Effect of time and temperature on multiplication of Vibrio vulnificus in postharvest Gulf Coast shellstock oysters.

After harvest, shellstock oysters stored under controlled temperatures of 10, 13, and 18 degrees C and at ambient outside air temperature (23 to 34 degrees C) were sampled after 12 and 30 h for Vibrio vulnificus. At 13 degrees C and below, V. vulnificus failed to multiply in the oysters. In oysters held at 18 degrees C for 30 h and under ambient conditions for 12 and 30 h, V. vulnificus numbers were statistically greater (P < 0.05) than those in oysters at harvest. These data indicate that endogenous V. vulnificus can multiply in unchilled shellstock oysters.     

An abelisaurid humerus from the Upper Cretaceous of India

The Lameta Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) of India has yielded abundant fossils of abelisaurid theropods, including bones from the cranium, vertebral column, pectoral and pelvic girdles, and hindlimb. However, the forelimbs of Indian abelisaurids remain unknown. Here we describe an abelisaurid humerus from exposure of the Lameta Formation near the village of Rahioli in northwestern India. This new material exhibits derived traits that are distinctive of Abelisauridae, for example an articular head that is hemispherical in proximal view, thus establishing the specimen as the first abelisaurid humerus from India.     

Dicotyledonous woods from the Upper Cretaceous of southern Illinois

Dicotyledonous woods from the Upper Cretaceous of Southern IllinoiS. Five species of fossil dicotyledonous wood are described from an Upper Cretaceous (Maestrichtian; locality in Alexander County, IllinoiS. U.S. A. Paraquercimum cretaceum has structure similar to the Fagaceae (evergreen Oak- Lithocarpus ) and Casuarinaceae and represents the earliest known occurrence of this structural type (large solitary pores and uniseriate and large multiseriale rays). Paraphyltanthoxyhin illirioisense and Icacinoxylon alternipunctata are species of genera represented at other Cretaceous and Early Tertiary localities In large diameter trees. Parabombacaceoxylon magniporosum has large diameter pores and scalariform perforation plates, a combination of characters that is extremely rare in the extant flora. Paraapocynaceoxylon barghoorni has a combination of characters represented in extant Apocynaceae. These five species lack growth rings, have high vulnerability indices (mean vessel diameter divided by mean number of vessels per square millimeter, and a relatively high proportion of ray parenchyma. They lack specialized wood anatomical characters, and a compilation of vessel element lengths in these and other Cretaceous woods indicates that short vessel elements (a derived character) were less frequent in the Cretaceous than in extant dicotyledonous trees.     

New ankylosaurian material from the Upper Cretaceous of Transylvania

Ankylosaurian remains from the Transylvanian Basin, Romania, are extremely rare. More than 100 years after the discovery of the first and only better-known assemblage, namely the type material of Struthiosaurus transylvanicus, new ankylosaurian material has been discovered in the Maastrichtian of the Ha?eg Basin, as well as at another locality (Vurp?r), in the Transylvanian Basin, that is described here. The material consists of one tooth in a small jaw fragment (from the Ha?eg Basin) and at least two accummulations of associated, as well as several isolated, postcranial elements (from Vurp?r). No diagnostic elements are preserved that would overlap with the type of S. transylvanicus, so we cannot assign any of the new specimens to this species. The tooth shows marked differences compared to those of other anklyosaurs including S. austriacus and Hungarosaurus in having only six, more or less equally sized, apically pointed cusps separated by deep grooves. The postcranial material from Vurp?r represents at least three different individuals. The humerus is the most diagnostic element among the postcranial remains being most similar both in size and morphology to humeri referred to as Struthiosaurus from different European localities, thus here we refer the humerus and probably associated elements preserved in one assemblage to as cf. Struthiosaurus sp.; the remaining specimens from Vurp?r are retained as Nodosauridae indet. Histological studies have confirmed the adult nature of all sampled bones in the Vurp?r ankylosaur material suggesting that these fully grown animals were of similar size to Struthiosaurus, a small-bodied nodosaurid the ontogenetic status of which, however, has never been investigated histologically. The obviously diminished body size of the Transylvanian ankylosaurs compared to other members of the clade could be explained by insular dwarfism using the same histology-based argument as presented for Magyarosaurus.     

A new hydroid from the Upper Cretaceous of Mississippi

A new fossil hydroid is reported as an organic impression on a calcareous gastropod steinkern from the Prairie Bluff Chalk (Maastrichtian), Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. This is the first such hydroid reported from the Upper Cretaceous of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The fossil organism consists of anastomosing hydrorhizae forming a holdfast, a fascicled hydrocaulus, and elongated, crenulated and ribbed hydrothecae. The fossil is unlike other Mesozoic hydroids that have been reported from Europe and North America; it is described as Mesodendrium oktibbehaensis gen. et sp. nov. and tentiatively referred to an extant family, the Campanulariidae (Calyptoblastina). The complete preservation of the holdfast, hydrocaulus and hydrothecae suggests that this hydroid lived inside gastropod shells. In analogy with Recent symbiotic hydroids inhabiting mollusc shells, the new specimen described here possibly represents the oldest known example of a symbiotic relationship between hydroids and hermit crabs.     

Phaeodarian Radiolaria from the Upper Cretaceous beds of central Japan

Upper Cretaceous Phaeodarea (Radiolaria) were recovered from the Shoya Formation, which crops out 100 km northwest of Tokyo, central Japan. The Shoya Formation consists of about 600 m-thick marine sedimentary rocks, represented by alternating beds of sandstone and mudstone, which are overlain by about 10 m of Phaeodarian-bearing siliceous mudstone. The latter is assigned to the Upper Cretaceous (late Campanian to early Maastrichtian) based on the associated Polycystine Radiolarian fossils. In spite of the poor general preservation of nearly all Phaeodarian specimens as recrystallized quartz infillings, three new Phaeodarian species, Challengeranium cretaceum, Challengeron paleotriangulum, and Medusetta fossilis, were identified on the basis of their shape and ornamentation. Our finding, together with two other very recent reports of fossil Phaeodarians clearly document that the origin of Phaeodarian Radiolarians can be extended back to at least the Upper Cretaceous.     

Environment and diagenesis of an Upper Cretaceous bioclastic oyster limestone bed,Red Sea Coast,Egypt

Summary An Upper Cretaceous bioclastic oyster limestone bed, exposed at the Red Sea coastal strip, has been investigated for its depositional environment and the early diagenetic modifications affecting its components. The deposition of this stratum body marks the end of prevailed euxinic conditions and the setting up of an oxic milieu. This dramatic change in depositional conditions is related primarily to the change in the position of oxygen minimum zone during sedimentation. The noticeable negative shift in the δ¹⁸O-values of the studied skeletal parts (−2.7 to −6.4‰ PDB) are attributed to some habitat-related controls and the dilution of marine water with a great fresh water influx. In addition, mild diagenetic alterations that have affected some of these skeletals, as indicated by their enriched manganese values and orange-colored luminescence, are also- in part-responsible for the δ¹⁸O negative shift. Meanwhile, the negative δ¹³C signatures (−2.2 to −5.6‰ PDB) are probably related to an upward flux of isotopically-light and reduced pore waters to the bottom water where the oysters are thought to have lived and/or to the reducing conditions during which the alteration of these skeletals occurred. Moldic porosity is quite common although partly or completely occluded by clear equant low-Mg calcite of marine origin. These submarine mosaics are probably formed under oxidizing conditions in the phreatic zone as indicated from their non-luminescence character and stable isotopic values. The wide overlap range between the oxygen and carbon stable isotopic signatures of these mosaics and the skeletal particles may indicate they both are formed under the same conditions provided little effect exerted by the latters. A promising possibility of hydrocarbon accumulations in the area east of Qusier (off shore) is expected.     

Triuridaceae fossil flowers from the Upper Cretaceous of New Jersey

We report here on a series of fossil flowers exhibiting a mosaic of characters present in the extant monocot family Triuridaceae. Phylogenetic analyses of morphological data from a broad sample of extant monocots confirm the affinities of the fossils with modern Triuridaceae. The fossil flowers were collected from outcrops of the Raritan Formation (Upper Cretaceous, ～90 million years before present), New Jersey, USA. These are the oldest known unequivocal monocot flowers. Because other reports of earliest monocots are all based on equivocal character suites and/or ambiguously preserved fossil material, the Triuridaceae fossils reported here should also be considered as the oldest unequivocal fossil monocots. Flowers are minute and unisexual (only male flowers are known); the perianth is composed of six tepals, lacking stomata. The unicyclic androecium is of three stamens with dithecal, monosporangiate, extrorse anthers that open by longitudinal slits. The endothecium has U-shaped type thickenings. Pollen grains are monosulcate. The triurid fossil flowers can be separated into three distinctive species. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses of morphological characters, the fossil taxa nest within the completely saprophytic achlorophyllous Triuridaceae supporting the interpretation that the extinct plants were also achlorophyllous and saprophytic. If so, this represents the earliest known fossil occurrence of the saprophytic/mycotrophic habit in angiosperms.     

Archamamelis,hamamelidalean flowers from the Upper Cretaceous of Sweden

Lignite fossil flowers (including pollen) and isolated stamens of probable hamamelidalean (possible hamamelidaceous) affinities from the upper Cretaceous (Late Santonian or Early Campanian) of Sweden are described. The flowers are 6–7-merous with probably a double perianth, one whorl of stamens and (2-?)3 carpels. The stamens are disporangiate; each theca opens by a valve towards the centre of the flower. Pollen is tricolpate, tectate-columellate and reticulate; the endexine is lamellated in the apertural region. The gynoecium has free styles and a syncarpous ovary. In the one flower that was serially sectioned the ovary is either non-functional or development of the few (2?) ovules is retarded.     

A gigantic bird from the Upper Cretaceous of Central Asia

We describe an enormous Late Cretaceous fossil bird from Kazakhstan, known from a pair of edentulous mandibular rami (greater than 275 mm long), which adds significantly to our knowledge of Mesozoic avian morphological and ecological diversity. A suite of autapomorphies lead us to recognize the specimen as a new taxon. Phylogenetic analysis resolves this giant bird deep within Aves as a basal member of Ornithuromorpha. This Kazakh fossil demonstrates that large body size evolved at least once outside modern birds (Neornithes) and reveals hitherto unexpected trophic diversity within Cretaceous Aves.     

Notes on some petrified cones of the Pinaceae from the Cretaceous

References are made to five species of Pinaeeous cones from the Cretaceous. The general morphology of the first three was described by Fliche in 1896. Detailed studies on their anatomy have now enabled revisions to be made in their taxonomy. Pinus argonnensis Fliche has been shown to be indistinguishable from Pityoslrobus soigniesiensis Alvin, described in 1960. Tsugiles rnagnus Fliche and Pinus praemonticola Fliche are specimens of a previously named species, Pityostrobus andraei (Coemans) Seward, and their names have been included in its synonymy. A note on Pityostrobus leckenbyi (Lindley and Hutton) Seward attempts to clarify a few points on its anatomy and taxonomy. Finally the discovery of an additional specimen of Pityoslrobus jacksonii Creber is recorded and some details of this specimen are given.     

A pterosaurian vertebra from the Upper Cretaceous of the Saratov Region

A dorsal vertebra referred to as Azhdarchidae indet. from the Rybushka Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Lower Campanian) of the Beloe Ozero locality in the Saratov Region is described. Its vertebral centrum has a hypapophysis and, at the base of the neural arch, there is a large pneumatic foramen. The vertebra possibly belongs to Volgadraco bogolubovi Averianov, Arkhangelskii et Pervushov, 2008, described from the Rybushka Formation of the Shirokii Karamysh 2 locality in the Saratov Region.     

A study on the faeces of some chalk stream invertebrates

An account is given of the size, form, texture, colour, cohesion and composition of the faeces of 41 species of invertebrates found in chalk streams. The relationships between the character of the faeces and the taxonomic positions and habits of the producers are considered.The importance of faeces production relative to the bulk of stream bed sediments is discussed. Faeces of different origins accumulate in different areas of the stream bed and these differences may be associated in part with their form and structure and in part with the distribution of the species from which they originate. In the summer months tubificid worms alone may be responsible for reworking between 0.3% and 0.5% of the fine particulate material in sediments every day.     

Fossil flowers and pollen ofLauraceae from the Upper Cretaceous of New Jersey

A fossil trimerous flower from the Turonian (ca. 90 MYBP, Upper Cretaceous) of New Jersey is described as a new genus in the familyLauraceae. The fossil flower is charcoalified and preserved in exceptional detail. This fossil specimen is particularly remarkable in that several pollen grains have been preserved; pollen grains ofLauraceae generally have very thin exine and are rarely preserved in the fossil record. Although the specimen is incomplete and lacks anthers, there are sufficient structural details preserved to permit an assignment to theLauraceae, as well as comparisons with the tribePerseeae. This new genus provides an important addition to our knowledge of systematic and structural diversity in CretaceousLauraceae.     

Uptake and clearance of Vibrio vulnificus from Gulf coast oysters (Crassostrea virginica).

Oysters collected in late winter, when they were free of Vibrio vulnificus, were exposed in the organism in the laboratory. The oysters effectively concentrated the bacteria from seawater, but when the inoculum was removed, the bacteria were rapidly cleared from the oyster tissues. These results suggest that V. vulnificus may be found in oysters as a result of filtration of the bacteria from seawater rather than active multiplication of the bacteria in the oysters.     

Treponematosis in regional and chronological perspective from central Gulf Coast Florida

Examination of five central Gulf Coast Florida archaeological skeletal series (n = 547) from the late prehistoric and early historic periods reveals the presence of pathological lesions characteristic of treponemal infection. These skeletal remains of native American populations represent a crucial time regarding hypotheses about the exchange of syphilis between the Old and New World or the mutation of one treponemal infection into another. Comparison of the lesions with those observed in modern studies of treponemal infection does not support an interpretation of veneral syphilis. The data from this study and from other archaeological skeletal series indicate the presence of a treponemal disease prior to European contact. The skeletal elements from Florida do not suggest that the disease changed dramatically following contact with Europeans. It is possible that cases of nonspecific postcranial pathology can be explained by the presence of this disease in the Florida populations. This study indicates that a treponemal disease was endemic throughout the region by at least A. D. 1000. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synsacrum of a primitive bird from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

A partial synsacrum of a primitive bird from the Zenge Kurgan 3 locality in the Kyzyl Kum Desert (Uzbekistan) is described. The vertebrate fauna from this locality is similar to that of the Bissekty Formation of the Dzharakuduk locality (Central Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan); however, this synsacrum differs considerably from all other synsacra from Dzharakuduk. The taxonomic position of this bird remains uncertain; it is most similar to some Enantiornithes, although it could have belonged to a primitive ornithuromorph bird. The functional significance of structural differences in the synsacrum of ornithurine and enantiornithine birds is discussed.     

Uptake and clearance of Vibrio vulnificus from Gulf coast oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Oysters collected in late winter, when they were free of Vibrio vulnificus, were exposed in the organism in the laboratory. The oysters effectively concentrated the bacteria from seawater, but when the inoculum was removed, the bacteria were rapidly cleared from the oyster tissues. These results suggest that V. vulnificus may be found in oysters as a result of filtration of the bacteria from seawater rather than active multiplication of the bacteria in the oysters.