Clausiliidae (Gastropoda,Euthyneura)du Néogène du bassin rhodanien (France)

Clausilids of the Neogene of the Rhone province are known by twelve species among whose three are news. During the Miocene, and specially during its upper part, the only genus Triptychia is undoubtedly known. It is represented by Triptychia (Milne-Edwardsia) lageti nov. sp. and two others species.The absence of others genera of Clausilids during this period and in this province makeup an information of bads conditions of growth.During the Pliocene, the Clausilids fauna is very varied. Genus Triptychia includes twospecies: T. (M.-E.) terveri, in the northern part of the Rhone province and T. (M.-E.) sinistrorsa in its southern part. Serrulina, Clausilia, Iphigena, Laminifera and Nordsieckia nov. gen. (near Serrulina) are to be found in many outcrops. Two news species of Laminifera: L. (L.) meini and L. (Polloneria) ballesioi are characteristics of the pliocene southern fauna of the Rhone province.Many Clausilids of the Neogene have disappeared because of the Quaternary bad climatic circumstances. But during the Pliocene appear the genus Clausilia very abundant actually in the western Europe.     

Présence de pollen d'araliacées dans le paléogène anglais et français

Comparison of pollen from the Paleogene in south England, the Paris Basin and Alès Basin (Gard) with the present-day Araliaceae pollen allow us to establish the presence of the following genera: Acanthopanax, Aralia, Brassaiopsis, Scheffleropsis and Panax. Five new species which show a close affinity with present-day Asiatic species are described.     

Le genre Leguminocythereis (Ostracodes) dans le Paléogène nord-aquitain: Espèces et populations; histoire évolutive locale

The genus Leguminocythereis, well represented inWestern Europe, is followed in North-Aquitaine (France) throughout the Eocene and at the basal Oligocene.Four species are described: L. striatopunctata, L.inflata, L. pertusa, L. aff. scrobiculata. The first two ones are polymorphic.The genus has suffered severely by the gradual setting of Eocene/Oligocene climatic crisis. Effectives grow less, specific populations structures are simplified; L. pertusa and L. aff. scrobiculata only are known at the basal Oligocene.By their locally irreversible distribution in time, themorphs appear as good stratigraphic indicators. Some of them are closely linked to special palaeoenvironments and are their markers.A comparison between the variances of some characterssuggests that, when they are isolated (out of the polymorphic structure) or/and in less favourable living conditions, the morphs develop an adaptative strategy by increasing of their genetic variability.Observed data are relevant of microevolution.     

Présence du genre PaléocèneAdapisorex (Lipotyphla,Mammalia) dans les Sables d'Orp-le-Grand (Heersien) a Maret en Brabant (Belgique)

According to the classical stratigraphical conceptions, the Belgian Heersian was classified in the Landenian, and assigned to the basal Lower Eocene. It is composed of marine Sands of Orp-le-Grand, which contain a riche selacian fauna, also of Gelinden Marls covering and interpenetrating the Sands.Among the vertebrate remains recently discovered at Maret en Brabant in the marl facieswithin the Sands was a small tooth which represents the first mammalian remain from the Heersian, and attests the occurence of the insectivorous genus Adapisorex, hitherto known from the paleocene localities of Cernay-les-Reims and Walbeck. The specimen from Maret en Brabant reopens the question of the age of the Belgian Heersian and supports its classification within the Paleocene, according to paleobotanical data and indications obtained from the selacian fauna.     

Présence du crocodilienPhosphatosaurus (Mesosuchia,Dyrosauridae) dans le paléocène du niger et du Mali

Jaw fragments of the large dyrosaurid crocodilianPhosphatosaurus Bergounioux, 1955, previously known only from the Lower Eocene of Tunisia, are described from the Lower Palaeocene of Niger and Mali. Teeth described by Gemmellaro from the Maastrichtian of Egypt are also referred to a similar form. Although too incomplete to be specifically identified, all these remains indicate that this group of dyrosaurids with a robust snout and large teeth has differentiated early. The evolution of the genusPhosphatosaurus was marked by an elongation of the mandibular symphysis. Résumé Des restes de mâchoires du grand Crocodilien dyrosauridéPhosphatosaurus Bergounioux, 1955, connu jusqu’ici seulement dans l’Eocène inférieur de Tunisie, sont décrits en provenance du Paléocène inférieur du Niger et du Mali. Des dents du Maestrichtien d’Egypte décrites par Gemmellaro sont aussi rapportées à une forme similaire. Bien que trop incomplets pour être identifiés spécifiquement, tous ces restes montrent que ce groupe de Dyrosauridae à museau robuste et à grosses dents s’est différencié de façon précoce. L’évolution du genrePhosphatosaurus a été marquée par une elongation de la symphyse mandibulaire.     

Un chiroptère emballonuridédans le Néogène d'Europe occidentale; Considérations paléobiogéographiques

The occurrence of an emballonurid bat is revealed within the micromammalian fauna found at the Lower Miocene locality of Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude). The material is described, and the comparison with homologous elements of fossil and living Emballonuridae indicates a modern character of the teeth.This species could be related to the recent genusTaphozous.. Therefore, a new family is added to the Western European mammalian Neogene fauna; and the Neogene geographical area of this family, previously limited to East Africa, is now extended to Europe.     

Première indication de la présence de phorusracidés,famille d'oiseaux géants d'amérique du sud,dans le tertiaire Européen: Ameghinornis nov. gen. (Aves,ralliformes) des phosphorites du quercy,France

Some bird remains, from the «Phosphorites du Quercy deposits are closely related to the corresponding bones of Phorusrhacidae, an extinct family of birds which underwent an extensive diversification in South America from Oligocene to Pleistocene times. It included many giant flightless species. The form of the Quercy is a rather primitive one, of medium size and of probably somewhat reduced flying ability.The simultaneous occurrence of Phorusrhacidae inFrance and South America is of great biogeographical significance. The Phorusrhacidae seem most probably to be the descendants of a rather primitive group of Ralliformes, already diversified in Gondwanaland prior to its separation into different continental masses.     

Présence de collagène dans le proventricule des Syllidiens (Annélides Polychètes)

Résumé L'auteur décrit en particulier à l'aide du microscope électronique les différentes couches constituant la paroi du proventricule de Syllidiens (Annélides Polychètes) en insistant spécialement sur celles (zones sous-épithéliales) situées de part et d'autre de la couche des muscles radiaires caractéristique de cet organe. II est montré que, contrairement à ce qu'il était admis jusqu'à présent, les zones sous-épithéliales sont constituées par des fibres de collagène noyées dans un matériel granuleux vraisemblablement de nature mucopolysaccharidique. D'autre part, un système d'attache particulier entre zones sous-épithéliales et musculature radiaire est mis en évidence.Les fibres de collagène de périodicité 560 Å constituent, autour de la musculature radiaire, un réseau à mailles rectangulaires hautement organisé. Dans l'assise la plus interne de ce réseau, les fibres sont allongées parallèlement à l'axe antéro-postérieur du Ver; dans l'assise la plus externe, elles sont disposées circulairement dans des plans transversaux.La signification de la présence de ces fibres de collagène (les seules existant dans tout le corps des Syllis étudiés) est évoquée. Les problèmes de leur origine et du rôle possible de cellules différenciées (musculaires) dans la synthèse de ce collagène sont analysés.

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Presence of collagen in the proventriculus of Syllids

Summary The layers of the wall of the proventriculus of Syllids (Annelids Polychetes) were studied, mainly with the aid of the electron microscope. The areas on both sides of the radial musculature (subepithelial zones) were given special attention. Contrary to previous views, it was shown that the subepithelial zones contain collagen fibrils within a granular material probably of mucopolysaccharide nature. Furthermore, a system of special attachment devices between subepithelial zones and radial musculature was demonstrated.The collagen fibrils (periodicity 560 Å) form a highly organized network with rectangular meshes around the radial musculature. In the innermost layer of this network, the fibers run parallel to the antero-posterior axis of the worm; in the outermost layer, they run circularly.The significance of the presence of these collagen fibers, the only in existence in the entire organism studied, is discussed. The problem of their origin, and the possible role played by differentiated (muscular) cells in the synthesis of this collagen are analyzed.

     

Présence de Tyto balearica (Aves,Strigiformes) dans des gisements continentaux du Pliocène de France et d'Espagne

Tyto balearica was described as an endemic insularform of Barn Owl from the Balearics. New remains referable to this species have been found in continental localities from Spain and Southern France, older than or contemporaneous with the Balearic sites. The great size of this species, comparatively to the recent European Barn Owl, Tyto alba, can be related to a diet including mainly large size rodents, larger than the preys which constitute the food of the recent European form. However the existence of a connection between the size of the Owl species studied and the high abundance of prey remains observed in every site is not excluded.     

Ptychochaetetes (Varioparietes) Resurgens nov. sp. (Cnidaria,Chaetetida) du Burdigalien du Bassin rhodanien (Miocène,France)

Discovery in the Miocene of a new species of Chaetetida belonging to the genus PtychochaetetesKoechlin, 1947. The organisms were gathered in the Burdigalian of the rhodanian basin: in Vaucluse (Valréas) and Ain (Valromey). More of the normal characters of Chaetetida, on thin sections, a particular structure and free spheres which are still enigmatic were seen.     

Modalités d'installation et d'évolutiondes Harpocératinés (ammonitina A) au Domérien inférieur dans le sud-Ouest de l'Europe (France,Portugal)

In Mesogea, the Harpoceratinae were known asearly as the end of the Lower Carixian. They later reached the sub-boreal province through the Alps or the South of the Iberic Peninsula. The analysis of the populations met in four crosssections of the Lower Domerian (Causses, Mâconnais, Franche-Comté, Portugal) showed the settling down of the Protogrammoceras isseli group that set up and evoluated in a similar way in the different areas in spite of a certain originality.On the one hand, it gave the cladogenetic groupP. monestieri-nitescens by diminution of the ribing density, strengthening of the ribs and simplification of the suture.On the other hand, a slower evolution give, near the end of the Stokesi zone, P. normanianum in the Paris Basin and in Burgundy, and P. lusitanicum in Portugal. At the same time, a new invader, P. celebratum, arrived in the Causses (and in Portugal).     

Le polymorphisme de la lactate déshydrogénase dans des sous-espèces d'Idotea balthica

In Idotea balthica, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) is dependent on only one triallelic locus. The variations in frequency of the more common alleles at this locus (i.e. fast (R) and slow (L) allow one to characterize the sub-species tricuspidata and stagnea but cannot be used to separate the sub-species basteri and balthica.     

Nouvelles espèces de Madréporaires dans le Kimméridgien supérieur du Jura (France)

The study of an Upper Kimmeridgian madreporarianfauna collected in the southern french Jura (between Valfin and Belley), allowed: 1) to describe five Scleractinian new species: Mitrodendron biennensis nov. sp., Hexapetalum nemorosum nov. sp., Thalamocoenia gironensis nov. sp., Cryptocoenia stelliserrata nov. sp., Columnocoenia miniflora nov. sp. and a new variety of Heliocoenia (Kobycoenia) claudiopolisensisBeauv., 1964, characterized by its small calices; 2) to modify the diagnosis and the systematic position of the species Baryhelia crassa (de From.) which was created as Heterocoenia crassade From.; 3) to increase of a new species the genus Hexapetalum only known, till now, by its Stramberg Tithon type-species; and 4) to give some palaeoenvironmental conclusions = the Upper Jurassic reef formations in the Southern Jura grew in shallow water characterized by an abundant carbonate sedimentation. Genera associations and distribution confirm the presence, between Oyonnax and Belley, of a low energy area, protected by a barrier reef and, northern of this barrier, of a higher hydrodynamic environment.     

Structure d'adhérencedes grains de pollen en tétrade du genre Classopollis PFLUG, 1953, de l'Hettangien de Saint-Fromont,Manche (France)

Palynological inventory of Saint-Fromont pit 0815 (Manche, France) related to Hettangian seems to show the conspecificity of Classopollis chateaunoviReyre, 1970, Classopollis kieseriReyre, 1970 and Classopollis harisiiMuir & Van Konijnenburg-Van Cittert, 1970. SEM pictures exibit some sculptural elements interpreted as structural attachments of grains in tetrad and compared to those of genus DicheiropollisTrevisan, 1971.     

Persistance du genre Piarophynchia (Brachiopodes, Rhynchonellacea) dans le Lias supérieur description de Piarorhynchia Faugeresi nov. sp. du Toarcien moyen du Prérif (Maroc)

The genus Piarorhynchia, which extends back as far as Triassic times and is abundant in the lower and middle Lias, persists after the Pliensbachian and ranges as high as the middle Toarcian in Morocco.Piarorhynchia faugeresi nov. sp. from Bifrons zone of jebel Kefs (Prerif) is described externally and internally.     

Action in vivo d'ecdysones sur la morphogénèse imaginale d'Aeshna cyanea (Odonata)

Single amounts of α or β ecdysone were injected during the last larval instar of Aeshna cyanea at various times after ecdysis. In these experimental conditions, α and β ecdysone had similar effects. Very large amounts of brown or black cuticle appeared on the tarsal claws soon after hormone injection, so that the cuticular synthesis of the larvae which were injected at the beginning of the last stage appears about two or three times more quickly than in controls. Nearly all the larval characters were exhibited by animals injected on the day of or the day after the last larval ecdysis. If the hormonal injection was further delayed, only adultoid forms were obtained. No perfect adults appeared. The effects evoked by α or β ecdysone may be different from one organ to another.On the other hand, some results were different according to the type of ecdysone. Darkening of the tarsal claws (and perhaps sclerotization) appears sooner when β ecdysone is supplied. The morphology of the external organs which degenerate during metamorphosis is not always the same after injection of equal amounts of α or β ecdysone at the same time. The regression of the larval organs seems to be more explicit and appears sooner when β ecdysone was administrated. The morphogenesis of the organs which grow during metamorphosis was either weaker or non-existent with β ecdysone.These results are discussed with regard to previous work.     

Les Agriotheriinae (Mammalia,Carnivora) néogènesde l'Ancien Monde présence du genre Indarctos dans la faune de Menacer (Ex-Marceau), Algérie

Newly recognized specimens reveal the occurrenceof an agriotherine ursid, Indartos aff. arctoides, in the Late Miocene fauna of Menacer (ex-Marceau), Algeria). The identification of these specimens and their chronological and biogeographical significances are established by comparison with other agriotheres in the Old World. The major features of the agriotherine radiation in Eurasia and Africa are defined.     

Ammonites diartianus d'Orbigny, 1850,Vascoceratidae du cénomanien supérieur de saint-calais (Sarthe)

Ammonites diartianus d'Orbigny is a Vascocerasoof late Cenomanian (Sciponoceras gracile Zone) age, occuring in both Sarthe (France) and southern England. It is the earliest vascoceratid known from France, and its recognition is of great significance, lending support to recent suggestions that the classic Vascoceras gamai - mundaeChoffat group are of Upper Cenomanian age.