A new pleistocene hominid-bearing locality at Hoedjiespunt,South Africa

HDP1 is an archaeological and faunal site located on the Hoedjiespunt peninsula at Saldanha Bay, South Africa, that has recently yielded fossil human remains. Artefacts from the associated archaeological deposits are identified as being Middle Stone Age. U series analysis of capping calcretes and analysis of the foraminifera and fauna associated with the human fossils indicate an age for the deposit in excess of 74,000 years before present, and it most probably dates to around 300,000 years before present. The fossil human teeth from in situ deposits at Hoedjiespunt are described and found to be large by comparison with modern humans but smaller than the known upper dentitions of southern African “archaic” Homo sapiens. The Hoedjiespunt molars are found to be morphologically within the range of variation observed in the teeth of modern Homo sapiens. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Isolation and amplification of shrew DNA from barn owl pellets

The last decade has seen a number of studies reporting the extraction of DNA from ancient sources, such as fossil bones. Owl pellets, which contain an excellent skeletal record of small mammals consumed, can be used in a non-invasive sampling method for genetic studies of free-ranging animals without the need for direct capture or even observation. Such a non-invasive sampling method will allow us to address questions that cannot be answered using conventional methods and will lead to a more integrated study of micromammals. In the present study, various protocols used for ancient DNA extraction were investigated, in order to determine the applicability of owl pellets as a source of DNA for phylogenetic and phylogeographical studies of micromammals. Of the 12 bone samples used in this study, 11 gave sequences of expected species ( Crocidura , Rattus and Mus ) and size (around 300 bp), using the pair of primers L14841/H15149, which target a highly conserved region of the cytochrome b gene. The results obtained demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA can be isolated and amplified using bones of micromammals found in barn owl ( Tyto alba ) pellets. The recovery of genetic data from owl pellets will enable the identification of prey species for several phylogenetic and phylogeographical studies of small mammals (Muridae and Insectivora) appearing in the owl's diet. The main advantages of this new approach are that (a) the pellets are very easy to find and collect, (b) the pellets can potentially provide a large number of individuals of small mammals, and (c) the method can cover a wide geographical area complementary to the range of owls of this type.  © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 85 , 331–340.     

华北上新世大型鼩鼱化石Lunanosorex(哺乳动物纲,食虫目)

记述了河南确山后胥山晚上新世裂隙堆积物中新发现的鲁南鼩鼱Lunanosorex材料;重新观察了内蒙古比例克的李氏鲁南鼩鼱相似种Lunanosorex cf.L.lii标本。确山鲁南鼩鼱的形态特征与属型种L.lii较为一致,其较丰富的材料为了解该种的形态变异及特征补充提供了新的依据。内蒙古比例克的鲁南鼩鼱与属型种有较大的差异,被确定为新种L.qiuisp.nov.。根据比例克新种和确山新材料的研究,修订了Lunanosorex的属征和Beremendiini族征的定义,探讨了鲁南鼩鼱与东亚地区发现的其他牙齿染色的大型鼩鼱类之间的系统关系,阐证了日本中更新世的Shikamainosorex与北美上新世的Paracryptotis关系不大,不应归入Blarrinini族,而与亚洲大陆的鲁南鼩鼱有较近的亲缘关系,应当属于Beremendiini族。     

How much energy do barn owls (Tyto alba) save by roosting?

(1) The energy savings associated with the roosting behaviour of barn owls (Tyto alba) were determined with a biophysical model using measurements of microclimate from a roost and nest site in SW Scotland (55 degrees 10' N 3 degrees 12' W) from April 1991-March 1992. (2) The roost building provided complete shelter from wind and precipitation. Air temperature inside the roost building was 1.4 degrees C greater than ambient and matched the seasonal change in temperature. Air temperature inside the nest box was on average only 0.8 degrees C greater than ambient but was 2-3 degrees C warmer when adults and chicks were in the nest during the breeding season. (3) Estimated metabolic heat production was significantly different between locations and averaged 67.9, 68.1, 75.5 and 84.2Wm(-2) for a barn owl roosting in the building, nest box, spruce tree and in the open, respectively. At night metabolic heat production was greater by 4-12% compared with daytime, depending on location. (4) Heat loss was 30% greater in winter months than in the summer in all locations. By roosting in the building an owl would make savings of 21.6Wm(-2) in March but only 12.9Wm(-2) in August. In a tree roost a barn owl would save 11.8Wm(-2) in March and 5.8Wm(-2) in August. (5) Barn owls were estimated to reduce metabolic heat production by 19% by roosting in the building and by 10% by roosting in a tree. In the building and tree savings of 21 and 9% occurred during the day compared with 17 and 12% at night. (6) Metabolic savings were strongly dependent on weather conditions with average metabolic savings of 26% occurring in wet and windy conditions compared with only 12% on dry-calm days. Maximum savings of 29-36% occurred on wet days. (7) Barn owls appear to compensate for high metabolic demands for heat production by taking advantage of better thermal conditions within buildings, especially during the day when metabolic savings are greatest.     

Quantitative studies on some living British wetland mollusc faunas

The work described here provides a quantitative basis for die interpretation of fossil assemblages of Mollusca from wetland habitats. Wetlands were sampled for living Mollusca in East Anglia (including an intensive study at Wicken Fen) and Scotland. Within the limited geographical area of Wicken Fen, the mollusc fauna may be used to predict the vegetation and hence to reconstruct the environment. Such a relationship did not continue to hold when scattered sites throughout die East Anglian region were studied. However, the relict nature of these fens should be taken into account. In die central Highlands of Scotland, a better correlation was found between mollusc fauna and flora, though this was inadequate for reconstruction of details of the vegetation. Within the context of wetland, the presence of certain rare species of narrow ecological tolerance is considered the best available measure for the reconstruction of die environment from molluscan assemblages, but their absence is meaningless. Quantitative studies of assemblages of the common species may still prove to be of value at the coarser level of discrimination between wetland, grassland and woodland, but the data are not available. Numerous quantitative studies of fossil assemblages of Mollusca from Quaternary sediments have been made and the results have been interpreted to indicate past environmental and climatic conditions. In previous studies, common species have been placed into ecological categories based on qualitative observations of the occurrence of Mollusca in modern environments, and fossil assemblages have then been interpreted as being formed by transport and accumulation from a variety of different habitats. This may be the case, but equally studies of the living assemblages have shown that the structural complexity of a single habitat may lead to species of very different ecological groups living within the same area of ground. It is simpler to interpret certain fossil assemblages as having been formed in situ in structurally diverse environments, rather than invoking mixing from different environments.     

The fossil bat assemblage of Sima del Elefante Lower Red Unit (Atapuerca,Spain): First results and contribution to the palaeoenvironmental approach to the site

The fossil bat assemblage from the Lower Red Unit of Sima del Elefante (TELRU) in Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) has been exhaustively analysed for the first time. Bat fossil assemblages are of particular relevance to palaeoenvironmental approaches to sites. Here we integrate our new data on the chiropteran fauna with the data provided previously by other authors on the basis of the small-vertebrate assemblages and the palynology of the site. Our results are consistent with the earlier results in that they indicate a generally warmer climate than at present in the area and stable environmental conditions throughout the major part of the TELRU sequence. However, fossil bat assemblages sometimes lead to problems when they are used in landscape reconstruction. These problems are discussed here and should be taken into account in future works.     

Individual Spatial Responses towards Roads: Implications for Mortality Risk

Background

Understanding the ecological consequences of roads and developing ways to mitigate their negative effects has become an important goal for many conservation biologists. Most mitigation measures are based on road mortality and barrier effects data. However, studying fine-scale individual spatial responses in roaded landscapes may help develop more cohesive road planning strategies for wildlife conservation.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We investigated how individuals respond in their spatial behavior toward a highway and its traffic intensity by radio-tracking two common species particularly vulnerable to road mortality (barn owl Tyto alba and stone marten Martes foina). We addressed the following questions: 1) how highways affected home-range location and size in the immediate vicinity of these structures, 2) which road-related features influenced habitat selection, 3) what was the role of different road-related features on movement properties, and 4) which characteristics were associated with crossing events and road-kills. The main findings were: 1) if there was available habitat, barn owls and stone martens may not avoid highways and may even include highways within their home-ranges; 2) both species avoided using areas near the highway when traffic was high, but tended to move toward the highway when streams were in close proximity and where verges offered suitable habitat; and 3) barn owls tended to cross above-grade highway sections while stone martens tended to avoid crossing at leveled highway sections.

Conclusions

Mortality may be the main road-mediated mechanism that affects barn owl and stone marten populations. Fine-scale movements strongly indicated that a decrease in road mortality risk can be realized by reducing sources of attraction, and by increasing road permeability through measures that promote safe crossings.     

Bovid postcranial ecomorphological survey of the Laetoli paleoenvironment

Here we report on a bovid postcranial ecomorphological survey of the fossil assemblages from the Plio-Pleistocene site of Laetoli, Tanzania. A global sample of extant bovids (n=205), cervids (n=14), and tragulids (n=5) from seven known habitat types constitutes the comparative data set. All long bones, carpals, tarsals, and phalanges were measured. Discriminant function analyses (DFA) were conducted in order to evaluate the ability of each element to accurately predict habitat affiliation. The baseline of chance accuracy for DFAs (i.e., the percentage of correct predictions that can be expected when habitat assignments are randomized) served as the cut-off point between good and bad habitat predictors. A total of 22 elements yielded percentages of correct classification over the baseline of accuracy, and these were extended to the Laetoli fossil assemblages. Summaries of the number of specimens predicted to belong to each habitat type were used to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. The results indicate that, at the time of the deposition of the Laetolil Beds, the area had heavy woodland-bushland cover with some lighter tree and bush cover and grass available. These results lend strong support to recent suggestions that the area was on the more wooded end of the habitat spectrum, contra initial conclusions that it represented a mosaic of more open habitats. The results also indicate that, during the deposition of the Ndolanya Beds, the environment had become more open and the grassland component of the environment had increased significantly. Light woodland-bushland and an abundance of grass cover dominated the landscape, although tracts of land with denser vegetation likely existed. This conclusion agrees with earlier suggestions that the area was a semiarid bushland.     

Micromammals and the formation of the Name Chamber at Sterkfontein, South Africa

The depositional history of the Name Chamber at the Sterkfontein early hominid site is complex, as is the case with most such cavities. Unravelling this history may therefore benefit from the input of less usual lines of evidence to complement baseline geological investigations. In this case, micromammalian remains from the Western Talus of the Name Chamber provide tentative evidence for the depositional history of these deposits. Correlation of samples based on minimum numbers of individuals referred to genera occurring in one third or more of the samples suggests that a large proportion of the Western Talus material, particularly that from the area infiltrated by the Eastern Talus deposit, originated in the vicinity of squares P54, Q54 and Q55 in the main excavation, from a depth spanning the boundary between Acheulean and Oldowan levels in Member 5. Differences in general diversity between the samples from the main excavation and some from the Name Chamber support the proposal that surface sediments of the homogeneous deposits have been contaminated by material entering the cavern during the 1994 opening of the feeder shaft. Initial taphonomic analysis indicates that all samples, both the original and those from the Name Chamber, were accumulated by the same avian predator, that is, one or more of three owl species (barn owl Tyto alba, grass owl Tyto capensis and marsh owl Asio capensis).     

南京汤山驼子洞鬣狗粪化石的孢粉分析

南京汤山驼子洞洞穴堆积中鬣狗粪化石含有相对丰富的孢粉,推测草食性哺乳动物食用带有孢粉的植物后,经鬣狗的猎杀、摄食、消化和排泄,孢粉较好地保存在鬣狗粪中,形成粪化石,成为洞穴地层的组成部分。虽然鬣狗粪化石中的孢粉含量不及湖沼相地层中丰富,但有几种植物的花粉保存较好且相对集中,如Pinus,Tsuga,Quercus,Carpinus,Artemisia,Cyperaceae,Polygonum,Polypodiaceae出现的频率较高。孢粉组合揭示早更新世南京地区植被主要是草原或森林-草地,气候凉干或半干旱半湿润,可以和地层中脊椎动物群反映的自然环境相互印证。在研究洞穴古环境的代用指标中,堆积物中的鬣狗粪化石中包含的孢粉是比较好的研究对象,对环境有一定的指示意义。     

Do coral-reef fish faunas have a distinctive taxonomic structure?

Do the highly diverse fish faunas that associate with coral reefs have distinguishing taxonomic and ecological characteristics, as proposed by Choat and Bellwood (1991) and Bellwood (1996)? Does a 50?my old (Eocene) fossil fish fauna from Italy represent a coral-reef fish assemblage that provides unique information about the evolution of such assemblages, as claimed by Bellwood (1996)? I compared the structure of the reef fish faunas of adjacent tropical regions rich and poor in coral reefs, in both America and Polynesia, and found that they exhibit no substantive differences in relative species richness among families of typical “coral-reef” fishes. While coral-rich regions have larger reef fish faunas, a variety of factors probably contribute to such differences. Thus coral-reef fish faunas may lack a distinctive taxonomic structure. A similar comparative approach would be useful for assessing whether assemblages of fishes on coral reefs have distinctive ecological characteristics. Based on patterns of habitat use by modern tropical shorefishes, the Italian Eocene fauna includes few definite reef fishes, and may well consist primarily of non-reef fishes preserved in a non-reef habitat. Until we know more about the environment in which those fossils were preserved, that fauna can contribute little to understanding how coral reef fish assemblages have evolved.     

云南呈贡三家村晚更新世小哺乳动物群

本文简单描述和对比了华南地区迄今发现种类最多的一个更新世小哺乳动物群(计4目12科27属34种),为云贵高原自更新世晚期以来的抬升及气候变化提供了证据。     

甘肃临夏盆地晚中新世大唇犀化石的年龄结构与生活环境

甘肃临夏盆地的晚中新世红粘土堆积中含有大量的三趾马动物群化石,其中犀科化石,特别是大唇犀最为丰富。通过对临夏盆地晚中新世具有代表性的大唇犀化石的年龄结构的分析,初步了解到化石群各年龄段个体的百分比和种群动态。大唇犀化石中成年个体的数量占优势,明显多于老年个体,与正常生活群中的年龄结构吻合,由此可初步断定是突发性事件引起了犀牛种群的灾害性死亡。再进一步对化石的风化、磨蚀、聚集状态及所受的水动力特征等进行分析,发现骨骼受到了弱水流的短距离搬运,说明化石埋藏地离动物死亡地不远。以上分析结果与沉积学特征相结合,说明临夏盆地晚中新世三趾马动物群的集群死亡可能与严重的干旱化事件有关。     

Microsatellite markers characterized in the barn owl (Tyto alba) and of high utility in other owls (Strigiformes: AVES)

We have identified 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the barn owl (Tyto alba), five from testing published owl loci and 10 from testing non‐owl loci, including loci known to be of high utility in passerines and shorebirds. All 15 loci were sequenced in barn owl, and new primer sets were designed for eight loci. The 15 polymorphic loci displayed two to 26 alleles in 56–58 barn owls. When tested in 10 other owl species (n = 1–6 individuals), between four and nine loci were polymorphic per species. These loci are suitable for studies of population structure and parentage in owls.     

Late Quaternary paleoecology from fossil beetle communities in the Awatere Valley, South Island, New Zealand

Aim The research aim is to reconstruct last glacial maximum (LGM) and Holocene vegetation history and ecology from fossil beetle assemblages. Location The LGM and Holocene sites are located in the Awatere Valley, which lies in the tectonically active Marlborough Region in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand. Methods Beetle fossils were extracted from silty organic sediment using the standard kerosene flotation method. Fossils were identified by comparisons made to modern species based on morphology and surface features. The ecology and distribution of modern analogues are extrapolated to reconstruct the fossil environment. Results One hundred and forty‐five beetle species belonging to 33 families were identified. The LGM fossil fauna showed the local vegetation was characterized by a forest patch surrounded by an open tussock/grassland landscape. This Nothofagus (southern beech) forest persisted at the site until mid‐Holocene when it was replaced by a podocarp forest that contained high beetle diversity. Herbivores dominate in the early stage of this zone, indicating a relatively new forest environment. Later in the Holocene, the fauna is dominated by detritivores indicating an older more established forest. The late Holocene is characterized by low diversity and the absence of forest species. This fauna indicates that by 500 years ago, the forest was absent and is associated with an almost compete loss of beetle biodiversity. Main conclusions The fossil beetles provide a unique perspective into the past environment in the Awatere Valley on a local scale. The reconstruction supports regional pollen interpretations of Holocene vegetation by identifying a specific forest patch. Fossil beetles are thus a valuable local proxy for vegetation reconstructions.     

Roadway mortality of barn owls in Idaho,USA

We examined the temporal, spatial, and demographic factors that influenced roadway mortality of barn owls (Tyto alba) along a 248-km stretch of Interstate 84 in southern Idaho using systematic road surveys. Counts of dead animals from surveys can be underestimated because of sampling biases; therefore, we also conducted experiments to assess the effects of search and removal bias on the estimates of roadway mortality of owls. We conducted surveys every 2 weeks over a 2-year period and detected 812 dead barn owls (unadjusted mortality rate of 1.64 owls/km/yr). After adjusting this estimate for search and removal bias, we documented mortality rates of up to 5.99 owls/km/year. Owl mortality was not random in relation to sex, age class, or location along the highway. Females and juveniles, which represent individuals more likely to disperse long distances, were killed more frequently than males and adults. During the nonbreeding season, owls were killed more often near agricultural lands than in shrub-steppe, but this pattern was not apparent during the breeding season. Owls were also killed more often on portions of the roadway closer to the Snake River canyon, perhaps because of the availability of nest and roost sites. Mortality rates differed markedly between the 2 years of study, which could have been related to variability in weather and its subsequent effect on owl productivity. Our data suggest that barn owls in this region may not persist under this level of mortality without significant immigration or management. Thus, roadway management to reduce or prevent owl use of roadways, reduce rodent populations near major roads, alert motorists to the presence of owls, or otherwise reduce the chances that vehicles and owls collide would improve barn owl survival and population persistence. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.     

The value of 'bat boxes' for attracting hollow-dependent fauna to farm forestry plantations in southeast Queensland

Summary Small artificial nest/roost boxes, originally designed for microbats, were deployed in three farm forest plantations and at one native forest site in southeast Queensland in order to assess their use by vertebrates and their contribution toward enhancing biodiversity in plantation forests through the provision of habitat. Two sites were located in a relatively 'intact' forest landscape (SF 351 and Strano) and two sites in a more 'fragmented' or 'variegated' landscape (Askham and Thomas). Twenty-four boxes were placed at each site over an area covering approximately 1.2–1.8 ha. Each site was checked from five (SF 351) to nine (Askham) times between April 1996 and November 2000. The artificial nest/roost boxes were attractive to a range of small fauna that included Feathertail Gliders ( Acrobates pygmaeus ), Sugar Gliders ( Petaurus breviceps ), Squirrel Gliders ( Petaurus norfolcensis ) and the Yellow-footed Marsupial Mouse ( Antechinus flavipes ), all of which constructed nests inside boxes. Gould's Long-eared Bats ( Nyctophilus gouldi ) used boxes primarily as roosts and maternity sites. In general, fewer animals were recorded in boxes at the two sites located within a relatively 'intact' landscape, while the highest numbers of animals were recorded in boxes in two farm forest plantations within 'variegated' landscapes. The availability of alternative natural hollows and landscape factors appear to be important determinants of the extent to which boxes are occupied. The present study indicates that the biodiversity of farm forests can be enhanced through simple habitat manipulation utilizing artificial roosting or nesting boxes.
Key words Antechinus, biodiversity, farm forestry, glider, marsupial, microbat, nest box, roost.     

Ecological barriers shaping fuel stores in barn swallows Hirundo rustica following the central and western Mediterranean flyways

The crossing of ecological barriers is among the most energy-demanding and risky phases of migration. Scanty field data exist on the relationships between ecological barriers and pre-migratory fuel storing in songbirds. The aim of this study was to analyse whether the distance to be covered across ecological barriers can be considered as a factor affecting pre-migratory fuel stores in barn swallows Hirundo rustica following the two main western European flyways, funnelling through Iberia and Italy. Data refer to 13029 swallows and were collected during July–October in 1997–1998 at 19 roost sites, scattered over Spain and Italy (south of 43°N). During the post-breeding phase (PB, July–August) energy stores did not differ significantly between the two geographical areas, whereas during the pre-migratory phase (PM, September–October) swallows in Italy carried larger energy stores than those in Spain. Assuming that swallows leave for migration from the fuelling site, we found a significant positive correlation between the width of ecological barriers and an average index of energy stores for each roost site during the PM phase. The width of ecological barriers (along a N-S migration route) was expressed as (1) the distance between the roost site and the coast of North Africa (representing the Mediterranean Sea), and (2) the distance between the roost site and the southern margin of the Sahara desert (the total width of ecological barriers). The weaker correlations obtained when considering only the Mediterranean as a barrier suggest that swallows may cross the desert without substantial refuelling in North Africa. Hence, we showed that fuel stores have a degree of population-specific variability among Italian and Iberian barn swallows and that the extension of ecological barriers may play a role in determining the amount of stores needed for the migratory flight.     

The Shanghuang Mammalian Fauna, Middle Eocene of Jiangsu:History of Discovery and Significance

APaleogenemammalianfauna,herenamedtheShanghuangfauna,wasdiscoverednearthevillageofShanghuang,closetoLiyangCity,JiangsuProvince,China(Fig.1).Atpresent,rouglilysixtyspeciesoffossilmammalshavebeenrecogniedintheShanghuangfauna.Manyofthesemammaltaxaarenewtoscience,andothersrepresentnewoccurrencesfortheEoceneofChina.ParticularlywellrepresentedintheShanghuangfaunaaremicromammals(includingmarsupials,insectivores,rodents,lagomorphs,primates,andbats)thathaveseldomifeverbeenfoundinotherEoceneAsianl…