Late Carnian (Tuvalian,Tropites dilleri zone) ostracods (Crustacea) from the Mufara Formation (Monte Scalpello,Central-Eastern Sicily,Italy)

Ostracod association from the Upper Triassic (Tropites dilleri zone of the Carnian stage) of the sedimentary succession (Mufara Formation) exposed along the east side of Monte Scalpello (Catenanuova, central eastern Sicily) has been studied for the first time. The specimens, silicified, are rare but well preserved and often consist of complete carapaces. They belong to eight families: Healdiidae, Cavellinidae, Bairdiidae, Acratiidae, Bythocyprididae, Pontocyprididae, Judahellidae, Glorianellidae. Twenty-three taxa have been listed; the family Bairdiidae is the most represented among all the others with fifteen species. Four species are new: Bairdia scaliae n. sp., Acratia maugerii n. sp., “Anchistrocheles” gemmellaroi n. sp. and Judahella? montanarii n. sp. Other species are left in open nomenclature because of the lack of specimens.     

Late Moscovian (mid-Pennsylvanian) rugose corals from Wadi Araba (Egypt,Eastern Desert): Taxonomy,palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography

An important late Moscovian rugose coral association is described from the Rod El Hamal Formation of the Wadi Araba area (northern Eastern Desert, Egypt). The upper part of the formation yielded a moderately abundant but poorly diversified coral fauna composed of large dissepimented solitary rugose corals. In total, six species belong to the Bothrophyllidae and the Geyerophyllidae, including three new species: Bothrophyllum suezensis, Bothrophyllum cylindricum, and Amygdalophylloides omarai. Three undeterminable Bothrophyllidae taxa are left in open nomenclature. The corals were attached to the soft substrate by talons and rootlets, either rooted and growing upward as mud-stickers or as secondary recliners. They show frequent rejuvenations and constrictions. Encrustation and/or bioerosion are scarce. Carbonate microfacies indicate a habitat in littoral and inner neritic zones adjacent to a low terrigenous hinterland. Colonial taxa are missing and tabulate corals are rare. The corals from the Rod El Hamal Formation are the only example of a late Moscovian coral fauna on the southern margin of the Palaeotethys, that is to say along the northern margin of Gondwana. The association shows similarities with northwestern Spain (Cantabrian Mountains), the Donets and Moscow basins, and thus a general attribution to the Palaeotethys realm.     

Description of Hygrobates aloisii sp. nov. from Hong Kong, a new species of Hygrobates (Lurchibates) subgen. nov. (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae), with data on the parasite-host relationship to the Hong Kong Newt Paramesotriton hongkongensis (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae)

Adults and deutonymphs of a new water mite species of the genus Hygrobates Koch, 1837 (Acari, Hydrachnidia, Hygrobatidae) were found to parasitize the Hong Kong Newt, Paramesotriton hongkongensis Myers and Leviton, 1962 (Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae), endemic to Hong Kong and coastal areas of Guangdong Province: Hygrobates aloisii sp. nov. Males and females, as well as deutonymphs and larvae are described. A new subgenus - Lurchibates subgen. nov. - is defined to accommodate the species of the Hygrobates salamandrarum-group. The parasite-host association, infestation rate, attachment sites and the impact of mite infestation on the newts behaviour and body condition are investigated. These ecological aspects of the parasite-host association between freshwater mites and newts are examined for the first time in detail in their natural habitat.     

Agelacrinitid Edrioasteroidea (Echinodermata) from the Middle Devonian of the Eifel (Rhenish Massif, Germany)

The few isolated reports of agelacrinitid edrioasteroids (“Timeischytes”) from the Middle Devonian of the Eifel (Rhenish Massif, Germany) are revised. In this context, a specimen-rich but low-diversity edrioasteroid association is described from the threshold of the Eisen and Latistriatus Members of the Junkerberg Formation (Eifelian, Middle Devonian) of the Blankenheim Syncline. Predominantly, the autochthonously preserved edrioasteroids settled fixosessile-epibenthically on the frequent-occurring orthid brachiopod Schizophoria schnuri blankenheimensis and represent a wide spectrum of ontogenetic growth stages. They are associated with epibenthic brachiopods, microconchids, bryozoans, and auloporids—exemplifying synecological interactions. Roundish, shallow concavities with the shape and size of preserved adjacent edrioasteroids within encrusting colonies of the bryozoan Eostenopora clivosa are of special interest. It is suggested that the depressions represent former positions of the adjacent edrioasteroids. The new Bellastrella eifeliana n. gen. n. sp. is described, and genus Krama Bell, 1976 is reported from the Middle Devonian of Germany for the first time.     

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.     

First record of the association between Malmgreniella cf. variegata (Polychaeta, Polynoidae) and Ophionereis annulata (Echinodermata, Ophionereididae) in the Mexican Pacific

An association between the scale-worm Malmgreniella cf. variegata and the ophiuroid Ophionereis annulata is reported for first time in the Mexican Pacific. The relationship was found in five localities across a total of 22 sites where O. annulata was collected. The polynoids collected were similar to the Western Atlantic scale-worm Malmgreniella variegata, which was previously recorded as commensal of O. annulata on the Pacific side of Panama, although they differ in colour pattern and the presence of notochaetae with a unidentate tip. The prevalence of infestation was 5 % and the intensity was 1.20. Experimental observations suggest that the behaviour of the scale-worm on O. annulata could be affected by light conditions, and that the commensal had a preference for its host over other ophiuroid species. More studies should be carried out to determine the taxonomic status of M. cf. variegata in the Eastern Pacific and to further elucidate the commensal–host relationship between this scale-worm and O. annulata.     

Rodents, insectivores and chiropterans (Mammalia) from the late Aragonian of Can Missert (Middle Miocene, Vallès-Penedès Basin, Spain)

In this paper, the insectivores, chiropterans and rodents from the middle Miocene site of Can Missert are described. The faunal list of this locality includes the following species: Miosorex grivensis, Desmanella sp., Talpidae indet., Vespertilionidae indet., Hispanomys daamsi, Megacricetodon minor, Megacricetodon ibericus, Fahlbuschia crusafonti, Democricetodon brevis nemoralis, Eumyarion medium, Muscardinus hispanicus, Eomuscardinus sp., Paraglirulus werenfelsi and Spermophilinus bredai. H. daamsi is a new Cricetodontine species which is characterized by complete ectolophs and relatively long third lower molars. The rodent association of Can Missert enable one to assign this locality to the late Aragonian, MN 8, being close in age to other localities in the Vallès-Penedès Basin such as Castell de Barberà. However, the proportion in which each species is represented is very different in the two cases. This evidence points to the existence climatic pulses at the end of the Aragonian Mammal-Stage.     

The preparation,spectral studies,and the crystal structure of dimethylbis(O-ethylxanthato)tin(IV)

Tin-119 NMR data indicate that the tin atom in (CH₃)₂Sn(S₂COC₂H₅)₂ is four co-ordinated in dichloromethane solution. However, single crystal X-ray analysis shows the tin atom to be six co-ordinated in the solid state in which the bidentate xanthate ligands display gross asymmetry in their mode of co-ordination to the tin. The crystals are molecular and there is no association between neighbouring molecules. The unit cell of Me₂Sn(exa)₂ is orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 14.165(1), b = 7.675(9), c = 13.977(2) Å with Z = 4. The structure was refined by conventional least squares methods with final R 0.041 and R_w 0.043 for 1229 unique reflections with 1 ? 2σ(I).     

Azolla-Anabaena azollae Relationship: V. N(2) Fixation, Acetylene Reduction, and H(2) Production

In order to characterize the reactions catalyzed by nitrogenase in the Azolla-Anabaena association, ¹⁵N₂ fixation, C₂H₂ reduction, and ATP-dependent H₂ production were measured in both the Azolla-Anabaena complex and in the alga isolated from the complex.     

A new genus and species of Asteriidae (Asteroidea; Echinodermata) from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Angola,Africa

Afraster scalariformis n.gen. et sp., from the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of Angola, southwest Africa, is assigned to the Pedicellasterinae, a subfamily of the Asteriidae. An associated foraminiferal fauna is dominated by planktic species; also present are lagenids that are indicative of a shelf setting. The subfamily Pedicellasterinae is peculiar in that only two rows of podia are present, rather than the four typical of the family. Intimate association ofAfraster with oysters suggests the predatory habits typical of modern asteriids; general arm and disk arrangement also suggest such a behavior.Afraster is the first recorded fossil asteroid from Angola.     

Feeding ecology of the glacier lanternfish Benthosema glaciale (Actinopterygii, Myctophidae) in the Flemish Cap (North Atlantic Ocean)

The feeding dynamics of the glacier lanternfish Benthosema glaciale were studied during the summer of 2010 in the Flemish Cap. B. glaciale constituted a majority of the deep scattering layer (DSL), which was located between 300 and 650 m during daylight hours; at night, a part of the DSL migrated to the surface. B. glaciale is a zooplanktivore, feeding primarily on copepods (Calanus hyperboreus, Pareuchaeta norvegica, Metridia longa and Calanus finmarchicus), followed by amphipods (Themisto compressa) and krill (primarily Nematoscelis spp.). Although crustaceans dominated the diet, other invertebrates, such as chaetognaths, gastropods, polychaetes, ostracods and appendicularians, also contributed. The geographical differences in the composition of the diet resulted from the association of prey with distinct water masses. In the colder water at the north of the bank, Arctic species represented a higher proportion of the diet, but this situation was reversed in areas influenced by the warmer water from the south. B. glaciale fed more intensively towards the centre of the Flemish Cap. The diet of B. glaciale shifted ontogenetically, showing increasing prey size and prey diversity with increasing predator size.     

Southern hemisphere deep-water stylasterid corals including a new species,Errina labrosa sp. n. (Cnidaria,Hydrozoa, Stylasteridae), with notes on some symbiotic scalpellids (Cirripedia,Thoracica, Scalpellidae)

A number of stylasterid corals are known to act as host species and create refuges for a variety of mobile and sessile organisms, which enhances their habitat complexity. These include annelids, anthozoans, cirripeds, copepods, cyanobacteria, echinoderms, gastropods, hydroids and sponges. Here we report the first evidence of a diverse association between stylasterids and scalpellid pedunculate barnacles and describe a new stylasterid species, Errina labrosa, from the Tristan da Cunha Archipelago. Overall, five stylasterid species are found to host eight scalpellid barnacles from several biogeographic regions in the southern hemisphere (Southern Ocean, temperate South America and the southern Indo-Pacific realms). There is an apparent lack of specificity in this kind of association and different grades of reaction to the symbiosis have been observed in the coral. These records suggest that the association between pedunculate barnacles and hard stylasterid corals has a wide distribution among different biogeographic realms and that it is relatively rare and confined largely to deep water.     

Identification of the terebrantian thrips (Insecta,Thysanoptera) associated with cultivated plants?in?Java,Indonesia

An illustrated identification key is provided to 49 species of Thysanoptera, Terebrantia that have been found in association with cultivated plants in Java. This is the first published identification system to this group of insects from Indonesia, and includes 15 species not previously recorded from Indonesia, and a further three species not previously recorded from Java. A table is provided indicating the plants from which thrips were taken.     

Puparia of the subarctic or black blowfly protophormia terraenovae (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) in a skull of a Late Eemian (?) bison at Zemst,Brabant (Belgium)

Fossil puparia of the subarctic blowfly P. terraenovae which were found in the skull and horn-core cavities of a “steppe wisent” (Bison priscus) are described. The steppe wisent was discovered in coarse fluviatile deposits overlying Eocene marine sediments at Zemst in the province of Brabant (Belgium), during excavations for the new sluice in the Brussels-Rupel Canal. Other faunal remains collected are rhinoceros — woolly rhinoceros, Coelodonta antiquitatis (?) — and proboscidian — woolly mammoth, Elephas primigenius (?). Geological and palaeontological data indicate that the deposits and their contents were probably formed during the Late Eemian under a cold temperature climate. An attempt is made to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the association of empty blowfly puparia and the skull.     

Sur une flore infraliasique du Boulonnais (Rinxent-Marquise,Pas-de-Calais,France)

As a result of the discovery of Gymnospermae in the continental beds which fill the paleokarst of the Carboniferous limestone in the Rinxent-Marquise area, it appears that during the Early Jurassic the flora of the Boulonnais contained not only Pteridophyta and Pteridospermophyta but also primitive Bennettitales and Coniferales.For this reason the flora of this area can be compared in all the aspects to the various Rhaeto-Liasic floras found in Europe in which the Podozamites distans, Podozamites schenkii, Pterophyllum aequale and Schizolepis liasokeuperina association have been discovered.     

The Drosophilidae (Diptera) of the Scattered Islands,with the description of a novel association with Leptadenia madagascariensis Decne. (Apocynaceae)

Thirteen drosophilid species belonging to seven genera and two subfamilies are reported from three coral islands (namely Europa, Juan de Nova and Glorioso) that belong to the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean. Five species are cosmopolitan and five are African. Three are endemic to the insular Western Indian Ocean, including a presumably new Scaptodrosophila species. On the island of Juan de Nova, most captured flies had pollinia attached to the bases of their proboscis. DNA analysis using the rbcl gene revealed that these pollinia belong to the genus Leptadenia (Apocynaceae), of which a single species L. madagascariensis, endemic in Madagascar and Comoros, is present in this island. This is the first reported association between this plant and drosophilids.     

A new late Katian (Late Ordovician) trilobite association from Zhenxiong,northeastern Yunnan,Southwest China and its palaeoecological implications

A new late Katian (Late Ordovician) trilobite association is documented from the Daduhe Formation in Zhenxiong, northeastern Yunnan, including 17 species of 15 genera, among which four species (Malongullia sinensis, M. zhenxiongensis, Taklamakania paucisegmentatus and Amphitryon constrictus) are new. Lithologic and faunal evidence enables the recognition of a new association with medium diversity, named the Taklamakania Association. It is a typical representative of the Raphiophorid Community that lived in a deep subtidal environment close to the anoxic basin. A total of five trilobite ecological associations were found to occur in South China during the late Katian, in relation to the environmental gradients ranging from shallow subtidal zone, deep subtidal zone, slope to dysoxic shaly basin.     

Past,present and future utilisation ofMyrica gale (Myricaceae)

The development ofM. gale oil as an insect repellent has created a requirement for cultivation of the plant. Botanical evidence indicates thatM. gale is likely to thrive on well—aerated acid peatland and could become a valuable crop on land of low agricultural value. Plant growth would be enhanced by the prevention of grazing and could be combined with softwood forestry since the trees would benefit from soil nitrogen enrichment thanks to the symbiotic association ofM. gale andFrankia. The economics of oil production would be improved if additional compounds of value such as pharmacologically active fiavonoids could be extracted from the by-products.