Anisian floras from the NE Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands: A synthesis

This paper focuses on the diversity and palaeontological significance of the Anisian floral record in the Triassic of the northeastern Iberian Peninsula. A summary of published information is followed by new records from macrofloral localities at Rodanas (Aragonese Branch of the Iberian Range) and at Maya del Baztán (Basque-Cantabrian Domain, Pyrenees). Both of these new localities also yielded three Anisian microfloral assemblages. These records provide new evidence of Anisian (basal Middle Triassic) floras in Spain. They are found to be somewhat similar to the classical flora of the Grès à Voltzia Formation (Upper Buntsandstein) of the northern Vosges in north-eastern France, of whose age has been shown to be early Anisian.     

The genus Kepplerites Neumary et Uhlig (Kosmoceratidae,Ammonoidea) in the Bathonian-Callovian beds (Middle Jurassic) of the Russian Platform

The succession of early species of the genus Kepplerites is established in the Upper Bathonian-Lower Callovian beds of Central Russia and compared with the ammonoid succession of East Greenland and Western Europe. Late Bathonian members of the genus Kepplerites from the Middle Volga Region are generally similar, though not identical to those from Greenland, whereas the Early Callovian Kepplerites species and their immediate Bathonian ancestors are represented by species common to all three regions. The analysis of the ammonoid distribution suggests a connection between the East Greenland and Central Russian marine basins in the Early and Middle Bathonian and in the Early Callovian, and their short-term isolation in the Late Bathonian. A new species, Kepplerites (Kepplerites) aigii sp. nov., is described from the Upper Bathonian (keuppi Zone) of the Alatyr River basin (Middle Volga Region).     

Phyloecology of urban alien floras

1.  Understanding the mechanisms that affect invasion success of alien species is a major issue in current ecological research. Although many studies have searched for either functional or habitat attributes that drive invasion mechanisms, few researchers have addressed the role of phylogenetic diversity of alien species.
2.  Here, using data from 21 urban floras located in Europe and eight in the USA, we show that the phylogenetic diversity of alien species is significantly lower than that of native species, both at the continental scale and at the scale of single cities.
3.  Second, we show that if archaeophytes and neophytes (non-native species introduced into Europe before and after AD 1500, respectively) are analysed separately, archaeophytes show lower phylogenetic diversity than neophytes, while the phylogenetic structure of neophytes is indistinguishable from a random sample of species from the entire species pool.
4.  Our results suggest that urban aliens are subject to environmental filters that constrain their phylogenetic diversity, although these filters act more strongly upon archaeophytes than neophytes.
5.   Synthesis. Despite the huge taxonomic diversity of plants imported into European and American cities, the strong environmental filters imposed by cities constrain the functional diversity of urban floras, which is reflected in their generally low phylogenetic diversity. Urban alien floras are mainly composed of phylogenetically related species that are well adapted to anthropogenic habitats, although these filters are stronger for species groups with longer residence times.     

中国地方植物志评述

全面而又详细地回顾了我国半个世纪以来三十四种地方植物志的编写历史,内容,现状与进展,讨论了各种风格与特色,并结合我国的具体情况提出今后的有待改进之处与努力方向。     

中国种子植物区系定量化研究 Ⅱ.多地区种子植物区系研究实用程序工作原理(DDBJ-系列程序)

本文介绍了定量化研究多个种子植物区系的电子计算机程序（DDAI）工作原理,简要讨论以共有属构建的区系间相似关系问题。应用本文提出的程序,可一次性完成所有被研究区系种子植物分布区类型的统计及有关的计算工作,同时也可根据各分布区类型及总体共有属,构建各个区系间的相似性系数及其他有关的参数。本文以中国若干种子植物区系原始资料统计计算为例提供的CAR（Computer Aided Research）方法,可对全面深入地研究中国种子植物区系,提供强有力的工具。     

Compositional similarity among urban floras within and across continents: biogeographical consequences of human-mediated biotic interchange

Anthropogenic activities have weakened biogeographical barriers to dispersal resulting in the global spread and establishment of an increasing number of non‐native species. We examine the broad‐scale consequences of this phenomenon based on an analysis of compositional similarity across urban floras in the northeastern United States and Europe. We test the prediction that homogenization of species composition is uniquely defined within vs. between continents based on the time and place of origin of non‐native species. In this case, for archaeophytes and neophytes in Europe (introduced before and after ad 1500, respectively) and non‐native species originating from within and outside the United States. More species in urban floras were shared within than between continents. Within Europe, archaeophytes shared more species across urban floras compared with neophytes; strong associations were not observed for non‐native species across US urban floras. Between the two continents, non‐native species in the United States that originated from outside the United States shared species primarily with archaeophytes but also with European natives and neophytes. These results suggest that the direction of biotic interchange was unidirectional with species moving primarily from Europe to the United States with archaeophytes playing a primary and non‐native species originating from outside the two continents a secondary role as a homogenizing source. Archaeophytes, based on combination of biogeographical, evolutionary, and ecological factors in association with a long history of anthropogenic influence, appear to have played a prominent role in the continental and intercontinental homogenization of species composition. This suggests that the uniform homogenization of the Earth's biota is not imminent and is presently directed by a combination of biogeographically defined anthropogenic and historical factors.     

Phylogenetic beta diversity of native and alien species in European urban floras

Aim Human activities have weakened biogeographical barriers to dispersal, increasing the rate of introduction of alien plants. However, their impact on beta diversity and floristic homogenization is poorly understood. Our goal is to compare the phylogenetic beta diversity of native species with that of two groups of alien species, archaeophytes and neophytes (introduced before and after ad 1500, respectively), across European urban floras to explore how biological invasions affect phylogenetic turnover at a continental scale. Location Twenty European cities located in six countries between 49 and 53° N latitude in continental Europe and the British Isles. Methods To compare the phylogenetic beta diversity of native and alien species we use the average phylogenetic dissimilarity of individual floras from their group centroid in multivariate space. Differences in phylogenetic beta diversity among different species groups are then assessed using a randomization test for homogeneity of multivariate dispersions. Results Across European urban floras, and when contrasted with natives, archaeophytes are usually associated with lower levels of phylogenetic beta diversity while neophytes tend to increase phylogenetic differentiation. Main conclusions While archaeophytes tend to promote limited homogenization in phylogenetic beta diversity, because of their diverse geographical origin together with short residence times in the invaded regions, neophytes are not promoting biotic homogenization of urban floras across Europe. Therefore, in spite of the increasing rate of alien invasion, an intense phylogenetic homogenization of urban cities is not to be expected soon.     

The Carboniferous floras of the Iberian Peninsula: A synthesis with geological connotations

A general review is presented of the Carboniferous floral records in the Iberian Peninsula in the context of the geological history and distribution of the different basins. Mississippian floras are found in Sierra Morena, where major strike-slip faults brought in terranes of diverse provenance. Lower Pennsylvanian floras are represented in the Peñarroya-Belmez-Espiel (Córdoba) and Villanueva del Río y Minas (Sevilla) coalfields of SW Spain (also strike-slip controlled), at La Camocha, near Gijón (Asturias), and in other parts of northern Spain. Middle Pennsylvanian is represented near Oporto, but more completely in the Central Asturian Coalfield, as well as other, more limited localities in NW Spain and the Pyrenees. Upper Pennsylvanian (Stephanian Stage-Cantabrian to Stephanian B substages) floras are splendidly represented in NW Spain. Uppermost Pennsylvanian (Stephanian C-Autunian) floras are present in the strike-slip controlled Douro and Buçaco basins of North Portugal, the Pyrenees, Central Spain (Ciudad Real, Guadalajara, Zaragoza), and SW Spain (Guadalcanal and Valdeviar in Sevilla province).A complete succession of megafloral zones is presented. This includes a new Annularia spicata Zone at the top of the Pennsylvanian (equivalent to middle to upper Autunian which has been often attributed to the Lower Permian). The information is summarised in charts compiled from a selection of the most significant species. A number of floral elements are illustrated including the zonal indices. Brief taxonomic comments are provided in the Appendix.     

The Rhaetian flora of Rögla,northern Scania,Sweden

Abstract: Rögla is the northernmost locality yielding Mesozoic plant fossils in Scania, southern Sweden, and is one of the northernmost Rhaetian assemblages in Europe. The assemblage consists of over 500 specimens collected 50–60 years ago, of which 139 yielded identifiable plant remains referable to 15 plant species; another 19 specimens are tentatively assigned to four species because of their fragmentary preservation. The flora includes sphenophytes, ferns, cycads, bennettitaleans, seed ferns of uncertain alliance, conifers and some leaf remains that are tentatively assigned to ginkgophytes based on their epidermal anatomy. The species‐level composition of the assemblage is consistent with a Rhaetian age and is similar to well‐known floras from nearby Höganäs and Bjuv, except for the absence of cycads belonging to Nilssonia, which are very common in most other Scanian floras. The fossil assemblage is interpreted to derive from multi‐storey vegetation occupying moist habitats on a coastal plain. Strong affinities are evident with the coeval floras of Jameson Land, Greenland, reinforcing the concept of a distinctive North Atlantic floristic sub‐province at the close of the Triassic.     

Early Holocene plant and animal remains from North-east Greenland

Aim The aim of this paper is to describe and interpret early Holocene floras and faunas. Location The floras and faunas come from various localities in North-east Greenland. Methods Sediment samples were wet sieved, and macrofossils picked out and dated by the AMS radiocarbon-dating method. Results Sediments, dated to the first centuries after the last glacial stage came to an abrupt end, contain a macroflora of bryophytes and a few herbs, and we suggest that these plant remains represent a pioneer vegetation entirely without woody plants. The named species of herbs are either confined to the northern parts of Greenland at present, or they become increasingly more important towards the north. Crowberry is the oldest woody plant recovered; it was present at 10.4 cal. ka BP , and it appears to have been common during the early Holocene in East Greenland. Main conclusions We suggest that the majority of the extant flora of vascular plants of East Greenland arrived by long distance dispersal during the Holocene. Some species may also have arrived during the late-glacial, and a few hardy species that are adapted to low summer temperatures may have survived the last glacial stage in nonglaciated areas. Some hardy animals may also have survived, but the majority of the fauna are considered Holocene immigrants. We suggest that migrating birds and storms, perhaps in combination, are under-appreciated dispersal vectors.     

Late Triassic dinosaur teeth from southern Belgium

Isolated Dinosaur teeth have been discovered in the Upper Triassic locality of Habay-la-Vieille, in southern Belgium. Ornithischia are represented by three dental morphotypes; two of them closely resemble isolated teeth from the Middle or Upper Jurassic of Portugal and England. The presence of sauropods in the Upper Triassic of Europe is confirmed. Sauropods already had a wide geographical distribution during the Latest Triassic, as fossils have been discovered in South Africa, Thailand and western Europe. At Habay-la-Vieille, sauropods and prosauropods co-existed at the end of the Triassic. Two dental morphotypes may tentatively be referred to as theropod dinosaurs. The study of isolated teeth indicates that dinosaurs were already well diversified in the Latest Triassic of western Europe. To cite this article: P. Godefroit, F. Knoll, C. R. Palevol 2 (2003) 3–11.     

Miocene floras in the lower Rhenish Basin and their ecological interpretation

Some 29 samples containing fruits and seeds were collected in three open cast mines in the lower Rhenish Basin. They all originate from Upper Miocene deposits. The samples were analysed for their fruit and seed contents and these are described shortly. Four new species: Erica palaeoarborea, Vaccinium miocenicum, Rhynchospora tertiaria and Potamogeton extremitatus are formally described. The floras are interpreted ecologically using the ecological comparison table method and a reconstruction of the landscape is presented.     

Evidence of a Cooler Continental Climate in East China during the Warm Early Cenozoic

The early Cenozoic was characterized by a very warm climate especially during the Early Eocene. To understand climatic changes in eastern Asia, we reconstructed the Early Eocene vegetation and climate based on palynological data of a borehole from Wutu coal mine, East China and evaluated the climatic differences between eastern Asia and Central Europe. The Wutu palynological assemblages indicated a warm temperate vegetation succession comprising mixed needle- and broad-leaved forests. Three periods of vegetation succession over time were recognized. The changes of palynomorph relative abundance indicated that period 1 was warm and humid, period 2 was relatively warmer and wetter, and period 3 was cooler and drier again. The climatic parameters estimated by the coexistence approach (CA) suggested that the Early Eocene climate in Wutu was warmer and wetter. Mean annual temperature (MAT) was approximately 16°C and mean annual precipitation (MAP) was 800–1400 mm. Comparison of the Early Eocene climatic parameters of Wutu with those of 39 other fossil floras of different age in East China, reveals that 1) the climate became gradually cooler during the last 65 million years, with MAT dropping by 9.3°C. This cooling trend coincided with the ocean temperature changes but with weaker amplitude; 2) the Early Eocene climate was cooler in East China than in Central Europe; 3) the cooling trend in East China (MAT dropped by 6.9°C) was gentler than in Central Europe (MAT dropped by 13°C) during the last 45 million years.     

Middle and Early Upper Devonian Miospore Zonations in Eastern Yunnan and the Significance of Their Stratigraphy

The Devonian marine and non marine deposits were widely distributed in East Yunnan, where rich marine faunas and floras were present. The Middle and early Upper Devonian miospores of Eastern Yunnan were also abundant and usually well- preserved. The present paper provides both analysis of qualitative and quantitative composition development of Middle and early Upper Devonian spore assemblage in Eastern Yunnan, and a palynological zonatlon containing four successive assemblage zones: 1.Zone of Calyptosporites velatus-Rhabdosporites langii (VL); 2. Zone of Archaeozonotriletes variabilis-Calyptosporites proteus (VP); 3. Zone of Geminospora lemurata-Cristatisporites triangulatus (LT); 4. Zone of Archaeoperisaccus ovalis-Lagenicula bullosum (OB). The Middle and early Upper Devonian spore assemblages of Eastern Yunnan may be compared with those in South China and West Qinling. The spore zonation possesses stratigraphical dating of the Devonian megafloras of the region, particularly those from the Middle and Upper Devonian. The proposed spore zonation is closely compared with that erected for the Middle and early Upper Devonian of Old Sandstone Continent and adjacent Region. Based on palynological data, the reconstruction of Paleogeography and Paleoecology are discussed.     

Callistophytalean pteridosperms from Permian aged floras of China

Abstract: Recent investigations into Permian aged floras from China have highlighted the widespread occurrence of callistophytalean pteridosperms that challenge previous understanding of their spatial and temporal distribution and diversity. In China, the group spans the Permian period and constitutes a distinctive but rare component in many peat‐forming environments. The stratigraphically earliest callistophytalean occurs in the Asselian‐Sakmarian stages with fossils from the Taiyuan Formation of northern China including ovules of Callospermarion undulatum in coal ball assemblages, and ovulate fronds of Norinosperma shanxiensis and synangiate fronds of Norinotheca shanxiensis in adpression assemblages. More abundant in the fossil records are adpression remains from the Roadian‐Wordian stages with the Lower Shihhotse Formation preserving abundant vegetative and ovulate remains of Emplectopteris triangularis that is now considered to represent a callistophytalean. The youngest callistophytalean recognised is from the Wuchaipingian‐Changhsingian stages with the Xuanwei Formation of southern China containing a single stem of Callistophyton boyssetii that provides indisputable evidence of the group in the lead up to the end‐Permian mass extinction. These accounts are augmented by analysis of pollen records that demonstrate the callistophytalean pollen genus Vesicaspora to be widespread through palynological assemblages from the Permian period in both North and South China, including the Upper Shihhotse Formation, Shihchienfeng Group, Xuanwei Formation, and possibly also in the mid‐Pennsylvanian Benxi Formation. Although macrofossil specimens are uncommon elements in the assemblages that contain them, they demonstrate the continuity of callistophytalean pteridosperms from the Pennsylvanian sub‐period into the early Guadalupian epoch of the Permian in North China and into the Lopingian epoch of the Permian in South China. Of the species present, both Callistophyton boyssetii and Callospermarion undulatum are known from the Pennsylvanian–earliest Permian age floras of Euramerica, whereas Norinosperma, Norinotheca and Emplectopteris appear to represent endemic Cathaysian elements. Results imply that callistophytalean pteridosperms can no longer be excluded from theories of post‐Carboniferous plant evolution and floristics, appearing to have played an important role in both Permian and Carboniferous aged plant communities. The presence of Vesicaspora in several formations from which macro‐remains have not been identified is a hopeful indicator that further callistophytalean pteridosperms are yet to be found.     

From the Bay of Naples to the River Don: the Campanian Ignimbrite eruption and the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Eastern Europe

The Campanian Ignimbrite (CI) eruption, dated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and various stratigraphic methods to ca. 39,000 cal BP, generated a massive ash plume from its source in southern Italy across Southeastern and Eastern Europe. At the Kostenki-Borshchevo open-air sites on the Middle Don River in Russia, Upper Paleolithic artifact assemblages are buried below, within, and above the CI tephra (which is redeposited by slope action at most sites) on the second terrace. Luminescence and radiocarbon dating, paleomagnetism, and soil and pollen stratigraphy provide further basis for correlation with the Greenland and North Atlantic climate stratigraphy. The oldest Upper Paleolithic occupation layers at Kostenki-Borshchevo may be broadly correlated with warm intervals that preceded the CI event and Heinrich Event 4 (HE4; Greenland Interstadial: GI 12-GI 9) dating to ca. 45,000-41,000 cal BP. These layers contain an industry not currently recognized in other parts of Europe. Early Upper Paleolithic layers above the CI tephra are correlated with HE4 and warm intervals that occurred during 38,000-30,000 cal BP (GI 8-GI 5), and include an assemblage that is assigned to the Aurigancian industry, associated with skeletal remains of modern humans.     

Faunal migration into the Late Permian Zechstein Basin - Evidence from bryozoan palaeobiogeography

Late Permian bryozoans from the Wegener Halvø, Ravnefjeld and Schuchert Formations in East Greenland have been investigated. 14 genera are recognised.Integration of the new bryozoan data from the Upper Permian of East Greenland with data on the distribution of Permian bryozoans along the northern margin of Pangea is used to test hypotheses concerning Late Palaeozoic evolution of the North Atlantic region. During the Permian, the Atlantic rift system formed a seaway between Norway and Greenland from the boreal Barents Shelf to the warm and arid Zechstein Basin. This seaway is considered to be the only marine connection to the Zechstein Basin and therefore the only possible migration route for bryozoans to enter the basin. The distribution of Permian bryozoans is largely in keeping with such a connection from the cool Barents Shelf past the East Greenland Basin to the warm Zechstein Basin and also corroborates the change in temperature through this connection.     

Evolution of the Permian and Triassic tetrapod communities of Eastern Europe

The Permo-Triassic terrestrial and freshwater tetrapod communities of Eastern Europe are reconstructed as food-webs. The Late Permian theriodont-dinocephalian community (Ocher, Mezen, Isheyevo) changes to a latest Permian theriodont-pareiasaur community (North Dvina, Vyazniki). After a major extinction, the Triassic thecodontian-dicynodont communities appear, a lystrosaurid one in the Early Triassic (Lower and ?Upper Vetluga), and a kannemeyerid one in the later Early Triassic (?Yarenga) and the Mid Triassic (Donguz, Bukobay). Similar stages are represented in the evolution of aquatic communities: the Late Permian temnospondyl community (Ocher, Isheyevo), the latest Permian chroniosuchian one (North Dvina, Vyazniki), the Lower and Middle Triassic new temnospondyl one (from Vetluga to Bukobay). The faunal changes in Eastern Europe are mirrored in other parts of the world, although there are some endemic Russian forms.     

Long-term variation in algal intertidal floras

A long-term study (1973-9) was made of the intertidal floras of two headlands, one exposed to the ocean, the other in a bay. Many algal species varied erratically in frequency or occurrence from year to year, apparently due to local chance causes, but in some years many species showed reductions in frequency. In these years the changes in the flora appear to be associated with sand movements, which are possibly due to locally damaging storms. Recovery of the floras follows these depressions, but it is stressed that this recovery depends on the existence of a reservoir of spore-producing plants which in turn depends on the maintenance of good water quality in the sea. The naturally occurring variations in floras are greater than are any induced by a low volume well-treated sewerage outfall, except in the immediate area of the outfall.     

Triassic environments, climates and reptile evolution

A consideration of all the available data on Triassic vertebrate faunas, and their stratigraphic location reveals a relatively sudden extinction event among the last of the mammal-like reptiles and the herbivorous rhynchosaurs in the Norian of the Upper Triassic. This event was apparently quickly followed by the radiation of the dinosaurs, also in the Norian. This conclusion suggests that competition was not the main factor in the initial success of the dinosaurs, but opportunistic radiation following the extinction of major reptile groups. A global review of Triassic sedimentary facies shows that there were climatic and floral changes towards the end of the Triassic. It is envisaged that increasing aridity in the later Triassic, resulting from plate motions and particularly affecting Gondwanaland and southwestern Laurasia, brought about floral changes and then the reptile extinctions. With the rapid evolution of new floras of conifers and bennettitaleans, the dinosaurs came to dominate all terrestrial faunas within the space of only a few million years.