, and B. tastenica Malinovskaja, 1988; the second includes only two valid species, T. asiatica (Obrucheva, 1955) and T. rara Malinovskaja, 1977. As type collections of bothriolepiform antiarchs of Central Kazakhstan were revised, the diagnoses were emended and the postcranial exoskeleton was reconstructed. The classification of the order is discussed and a new family, Tubalepididae fam. nov., is established.     

新型有原始肢突胴甲鱼的发现及胴甲鱼早期演化的初步探讨

本文记述的曲靖始突鱼(Procondylolepis qujingensis gen.et sp.nov.)是近几年在云南曲靖早泥盆世地层中发现的有肢突胴甲鱼一原始类型。它和已知胴甲鱼(包括早泥盆世无肢突的和中、晚泥盆世有“盔”状肢突的)不同的最大特点是在其肩带与胸鳍相接的肩关节处有原始的肢突和简单的关节窝;胸鳍甲近端的关节区很小。它展现出胴甲鱼类这一高度特化、长期使人迷惑不解的肢突,在胴甲鱼演化史上发展变化的梗概,填补了肢突从无到有中间的缺环,使人了解到胸鳍的具体结构。文中主要根据肢突的有无和特化程度等,对胴甲鱼早期演化史作了初步探讨,将胴甲鱼分为无肢突超目(Abrachicondylia)和有肢突超目(Brachicondylia)两大部分。始突鱼则代表有肢突超目一早期成员。     

EARLY DEVONIAN FISHES FROM GUIJIATUN AND XUJIACHONG FORMATIONS OF QUJING,YUNNAN,AND RELATED BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC PROBLEMS

Pale0nt0IogicStudiesSubclassGaleaspidaHalsteadTarl0,l9670rderHuanana8piformesJanvier,l975FamilyGantar0stra8pidaeWangetWang,l992GenusCantarostraspisWangetWang,l992CQntarostra8pisgeniWangetWang,l992(Fig.l3Pl-II,4-5)1992,Gantarostraspisgeni,Wang,J.Q.etWang,N.Z.,Fig-l,Pl.l.HolotypeAdorsalshieldV9758,LowerDevonianPosongchongF0rmation,Gu-mu,Wenshandistrict,Yunnan-ReferredspeeimensAdorsalshieldVlO494.1;arostra1pr0cessV1O494.2.Loca1ityandh0riz0nXujiach0ng,Xishan,Qujing,Yunnan,Lowe…     

The oldest goniatite faunas and their stratigraphical significance

The oldest known Lower Devonian goniatite faunas, which can be called Anetoceras faunas, are of Zlichovian (in most cases apparently upper Zlichovian) age. They include the goniatite fauna of the upper Zlichovian in the Barrandian. The well known fauna of the Hunsriick Shale, hitherto regarded as the oldest, also belongs here. Analogous goniatite assemblages are known from several other European regions, from North Africa, Asia Minor, the Urals, Central Asia, NE part of the USSR, North America (Nevada) and SE Australia. The distinctive feature of these faunas is the occurrence of the genera Anetoceras (incl. Erbenoceras), Mimosphinctes, Palaeogoniatites, Teicherticeras (incl. Convoluticeras ). They show the first appearance of Mimagoniatites, Gyroceratites and Pseudobactrites. They may be contrasted with younger goniatite faunas particularly by their lack of anarcestids. The wide distribution of the Anetoceras faunas and their distinctive character permit wide-reaching, even intercontinental correlations of the upper Zlichovian. This is an important episode in Devonian biostratigraphy. Graptolites had become extinct, and the development of goniatites was beginning.     

The placoderm <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plourdosteus livonicus</Emphasis> (Eastman) in the early Frasnian of the Central Devonian Field and the trophic structure of the Mikhailovskii Fish Assemblage

The placoderm Plourdosteus livonicus (Eastman) (Euarthrodira, Coccosteina) from the Upper Timanian Mikhailovskii Fish Assemblage of the Central Devonian Field is described. The composition and structure of the assemblage are discussed and compared with later Frasnian fish assemblages of the Central Devonian Field.     

EARLY VERTEBRATE FOSSILS FROM THE EARLY DEVONIAN OF ZHAOTONG DISTRICT, NORTHEASTERN YUNNAN

Astothegaleaspids,thePosongchongFormationofZhaotongDistrictismostsimilartothePingyipoFormationofJiangyou,Sichuan.BothLungmenshanaspisandSanqiaspisareexclusivelyfoundinthesetworegions,indicatingthepresenceofbiogeographicconnection.PaleontologicStudiesSubclassGaleaspidaTarlo,1967orderHuananaspiformesJanvier,l975FamiIySanqiaspididaeLiu,l975GenusSanqiasPisLiu,l975TyPespeciesSanqiasPisrostrataLiul975.ReferredspeciesSanqiasPiszhaotongensisLiul97iEmendeddiagnosisCephalicshieldnarrow,rou…     

Stenolaemate bryozoans from the Geirud Formation (Upper Devonian/Lower Carboniferous) of Central Alborz (Iran)

Two bryozoan species are described from the Geirud Formation (Upper Devonian/Lower Carboniferous) of Central Alborz (Iran). Trepostome Schulgina mutabilis Troizkaya, 1975 is known from the Upper Devonian (Famennian) of Central Kazakhstan. The new species Ascopora geirudensis n. sp. is the earliest known representative of the rhabdomesine genus Ascopora Trautschold, 1876.     

Bryozoans, corals, and microfacies of Lower Eifelian (Middle Devonian) limestones at Kierspe, Germany

The Lower Eifelian Meinerzhagener Korallenkalk (= upper Cultrijugatus Beds) at Kierspe, Sauerland, contains a rich reefal fauna. Eight bryozoan species are described, two of them are new: the cystoporate Fistuliporella kierspensis n. sp. and the trepostome Leptotrypella sophiae n. sp. The bryozoans from the Meinerzhagener Korallenkalk shows distinct similarities to the Lower–Middle Devonian of Spain (Santa Lucía Formation, Emsian–Eifelian), and to the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) of Transcaucasia. The coral fauna comprises five tabulate corals and one rugose coral that document a paleobiogeographic relationship between Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The associated fauna is represented by brachiopods, ostracods, and echinoderms. The studied limestones also commonly contain calcimicrobes represented by three species. The faunal and microfacial characteristics indicate a shallow marine depositional environment just above the storm wave base, with a supposed depth of 20 m, within the photic zone. The nutrient regime was at least a mesotrophic. The upper boundary of the Cultrijugatus Beds coincides with the Chote?-Event that strongly affected brachiopods, whereas corals and bryozoans were insensitive to this event.     

云南沾益中泥盆世小肢鱼(Microbrachius)一新种

本文记述胴甲鱼类(Antiarchi)小肢鱼(Microbrachius)的一新种——中华小肢鱼(M.sinensis sp.nov.),发现于云南沾益中泥盆世曲靖组上部,这是小肢鱼化石在中国及亚洲_的初次发现,具有重要的生物地层和生物地理学意义。     

新疆准噶尔盆地早中新世的最早众古仓鼠及其与稀古仓鼠的对比(英文)

记述了新疆准噶尔盆地早中新世地层中发现的众古仓鼠类化石。材料采集于索索泉组的两个地点,古地磁年龄介于21.9～21.16Ma之间。这是迄今为止中亚和东亚地区众古仓鼠的最早记录。材料可以归入两个种:苏氏众古仓鼠(新种)Democricetodon sui sp.nov.和众古仓鼠未定种Democricetodon?sp.,该未定种材料很少,不足以准确分类。与早中新世其他仓鼠的比较及对稀古仓鼠Spanocricetodon模式种的重新观察表明,苏氏众古仓鼠是中亚地区谢家期的指示性化石,李传夔(1977)所定义的稀古仓鼠为一个有效属,与Democricetodon和Primus属有明显区别;以前归入稀古仓鼠的某些种类应归入其他属。苏氏众古仓鼠与同一地区晚渐新世的Eucricetodon aff.E.caducus形态明显不同,表明它可能不是起源于该地区的古近纪仓鼠,而是迁移至中亚的外来种。     

High-resolution analysis of Y-chromosomal polymorphisms reveals signatures of population movements from central Asia and West Asia into India

Linguistic evidence suggests that West Asia and Central Asia have been the two major geographical sources of genes in the contemporary Indian gene pool. To test the nature and extent of similarities in the gene pools of these regions we have collected DNA samples from four ethnic populations of northern India, and have screened these samples for a set of 18 Y-chromosome polymorphic markers (12 unique event polymorphisms and six short tandem repeats). These data from Indian populations have been analysed in conjunction with published data from several West Asian and Central Asian populations. Our analyses have revealed traces of population movement from Central Asia and West Asia into India. Two haplogroups, HG-3 and HG-9, which are known to have arisen in the Central Asian region, are found in reasonably high frequencies (41.7% and 14.3% respectively) in the study populations. The ages estimated for these two haplogroups are less in the Indian populations than those estimated from data on Middle Eastern populations. A neighbour-joining tree based on Y-haplogroup frequencies shows that the North Indians are genetically placed between the West Asian and Central Asian populations. This is consistent with gene flow from West Asia and Central Asia into India.     

Genetic Evidence of an East Asian Origin and Paleolithic Northward Migration of Y-chromosome Haplogroup N

The Y-chromosome haplogroup N-M231 (Hg N) is distributed widely in eastern and central Asia, Siberia, as well as in eastern and northern Europe. Previous studies suggested a counterclockwise prehistoric migration of Hg N from eastern Asia to eastern and northern Europe. However, the root of this Y chromosome lineage and its detailed dispersal pattern across eastern Asia are still unclear. We analyzed haplogroup profiles and phylogeographic patterns of 1,570 Hg N individuals from 20,826 males in 359 populations across Eurasia. We first genotyped 6,371 males from 169 populations in China and Cambodia, and generated data of 360 Hg N individuals, and then combined published data on 1,210 Hg N individuals from Japanese, Southeast Asian, Siberian, European and Central Asian populations. The results showed that the sub-haplogroups of Hg N have a distinct geographical distribution. The highest Y-STR diversity of the ancestral Hg N sub-haplogroups was observed in the southern part of mainland East Asia, and further phylogeographic analyses supports an origin of Hg N in southern China. Combined with previous data, we propose that the early northward dispersal of Hg N started from southern China about 21 thousand years ago (kya), expanding into northern China 12–18 kya, and reaching further north to Siberia about 12–14 kya before a population expansion and westward migration into Central Asia and eastern/northern Europe around 8.0–10.0 kya. This northward migration of Hg N likewise coincides with retreating ice sheets after the Last Glacial Maximum (22–18 kya) in mainland East Asia.     

Cytogenetical survey of black rats,Rattus rattus,in southwest and Central Asia,with special regard to the evolutional relationship between three geographical types

A chromosome survey of the black rat, Rattus rattus, was made from animals collected at different localities in Southwest and Central Asia. Asian type black rats (2 n=42) were distributed in northern India, northern Pakistan, while the Oceanian type rats (2 n=38) were found in southern India, southern Pakistan and Central Asia. A border line of distribution of rats with Asian and Oceanian types can be drawn dividing India and Pakistan into northern and southern parts. A hybrid type between Asian and Oceanian types was found in Karachi, Pakistan. Rats with 40 chromosomes, probably a transient type from Asian to Oceanian type, were found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). It is suggested that these three geographic variants have developed via sequential events of Robertsonian fusion of acrocentric chromosomes in Asian type black rats. This fusion probably took place somewhere in southern India. The Oceanian type black rats that thus developed in southern India migrated widely to the rest of the world through Central Asia and Europe accompanying the movement of mankind.     

THE EARLIEST TEREBRATULIDS

Abstract:  The earliest terebratulids from Central Asia (Tadzhikistan), Podolia (Ukraine) and Novaya Zemlya (Russia) are described and include the new genus Nordothyris. Cranaena tinctoradiata Cooper and Cloud and Cryptonella melonica (Barrande) are revised for first time. The stratigraphical levels of the species studied and their biofacies are also described.     

Genetic analysis of a Scytho-Siberian skeleton and its implications for ancient Central Asian migrations

The excavation of a frozen grave on the Kizil site (dated to be 2500 years old) in the Altai Republic (Central Asia) revealed a skeleton belonging to the Scytho-Siberian population. DNA was extracted from a bone sample and analyzed by autosomal STRs (short tandem repeats) and by sequencing the hypervariable region I (HV1) of the mitochondrial DNA. The resulting STR profile, mitochondrial haplotype, and haplogroup were compared with data from modern Eurasian and northern native American populations and were found only in European populations historically influenced by ancient nomadic tribes of Central Asia.     

云南文山早泥盆世盔甲鱼类的新发现

描述了采自云南东南部文山地区下泥盆统坡松冲组下部的无颌类化石,建立了盔甲鱼类的一新属、新种──纸厂文山鱼(Ｗｅｎｓｈａｍｐｉｓ ｚｈｉｃｈａｎｇｓｉｓ ｇｅｎ．ｅｔ ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．),同时修订了两个盔甲鱼类的旧属、旧种──长吻三歧鱼(Ｓａｎｑｉａｐｉｓ ｒｏｓｔｒａｔａ)及长角大窗鱼(Ｍａｃｒｏｔｈｙｒａｓｐｉｓｌｏｎｇｉｃｏｒｎｉｓ)。迄今为止,长吻三歧鱼仅在四川江油雁门坝的平驿铺组中部发现并记述过,长角大窗鱼也仅有一件采自云南广南坡松冲组中的正型标本,而纸厂文山鱼为滇东南文山地区首次记述的多鳃鱼类新属种,它与滇东北昭通地区下泥盆统坡松冲组中的让氏昭通鱼(Ｚｈａｏ－ｔｏｎｇａｓｉｓ ｊａｎｖｉｅｒｉ)最为相似。此次这三个盔甲鱼类属种在滇东南文山地区的发现,为该区下泥盆统的横向对比提供了重要的古鱼类学方面的证据。