Compostional variations and patterns of condont reworking in Late Devonian and early carboniferous calciturbidites (Moravia, Czech Republic)

Summary Compositional variations and grain-size properties of both carbonate constituents and conodonts as an alternative component group were used for interpreting the processes governing the deposition of upper Famennian and middle Tournaisian calciturbidites in Moravia, Czech Republic. Both the composition and grain-size properties of conodont element associations showed to be markedly dependant on facies type of their host sediment. Upper Devonian calciturbidite successions deposited on flanks of wide, Moravian-Silesian carbonate platform are composed mainly of echinoderm-and peloid-rich wacke/packstones and intraclastic float/rudstones (fine-grained calciturbidites, “normal” calciturbidites with Tab Bouma sequences, debris-flow breccias) with abundance of shelf-and shelf margin conodont taxa and epipelagic and “mesopelagic” conodonts. Upper Devonian calciturbidites deposited on slopes of volcanic sea-mounts are composed of echinoderm-and peloid-rich wacke/packstones and float/rudstones with increased proportion of intraclasts and volcanigenic lithoclasts (fine-grained calciturbidites, normal calciturbidites), yeilding abundant conodont associations with higher proportion of “mesopelagic” taxa compared to the platform-flank examples. Middle Tournaisian calciturbidite succession composed of crinoid-, peloid-, intraclast-and lithoclast-rich lime mudstones, wacke/packstones and float/rudstones (normal calciturbidites and debris-flow breccias) yielded conodont element associations rich in shelt-and shelf-margin taxa, “mesopelagic” conodonts and reworked Middle-and Upper Devonian conodonts. In general, the ratio of shelf-and shelf margin conodont taxa to “mesopelagic” taxa is distinctly lower in finegrained calciturbidites than it is in normal calciturbidites and debris-flow breccias. Grain-size properties (mean grain size and sorting) and percentage of fragmented conodont elements, too, are markedly dependant on the facies type: in fine-grained calciturbidites the values of mean grain-size and fragmentation are low and the sorting is good to very good whereas in normal calciturbidites and debris-flow breccias the values of mean grain-size and fragmentation are distinctly higher and the sorting is poorer. The interdependence of facies type and composition and grain-size properties of conodont element associations in gravity-flow deposits is explained as resultant from hydrodynamic sorting during turbidity current flow and final deposition of the bed. Compositional variations observed in our sections may thus be attributed to facies variability (coarsening-and thickening-upward trends) rather than to sea-level fluctuations (highstand shedding of carbonate platforms). On the other hand, significant enrichment in reworked conodont taxa in middle Tournaisian normal calciturbidites compared to scarcity and/or absence of such conodonts in essentially identical facies of upper Famennian age indicate sea-level to be the major control governing such compositional variations, with low relative sea-level stand in middle Tournaisian and high relative sea-level stand in upper Famennian. Thorough analysis of conodont evolution, palaeoecology and taphonomy, with emphasis on understanding the processes of deposition of their host rock, are recommended for any biostratigraphic and biofacies study to be done in carbonate sediments deposited under strong hydrodynamic regimes, such as calciturbidites, temperstites, debris-flow deposits, shelf-edge oolitic sands, tidal-channel facies etc.     

New fossil insects (Diaphanopterodea: Martynoviidae) from the Lower Permian of the Boskovice Basin, southern Moravia

Two new genera and new species assigned to the family Martynoviidae (Diaphanopterodea), Boskovicia celtai nov. gen., nov. sp. and Moravoptera hladilovae nov. gen., nov. sp. are described and illustrated from the Lower Permian (Artinskian/Sakmarian) locality of Obora, southern Moravia (Czech Republic). Discovery of the species Martynovia insignis Tillyard, originally described from the Lower Permian of Kansas (USA), supports close relationship of both faunas across Euramerica.     

A Large Trace Fossil in Nodular Limestones (Lower Devonian,Czech Republic): Sedimentological Consequences,Ethology and Taphonomy

Large star-like trace fossil was found on the upper bedding plane of nodular limestone of the Praha Formation (Pragian, Devonian) at Praha, Czech Republic. It was tentatively placed to the ichnogenus Capodistria. It is interpreted as a feeding trace that originated on the seafloor surface. The structure consists of 10–11 radial rays and its longer axis is 60 cm. The rays are preserved as concave epireliefs, up to 10 mm deep and 25 mm wide. The trace fossil partly intersects nodules that cover surfaces of most bedding planes of the Praha Formation, demonstrating that the nodules formed during the earliest stages of diagenesis.     

Discovery of the oldest known Pterygota in the Lower Carboniferous of the Upper Silesian Basin in the Czech Republic (Insecta: Archaeorthoptera)

The earliest pterygote (winged insect), dated from the Lower Carboniferous (Namurian A/E1, circa 324 millions years ago) is described from the Upper Silesian Basin in the Czech Republic. On the basis of its wing venation, it is attributed to the Archaeorthoptera Béthoux and Nel, 2002, crown group of the “Orthoptera”. Besides Apterygota (Collembola and Archaeognatha) known from the Lower Devonian, extremely rare pterygote insects are known from Lower Carboniferous deposits when they first appeared. The present discovery supports the hypothesis of the presence of the ancestor lineage of the orthopteroid in the Lower Carboniferous ecosystems.     

Signatures of hydrocarbon venting in a Middle Devonian Carbonate Mound (Hollard Mound) at the Hamar Laghdad (Antiatlas, Morocco)

Summary The Middle Devonian Hollard Mud Mound is situated in the eastern Hamar Laghdad, which is a small mountain range in the Tafilalt in SE Morocco. In contrast to the well known Lower Devonian Kess-Kess mounds, the Hollard Mound is of Middle Devonian age. The facies in the core of this mud mound differs from that of the other parts of the mound, and exhibits signatures of ancient hydrocarbon venting. The carbonate phases of the core facies are derived from the oxidation of vent fluids and consist of clotted micrite, a cryptocrystalline carbonate associated with spheres of uncertain origin, and a calcitic rim cement (rim cement B). These vent carbonates show δ¹³C values in the range of −11 to −20% PDB indicating that some of their carbon is derived from isotopically light hydrocarbons. Fossiliferous micrite has been affected by hydrocarbon venting in the proximity of the vent site, which is indicated by intermediate δ¹³C values between vent carbonates and not affected sediments. Bivalves occur in dense populations within the core facies. They form autochthonous shell accumulations and are almost exclusively articulated. it is likely that these bivalves were dependent on chemosynthesis similar to their counterparts at modern vents. The vent deposits also exhibit an unusual prasinophyte assemblage, which might have been linked to the specific nutrient availability at the vent site. The ancient vent site is characterized by an enhanced carbonate precipitation and rapid lithification. The latter is corroborated by the three-dimensional preservation of phytoplankton (prasinophytes and acritarchs) and the occurrence of stromatactoid pores. An early phase of carbonate corrosion predating the formation of vent carbonates affected the fossiliferous micrite of the core facies and is thought to be related to a phase of H₂S-rich venting.     

Pennsylvanian brachiopod,fish and conodont faunas from the Caliza Masiva (San Emiliano Formation) at the Mina Profunda area,Cantabrian Zone,NW Spain

A rock sample obtained from the Caliza Masiva of the San Emiliano Formation (Bashkirian–early Moscovian) in the Mina Profunda area (NE Villamanín) of the Bodón Nappe (Cantabrian Zone, NW Spain) has yielded numerous brachiopods and fish remains not frequently represented in the fossil record. The brachiopod assemblage comprises 13 taxa and is characterized by phosphatic (Langella, Orbiculoidea) as well as exceptionally preserved silicified calcitic elements (a small chonetid, Composita, Crurithyris, Lambdarina, and two minute terebratulids) as the main faunal components. Of special importance is the record of the microbrachiopod Lambdarina winklerprinsi nov. sp., which reduces the large Viséan–Upper Permian gap in the stratigraphic record of this genus. Conodont elements recovered from the same insoluble residue are indicative of the upper Bashkirian Idiognathoides sulcatus parvus Zone. The accompanying fish remains consist of chondrichthyan teeth and scales, an acanthodian scale and osteichthyan tooth-bearing bones, isolated teeth and isolated scales, representing the first Pennsylvanian ichthyoliths analyzed from the Cantabrian Zone. The limestone beds with selective silicification in the San Emiliano Formation provide an exceptional opportunity to improve our knowledge on the patterns of life diversity over geological time.     

Evidence of synsedimentary tectonics in the Northern Tabas Block,East-Central Iran: The Callovian (Middle Jurassic) Sikhor Formation

Summary The Sikhor Formation (new) is a predominantly siliciclastic sediment package intercalated between the marly-silty Baghamshah Formation (below) and the calcareous Esfandiar Limestone and Qal'eh Dokhtar Limestone formations (above). All stratigraphic evidence points to an Early Callovian age of the formation. The Sikhor Formation is restricted to the southern and central Shotori Mountains and consists of two members: The Kuh-e-Neygu Member (new) is composed of fluvialdeltaic conglomerates, sandstones, and siltstones grading into marly silt of the Baghamshah Formation. The overlying Majd Member (new) is characterised by mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediments that record the interfingering of carbonate ramp sediments with fluvialdeltaic sands and silts. Evidence of erosional truncation of the underlying Baghamshah Formation and confinement of the siliciclastic sediment to a comparatively narrow, NNW-SSE elongated strip suggest that the formation had its origin in the asymmetric uplift of a westdipping tilted fault block in the southern Shotori Mountains that shed its sediment predominantly in a northern and eastern direction. After erosional levelling, the former uplifted areas were overgrown by the highly productive Esfandiar Carbonate Platform. The Sikhor Formation thus is evidence of an extensional tectonic pulse in the early Callovian and underlines that this area of the Tabas Block was a tectonically highly unstable area during most of the Jurassic.     

An Ice Age spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta spelaea (Goldfuss 1823) population,their excrements and prey from the Late Pleistocene hyena den of the Sloup Cave in the Moravian Karst,Czech Republic

A Late Pleistocene spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta spelaea (Goldfuss 1823) population from the cave bear den Sloup Cave, Moravia (Czech Republic) consists of mainly adult/senior and few cub/juvenile remains and coprolites, and 139 prey bones. Hyenas used the Nicová Cave branch that is connected to the entrance area mainly as a communal den site. Prey bone damage is most visible on the imported woolly rhinoceros remains. The partly excavated prey bone accumulation consists of a single woolly mammoth Mammuthus primigenius (Blumenbach 1799) tooth (2%), mainly Coelodonta antiquitatis (Blumenbach 1807) remains (16%), 4% Bos primigenius (Bojanus 1827) and 1% each of Megaloceros giganteus (Blumenbach 1799) and Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus 1758). The other carnivores such as Panthera leo spelaea (Goldfuss 1810), Gulo gulo (Linnaeus 1758) and Canis lupus (Linnaeus 1758) subsp. are less represented (1–3%). Wolverines might have been imported also as prey remains, whereas wolves also possibly used this cave on a short-term basis, whereas steppe lions seem to have preyed upon cave bears deeper in the cave periodically, where even skeletons of P. leo spelaea were found in the Elisabeth Cave part.     

An early cretaceous section in the Kircaova area (Berdiga Limestone,NE-Turkey) and its correlation with platform carbonates in W-Slovenia

Summary In the Kale (Gümüshane) area in the North Eastern Turkey, platform carbonates of the Berdiga Limestone were deposited during Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous time in environments varying from intertidal to fore reef. The sequence shows extensive lateral and vertical alterations and interfingering of different facies types. In the upper part of the Berdiga Limestone in the Kircaova area a bituminous thin-bedded to platy limestone and shale 5 to 6 m thick occurs at the Early/Late Aptian boundary. It is underlain by limestones rich in silica nodules of up to 10 cm size. A facies analysis of a section about 70 m thick including the bituminous interval was carried out in 1994/95 at the SW border of the Kircaova area close to the road from L?rikas to Kale. The limestones consist mainly of packstones and grainstones locally rich in calcareaous algae and forminifera. Fragments of molluscs and echinoids as well as some ostracods and calcispheres occur. Some sponges, corals, and beds rich in molluscs occur in minor amounts in the middle part of the section which is characterized by intertidal to shallow subtidal facies. Algae and foraminifera indicate a Barremian-Early Aptian age of the lower part and Late Aptian age of the upper part of the section (e.g.Salpingoporellamuehlbergii, Salpingoporella aff.melitae, Clypeina solkani, Novalesia producta), divided by the bituminous limestones. In West Slovenia (close to the Italian border) a complete Cretaceous section occurs at Sabotin mountain containing Aptian beds with comparable faunal composition. In contrast to the Berdiga Limestone, in Slovenia at the rim of the dinaric platform a patch reef about 50 m in thickness is developed which is also covered by a bituminous limestones (black shale) marking the Early/Late Aptian boundary. Faunal elements in Slovenia arePalorbitolina lenticularis, Cuneolina laurentii, Orbitolina (Mesorbitolina) texana andSalpingopoprella dinarica. The bituminous limestone appears to be a marker horizon. At both locations it is locally rich in characeans probably indicating a regressive maximum before another transgression began in the Late Aptian/Albian as world-wide drowning event. Possibly the occurrence of the bituminous limestone (black shale) is associated with volcanic activity during the Aptian. If so it could be used as a chronostratigraphic marker horizon in both areas analyzed.     

The Functional Maturation of A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase (ADAM) 9, 10, and 17 Requires Processing at a Newly Identified Proprotein Convertase (PC) Cleavage Site

Proenzyme maturation is a general mechanism to control the activation of enzymes. Catalytically active members of the A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease (ADAM) family of membrane-anchored metalloproteases are synthesized as proenzymes, in which the latency is maintained by their autoinhibitory pro-domains. A proteolytic processing then transforms the proenzyme into a catalytically active form. The removal of the pro-domain of ADAMs is currently thought to depend on processing at a canonical consensus site for the proprotein convertase Furin (RXXR) between the pro- and the catalytic domain. Here, we demonstrate that this previously described canonical site is a secondary cleavage site to a prerequisite cleavage in a newly characterized upstream PC site embedded within the pro-domain sequence. The novel upstream regulatory site is important for the maturation of several ADAM proenzymes. Mutations in the upstream regulatory site of ADAM17, ADAM10, and ADAM9 do not prevent pro-domain processing between the pro- and metalloprotease domain, but nevertheless, cause significantly reduced catalytic activity. Thus, our results have uncovered a novel functionally relevant PC processing site in the N-terminal part of the pro-domain that is important for the activation of these ADAMs. These results suggest that the novel PC site is part of a general mechanism underlying proenzyme maturation of ADAMs that is independent of processing at the previously identified canonical Furin cleavage site.     

Gracilitheca astronauta n. sp. and Nephrotheca sophia n. sp. (Hyolitha,Orthothecida) from the Cambrian of Czech Republic

Two orthothecid hyoliths, Gracilitheca astronauta n. sp. and Nephrotheca sophia n. sp. are described from the “middle” Cambrian Buchava Formation of the Skryje-Tý?ovice Basin in the Czech Republic. The new forms are based on about thirty well-preserved external and internal moulds of both conchs and opercula. Gracilitheca astronauta n. sp. is classified under the family Gracilithecidae Sysoev, 1972 and may be distinguished by clearly triangular cross-section of the conch, whereas Nephrotheca sophia n. sp. is characterized by transversally elongated cardinal processes reaching the lateral opercular margin and is combined with the family Orthothecidae Sysoev, 1958 emended Malinky, 2009. Several specimens of G. astronauta show operculum preserved inside of the conch. Stratigraphic ranges and geographic distributions within the Skryje-Tý?ovice Basin are established for both taxa.     

Facies pattern and genesis of the Jebel Rheris biostromes (Givetian,Eastern Anti-Atlas,Morocco)

Summary During Givetian times, the Jebel Rheris area was situated in a transitional zone at the northern margin of Gondwana, between the emerged Ougnate High in the north and the Mader Basin in the south. A facies pattern developed from stacked or amalgamated coral-stromatoporoid biostromes in the northern near-shore area to an alternating biostrome–crinoidal grainstone succession, which passed over a low angle slope setting towards the south to a pure crinoidal grainstone facies with abundant slumping structures. Finally in the south, a basinal turbiditic facies evolved. In the shallow sea, biostromes probably developed due to the lack of a ‘binder guild’ in the fossil community, which hampered the establishment of mound-like structures, stable enough to resist high-energy storm events. Repeated termination of the coral-stromatoporoid growth is attributed to transgressions. During suitable conditions, colonisation of the sea floor proceeded in three phases: a) cluster settlement; pioneer communities, mostly consisting of tabulate corals and domical to bulbous stromatoporoids, started growing in laterally delimited clusters; b) lateral dispersion; from these centres, settlement prograded laterally, until large areas of the sea-floor were covered; c) vertical accretion; the organisms more and more grew on each other, causing a homogeneous vertical expansion. A significant difference of this up to 200 m thick biostrome—crinoidal grainstone succession compared to continuously growing reefs is the fact that communities repeatedly had to start with the colonisation stage, thus could not reach a mature or climax stage.     

New records of Caribbomerus from Hispaniola and Dominica with redescription of C. elongatus (Fisher) and a key to species of the genus in the West Indies (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae, Graciliini)

Three species of Caribbomerus Vitali are newly recorded for the Dominican Republic: Caribbomerus decoratus (Zayas), Caribbomerus elongatus (Fisher), and Caribbomerus asperatus (Fisher). The first two also represent first records for Hispaniola. Caribbomerus elongatus (Fisher) is redescribed based on additional material, including the first known males. Caribbomerus similis (Fisher) is newly recorded for Dominica. A key to the species of the genus from the West Indies is provided.     

Funsulinid assemblages and facies of the Bombaso Fm. and basal meledis Fm. (Moscovian-Kasimovian) in the central Carnic Alps (Austria/Italy)

Summary The Bombaso Formation and basal Meledis Formation in the central Carnic Alps near Straniger Alm and Zollnersee (Austria/Italy) unconformably overlie the folded Variscan basement and consist of shallow marine clastic and carbonate sediments which are arranged to form two fining and deepening upward sequences. Particularly limestones and even breccias of the Bombaso Formation yielded a rich fusulinid fauna composed of 34 species which are attributed to the following zones:Quasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides-Protriticites ovatus; Protriticites pseudomontiparus, andMontiparus montiparus. Breccias of the Bombaso Formation west of Straniger Alm contain the oldest fusulinid fauna of the Carnic Alps, belonging to theQuasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides —Protriticites ovatus zone. The fauna is composed ofQuasifusulinoides quasifusulinoides, Q. fallax, Q. intermedius, Protriticites cf.ovoides, andPr. ovatus. This assemblage is most similar to that of the Peskovskaya Formation of the Myachkovian Horizon in the Moscow Basin indicating uppermost Moscovian age. Limestones from depositional sequence 1 at Zollnersee also contain fusulinids of the uppermost Moscovian which are characterized by a more diverse assemblage:Schubertella donetzica, Fusiella lancetiformis, Beedeina ulitinensis, B. consobrina, B. nytvica, B. siviniensis, Quasifusulinoides pakhrensis, Q. fallax, Q. kljasmicus, Q. quasifusulinoides, Fusulinella rara, andProtriticites ovatus. Limestones and calcareous sandstones-siltstones of the basal Meledis Formation of depositional sequence 2 near Zollnersee and at Cima Val di Puartis are characterized by fusulinids of theProtriticites pseudomontiparus zone (Protriticites globulus, Pr. pseudomontiparus, Pr. sphaericus, Pr. rotundatus, Pr. ovoides, Pr. lamellosus, andPraeobsoletes burkemensis) and byMontiparus paramontiparus zone (Praeobsoletes pauper, P. burkemensis, Obsoletes timanicus, O. obsoletes, Montiparus paramontiparus, M. umbonoplicatus, M. montiparus, M. likharevi, M. rhombiformis andM. priscus) indicating lower to middle Kasimovian age (Krevyakinskian and Khamovnicheskian Horizons of the Russian Platform). In memoriam FranzKahler (1900–1995)     

Anthracoporella mounds in the Late Carboniferous Auernig Group,Carnic Alps (Austria)

Summary A heretofore undocumented example of skeletal mounds formed by the dasycladacean algaAnthracoporella spectabilis is described from mixed carbonate-clastic cycles (Auernig cyclothems) of the Late Carboniferous (Gzhelian) Auernig Group of the central Carnic Alps in southern Austria. The massive mound facies forms biostromal reef mounds that are up to several m thick and extend laterally over more than 100 m. The mound facies is developed in the middle of bedded limestones, which are up to 16 m thick. These limestones formed during relative sea-level highstands when clastic influx was near zero. The mound facies is characterized by well developed baffler and binder guilds and does not show any horizontal or vertical zonation. Within the massive mound faciesAnthracoporella is frequently found in growth position forming bafflestones and wackestones composed of abundantAnthracoporella skeletons which toppled in situ or drifted slightly.Anthracoporella grew in such profusion that it dominated the available sea bottom living space, forming ‘algal meadows’ which acted as efficient sediment producers and bafflers. BecauseAnthracoporella could not provide a substantial reef framework, and could not withstand high water turbulence, the biostromal skeletal mounds accumulated in shallow, quiet water below the active wave base in water depths less than 30 m. The massive mound facies is under- and overlain by, and laterally grades into bedded, fossiliferous limestones of the intermound facies, composed mainly of different types of wackestones and packstones. Individual beds containAnthracoporella andArchaeolithophyllum missouriense in growth position, forming “micromounds’. Two stages of mound formation are recognized: (1) the stabilization stage when bioclastic wackestones accumulated, and (2) the skeletal mound stage when the sea-bottom was colonized byAnthracoporella and other members of the baffler and binder guilds, formingAnthracoporella bafflestones and wackestones of the mound facies. A slight drop in sea-level led to the termination of the mound growth and accumulation of organic debris, particularly calcareous algae, fusulinids, crinoids and bryozoans, forming well bedded limestones, which overlie the mound facies     

Carbonate facies evolution from the late albian to Middle Cenomanian in Southern Istria (Croatia): influence of synsedimentary tectonics and extensive organic carbonate production

Summary During the Late Albian, Early and Middle Cenomanian in the NW part of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform (presentday Istria) specific depositional systems characterised by frequent lateral and vertical facies variations were established within a formerly homogeneous area, ranging from peritidal and barrier bars to the offshore-transition zone. In southern Istria this period is represented by the following succession: thin-bedded peritidal peloidal and stromatolitic limestones (Upper Albian); well-bedded foreshore to shoreface packstones/grainstones with synsedimentary dliding and slumping (Vraconian-lowermost Cenomanian); shoreface to off-shore storm-generated limestones (Lower Cenomanian); massive off-shore to shoreface carbonate sand bodies (Lower Cenomanian); prograding rudist bioclastic subaqueous dunes (Lower to Middle Cenomanian); rudist biostromes (Lower to Middle Cenomanian), and high-energy rudist and ostreid coquina beds within skeletal wackestones/packstones (Middle Cenomanian). Rapid changes of depositional systems near the Albian/Cenomanian transition in Istria are mainly the result of synsedimentary tectonics and the establishment of extensive rudist colonies producing enormous quantities of bioclastic material rather than the influence of eustatic changes. Tectonism is evidenced by the occurrence of sliding scars, slumps, small-scale synsedimentary faults and conspicuous bathymetric changes in formerly corresponding environments. Consequently, during the Early Cenomanian in the region of southern Istria, a deepening of the sedimentary environments occurred towards the SE, resulting in the establishment of a carbonate ramp system. Deeper parts of the ramp were below fair-weather wave base (FWWB), while the shallower parts were characterised by high-energy environments with extensive rudist colonies, and high organic production leading to the progradation of bioclastic subaqueous dunes. This resulted in numerous shallowing- and coarsening-upwards clinostratified sequences completely infilling formerly deeper environments, and the final re-establishment of the shallow-water environments over the entire area during the Middle Cenomanian.     

Middle Triassic carbonate deposits and calcareous algae from the Sasca zone (Southern Carpathians,Romania)

Summary The Sasca zone situated in the innermost part of the Getic Domain from the South Carpathians comprises mainly Triassic deposits of Scythian-Anisian (?Ladinian) age that can be ascribed to four different members forming the Sasca Formation. Three of the members consist of carbonate deposits. Their study permitted a brief characterization of the main microfacies types, and especially in the Valea Susara Limestone Member the identification of a relatively rich association of foraminifers and calcareous algae. The assemblage withMeandrospira dinarica, Pilammina densa, Oligoporella pilosa andPoncetella hexaster identified in these limestones indicates a Middle Anisian age (Pelsonian-Lowermost Illyrian). Difficulties arise in differentiating between the forms belonging to theOligoporella-Physoporella group for which a taxonomic revision is necessary. The morphologic characteristics of the three varieties ofDiplopora subtilis allow a splitting into different species.Teutloporella peniculiformis Ott, 1963 is regarded as anomen nudum.     

MUC4 and MMP7 in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in adolescents at West Bengal,India

Mucin 4 (MUC4) and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) have been reported to be associated with chronic periodontitis as seen in gingival tissue biopsies. Therefore, it is of interest to estimate the levels of MUC4 and MMP7 in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples of periodontitis in adolescents patients at West Bengal, India. MUC4 levels were significantly lower in saliva and GCF from periodontitis patients compared to healthy controls. However, MMP7 levels were found to be significantly higher in saliva and GCF from periodontitis patients. Thus, MUC4 and MMP7 are biomarkers for periodontitis diagnosis and towards further consideration.     

Sedimentary response to basin inversion: Mid cretaceous-early tertiary pre- to syndeformational deposition at the Areif El Naqa anticline (Sinai, Egypt)

Summary The Areif El Naqa domal anticline in northeastern Sinai is part of the ‘Syrian Arc’ which represents an intraplate orogen that has been formed since the late Cretaceous by inversion of an older half-gaben system as a consequence of the collision of the African and Eurasian plates. The here studied pre- and syn-deformational Upper Albian to Lower Eocene sedimentary succession in the anticline was formed under shallow marine to hemipelagic conditions resulting in predominantly carbonate lithologies with only subordinate siliciclastic intercalations. The depositional history at Areif El Naqa has been reconstructed in terms of sequence stratigraphy on the basis of detailed sedimentological, biostratigraphical, and paleoecological investigations of ten sections including comparisons with age-equivalent successions further north and south as well as published data. Following a late Triassic-early Cretaceous extensional period, tectonically rather quiet conditions prevailed during deposition of the Albian-Turonian successions. Inversion started around the Coniacian. Three main phases of uplift have been determined for the Areif El Naqa anticline on the basis of evidence from lateral facies and thickness changes, local development of pronounced hiatuses, and in comparison to the sequence stratigraphic development in the tectonically quiet region of central east Sinai. The first major compressional phase is interpreted to have taken place in Coniacian-early Santonian times. It is characterized by pronounced facies and thickness changes which were documented in an earlier study byBartov et al. (1980). Nevertheless, inter-regional sea level changes still controlled deposition at Areif El Naqa during this period. The second pulse of tectonic uplift is indicated for the late Campanian-early Maastrichtian. This is based on siliciclastic deposits which are interpreted as having been reworked from older siliciclastic rocks uplifted in the anticlinal core. The third compressional pulse is inferred to be of middle Paleocene to early Eocene age as evidenced by a major hiatus in sections on the northern anticlinal flank. The uplift history at Areif El Naqa has been compared with the tectonic development in other parts of the Syrian Arc and in general seems to reflect major movements which occurred throughout the anticlines of the fold belt.     

Paleoecology of Upper Eifelian and Lower Givetian coral limestones in the northwestern Sauerland (Devonian; Rhenish Massif)

Summary The prevailing sandy/silty lower part of the Middle Devonian in the northwestern Sauerland includes two coral limestone horizons, which contain a rich fauna of corals, stromatoporoids, and calcareous algae. The Ihmert-Formation is subdvided into three parts. The older coral limestone horizon is the Grünewiese-Member of the Ihmert-Formation (uppermost Eifelian), the younger is in the Bredenbruch-Member of the Unterhonsel-Formation (lower Lower Givetian). Conclusions about the environmental constraints are drawn from the sedimentology and the fossil content of the coral limestones. Predominant biostromes are built between storm wave base and normal wave base. Only the few bioherms grew above the normal wave base. These coral limestones were deposited in a tropical or subtropical normal marine environment in the shallow euphotic zone. Among the reef-builders epoecism is very frequent, and until now this phenomenon has not been investigated in detail. Fragile rugose and tabulate corals lived as commensals with stromatoporoids. Some other aspects of paleoecology are concisely presented.