Les Spatangus du Miocène et du Pliocène de l’Ouest de la France

Numerous fragments of spatangoid echinoids have been discovered in the Pliocene deposits of Challans, in Vendée (western France). In spite of the fragmentary data of the samples, a reconstitution of a complete test could be realized using the different fragments and their symetrization. The general shape of the test, and its architectural and ornemental characters allow establishing the presence of the genus Spatangus in western France during the end of Neogene. It allows to precise the biogeography of the genus Spatangus and of the morphological group S. (S.) purpureus on the Atlantic coast after the Messinian crisis. The Pliocene species is compared to the Miocene Spatangus (Phymapatagus) brittanus, abundant in Anjou, Brittany and Touraine. This older species was refered to the subgenus Phymapatagus according to the presumed lack of primary tubercles on its posterior interambulacrum. The discovery of well-preserved specimens, with primary tubercles on every parts of the test, in the Middle Miocene of Brittany allows to refute this subgeneric distinction and to refer the species brittanus to the subgenus Spatangus (Spatangus). The presence of this subgenus in western France is finally confirmed from Middle Miocene to Pliocene.     

Selenetherium kolleensis nov. gen. nov. sp. : un nouveau Proboscidea (Mammalia) dans le Pliocène tchadien

The survey of proboscides remains recovered from Kollé quarries (Northern Chad) gives evidence of a new taxa of Elephantidae. The anatomical and cladistic analysis permit to consider this new taxa as the sister group of Stegotetrabelodontinae. This new discovery reinforces, once again, the remarkable biodiversity of this group. The proboscidean's association observed in these layers and the evolutionary state of teeth permit us to date the Kollé fossiliferous sector close to the early Pliocene.     

Les pistes dinosauroïdes du Trias moyen français : interprétation et réévaluation de la nomenclature

Numerous dinosauroid footprints which showing sometimes manus imprint mark were gathered, since 1960, from the lower sandstones Triassic formations of the eastern border of the Massif Central (France). Tracks bearing levels are dated from palynological, micropalaeontological and palichnological data. They belong to the period upper Anisian-lower Ladinian. The paleontological results show bipedal digitigrade reptiles with erected, long hind limbs, having also pentadactyl mani and (II-IV) tridactyl feet. The osteological feet inferred structure is like that of Ceratosauria of Late Triassic age. The skeletons of first Dinosauria, diversified already well, are known in summit Ladinian and lower Carnien and those of their ancestors, Dinosauriformes, in Ladinian. And, for this reason, the aniso-ladinian dinosauroid footprints are ascribed to these last animals which thus appeared earlier, to Anisan even to late Olenekian. The chirotheroid hands show a “pseudosuchian” origin which possibly took place during the late Olenekian; feet modifications of these Crurotarsi being characterized by I and V digits reduction and a meso-tarsal joint. The Anisian-Ladinian dinosauroid footprints are ascribed to the ichnospecies Coelurosaurichnus perriauxi and Anchisauripus bibractensis. The discriminant analysis computed from these latter ichnospecies, and others from the German Triassic, French and USA Hettangian indicate that C. perriauxi and A. bibractensis can not be included into Grallator sensu Lull, 1953 or Coelurosaurichnus of Franconie. By this way, these taxa are well original and till now, there was no reason to change their nomenclature. Nevertheless because the numerous changes of Grallator which gathers now, most of dinosauroid footprints, it could be possible to include them into Grallator for the feet and into Atreipus when the manus trace is connected with the foot.     

Comparaison paléocognitive des niveaux moustérien et magdalénien de la grotte Tournal (Bize, Aude)

We analyse the functional processing chain of large mammals acquired at the mousterian and magdalenian levels of the Tournal cave (Bize, Aude). Palethnologic results are analysed through a method from experimental psychology of goal oriented activities. The elements are the objects used by prehistoric man and their properties. Objects and properties are linked by binary relationships. These relationships are processed by software, SIMBOL, developed at the IPH, based on an algorithm initially published by the Laboratoire de psychologie expérimentale of Paris-8. SIMBOL returns the cognitive graph of the task representation for the mousterian and the magdalenian layer, allowing a rigorous comparison of the cognitive activities on both periods. The main result is that the logical structure is preserved when passing from one level to the other. This could be interpreted as a due to the noticeable cognitive similarity of the men from the different periods, along with the fact that cognitive complexity seems to be the same on both graphs. Cognitive fluidity improves from mousterian to magdalenian suggesting that cognitive mechanisms such as sense sliding and analogies could be easier at the magdalenian level. Could we interpret this result as a due to a greater creativity at the magdalenian level than at the mousterian one? Further investigations are needed to state this, as well as enhanced data volume, potentially allowed by this entirely new method.     

Biochronologie et corrélation des bassins néogènes du Couloir sud-rifain (Maroc) fondées sur les évènements de foraminifères planctoniques et de nannofossiles calcaires

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of planktonic foraminifera (completed by calcareous nannofossils in some localities) from 8 sections and boreholes located in 7 Neogene basins of the South Rifian Corridor (Morocco) enable us to identify 16 bioevents calibrated with the geomagnetic polarity time scale. These events are useful for (1) assigning the sediments to the Tortonian (bioevents 1 to 7), the Messinian (bioevents 9 to 14, the event 8 indicates the Tortonian/Messinian boundary), the Early Pliocene (bioevent 15) and the Middle Pliocene (bioevent 16), (2) establishing high resolution correlations between the sections and boreholes studied herein, (3) locating the South Rifian Corridor sections and boreholes within the framework of biostratigraphic events recognized during the latest ten years in time-equivalent Atlantic and Mediterranean sequences, and (4) estimating the variation of sedimentation rates in the studied basins. With respect to Morocco, previous detailed studies concerned only the Rabat area (Bou Regreg valley) and Guercif basin. Our results extend correlations to the other basins of the South Rifian Corridor, a key area to understand connections between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the Miocene.     

Évolution du trait de côte à l’Holocène supérieur dans la Sebkha El-Guettiate de Skhira (Golfe de Gabès, Tunisie) à travers sa faune d’ostracodes et de foraminifères

A 122 cm-long core was taken in the El-Guettiate Sebkha of Skhira (southeastern part of Tunisia) in order to investigate the recent palaeoenvironmental evolution of this region. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of ostracod and benthic foraminifera assemblages coupled with a correspondence analysis allows the reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental changes during the Holocene in this area. Four typical associations of ostracods (open marine, coastal marine, lagoonal and estuarine brackish) and two associations of benthic foraminifera (coastal and lagoonal) were distinguished. The onset of restricted lagoonal environments linked to the building-up of sand spit led to the onset of restricted lagoon and brackish environment at cal. 5408 years BP. The Shannon and equitability index of diversity were used to decipher the structural variations of the populations of ostracods and benthic foraminifera along the sampled core. We note a reduction in the Shannon index from the bottom to the top, which indicates a progressive isolation of the biotope. The open lagoonal episode is characterized by high values of diversity. During restricted lagoonal episodes the Shannon and equitability index are reduced. The correspondence analysis reveals an environmental gradient related to the marine influence. It shows an antagonism between the widely opened estuarian lagoonal species and those of restricted lagoon. The less opened estuarian lagoonal taxa occupy an intermediate position. Based on these evidences, microfauna carried out in the El-Guettiate Sebkha allows us to recognize four phases beginning with a widely opened estuarian lagoon (ca. cal. 7460 years PB), followed by a restricted lagoon (ca. cal. 5408 years BP) and finally a brackish lagoon evolving towards the present-day sebkha environment. The opened estuarine lagoon is characterized by high values of species richness and diversity indices.     

Fuciniceras paradoxus nov. sp. (Harpoceratinae, Ammonitina) du Domérien portugais. Réflexion sur le sens taxonomique d’un assemblage paradoxal de caractères

A new ammonite (Fuciniceras paradoxus) is described here. This Lower Domerian species is based on a recently revised collections which came from the Maria Pares section (Rabaçal area, South of Coimbra, Portugal). Curiously, shell of F. paradoxus bears both diagnostic traits for the genus Protogrammoceras SPATH (e.g. acute ogival ventral area) and Fuciniceras HAAS (e.g. angulirursiradiate rib). Thus, the new species can be viewed as a morphological puzzle and as a challenge for taxonomists. The amazing collection of morphological traits previously suspected as highly improbable because of biomechanical constraints (1) confirms the inadequacy of the traditional use of the genera Protogrammoceras and Fuciniceras, (2) refutes the idea of a univocal biomechanic link between the ventral area morphology and the ventral segment of ribs. If this analysis mainly concern the Harpoceratinae subfamily, its generalisation can also be interesting for other ammonites or molluscan groups.     

La phalange distale du pouce d’Orrorin tugenensis (Miocène supérieur du Kenya)

The lion's share of articles dealing with the thumb anatomy of Plio-Pleistocene hominids has focussed on the capacity to manipulate and manufacture tools, and has largely neglected the locomotor aspects. However, in these hominids, the forelimb was still employed in locomotion. Certain of the anatomical characters classically associated with manipulation and/or fabrication of tools are already present in the Late Miocene species Orrorin tugenensis as shown by the terminal thumb phalanx BAR 1901'01. This specimen reveals crucial information suggesting that thumb morphology is not exclusively related to such tool using and manufacturing activities but reflects in a frequently bipedal creature a deeper adaptation concerning the precision grip essential for climbing and balancing, different from that of apes.     

Les premiers Anguilliformes : I. Révision des genres cénomaniens Anguillavus HAY, 1903 et Luenchelys nov. gen.

New specimens from Cenomanian outcrops of Lebanon permit redescribtion of the first eel-like fossil fishes. Anguillavus bathshebaeHay, 1903 becomes synonymous with the type species A. quadripinnisHay, 1903. A new fossil eel with pelvic fins, Anguillavus mazeni nov. sp., is furthermore proposed. In the same way, the revision of Luenchelys minimus nov. gen., nov. sp., reveals some morphological variations at the specific level and a widespread biogeographical repartition which potentially can be important. This whole anatomical revision is a necessary basis for integrating these fossils into the Anguilliformes (Teleostei, Elopomorpha) and gives an idea of the plesiomorphic structural pattern of the order, in which the modern forms are particularly specialised.     

Restes humains dans les sédiments du Pléistocène inférieur de la région d'Orce et de Cueva Victoria (sud-est de l'Espagne)

This paper describes the human remains and other evidence of human presence (lithic artifacts) located in the early Pleistocene deposits of Orce and Cueva Victoria (SE Spain). We also discuss the age of those sites.     

Les Megacricetodon du gisement karstique miocène moyen de Blanquatère 1 (Pyrénées-Orientales, Sud de la France) : nouvelles espèces, implications biochronologique et phylogénique

Three Megacricetodon species are recognized in the Middle Miocene locality of Blanquatère 1 (Languedoc-Roussillon province, France). Two are new, the small-sized M. tautavelensis nov. sp. the medium to large-sized M. aunayi nov. sp., the third one being the already known M. “collongensis-gersii”, a medium-sized species found in other Miocene localities of the area. Size and morphology differentiate these species. Such a high number of contemporaneous species of the genus Megacricetodon is found for the first time in a Miocene locality in the region and indicate that the evolution of this genus in western Europe is likely more complicated. It may testify both of a biogeographical differentiation and of migration events. According to our calibration charts, the deposit is dated ca. 16 Ma ago. The position of Vieux-Collonges (MN 5) and Sansan (MN 6) on the biochronological scale is also discussed, as well as the estimated age of the biozonal boundaries MN 3/MN 4, MN 4/MN 5 and MN 5/MN 6.     

Les Cervidae (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) du Pléistocène supérieur-Holocène ancien de la région du Parc National Serra da Capivara (Piauí, Brésil)

The Upper Pleistocene/Lower Holocene fossil-bearing sites of the Serra da Capivara National Park Region have yielded three cervid species: Mazama gouazoubira, M. americana and Blastocerus dichotomus, all currently living in South America, the two first in the region. A grand total of more than one hundred remains demonstrates the presence of Mazama gouazoubira in seven sites, mainly the Toca das Moendas, the Toca do Serrote do Artur, the Toca da Cima dos Pilão. This small species shows, since the Upper Pleistocene, a conspicuous tendency to reduce the average dimensions of its teeth and long bones. From the taller M. americana, only a dozen of remains were found in four sites, mainly the Sitio do Meio. In all of these it is sympatric with M. gouazoubira. It differs from this last one by its cheek teeth and its limb bones size and proportions. The oldest site where the species is known is Tarija (Bolivia, Middle Pleistocene) and it does not show any significant changes in size and proportions between recent and fossil samples. Sixteen remains of the large B. dichotomus were found in five sites, mainly the Toca das Moendas and the Toca da Barra do Antonião. The species is a rare fossil, but is frequently figured in the rock art painting of the region, where it is presently unknown.     

Importance de la Mérione de Shaw Meriones shawii au sein des composantes trophiques de la Chouette effraie Tyto alba en milieux steppiques de l’Algérie

The study of the diet of the Barn Owl in two steppic regions (M'Sila and Djelfa) located in the Algerian highlands is based on the analysis of the pellets of rejections collected in six stations. The analysis of 706 pellets resulting from the various stations made it possible to count 1380 individuals, represented by seven classes, 12 orders, 32 families, and 76 species of preys. The mammals are consumed with variable abundance rates between 59.1 % and 90.0 % whose predominance is assigned to the rodents (relative abundance: AR > 58 %). The latter constitute the most advantageous preys in biomass (61.4 ≤ B % ≤ 99.2). The most consumed prey is Meriones shawii, with variable rates between 31.9 % and 76.6 %. Generally, Tyto alba presents a diversified diet in the majority of the stations (0.69 ≤ E ≤ 0.76), except the station of Ain El-Hadjel (E = 0.35), with a low diversity and dominance of M. shawii (AR = 76.6 %).     

Les restes humains du Pliocène final et du début du Pléistocène inférieur de Dmanissi, Géorgie (1991-2000). I - Les crânes, D 2280, D 2282, D 2700

Since 1991, several human remains: 5 skulls, 4 mandibles and numerous postcranial fragments have been discovered on the Dmanissi prehistoric open site. It is an exceptional discovery due to the stratigraphical, paleontological and cultural context, which is well known and accurately well dated (Upper Pliocene-Early Pleistocene). Most of the hominids discovered in the level V and VI are dated between 1.81 My (level V) and 1.77 My (level VI) corresponding to a 40,000 years period. The assemblage of fossil human remains is peculiar due to (1) the quality of bone representation (distinct parts of the skeleton are preserved: skull, thorax, upper and lower limbs, belt), (2) the high degree of bone preservation (skulls and long bones are entire, rarely broken or crushed), (3) the diversity age at death estimated for each of the 5 individuals (3 adults, 1 young adult, 1 adolescent of both sexes). The study dealing with the first discovered mandibles and skulls has begun with Leo Gabounia since 1991 and represents several interests: 1) a paleoanthropological interest: the Dmanissi skulls are characterized by their small size; they are short, narrow and low. The skullcaps are less elevated than those of the Homo erectus group and even those of Homo ergaster. They are more elevated than those of Homo habilis and very close to Homo rudolfensis. The elevation and the transversal development of the middle part of the skull in the parietotemporal region are more significant: the Dmanissi specimens are intermediate between Homo habilis and Homo ergaster. In term of cranial capacity, a similar trend is observed. Generally speaking, the skull is slender. The vault is more flat than in Homo erectus, the frontal bone is less developed, divergent and the postorbital constriction is strong. The temporal bone is long, flat and the mastoid part is short. The upper part of the occipital bone is low and narrow. Crests are thin, less developed than in the Homo erectus group. The superior temporal crests are in a high position and a torus angularis is present on the adult-male specimen. The glenoid cavity is large with strong edges. The petrotympanic region is slender with a tympanic circle individualized and it shows a horizontal rotation in a posterior position, which is distinct from Homo erectus. The orthognathic trend of the face distinguishes the Dmanissi specimens from the early Pleistocene hominids (Homo habilis, Homo ergaster) and from the first Eurasian Homo erectus. Nevertheless, the subnasal region of the face is projected. The morphology of the mid-face, showing a developed pillar of the canine, an inframalar incurvation and an anterior position of the root of the zygomaticomaxillary crest, suggests strong masticatory stress. Considering the overall morphology, cranial and metrical features, the Dmanissi fossil skulls are intermediate to the Homo habilis-rudolfensis group and Homo ergaster while they are closer to the former and peculiarly to Homo rudolfensis (ER 1470). However, the Dmanissi fossil skulls are distinct from Homo rudolfensis by numerous features and among them: by their large maximum cranial width (Euryon-Euryon), the posterior rotation of their petrotympanic structure and the strong development of the pillar of their canine. Due to the gracility of their face, the narrowness of their occipital bone, and their cranial base pattern (mastoid region and petrotympanic structure), the Dmanissi fossil skulls are different from the Homo erectus group: 2) the abundance of the human fossils discovered in Dmanissi site provides information about the biodiversity of these hominids with the establishment of the morphological features related to either growth or sexual patterns: 3) compared to modern humans, the Dmanissi fossil skulls seem to follow a different growth pattern. The present study of the fossil skulls discovered is a pioneer step. Indeed, the Dmanissi site has yielded the oldest evidences of the first settlements in Eurasia, which were, until now, attributed to Homo erectus. The Dmanissi fossil skulls are close to the Homo habilis-rudolfensis African group. We attribute these hominids to Homo georgicus.     

Étude taphonomique d’assemblages fauniques de sites à Homo erectus du dôme de Sangiran (Pléistocène moyen,Java central,Indonésie)

Since the sixties, the National Indonesian Center for Archaeological Research, in collaboration with the Gajah Mada University, organizes field excavations on open-air sites in the Sangiran dome, one of the most famous places of palaeoanthropological discoveries in Southeast Asia. That project led to the discovery of Homo erectus more or less fragmentary fossils, and to the collection of numerous mammal fossils in open-air localities such as Tanjung, Sendang Busik, Ngrejeng Plupuh, Grogol Plupuh and Bukuran. Most of the bone assemblages from these sites come from the volcanic-sedimentary Kabuh layers (Early Middle Pleistocene) deposited in a fluvial context. The herbivores dominate the assemblages. The best-represented species are large bovids like Bubalus palaeokerabau or Bibos palaesondaicus and smaller cervids like Axis lydekkeri. The carnivore are very rare, only a Pachycrocuta brevirostris in Bukuran. The taphonomical study of the collections, involving several common and also modern methods, is among the first carried out on Javanese sites. The high degree of fragmentation is attested by the dominance of splinters among the fossils. In most sites, teeth and member extremities (autopodial) prevail. Conservation and fragmentation of fossil bones is not the same at all sites. Water action, either chemical or mechanical, is predominant, regarding the origin and the modification of the assemblages. The climato-edaphic traces like oxides and concretions are well represented on the bone surface. Different methods were applied to study transportation and to document the sites contexts in the frame of the ancient riverine paleogeography. Carnivores are almost absent in the material and traces of their action are rare, only in Bukuran and Ngrejeng. The tools are rare, only a bola in Tanjung 82 and chalcedony flakes in Tanjung 63–64. Anthropic influence is only obvious at Ngebung 2, a site in the west part of the dome, supported by fossil observation and correlated to the occurrence of lithic artefacts. This site was excavated during the 1990’s by a French-Indonesian team and it is a site of comparison for our study. Several analytical methods could be applied for the first time on Pleistocene faunal assemblages from Java, for example, the study of the fragmentation, that of fissuration and the characterization of the fluviatile transport undergone by the fossils.     

Étude taphonomique, paléoécologique et archéozoologique des faunes de grands mammifères de la seconde moitié du Pléistocène inférieur de la grotte du Vallonnet (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Alpes-Maritimes, France)

Vallonnet cave (Alpes-Maritimes, France) provided archaic lithic tools together with a big amount of large mammals of the end of lower pleistocene. At the crossing of diverse ecological niches in time and space, three main levels and within them several smaller units were distinguished. The poorly mineralized bones witnessed a huge diagenetic fragmentation. The presence of the animals in the cave seems to be linked to the reasons of their death. The exhaustive and systematic observation of the bones, like the bears probably used to die inside the cave. Some other carnivores especially hyenas, used the cave as a nursery. Man also occupied the cave and had an activity mainly on large cervid bones and on some other species as well. The very progressive deposit gave a way for carnivores and porcupine to gnaw the bones on the ground before their burial. The succession of actions (man, carnivores and porcupine) on the same bones is characteristic on Vallonnet large mammals bones.     

Position chronologique des sites de l’Homme moderne en Chine d’après la datation U-Th

The origin and evolution of modern Homo sapiens has been the subject of an intensive debate between exponents of two competing hypotheses, multiregional origins and “recent out of Africa”. This paper presents a synthesis of the chronological studies on seven hominid sites in China based on the U-series dating, five of them of intercalated speleothem calcites and other two of fossil materials. The results show that modern humans were present in China about 100 ka ago, much earlier than previously estimated, and that the so-called “temporal gap” of human presence in China between 40 and 100 ka is most probably nothing but an artifact caused by systematic errors of the dating methods. Further multidisciplinary studies on hominid sites in China may provide important evidence for resolving the hotly debated issues concerning the origin of modern humans.