A new species of Adelophthalmus (Eurypterida) from the lower carboniferous of the Krasnoyarsk Region

A new species of Adelophthalmus, a genus recorded infrequently in the former Soviet Union, is described from the Tournaisian of the Krasnoyarsk Region.     

Palynological correlation of the upper devonian and lower carboniferous in central Ireland

Miospore assemblages assigned to the PL, NV, CM and Pu Zones have been recorded from a number of boreholes which penetrated Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous (Tournaisian and early Visean) rocks in central Ireland. The palynomorphs occur in both marine and non-marine successions, permitting correlation between these two facies. The boundary between the PC and CM Zones has been located within three sections. The palynological data suggest that the base of the marine sequence is of mid-Tournaisian (Tn2) age at Ballyvergin in the south of the area described and of uppermost Tournaisian (Tn3) or earliest Visean age around Clew Bay in the northwest.     

An endemic brackish water faunule from the middle jurassic of southern qinghai province,China

An endemic brackish water faunule consisting of three taxa of bivalves,Hudsonella sinensis (Chen) n. gen.,Hudsonella sp., andProtocardia hepingxiangensis Chen & Lin occurs in the Bajocian of the southern Qinghai province, China.Hudsonella sinensis is a very variable species with a hinge structure characteristic of the subfamily Pachydontinae of the family Corbulidae. According to both geochemical data (stable carbon isotopes and the strontium/barium ratio) and ecological data the faunule lived in a brackish water embayment of mesohaline salinity (5#x2013;18 per mil) burrowing in soft substrate.     

Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos: land use and food in northeast Scotland

This paper contrasts changes in breeding numbers and breeding success of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos on four areas with different land uses. On land primarily used for deer stalking but also for grouse shooting, and supporting abundant prey, the number of eagle pairs was steady in 1944-80. On deer land with fewer prey, the number of pairs declined greatly in the 1960s, when deer carrion became scarcer following increased shooting of red deer. On grouse moors incorporating deer stalking, the number of pairs declined in the 1950s due to persecution by gamekeepers, and then largely recovered as this lessened. On grouse moors with little or no stalking, the number of pairs fell after 1946 and remained low due to persecution, which has continued since then. Eagles on grouse moors bred poorly due to persecution. On deer land they were seldom persecuted by estate staff, and bred well. On an area of deer land, the mean annual number of young reared per undisturbed clutch in summer was related to the estimated weight of prey in the spring of the same year. The eagles have remained fairly pesticide-free, and bred well in 1963-65 when more contaminated birds in west Scotland bred poorly.     

A contribution to the revision of the genus Fenestella (Bryozoa) from the lower carboniferous of the east European platform

About 50 species of the genus Fenestella from the Lower Carboniferous of the East European platform are revised. They are shown to belong to the following seven genera: Fenestella, Rectifenestella, Laxifenestella, Exfenestella, Fabifenestella, Alternifenestella, and Ignotifenestella. Diagnoses of the three latter genera are given and 11 species are described, including type species, one of which, A. substricta sp. nov., is new. Lectotypes are selected for the three known species A. major (Nikiforova, 1933), A. minor (Nikiforova, 1933), and A. media (Nikiforova, 1927).     

Factors affecting duckling survival of Eiders Somateria mollissima in northeast Scotland

Mortality factors affecting Eider ducklings Somateria mollissima and their impact with respect to age were studied on the Ythan estuary, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Survival from hatching to fledging averaged 10.4% over 13 years; numbers declined steeply during the first three to four weeks and slowly thereafter. Growth of tagged young varied considerably between broods. Mortality was not correlated with numbers of ducklings or adults.
Predation in 1974 averaged 13.6% per day during the first two weeks, and accounted for most mortality. Herring Gulls Larus argentatus were the principal predators. Predation was 2.5 times as high in rainy, windy weather as in fine, calm weather. Weather, primarily mean rainfall and wind speed, during early life accounted for over 90% of all variation in survival during eight of nine years. Predation was considered the proximate factor in most weather-related mortality. High survival in 1971 was not explained by weather. An estimated 25–40% of mortality during the second week of life was from renal coccidiosis Eimeria somateriae. Reproductive output of the Ythan population probably limits the rate of population growth, but numbers of breeding birds seem to be regulated by other factors acting after fledging.     

Palaeoecology of coralline sponge-coral meadows from the upper jurassic of Portugal

TheComophyllia polymorpha-Crispispongia cf.expansa association of the Kimmeridgian Alcobaça Formation occurs in a 5–10 m thick unit that can be followed for at least 10 km in the vicinity of Alcobaça (Estremadura). Corals, coralline sponges (mainly Calcarea), cryptalgal crusts and, to a lesser extent, crinoids are the dominant constituents of the autochthonous community relic which can be grouped in framebuilders, framework encrusters, frame binders, reef-dwellers, and reef destroyers. These organisms formed low meadows in a shallow, fully marine environment subject to low rates of sedimentation and moderate to low energy levels punctuated by rare high energy events. The abundance of coralline sponges in reefs and reef-like communities is uncommon in the Jurassic and appears to be restricted to very shallow water environments.     

Twopictonia (perisphinctidae) from the subbetic upper jurassic of spain

Two ammonites belonging to the genusPictonia Bayle, 1878 (subgenusPachypictonia Schneid, 1940) are described from the Lower Kimmeridgian of the Subbetic of Western Andalusia, this being the first evidence of the presence of this genus in the Mediterranean (Tethydian) Upper Jurassic.     

Syn-eruption vegetation dynamics,paleosurfaces and structural controls on lava field vegetation: An example from the Palaeogene Staffa Formation,Mull Lava Field,Scotland

Lavas and sedimentary rocks of the Palaeogene Staffa Formation are exposed in the south-west of the Island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Here, we present the results of an extensive programme of analysis of palynofloras from intravolcanic sedimentary rocks across this, the oldest part of the Mull Lava Field. This analysis has been allied to field and aerial photograph mapping, which have provided evidence that the earliest flows and sediments of the Staffa Formation were emplaced into two NW–SE trending fault controlled valleys. This extensional structural regime was also utilised by the NW–SE trending Mull dyke swarm. Early syn-depositional movement on graben margin faults is indicated by anomalously thick alluvial sediments, and ponded lava flows on the downthrown sides. Sedimentary and palynofacies data indicate an overall southeasterly drainage direction for the Staffa Formation paleo-valley system, the palynofloras reflecting this in increased dominance of mire vegetation communities, in the wetter, lower reaches of the catchment. The palynofloras are subdivided into four ecological groupings. Mid to late succession communities dominate the two youngest depositional sequences of the lava field, reflecting the filling of the valley structures, and the development of an increasingly stable environment. The youngest surface includes the renowned Ardtun Leaf Beds, which are shown to be atypical of much of the Staffa Formation flora, being located on a graben margin alluvial fan. This youngest surface also provides evidence for the subsequent inversion of the original graben structure across the south of the area, while active eruption continued in the north. Inversion is attributed to the emplacement of the oldest members of the nearby Mull Central Complex, and heralds the eruption of the trap-forming Plateau Group lavas.     

Early carboniferous bryozoans from the Kodinka section, Middle Urals

An assemblage of Viséan-Serpukhovian bryozoans from the vicinity of the village of Kodinka (Sverdlovsk Region, Middle Urals) is studied for the first time. This assemblage is represented by two new species, Primorella kodinkensis sp. nov. and Heloclema uralicum sp. nov.; already known species Heloclema magnificum Gor. and Nikiforopora concentrica (Nikif.); and three morphotypes Fistulamina sp., Penniretepora sp., and Polyporella sp. Some specific features in the distribution of bryozoans of the Middle Urals at the beginning of the Carboniferous are discussed.     

Upper jurassic to lower cretaceous carbonate facies of african affinities in a Peri-European area: Chalkidiki Peninsula, Greece

Summary The Epanomi-New Iraklia area (West coast of the Chalkidiki peninsula) is considered to belong to the Prepeonias subzone (or Gevgeli unit), with a palaeogeographic position near the European margin, represented by the Serbo-Macedonian massif, and at a considerable distance from the fragmented African plate, the marginal block of which is here the Pelagonian Domain. In some boreholes in the area an Upper Jurassic to Lowei Cretaceous limestone sequence has been observed, ending with an unconformity and followed by an Upper Middle-Lower Upper Eocene transgressive bioclastic limestone, an Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene clastic series and Neogene deposits. This Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous carbonate platform sequence and probably the Upper Jurassic limestones with bauxites of the nearby Mt. Katsika, show African affinities, viz: the presence of the essentially Aptian algal speciesSalpingoporella dinarica, an African plate marker; the chlorozoan type association and the bauxite formation during the Late Jurassic indicating tropical conditions; finally, the chloralgal type association and the sporadic presence of radial-fibrous ooids during the Early Cretaceous indicating peritropical conditions. Lower Cretaceous limestones are apparently missing in the innermost Hellenides. In the Pelagonian Domain s.l., on the other hand, Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous limestones are found in some places, with same characteristics as in the Epanomi-New Iraklia boreholes. On the contrary, the Upper Eocene to Lower Oligocene clastic series of the boreholes can be correlated with the Axios (=Vardar) molassic basin, inline with its present situation. During the Mesozoic, the Epanomi area therefore belonged to a micro-block, next to the NE margin of the Pelagonian Domain, in contrast to earlier interpretations. Its present time position results from Early Cenozoic tectonic phases.     

New Obrieniidae from the jurassic of Kazakhstan (Coleoptera,Obrienioidea)

A new subfamily, Pseudobrieniinae, including the new genus Pseudobrienia and the new species Pseudobrienia rasnitsyni, Kararhynchus jurassicus, and K. gratshevi, are described from the Middle-Late Jurassic of Karatau. K. occiduus Zherikhin et Gratshev, 1993 is redescribed.     

Noeggerathia dickeri n.sp. from the carboniferous of Sinai

Noeggerathia dickeri n.sp. is described from the Lower Carboniferous Upper Sandstone Formation of southwestern Sinai.     

A new species of Cyathocarpus with in situ spores from the lower Permian of Gansu,northwestern China

Well-preserved Marattialean fertile fronds are analyzed in this paper that come from the Cisuralian Shanxi Formation of Yongchang, Gansu Province, northwestern China. In particular, synangium in fronds and in situ spores are analyzed in the lab. Data show that the synangium of this species contains between four and five radially arranged pedicellate sporangia. The spores of this plant are small, between 21 and 30 μm, monolete and microgranulate with no visible annule. The fossils presented in this study are included within the genus Cyathocarpus. Furthermore, these spore masses and spores in situ of this genus are described in detail at the first time as a component of the Cathaysian flora. Based on comparisons with previously reported fossil records of these plants, we determined a series of differences. Thus, the fossils presented here are referred to a new species. In addition, the reproductive organs of the new fossils described in this paper provide some valuable taxonomic information. Based on the paleogeographic distribution of Cyathocarpus and the position of paleoplates in Late Paleozoic, we speculated that one of the possible migrated routes of Cyathocarpus is from the Euramerica to the North China Block and Alashan Terrane, terminating in the South China Block.     

Microbial contribution to deposition of upper carboniferous and lower Permian seamount-top carbonates,Akiyoshi, Japan

Summary Microbial organisms significantly contributed to the accumulation of shallow-marine carbonates in an open-ocean realm of the Panthalassan Ocean during Late Carboniferous-Early Permian time. The Jigokudai plateau in the northern part of the Akiyoshidai Plateau is the study area, where the limestone of the Upper Carboniferous Kasimovian Stage to the Lower Permian Artinskian Stage is well exposed. The fusulinid biostratigraphy as well as top-bottom geopetal fabrics revealed that the rocks of the study area are overturned. The thickness of this succession is approximated to 150 m. The succession is lithologically divided into the Lower Jigokudai and Upper Jigokudai formations. The lime-stones of these formations were deposited in a lagoonal setting. The Lower Jigokudai formation (95 m thick: Kasimovian to Asselian) is characterized by sand shoal facies represented by crinoid-Tubiphytes-fusulinid peloidal pack/grainstones and oolitic grainstones. Phylloid algal grain/packstones and microbial boundstones subordinately crop out. The Upper Jigokudai Formation (55 m thick: Sakmarian to Artinskian) is characterized by shoal and tidal flat facies represented by mollusk-fusulinid peloidal grain/rudstones, and peloidal grain/rudstones and peloidal lime-mudstones, respectively. Laterally discontinuous microbial bound-stones occur intercalated in mollusk-fusulinid peloidal grain/rudstones. This formation contains pendant and meniscus cements, and flat-pebble breccia indicative of an intertidal deposition and subaerial exposure. Various types of boundstone and organosedimentary structures constructed mainly by filamentous cyanobacteria,Tubiphytes obscurus tubular microproblematicum A, and other microproblematica were recognized. Significant facies types are (1) filamentous cyanobacteria-microproblematicum A bind/framestones, (2)Tubiphytes obscurus bindstones, (3) stromatolitic bindstones, (4) microbial laminites, (5) microbially linked structures, (6) oncoids, (7) microproblematica B-C framestones. The calcimicrobes, combined with synsedimentary cementation, formed small-scale and low-relief mounds of these facies, and greatly contributed to the deposition of the Kasimovian to Artinskian Panthalassan buildup.