Placement of the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary in western New York State

Despite many years of detailed examination focused on the Silurian strata of New York State, the position of the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary has, to date, not been satisfactorily cstablished. Reccnt discovery of early Ludlovian graptoloid graptolites, however, provides the first conclusive biostratigraphic evidence for placement of this chronostratigraphic boundary within the New York sections. The carly Ludlovian genera Saetograptus and Spinograptus were recovered from a thin, but laterally persistent bed of argillaceous dolostone located near the base of the Goat Island Formation. This occurrencc indicates that the Wenlockian/Ludlovian boundary is at or near the contact between the Goat Island Formation and the underlying Gasport Formation, considerably lower than had previously been suspected. □ Silurian, Wenlockian, Ludlovian, graptolites, stratigraphy. biostratigraphy.     

Palynostratigraphy of the Frasnian-Famennian boundary deposits from the Central Devonian Field, western Russia and comparisons with adjacent areas

Detailed palynological research carried out on samples from the three quarries at Khlevnoye and Kamenka (Voronezh region) permitted recognition of the Frasnian-Famennian boundary in the lower Kamenka quarry. Two miospore zones, Cristatisporites deliquescens-Verrucosisporites evlanensis (DE) from the Frasnian and Cyrtospora cristifera-Diaphanospora zadonica (CZ) from the Famennian, have been recognized. Some faunistic data were also obtained from the F-F boundary deposits. Research confirmed the existence of a sedimentological gap between the Livny and Zadonsk horizons, including all of the Volgograd horizon. These new palynological results are compared with data from adjacent areas: Pripyat Depression (Belarus), Timan-Pechora Province and the Volgograd Volga region (Russia), western Pomerania and the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland).     

Ostracod and conodont faunal changes across the Frasnian-Famennian (Devonian) boundary at Els Castells,Spanish central Pyrenees

Diverse conodont and silicified ostracod assemblages were found in the Spanish Pyrenees (Els Castells section), in the Frasnian/Famennian boundary beds (late rhenana and/or linguiformis to late triangularis zones), in strata below and above the well-known Kellwasser Extinction Event. Many of the ostracods studied here are conspicuous elements of the “Thuringian Mega-Assemblage”, and show maximum affinities with faunas from the southeastern Cantabrian Mountains (Spain), eastern Thuringia and the Harz (Germany). The composition of the faunas, however, is not uniform through the Els Castells section. A rather sharp break exists, roughly coinciding with the Frasnian/Famennian boundary. The break is characterized by the disappearance of many ostracods typical of the “Thuringian Mega-Assemblage”. This correlates with an important change in the conodont faunas related to the Kellwasser Event. The Frasnian (late rhenana and/or linguiformis zones) palmatolepid-polygnathid biofacies is followed in Famennian strata (middle and late triangularis zones) by a palmatolepid-icriodid biofacies. The icriodid maximum in the earliest Famennian rocks of the Pyrenees correlates with the “Icriodid Peak” described elsewhere. These changes depend on the age and palaeoenvironmental conditions.     

Groundwater-induced redox-gradients control soil properties and phosphorus availability across four headwater wetlands, New York, USA

Hydrochemical patterns across groundwater-fed wetlands, especially carbonate and redox gradients, can influence phosphorus (P) availability by controlling its distribution among different soil pools. We explored these linkages by comparing shallow (5–20 cm) soil properties along groundwater flowpaths in two rich fens, a marl fen, and a poor fen. Organic matter content, bulk density, and total elemental content varied more with depth to underlying drift materials than with water table fluctuation, but also were influenced by groundwater discharge, which stabilized water table elevations and controlled redox conditions. Total sulfur and calcium content increased where pore-water chemistry indicated active iron and sulfate reduction. Calcium mineral dynamics, however, did not appear to influence P availability: first, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) accounted for <2% of the soil composition, except in the marl fen where it accounted for 20–25% of the soil composition. Second, Ca-bound P pools, determined from hydrochloric extraction of wet soil samples, accounted for <25% of the inorganic soil P pool. In contrast, iron-bound P determined from bicarbonate-buffered dithionite solution, accounted for 50–80% of the inorganic soil P, and increased where there was evidence of groundwater mixing, as did P release rates inferred from incubated anion resin bags. The total carbon and phosphorus content of organic-rich soils as well as available and labile P pools were strongly correlated with pore-water iron and alkalinity concentrations. Groundwater discharge and resulting hydrochemical gradients explained significant variation in soil composition and P availability across each site. Results highlight the importance of conducting biogeochemical studies in the context of a site’s shallow geologic setting and suggest mechanisms supporting the diverse plant species unique to groundwater wetlands.     

Methane Biogeochemistry and Methanogen Communities in Two Northern Peatland Ecosystems,New York State

Rates of methane (CH₄) production vary considerably among northern peat-forming wetlands, and it is not clear whether variability is caused by environmental factors affecting CH₄ production or differences in methanogen communities. We investigated CH₄ production and emission dynamics concomitantly with 16S rRNA gene sequence-based community analysis of Archaea in two contrasting peat-forming northern wetlands, an ombrotrophic bog and a minerotrophic conifer swamp. Individual measurements of CH₄ emissions to the atmosphere followed a lognormal distribution pattern in both sites, and mean rates were 30× greater in the bog site. Rates of CH₄ production measured in vitro were initially 3× greater in the bog than in the conifer swamp; although, after 30 days of incubation, production rates were similar suggesting that in situ environmental conditions limited production in the conifer swamp. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and rarefaction techniques indicated that both sites had similar levels of archaeal richness, with 27 unique taxa in the bog and 23 taxa in the conifer swamp. However, the bog had more pronounced dominance of a few taxa, whereas the conifer swamp had more even distribution among taxa. A 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis indicated high levels of diversity with similarity to known methanogenic families Methanosarcinaceae, Methanosaetaceae, Methanobacteriaceae, and likely Methanomicrobiaceae as well as two additional lineages previously characterized as groups of yet uncultivated Euryarchaeota commonly occurring in flooded rice soils. Therefore, sites with low and high rates of CH₄ production supported very diverse methanogenic communities.     

Gradient analysis of the vegetation of the Byron-Bergen swamp,a rich fen in western New York

Transects of contiguous one square meter quadrats were sampled across the marl and peat mosaic of the Byron-Bergen swamp, a rich fen in western New York. The data were analyzed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Ordination of species and samples produced arrangements reflecting a complex environmental gradient of hydrology, soil organic matter and soil carbonate-carbon concentration. They successfully separated fens underlain with peat from those underlain with marl and showed a physiognomic gradient associated with hummock development. This research was supported in part by National Science Foundation Grant DEB-7809340 to R. H. Whittaker, especially an amendment to support John M. Bernard under NSF Support for Small College Faculty through Grants at Large Institutions program. The Bergen Swamp Preservation Society, Inc. allowed us to sample on their property.     

Cold hardiness and winter survival of the grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana, in New York State

Laboratory and field investigations were undertaken to evaluate the effect of winter mortality on subsequent infestation levels of the grape berry moth (GBM), Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Supercooling points (SCP) were used as a measure of the minimum survivable temperature for GBM pupae. The SCP of winter forms (diapausing) from a laboratory colony averaged –25.2 °C in December, –24.3 °C in March, and –24.0 °C in April. When diapausing pupae from a laboratory colony were placed in the field from December to March, the SCP averaged –23.3 °C. The SCP of summer forms from a laboratory colony averaged –21.6 °C in March. Significant levels of mortality (ca. 80%) of diapausing GBM pupae were observed after 24 h at –21 °C. Comparable mortality occurred after 1-week at –15 °C. Eighty-four percent of diapausing pupae survived for 8-months at 3 °C; non diapausing pupae suffered high levels of mortality (ca. 60%) after only 7-days at 3 °C. Field survival of diapausing pupae were significantly greater at soil level than 1-meter above the soil. Pupal survival was greater at 75% r.h. than at 0% or ambient r.h.. In 1986–1987 and 1987–1988, pupae covered with snow or leaf-litter had higher of survival than exposed pupae although these differences were only statistically significant in 1986–1987. The above findings are discussed within the context of potential implications to management strategies for GBM.

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Zusammenfassung Labor und Freilandversuche wurden unternommen um den potenziellen Einfluss von Wintersterben auf subsequenten Wurmbefall des nordamerikanischen Traubenwicklers Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) auszuwerten. Die niedrigste Temperatur wobei Puppen ueberleben konnten ist durch Ueberkuehlungstemperaturen der Puppen gemessen worden. Fuer das ueberwinternde Stadium (in Diapause) einer Laborkolonie lag diese Temperatur durchschnittlich bei minus 25.2 °C in Dezember, minus 24.3 °C in Maerz, und minus 24.0 °C in April. Der Ueberkuehlungspunkt lag um minus 23.3 °C im Durchschnitt fuer Laborkolonie Puppen die waehrend der Diapause von Dezember bis Maerz im Freiland ausgesetzt wurden. Der Ueberkuehlungspunkt von Sommerstadien von der gleichen Kolonie lag im Vergleich um minus 21.6 °C im Maerz. Signifikante Sterblichkeit (um 80%) der Traubenwicklerpuppen wurde bemerkt nach 24 Stunden bei minus 21 °C. Vergleichbar war die Sterblichkeit nach einer Woche bei minus 15 °C. Nach 8 Monaten bei 3 °C ueberlebten 84% der Puppen in Diapause; 60% der Puppen nicht in Diapause starben nach 7 Tage bei 3 °C. Das Ueberlebensprozent diapausierender Puppen im Freien war signifikant hoeher auf der Erdoberflaeche als fuer die 1 m ueber der Oberflaeche. Mehr Puppen ueberlebten bei 75% relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit als bei 0% oder umgebender Luftfeuchtigkeit. In 1986–1987 und 1987–1988 Puppen die mit Schnee oder Laub bedeckt waren, ueberlebten prozentual mehr als die ohne jedes Bedeckungsmaterial. Die Ergebnisse werden im Kontext ihrer potenzieller Verwendung fuer Kontrolle des Traubenwicklers diskutiert.