Palaeogeographic significance of the giraffid remains (Mammalia,Arctiodactyla) from Cessaniti (Late Miocene,Southern Italy)

The late Tortonian – early Messinian shallow marine sands of Cessaniti area (Monte Poro, Vibo Valentia, Southern Italy) yield marine and continental vertebrates. The best represented taxon is the Sirenian Metaxytherium serresii, while the terrestrial mammal assemblage includes a boselafine bovid, an hexaprotodontid hippopotamus, the giraffids Samotherium cf. boissieri and Bohlinia cf. attica, a rhino and the elephantid Stegotetrabelodon syrticus. Until now, the latter was a species with an exclusive Afro-Arabian distribution and the record of Cessaniti is the first outside Afro-Arabia. Our attention is here focused on the occurrence of Samotherium cf. boissieri and Bohlinia cf. attica, both being species well represented in the Pikermian Biome. Although evidences of the distribution of the genus Samotherium in Late Miocene African assemblages are weak, it is reported at several sites, while a new species of Bohlinia reported in Chad is still debated. At Cessaniti, the co-occurrence of two giraffid taxa typical for the Pikermian biome together with a frankly Afro-Arabic species (S. syrticus), further marks the existence of a land connection between the Cessaniti area and North Africa as well as the evidence of a phase of expansion of the Pikermian Biome into the African continent.     

Genetic characterization of the historical Albanian ethnic minority of Calabria (southern Italy)

Three historical ethnic minorities are present in Calabria: Albanians, Greeks, and Occitans. The Albanian ethnic minority is the more populous, having settled in Calabria between the 15th and 17th centuries, and these populations are now located in the provinces of Cosenza and Catanzaro. In the present study the Albanian population structure is analyzed based on the allele frequencies of six classic genetic markers: ACP, GC, PGM1, AK, ADA, and 6PGD. The results show a significant heterogeneity between the Albanian population in Calabria and the population in Molise. Therefore the cultural and reproductive isolation of the Albanian ethnic minority of Calabria is related to a great genetic peculiarity. Moreover, the frequencies of some alleles, particularly those of the PGM*1W31 variant, and the analysis of the R matrix still show the actual peculiar genetic structure of the Albanians of Calabria, although the genetic flow is evident in the decrease of endogamy and in the increase in the degree of mixing.     

Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons (Schlosser, 1904) from the late Miocene of Cessaniti (Southern Italy)

This paper describes remains attributable to Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons (Schlosser, 1904) found in the late Miocene site of Cessaniti (Vibo Valentia, Calabria) and the surrounding area. The studied specimens come from the Clypeaster sandstones, included in a marine/fluvial succession dated between 8 and 7.2 Ma. At Cessaniti, Tragoportax is associated with Stegotetrabelodon syrticus Petrocchi, 1941; Samotherium cf. boissieri Forsyth-Major, 1888; Bohlinia cf. attica Matthew, 1929; and an undetermined Rhinocerotid still under study. The genus Tragoportax was common in Eurasia and Africa during the late Miocene. The occurrence of Tragoportax cf. rugosifrons at Cessaniti confirms the peculiarity of the assemblage, with its association of species of North African and Pikermian (Greco-Iranian bioprovince) affinities.     

The rodents from the Late Miocene Oreopithecus-bearing site of Fiume Santo (Sardinia,Italy)

The locality of Fiume Santo (Sardinia, Italy) represents the westernmost extension of endemic Oreopithecus-bearing faunas. Here we describe the rodent fauna recovered at this site, which only includes the murids Huerzelerimys oreopitheci and Anthracomys lorenzi, and the glirids Anthracoglis engesseri nov. sp. and Anthracoglis nov. sp. I. A. engesseri nov. sp. differs from Anthracoglis marinoi, the other species of this genus known so far, by its larger size, wider upper cheek teeth and more reduced accessory ridges, particularly in the upper cheek teeth. Anthracoglis nov. sp. I is only known by a single tooth and cannot be adequately characterized. The fauna seems to be a mixture of elements from the V-1, V-2 and V-3 local zones of the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin (Tuscany, Italy), with H. oreopitheci being characteristic from zone V-1 and Anthracoglis lorenzi from zone V-3. Nevertheless, a few remains of A. lorenzi have been also recovered from V-2 assemblages at Baccinello and A. engesseri nov. sp. is also recorded in Monte Bamboli, which is correlated to V-2 faunas. Accordingly, a correlation to V-2 zone of the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin is preferred. Finally, the structure and composition of the rodent assemblage is compared to those of the Tuscan sites. The Fiume Santo assemblage resembles the insular faunas of Tuscany by its low species richness, although it is more balanced. This may be related to slight chronological or environmental differences between the two areas or to the existence of a geographical barrier.     

Bioclimatic analysis in a region of southern Italy (Calabria)

In this study, an analysis of precipitation and temperature data has been performed over 67 series observed in a region of southern Italy (Calabria). At first, to detect possible trends in the time series, an analysis was performed with the Mann–Kendall non-parametric test applied at monthly and seasonal scale. An additional investigation, useful for checking the climate change effects on vegetation, has also been included analysing bioclimatic indicators. In particular, Emberger, Rivas-Martinez and De Martonne indices were calculated by using monthly temperature and precipitation data in the period 1916–2010. The spatial pattern of the indices has been evaluated and, in order to link the vegetation and the indices, different indices maps have been intersected with the land cover data, given by the Corine Land Cover map. Moreover, the temporal evolution of the indices and of the vegetation has been analysed. Results suggest that climate change may be responsible for the forest cover change, but, given also the good relationship between the various types of bioclimate and forest formations, human activities must be considered.     

An Upper Miocene siliciclastic-carbonate ramp: depositional architecture, facies distribution, and diagenetic history (Capo Vaticano area, southern Italy)

During the Late Miocene, the marginal areas of the Mediterranean Basin were characterized by the development of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramps. This paper deals with a temperate siliciclastic-carbonate ramp (late Tortonian–early Messinian in age) which crops out in the Capo Vaticano area, Southern Apennines (Italy). Carbonate components are mainly represented by calcitic skeletal fragments of coralline red algae, bryozoans, bivalves, and larger foraminifera, whereas corals, brachiopods, echinoderms, and planktonic foraminifera are subordinate. In the studied ramp, the depositional geometries of the main unit, the ‘Sabbie gialle ad Heterostegina’, show a gradual steepening from low/middle (dip about 2–5°) to steep slope settings (up to 25°). The microfacies observations, the quantitative analyses of the main biogenic components as well as the rhodolith shapes and growth forms allowed the differentiation between the middle and the outer ramp depositional setting and the refining of the stratigraphic framework. The middle ramp is characterized by coralline red algal debris packstone facies often associated with larger foraminiferal floatstone/packstone facies, while the outer ramp is characterized by rhodolith floatstone/rudstone facies. These facies pass basinward into typical open-marine deposits (planktonic foraminiferal facies). The taxonomic composition of the coralline red algal assemblage points to a temperate paleoclimate and emphasizes the Miocene Mediterranean phytogeographic patterns. The absence of non-skeletal grains (ooids and green algae), the paucity of Porites patch reefs, the rare occurrence of primary marine cementation, all confirm that the studied ramp was poorly lithified within a warm–temperate setting. The flat depositional profile of the ramp can be related to the absence or paucity of primary marine carbonate cements.     

First record of Devonian orthoceratid-bearing limestones in southern Calabria (Italy)

Lower to Middle Devonian orthoceratid-bearing nodular limestones in Calabria are described here for the first time, along the Fiumara Assi section. The succession is tectonically inverted and has been dated by conodonts. The lower beds are Lochkovian–Lower Pragian, because they provided Icriodus cf. steinachensis and Pelekysgnathus serratus, which occur in the delta-sulcatus Zones. Upwards appear Polygnathus cf. dehiscens, corresponding to the dehiscens-gronbergi Zones, and Ozarkodina cf. steinhornensis miae of the dehiscens-inversus Zones, both indicating a topmost Pragian–Lower Emsian age. The Eifelian (or younger) age for the top of the succession is demonstrated by Polygnathus linguiformis linguiformis. This succession, as well as similar coeval deposits of the southern Variscan Chain (southwestern Sardinia, eastern Pyrenees), Betic–Rifian Maláguides-Ghomarides and southern Alps, made part of a western embayment of the Palaeotethys.     

Late Miocene brackish Loxoconchidae (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Italy

The Late Miocene Italian brackish Loxoconchidae are herein discussed and illustrated. Three genera and two subgenera have been recognized in the brackish Italian basins: Loxoconcha, Loxocorniculina, Loxoconchissa (Loxoconchissa) and Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia). Taking into account the diagnostic characters of several Loxoconchidae genera, in this paper Loxocorniculina is raised at a generic rank, Loxocaspia is confirmed as a subgenus within genus Loxoconchissa and several new species are established: Loxoconchissa (Loxoconchissa) kinoi nov. sp., Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) cosentinoi nov. sp., Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) nuda nov. sp., Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) punctata nov. sp., Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) reticulata nov. sp., Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) tuberosa nov. sp. and Loxoconchissa (Loxocaspia) velonae nov. sp. Loxocorniculina is a typical Paratethyan genus which widespread into the Palaeo-Mediterranean during the late Messinian Lago-Mare event. Loxoconchissa was known to be widespread only in the Paratethyan realm and in this paper it is signalled for the first time in the Late Tortonian-early Messinian of Italy. The palaeobiogeography of these genera is discussed and the observed continuous distribution of Loxocorniculina against the disjunct distribution of Loxoconchissa leads to suggest that this latter genus underwent a passive dispersal via aquatic birds.     

Late Miocene (Turolian,MN13) squirrels from Moncucco Torinese,NW Italy

Squirrel remains are rare in the fossil record, which hampers a properly documented interpretation of their evolutionary history. The Late Miocene sciurids from Moncucco Torinese (NW Italy) are described based on a diverse tooth assemblage. The data presented herein confirm the presence of Sciurus warthae and Pliopetaurista pliocaenica, and also include the first unquestionable occurrence of Hylopetes hungaricus plus an indeterminate Sciurinae. The report of Sciurus warthae from Moncucco Torinese represents the earliest record of the genus Sciurus in Europe. Moreover, Moncucco Torinese is the first European locality recording the co-occurrence of Sciurini and Pteromyini in the Late Miocene. Comparative analyses support a close relationship between S. warthae and Sciurus vulgaris corroborating the hypothesis of an earliest divergence of the “Sciurus vulgaris clade” in the Late Miocene. Biochronological, paleobiogeographical and paleoecological implications are also discussed.     

Allopolyploid origin of Cardamine silana (Brassicaceae) from Calabria (southern Italy): karyological, morphological and molecular evidence

Endemic Cardamine silana from Calabria (southern Italy) previously reported to be related to C. raphanifolia was found to be hexaploid. Morphological characters and AFLP data were analysed to evaluate the degree of differentiation of C. silana from closely related taxa and to find parental taxa of this polyploid. Cardamine apennina from the C. pratensis group was examined as one putative parent, as indicated in previous studies of nuclear ITS sequences, along with other related taxa based on both cpDNA and ITS sequences. Both multivariate morphometric analyses of quantitative characters and evaluation of qualitative morphological characters showed: (1) closest position of C. silana to two diploids: C. acris from the Balkan Peninsula and C. apennina from Central Italy; (2) good extent of morphological separation of C. silana from related taxa; and (3) within C. acris subspecies, C. acris ssp. vardousiae from Central Greece as closest to C. silana . Neighbour-joining tree and PCoA ordinations of AFLP data, as well as patterns of AFLP bands sharing, corroborated results of multivariate morphometrics. This evidence supports an allopolyploid origin of C. silana , with C. apennina and C. acris as parental taxa. Its origin may be dated to Pleistocene glacial events, because of the presumably wider geographical distributions of its parental taxa during more humid periods at that time.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 101–116.     

Deep-water coral banks: an example from the “Calcare di Mendicino” (Upper Miocene, Northern Calabria, Italy)

Summary The “Calcare di Mendicino” is a mixed carbonatesiliciclastic informal unit of Miocene (Late Tortonian-Early Messinian age), that crops out extensively in the northwestern part of the Calabria. In the Scannelle quarry near Belsito (Cosenza), four stratigraphic sections were studied to define the sedimentological and paleoecological setting. The carbonate body records the development of a deep-water coral bank characterized by a low-diverse community of azooxanthellate scleractinian (Oculina andDendrophyllia) and stylasterine hydrozoans colonies. Two main stages of bioconstruction development can be distinguished: a thicket and a bank stage. Among the biostromal dwellers the more common are bryozoans, echinoids, benthic foraminifers, gastropods, and bivalves. A higher content of planktonic foraminifers occur in the thicket stage. The coral bank flourished within the aphotic zone, with deep currents loaded with nutrients and siliciclastic sediments. The upper part of the “Calcare di Mendicino” carbonate body has been affected by a pervasive dolomitization destroying almost completely the sedimentary structures and the biofacies. The lower part, the main object of this paper, preserves the microfacies but it experienced a widespread recrystallization obliterating the primary geochemical characteristics. The diagenetic history, partly hidden, reveals three main stages: primary marine with isopachous fibrous cements, deep burial with cavities infilled by sparry calcite, and meteoric-phreatic with dog-tooth cements.     

Geopalaeontological setting,chronology and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Baccinello-Cinigiano Basin continental successions (Late Miocene,Italy)

The Latest Miocene succession of the Baccinello-Cinigiano Basin in southern Tuscany (Italy) recorded a faunal turnover documenting the extinction of an older, insular, endemic faunal complex characterised by the extinct ape Oreopithecus bambolii and the setting of a new, continental, European faunal complex including the colobine monkey Mesopithecus. A similar turnover pattern (Late Miocene ape/Latest Miocene Cercopithecidae) is generally observed in Late Miocene continental successions of Eurasia, from Spain to central Europe, Southwest Europe, the near East, and Southwest Asia. Abundant literature reports that the Late Miocene Eurasian hominoid primate distribution closely tracks the climatic/environmental changes occurring during the 12–9 Ma interval, until their extinction in western Europe. In the primate record, the dispersion of Cercopithecidae and the contraction of hominids is interpreted as an event depicting a pattern of “continentalisation” in the Old World. The sedimentary succession of the Baccinello-Cinigiano basin, one of the longest continuous vertebrate-bearing continental successions in the Neogene Italian record, contributes to the debate on this hypothesis. This paper provides an overview of the main characteristics of the sedimentary succession, the chronological constraints (biochronology, radiometric datings, magnetostratigraphy), and the palaeoenvironmental evolution as derived from palaeobiological approaches and from the study of stable carbon and oxygen isotope contents along the entire sedimentary succession. The 2 myr geological history of the Baccinello Cinigiano Basin, which documents the evolutionary history of Oreopithecus and associated faunas, does not have a direct relation with the event of the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The evolutionary history of Baccinello-Cinigiano Basin and its palaeontological record have been mainly driven by the regional tectonism and palaeogeographic changes that affected the northern Tyrrhenian regions in Late Miocene (Latest Tortonian–Messinian) times.     

Red-cell enzyme polymorphisms in the Reggio Calabria province (Italy)

Acid phosphatase (ACP1), adenosine deaminase (ADA), esterase D (ESD), glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) and phosphoglucomutase 1 and 2 (PGM1 and PGM2) polymorphisms have been studied in the Reggio Calabria province (Southern Italy). The ACP1*A allele and ADA, GLO1, PGD and PGM1 systems have frequencies similar to those reported for Sicily and Southern Italy.     

Late Miocene paleoenvironmental changes in North Africa and the Mediterranean recorded by geochemical proxies (Monte Gibliscemi section,Sicily)

The astronomically tuned marls of the Monte Gibliscemi section, Sicily, constitute an archive to trace the late Miocene palaeoenvironmental conditions (~ 9.7–7.0 Ma) in North Africa. Here we have utilised carbonate content and Al-normalised geochemical proxies to trace changes in terrigenous source area and bottom-water ventilation. The terrigenous input into the section is dominated by North African river systems draining into the Eastern Mediterranean. The proxy parameters indicate that the palaeoenvironmental conditions in North Africa were humid from 9.5 Ma onward with high fluvial input to the Mediterranean. Increases in the Si/Al and Mg/Al ratios occurred from 8.4 to 8.2 Ma and from 8.05 to 7.75 Ma, with maximum values similar to those of Messinian diatomites. These peaks indicate conditions of enhanced biosiliceous productivity and the presence of authigenic clay formation. Sluggish water circulation in the Mediterranean during those times is inferred from the Mn/Al and V/Al behaviour. Late Miocene changes of the Betic (southern Spain) and Rifian (Morocco) Mediterranean–Atlantic gateways are interpreted as the driving force for the changes in water circulation and the transgression associated with the opening of the Rifian corridor is interpreted to occur at 7.8 Ma.     

AK,ADA and 6-PGD polymorphisms in Cosenza province (Calabria,Italy)

We report the allele frequencies of polymorphic red cells adenilatechinase (AK), adenosindeaminase (ADA) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) enzymes in a population living in the province of Cosenza (Calabria, Southern Italy). AK^*1 (0.957), ADA^*1 (0.942) and 6-PGD^*A (0.965) frequencies are compared with samples obtained from other italian regions.     

Killer sperm whale: a new basal physeteroid (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Late Miocene of Italy

Zygophyseter varolai , a new genus and species of Physeteroidea (Cetacea, Odontoceti), is based on an almost complete skeleton from the Late Miocene (Tortonian) in southern Italy. The extreme elongation of the zygomatic process of the squamosal and the circular supracranial basin (probably for housing the spermaceti organ) delimited by a peculiar anterior projection of the supraorbital process of the right maxilla are the most distinctive features of this bizarre sperm whale. Large body size, large teeth present in both lower and upper jaw, and anteroposteriorly elongated temporal fossa and zygomatic process of the squamosal indicate that this cetacean (for which we suggest the English common name killer sperm whale) was an active predator adapted to feeding on large prey, similarly to the extant killer whale ( Orcinus orca ). A phylogenetic analysis reveals that Zygophyseter belongs to a Middle–Late Miocene clade of basal physeteroids, together with Naganocetus (new genus for the type of ' Scaldicetus ' shigensis ). Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis shows evidence of a wide physeteroid radiation during the Miocene and that the extant Physeter and Kogia belong to two distinct families that form a clade representing the crown-group Physeteroidea.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 148 , 103–131.     

The vascular flora of the Cassano Structural High (NE Calabria,Italy)

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to investigate the flora of the calcareous outcrops of Cassano Ionio (NE Calabria). 421 taxa, belonging to 284 genera and 68 families, are listed. As a result of excessive grazing, fire and very arid climate, the presence of therophites is remarkable. The Stenomediterranean elements are more representative. Rocks and cliffs typically preserve an interesting chasmophytic flora. Finally, several species of phytogeographic interest and 5 new records for the Calabrian flora, are reported.