Rocky-shore unconformities marking the base of Badenian (Middle Miocene) transgressions on Mt. Medvednica basement (North Croatian Basin,Central Paratethys)

Badenian (Middle Miocene) transgressive deepening-upward successions located in the NE part of Mt. Medvednica (North Croatian Basin, Pannonian Basin System) unconformably overlie Mesozoic basement. Triassic and Upper Cretaceous limestone pebbles, cobbles, and boulders of the Badenian basal conglomerates display abundant in situ bivalve borings of Gastrochaenolites and sponge borings of Entobia. This Gastrochaenolites-Entobia ichnoassemblage is related to the Entobia subichnofacies of the Trypanites ichnofacies, characterizing littoral rocky-shore environments (wave-cut platforms and marine transgressive surfaces with a low or null rate of sedimentation). Gastrochaenolites torpedo, Gastrochaenolites lapidicus, and Entobia recorded in Badenian basal conglomerates (compared with modern Northern Adriatic rocky-shore environments), enabled more precise palaeoenvironmental interpretations. The occurrence of G. torpedo (produced by lithophaginid bivalves) on all sides of individual limestone lithoclasts in the Gornje Ore?je basal conglomerate, coupled with truncation of the formation (possibly indicating multiphase colonization), reflect gravel transport, roll-over, overturning and erosion by wave action in high-energy rocky-shore settings. Gornje Psarjevo-2 basal conglomerate boulders were probably not subjected to significant movement and abrasion, as suggested by good preservation of both G. lapidicus (potentially produced by gastrochaenid bivalves), associated G. torpedo, as well as abundant shallow Entobia borings. The Badenian Gastrochaenolites-Entobia ichnoassemblage also could be the result of a composite development. However, direct cross-cutting relationships between G. torpedo and G. lapidicus and/or Entobia were rarely observed. In addition, Badenian boring tracemakers might have coexisted at the same water depth. Northeast Mt. Medvednica Badenian successions probably formed during different Central Paratethys transgressive pulses (NN5 and NN6 Zones). However, exact timing of Badenian transgressions, stratigraphic correlations and tectono-eustatic implications are unresolved, due to sparsely integrated biostratigraphic and high-precision geochronological studies of Early–Middle Miocene North Croatian Basin deposits and due to the absence of a uniform biostratigraphic zonation and regional chronostratigraphic division of Central Paratethys.     

Basin-scale paleobiogeography and paleoecology: an example from Karpatian (Latest Burdigalian) benthic and planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils from the Central Paratethys

We present the paleobiogeography and ecology of benthic and planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton during the Karpatian (Latest  Burdigalian) in the Austrian part of the Central Paratethys. Results are based on quantitative data of assemblages from the Molasse and Styrian Basins. Our data suggest that, although adjacent, the two basins underwent different paleoceanographic evolution during the Karpatian. Dysoxic bottom waters characterized the Molasse Basin, together with reducing environments, which produced the formation of pyritized levels. In the Styrian Basin, intense volcanic activity enriched surface waters in nutrient and produced strong primary productivity. Reduced planktonic foraminiferal abundance and dominance of agglutinated benthic forms in the Styrian Basin can be attributed to paleoceanographic conditions. The planktonic-depleted assemblages bias the paleodepth estimation by 100P(P + B) in the Styrian Basin and new tools for assessing paleodepth are needed. This study shows that paleobiogeography of foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton is strictly related to local ecological conditions in enclosed basins and demonstrates that quantitative ecological studies are the best way to monitor the biogeographic evolution of enclosed basins.     

The Miocene vertebrate-bearing deposits of Scontrone (Abruzzo,Central Italy): Stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental analysis

The Miocene carbonate deposits of Scontrone (Abruzzo, Central Italy) are well known among palaeontologists because of their fossil vertebrate content that exhibits striking similarities to those of the remarkable “Terre Rosse” faunal complex of the Gargano region, defining the existence of the Miocene Central Mediterranean Apulia paleobioprovince. The main goal of this paper is to establish the age and environment of the Scontrone vertebrate bonebeds. The vertebrate remains are embedded in the basal portion of the Lithothamnion Limestone, a widespread carbonate-ramp lithosome representative of the Tortonian-early Messinian transgression over the entire Apulia Platform. The bonebeds belong to marginal-marine deposits (here called “Scontrone calcarenites”) preserved in a small area below transgressive ravinement surfaces. The rapid vertical and lateral facies variations displayed by the “Scontrone calcarenites”, together with paleoenvironmental considerations deriving from the vertebrate association, document a complex wave-dominated river-mouth depositional setting developed over a large, flat and semi-arid carbonate ramp. The “Scontrone calcarenites” have been split herein into five facies associations representing the stratigraphic response to a discontinuous or punctuated transgression within an overall rise of the relative sea level. Because of the absence of age-diagnostic fossils, the age of the “Scontrone calcarenites” cannot be directly defined through their paleontological content. However, a regional stratigraphic correlation between the Lithothamnion Limestone of Scontrone and the Lithothamnion Limestone of northern Majella, which is biostratigraphically well constrained, allows the attribution of the “Scontrone calcarenites” to the Tortonian.     

Discontinuity surfaces recorded in shallow-marine platform carbonates: an example from the Early Jurassic of the Velebit Mt. (Croatia)

Discontinuity surfaces of different types and scales are common in successions of shallow-marine carbonate platforms because sediments there are deposited close to the sea level and therefore are sensitive to any significant physico-chemical changes of environmental factors. Discontinuity surfaces indicate breaks in sedimentation under subaqueous or subaerial conditions. Most discontinuities in shallow-marine carbonate successions are on a bed-scale, and can be determined only by analysis of sedimentologic, diagenetic, taphonomic, and ichnologic features of the rock. The study of small-scale discontinuities has been carried out on two Lower Jurassic successions of the Velebit Mt. Depending upon their common features and environment of formation, three groups of discontinuities are distinguished on simple bedding planes: subaerial exposure surfaces, erosion surfaces, and omission surfaces. The distribution of discontinuity types in both successions is evaluated. Exposure surfaces prevail in both sections, and four units (relatively thin intervals of the sedimentary record) with abundant subaerial exposures are recognized. Dated by biostratigraphy, these units are of earliest Sinemurian, middle Early Sinemurian, earliest Pliensbachian, and late Early Pliensbachian age. Omission surfaces are the least common type of discontinuity. Thickness variations of high-frequency peritidal and shallow subtidal shallowing-upward cycles, highlighted by the Fischer plots show a very similar long-term trend for the two sections. The units with common subaerial exposure surfaces coincide with the falling limb of the Fischer plots and the section with common omission surfaces coincides with the rising limb of the plots. The studied discontinuities are formed by autocyclic and/or allocyclic processes operating on the shallow platform, but the units with abundant subaerial exposures invoke allogenic forcing of the sedimentary record. The use of the units with abundant discontinuities instead of a single surface has proven useful for the correlation of the studied shallow-platform deposits because one type of discontinuity may change laterally into another type or features of different discontinuity types can be superimposed.     

Taxonomic biodiversity of geniculate coralline red algae (Corallinales,Rhodophyta) from the Macaronesian region: summary and analysis

A catalog and critical review of species and infraspecific taxa of non-fossil geniculate coralline red algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) previously reported from the Macaronesian region are presented along with an assessment of species diversity in the region. Published records of geniculate coralline algae are included along with comments relating to type material. Within the catalog, taxa are organized alphabetically by genus and within this by final epithet. From the 31 taxa recorded, 4 are based on type collections from Macaronesian localities. The types of most species and infraspecific taxa reported from the region have yet to be re-examined in a modern context, and most Macaronesian records require verification. The biodiversity of Macaronesian geniculate coralline algae may be lower than current information indicates.     

New dasycladalean algae from the Middle Norian (Upper Triassic) of northern Italy (Mt. Pramaggiore, Carnic Prealps)

In the Eastern Southern Alps of northern Italy (Carnic Prealps, Friuli region), the shallow-water carbonate platform deposits of the Dolomia Principale Fm. (Norian–Rhaetian, Upper Triassic) show best-preserved platform to basin facies transition. The palaeontological study of an algal-rich level recovered from the platform margin facies (Mt. Pramaggiore) has displayed a very interesting association of Dasycladales. Two new genera (Bystrickyella and Elliottporella) and four new species (Bystrickyella ottii, Elliottporella morelloae, Palaeodasycladus lorigae and Holosporella conradii) have been described. These new data suggest that the Norian represents a period of turnover in the evolutionary history of the green algae community. This stage, placed between two extinctions, end-Ladinian and end-Norian, is here interpreted as a re-organization period of the evolutionary schemes of Dasycladales. The new lineages originated in the Norian developed further and characterized the Early Jurassic scenery. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Suitable sediment fraction for paleoenvironmental reconstruction and assessment of contaminated coastal areas based on benthic foraminifera: A case study from Augusta Harbour (Eastern Sicily,Italy)

Since the 1990s several studies noticed that, along coastal marine areas, the mean size of benthic foraminifera may be reduced due to heavy metal pollution, even if no biometric studies were carried out to quantify this aspect. The Augusta harbour (Sicily, Italy), is characterized by a strong contamination due to several anthropogenic activities, the most important of which are a petrochemical pole and an important industrial harbour. Taking into account the previous studies carried out in the area, which recorded small-sized foraminifera, the present study compared assemblage composition and faunal parameters in the >125 μm and >63 μm fractions of a sediment core collected in the most polluted sector of Augusta harbour. The aim was to understand if the two fractions have comparable environmental significance providing reliable information on the environmental status. In order to quantify the amount of smaller foraminifera in a community and to determine species loss between size fractions, two new indices are used: the Foraminiferal Size Index (FSI) and the Lost Species Index (LSI). Species richness, diversity and composition of the two assemblages were determined to characterize their structure. The results highlighted great depletion and different composition of the >125 μm assemblage with respect to the >63 μm one, showing a selective loss of particular ecological groups (stress-tolerant infaunal taxa). Also the better correlation of Foraminiferal Number (FN) and H’ index of >63 μm fraction with Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Barium (Ba) and Mercury (Hg), demonstrated the higher reliability of this size fraction for environmental assessment purposes.     

Middle Miocene high-resolution calcareous plankton biostratigraphy at Site 926 (Leg 154, equatorial Atlantic Ocean): palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical implications

High-resolution calcareous plankton (planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils) biostratigraphy is presented from the Middle to early Late Miocene interval (from 14.45 to 8.86 Ma) at Site 926 (ODP Leg 154, equatorial Atlantic Ocean). The main bioevents used in the low-latitude zonal schemes, and also auxiliary events revealing potential biostratigraphic value have been recognised. The investigated succession ranges from N.10 to N.16 Zones based on planktonic foraminifera, and from NN5 (CN4) to NN10 (CN8) Zones based on calcareous nannofossils. The evolution of the planktonic foraminiferal Globorotalia fohsi lineage appears to be environmentally controlled. The main diagnostic features of the species of this lineage are not always evident, rendering problematic the definition of the N.9/N.10, N.10/N.11 and N.11/N.12 zonal boundaries. Calcareous plankton events have been calibrated on the basis of the Astronomical Time Scale of Shackleton and Crowhurst 〚Shackleton, N.J., Crowhurst, S., 1997. Sediment fluxes based on an orbitally tuned time scale 5 Ma to 14 Ma, Site 926. In: Curry, W.B., Shackleton, N.J., Richter, C., Bralower, T.J. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program) 154, pp. 69–82〛. The astrobiochronology obtained at Site 926 has been compared with that of the Mediterranean astronomically calibrated deep marine successions, allowing the evaluation of the degree of synchroneity and diachroneity of bioevents. Some bioevents, such as the last occurrence of Globigerinoides subquadratus dated at 11.55 Ma, the last occurrence of Sphenolithus heteromorphus dated at 13.51 Ma and the last common occurrence of Cyclicargolithus floridanus calibrated at 13.32 Ma, are near-synchronous events between the equatorial Atlantic and the Mediterranean area indicating their high biostratigratigraphic value in global correlation. The diachroneity of the last occurrence of Paragloborotalia siakensis, the first occurrence of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis and the last occurrence of Globorotalia peripheroronda between equatorial Atlantic and the Mediterranean reflect a different spatial and temporal distribution of these marker species probably due to a sharp definition of surface plankton provinces related to the latitudinal thermal gradient.     

Europrotomus (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda: Strombidae): a new Middle Miocene European strombid genus (Revision of Euprotomus Gill, 1870. Part 4)

The medium-sized, strongly ornamented nominal species Strombus schroeckingeri H?rnes in Hoernes & Auinger, 1884 is well known from Langhian deposits of the Paratethys Sea. Its traditional generic affiliation in the literature with Euprotomus Gill, 1870, implicated a biogeographic relation of the Paratethys and the proto-Mediterranean with the Neogene Indo-West-Pacific region. This relation, however, is problematic because the Tethys Seaway was already closed or a very shallow, strongly evaporitic passage at that time. Despite its superficial similarity with extant genera of the IWP region, the genus is unrelated to all known strombid genera and represents a new genus, which is introduced herein as Europrotomus nov. gen. The genus comprises only one or maybe two species, which occur in the European Middle Miocene geological record. No ancestors are known so far. This sudden occurrence is discussed as immigration from an adjacent bioprovince rather than as a result of autochthonous evolution. Hypothetically, such a biogeographic source area might have been established along the coasts of tropical West Africa??a scenario that is already documented for Pleistocene times.     

Reef‐building coralline algae from the Southwest Atlantic: filling gaps with the recognition of Harveylithon (Corallinaceae,Rhodophyta) on the Brazilian coast

The Southwest Atlantic is notable for having extensive reef areas cemented by nongeniculate coralline red algae. Based on an analysis of four genetic markers and morpho‐anatomical features, we clarify the species of Harveylithon in the tropical and warm temperate Southwest Atlantic. Species delimitation methods (mBGD, ABGD, SPN, and PTP), using three markers (psbA, rbcL, and COI), support the recognition of three new species: H. catarinense sp. nov., H. maris‐bahiensis sp. nov., and H. riosmenum sp. nov., previously incorrectly called Hydrolithon samoënse. Our findings highlight the importance of using an approach with several lines of evidence to solve the taxonomic status of the cryptic species.     

New genera of baleen whales (Cetacea,Mammalia) from the Miocene of the northern Caucasus and Ciscaucasia: 3. Zygiocetus gen. nov. (Middle Sarmatian,Adygea)

Based on an almost complete skeleton (skull, scapula fragment, humerus, ulna, radius, 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 17 lumbar and caudal vertebrae, sternum, and hyoid), a new cetotheriid, Zygiocetus nartorum gen. et sp. nov., is described. It comes from the Middle Sarmatian beds (Upper Miocene) of the Krasnooktyabr’sk Formation of the Polevoe 1 locality (Republic of Adygea).     

Community structure of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) along an altitudinal gradient on Mt. Sobaeksan,Korea

We conducted this study to determine the diversity patterns, community structures, and seasonality of ground beetle assemblages along an altitudinal gradient (437–1420 m) on Mt. Sobaeksan, Korea. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall traps installed along an altitudinal gradient (437, 757, 1100, and 1420 m). A total of 32 species belonging to seven subfamilies were identified from 3259 collected ground beetles. The diversity pattern of the ground beetle assemblage according to altitude was neither monotonic decreased nor hump-shaped. However, subfamily assemblages and wing form diversity patterns differed according to altitude and may be correlated with altitude or some other environmental variables. The dominant species were Synuchus cycloderus (29.4%) and Eucarabus sternbergi sobaeksanensis (15.4%) and their seasonal activities according to altitude were similar. According to non-metric multidimensional scaling, ground beetles and altitudes could be divided into two distinct groups: a low altitude group (437–757 m) and a high altitude group (1100–1420 m). Some species were particularly abundant at high altitudes, such as Aulonocarabus koreanus kwonileeique and Poecilus nitidicollis, while others were highly abundant at low altitudes, such as Pterostichus audax, Pterostichus ishikawai, and Synuchus species.     

Studies on the blood of fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus): haematology, red cell enzymes, metabolic intermediates and glycolytic rates.

1. Blood samples were obtained from fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Basic haematology, red cell enzymes, and metabolic intermediates and the glycolytic rate of the red cells incubated with different substrates were measured. 2. The major findings were (i) the activity of glucose phosphate isomerase was notably high in the red blood cells of the red deer; (ii) red deer cells also utilized adenosine more efficiently than those of fallow deer and (iii) red cells of both species utilized galactose more efficiently than other species of ruminants.     

A New Acanthocyclops Kiefer, 1927 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Central Mexico with Comments on the Distributionof the Genus in Middle America

A new species of Acanthocyclops Kiefer is described from central Mexico. It differs from its congeners by a combination of characters including mainly: 11–13 antennular segments, a spine formula of 3444 and modified setae on legs 2–4. The presence of a compound distal antennular segment is aberrant within the Cyclopoida. The new species seems to be related to Nearctic forms of the vernalis –robustus clade. Ancestors of this lineage probably reached central Mexico as a result of glaciation events and the new species is a remain of stranded postglacial populations; some of these forms were succesful in colonizing tropical lands. A key for the identification of the species of Acanthocyclops recorded in Mexico is included. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effects of epibiotic algae on the survival, biomass and recruitment of mussels, Mytilus L. (Bivalvia: Mollusca)

Habitats composed of living ‘ecosystem engineers’, such as mussels, are subject to direct and indirect interactions with organisms that live among them. These interactions may affect the presence and structure of habitat, and hence, the associated taxa. We examined the direct effects of epibiotic algae on the survival, biomass and recruitment of mussels (Mytilus L.) on the west coast of Ireland. A field experiment showed that the presence of epibiotic fucoid algae reduced the likelihood of survival of mussels during storms. We also found that the strength of attachment of mussels did not increase in the presence of epibionts. Another in situ experiment revealed that the presence of ephemeral epibiotic algal mats had no effect on the biomass of host mussels, suggesting no effect on mussel growth or production. The abundance of small mussels (< 5 mm) covaried with cover of epibiotic algae at one location, but experimental results suggest no direct effect of the algae on recruitment unless through the action of chemical cues which linger after the removal of algae. We have identified a negative direct interaction between epibiotic algae and mussels on exposed rocky shores, which may often be characterised by bottom-up regulation. It is thought that positive interactions may be more important on more sheltered or sedimentary shores where top-down processes are more likely to dominate.     

Gibbons under seasonal stress: the diet of the black crested gibbon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nomascus concolor</Emphasis>) on Mt. Wuliang,Central Yunnan,China

The diet of a habituated group of black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) was studied from March 2005 to April 2006 in the Wuliang Mountains, central Yunnan, China. Gibbons consumed 77 different plant species, one mammal-, two bird-, one lizard-, and two insect-species. Buds and leaves constituted 46.5% of the diet (21.0% vine leaves and buds, 19.2% tree leaves and buds, and 6.3% epiphyte leaves). Fruits, figs and flowers accounted for 25.5, 18.6 and 9.1% of the diet, respectively. There was marked seasonal variation in dietary proportions. Fruit varied from 0.3 to 82.7%; figs from 0 to 68.2%; tree leaves and buds from 1.5 to 83.3%; vine leaves and buds from 3.1 to 61.9%; and epiphyte leaves from 0 to 22.2% of the diet. Different food types dominated the diet in different months during the study period. The foli-frugivorous diet and extreme seasonal variation in the diet may be related to the harsh habitat of the study group.     

Unresolved molecular phylogenies of gibbons and siamangs (Family: Hylobatidae) based on mitochondrial, Y-linked, and X-linked loci indicate a rapid Miocene radiation or sudden vicariance event

According to recent taxonomic reclassification, the primate family Hylobatidae contains four genera (Hoolock, Nomascus, Symphalangus, and Hylobates) and between 14 and 18 species, making it by far the most species-rich group of extant hominoids. Known as the "small apes", these small arboreal primates are distributed throughout Southeast, South and East Asia. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the phylogeny of extant hylobatids, particularly the relationships among the genera and the species within the Hylobates genus. In this paper we use parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian methods to analyze a dataset containing nearly 14 kilobase pairs, which includes newly collected sequences from X-linked, Y-linked, and mitochondrial loci together with data from previous mitochondrial studies. Parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian analyses largely failed to find a significant difference among phylogenies with any of the four genera as the most basal taxon. All analyses, however, support a tree with Hylobates and Symphalangus as most closely related genera. One strongly supported phylogenetic result within the Hylobates genus is that Hylobates pileatus is the most basal taxon. Multiple analyses failed to find significant support for any singular genus-level phylogeny. While it is natural to suspect that there might not be sufficient data for phylogenetic resolution (whenever that situation occurs), an alternative hypothesis relating to the nature of gibbon speciation exists. This lack of resolution may be the result of a rapid radiation or a sudden vicariance event of the hylobatid genera, and it is likely that a similarly rapid radiation occurred within the Hylobates genus. Additional molecular and paleontological evidence are necessary to better test among these, and other, hypotheses of hylobatid evolution.     

A unique population of cave bears (Carnivora: Ursidae) from the Middle Pleistocene of Kents Cavern,England, based on dental morphometrics

The ‘breccia’ stratum from Kents (we follow local tradition in using the form ‘Kents’, without an apostrophe) Cavern, England, has been well known for its rich yield of cave-bear material since excavations began in the mid-19th century. Recent work has established that the bears are of latest MIS 12 or earliest MIS 11 age. A life table based on a collection of 67 molariform teeth is consistent with the use of the cave as a hibernaculum. Univariate and morphological assessment of the teeth shows an unusual range of primitive and more derived characters. Multivariate morphometric analysis of cave-bear teeth from the site demonstrates that these animals, while currently assignable to Ursus deningeri sensu lato, are nevertheless morphologically distinct and not simply late deningeri on a hypothetical chronospecific continuum.