Late Upper Pleistocene human peopling of the Far East: multivariate analysis and geographic patterns of variation

This research deals with the History of the human peopling of Far East Asia during the Late Upper Pleistocene. It brings some new answers to the question of modern human migrations in the Far East. This study is based on morphometric analysis of 45 fossil crania. The results of the multivariate analyses, combined with the recognition of geographic patterns of variation, separate the fossils into three morphological classes. These three clusters enable us to propose a likely scenario for the human peopling of the Far East from about 67 000 years ago. To cite this article: F. Demeter et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Gradual evolution in the African hunting dog lineage Systematic implications

The hunting dog, Lycaon pictus, is one of the most representative species of the extant African fauna and one of the most efficient predators in the World. This species is actually a relict within Sub-Saharan Africa, but its lineage is well recorded in Eurasia during the Pliocene, and in Eurasia and Africa during the Early Pleistocene, while its record during the Middle Pleistocene is not well documented. Though postcranial skeletal remains dating from the Early Pleistocene show a tetradactyl forelimb, a characteristic feature of the extant lycaon, unique among canids, the upper and lower dentitions show gradual evolution from a primitive morphology in the Late Pliocene specimens to the highly specialized trenchant carnassials of the extant predatory species. We propose a new systematics for the lineage, grouping all the forms within the genus Lycaon. To cite this article: B. Martínez-Navarro, L. Rook, C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

Hyaenictitherium minimum, a new ictithere (Mammalia, Carnivora, Hyaenidae) from the Late Miocene of Toros-Menalla, Chad

A new species of Hyaenidae, Hyaenictitherium minimum, is described in the carnivore fauna of the Late Miocene layers of Toros-Menalla (Chad). Its size is similar to that of a jackal and it had probably a similar ecological niche. It is found in several fossil-bearing localities of this area. The genus Hyaenictitherium is known from the early Late Miocene in Eurasia from China to Spain; the Chadian material is, perhaps with some specimens from Sahabi and Lothagam, the earliest occurrence of the genus in Africa. It results certainly from Eurasian migration, which will have to be taken into account for the analysis of the bulk of the fauna. To cite this article: L. de Bonis et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Presence of Hemitragus aff. cedrensis (Mammalia, Bovidae) in the Iberian Peninsula: Biochronological and biogeographical implications of its discovery at Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain)

The discovery of new material in Late Pleistocene levels at Bolomor Cave (Valencia, Spain) raises some questions about the presence of the most ancient record of Hemitragus cedrensis in the peninsula, and its dispersal out of Provence. The morphology and dimensions of some lower teeth confirm the identification of H. aff. cedrensis. Moreover, it presents strong similarities, both morphological and metrical, with the specimens from Caune de l’Arago and bau de l’Aubesier (end of OIS 7 to OIS 5e) rather than with the population from the eponymous locality. The data suggest a dispersal event out of Provence towards the Iberian Peninsula during the Eemian. This dispersal was not stopped by natural barriers such as large rivers, or mountains. The results presented here confirm the biochronological interest of the genus Hemitragus for the Late Pleistocene in Mediterranean Europe.     

Le site de Tögi Ndrawa, île de Nias, Sumatra nord : les premières traces d'une occupation hoabinhienne en grotte en Indonésie

The site of Tögi Ndrawa, Island of Nias, North Sumatra: The first record of a Hoabinhian cave occupation in Indonesia. Although in Indonesia, Hoabinhian sites usually refer to large shell midden dated back from the Holocene period, the Tögi Ndrawa cave in the Island of Nias (North Sumatra) has revealed a thick shell accumulation, sealed in a cavity, and beginning with the end of the Late Pleistocene. Excavations have produced classical Hoabinhian pebble artefacts, a forest and coastal fauna, and human bones. Beyond the new chronological landmarks provided by these findings, they question the extension of the Hoabinhian phenomenon originating from continental Asia, and provide hints about human settlement and use of the environment at this period of prehistory. Pour citer cet article : H. Forestier et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

A Late Campanian sphenodontid (Reptilia, Diapsida) from northern Patagonia

The fossil record of sphenodontids in the Southern Hemisphere is much longer than in Laurasia, where they became extinct after Early Cretaceous times. Recent works demonstrated the persistence of at least eilenodontine sphenodontids until the ‘mid’-Cretaceous of Patagonia. Focused examination of the Los Alamitos Formation collections provided remains of Late Campanian sphenodontids. Although the phylogenetic position of these remains is still uncertain, they belong to a new, unrecorded species of sphenodontid perhaps related to opisthodontians or primitive, toothed sapheosaurs. To cite this article: S. Apesteguía, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Orycteropus (Tubulidentata, Mammalia) from Langebaanweg and Baard's Quarry, Early Pliocene of South Africa

Fossil teeth and bones of aardvarks are relatively common at Langebaanweg, an Early Pliocene site in western Cape Province, South Africa. The remains are compatible in size and most details of morphology to extant Orycteropus afer, and are the earliest fossils attributed to this species. Other Late Miocene to Early Pliocene localities in Africa have yielded smaller species of aardvarks, suggesting that the extant lineage evolved in southern Africa. Morphologically the genus Orycteropus has been remarkably conservative since at least the Early Miocene but it witnessed an overall increase in size through the Neogene. The species O. afer has been morphometrically stable since the Early Pliocene. These observations indicate that the evolutionary process in aardvarks is extremely bradytelic. To cite this article: M. Pickford, C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

The southernmost sirenian record in the eastern Pacific Ocean, from the Late Miocene of Chile

A tooth of a sirenian from the Late Miocene sediments of the Bahia Inglesa Formation (Chile) is described and referred to the Dugongidae. The fossil represents the first sirenian record from Chile and the southernmost record of the Sirenia in the eastern Pacific Ocean (latitude 27° S). The Chilean record extends the already wide geographical distribution of fossil sirenians along the Eastern Pacific coast. The presence of a sirenian during the Miocene on the Chilean coast is related to a globally warmer climatic condition and a still limited northern extension of the cold Humboldt Current. To cite this article: G. Bianucci, C. R. Palevol 5 (2006).     

A new species of Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. from the Late Miocene of the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan

New anthracotheriid remains, discovered by the H-GSP in well-dated localities from the Potwar plateau in the North of Pakistan, between 10.4 and 8.6 Ma, are described and attributed to Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. This new species displays an intermediate morphology between the older M. pusillus and the more recent M. dissimilis. These results permit to emend the Merycopotamus diagnosis. To cite this article: F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).

Résumé

Une nouvelle espèce d'Anthracotheriidae, Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. du Miocène récent du plateau du Potwar, Pakistan. Des restes d'Anthracotheriidae, découverts par le H-GSP dans des localités bien datées du plateau du Potwar, au Nord du Pakistan, entre 10,4 et 8,6 Ma, sont décrits et attribués à Merycopotamus medioximus nov. sp. Cette nouvelle espèce possède une morphologie intermédiaire entre M. pusillus, espèce plus ancienne, et M. dissimilis, plus récente. Ces résultats permettent en outre d'émender la diagnose du genre Merycopotamus. Pour citer cet article : F. Lihoreau et al., C. R. Palevol 3 (2004).     

Faunes et paléoenvironnements des principaux sites archéologiques plio-pléistocènes de la formation de Nachukui (Ouest-Turkana, Kenya)

Faunas and paleoenvironments from main archaeological Plio-Pleistocene sites of the Nachukui Formation (West Turkana, Kenya). The Nachukui Formation is currently under archaeological investigation, especially within the Kalochoro (2.35 – 1.9 Myr) and Kaitio (1.9 – 1.65 Myr) Members. Six main archaeological sites have been excavated from this time period, which yield rich vertebrate faunas collected in situ or in close vicinity to the site. Paleontological studies help to precise the specific diversity for each site and increase our documentation for each Member with the discovery of new taxa. They allow to provide new informations about the biotope diversities exploited by Hominids and show a climatic tendency towards more humid environment between the Members. To cite this article: J.-P. Brugal et al., C.R. Palevol 2 (2003).     

The subfossil occurrence and paleoecological implications of Macrotarsomys petteri (Rodentia: Nesomyidae) in extreme southeastern Madagascar

Remains of a large-bodied species of endemic nesomyid rodent, Macrotarsomys petteri Goodman and Soarimalala, 2005, were identified from subfossil deposits recovered from Andrahomana Cave in extreme southeastern Madagascar. This recently described extant species was previously only known from a single specimen collected at a site about 450 km northwest of Andrahomana and with distinctly different forest habitat than currently found in the vicinity of the cave. Radiocarbon dating of remains of M. petteri from the cave site indicates that it persisted in the region subsequent to human settlement. Previous reports of a large member of Macrotarsomys from other Quaternary sites in southern Madagascar are almost certainly of M. petteri. It is proposed that this species once had a broad distribution across the southern portion of the island during a more mesic period and subsequent aridification of the region has led to its local extirpation across most of its former range. To cite this article: S.M. Goodman et al., C. R. Palevol 5 (2006).     

2-Hydroxyacid dehydrogenase from Haloferax mediterranei, a D-isomer-specific member of the 2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase family

An NAD-dependent D-2-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.) was isolated and characterized from the halophilic Archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. The enzyme is a dimer with a molecular mass of 101.4 ± 3.3 kDa. It is strictly NAD-dependent and exhibits its highest activity in 4 M NaCl. The enzyme is characterized by a broad substrate specificity 2-ketoisocaproate and 2-ketobutyrate being the substrates with the higher V_max/K_m. When pyruvate and 2-ketobutyrate were the substrates the optimal pH was acidic (pH 5) meanwhile for 2-ketoisocaproate maximum activity was achieved at basic pH between 7.5 and 8.5. The optimum temperature was 52 ºC and at 65 ºC there was a pronounced activity decrease. This new enzyme can be used for the production of D-2-hydroxycarboxylic acid.     

Indications for a humid climate in the Western Desert of Egypt 11–10 Myr ago: evidence from Galagidae (Primates, Mammalia)

The timing of desertification of the Sahara Desert is poorly understood, with recent estimates indicating an onset of hyper-aridity during the Latest Miocene. Field work in Egypt in 2005 has led to the discovery of evidence that indicates that 11–10 Ma the Western Desert was covered in woodland. Fossiliferous cave breccia at Sheikh Abdallah, Western Desert, Egypt, has yielded a Late Miocene (11–10 Ma) microvertebrate fauna, which contains Galagidae, Microchiroptera, Macroscelididae, Soricidae, Erinaceidae, and Rodentia. The locality also yielded the remains of frogs, snakes, lizards, and birds. The fauna indicates a mean annual rainfall in excess of 500 mm and perhaps as much as 1,200 mm. This palaeoclimatic information is important because it reveals that the Sahara Desert, which is today the largest in the world, was either considerably smaller during the Late Miocene than it is today, or that it did not yet exist as a continuous hyper-arid belt right across the continent. This data accords with estimates of a Latest Miocene (8–7 Ma) increase in aridity in the Sahara. To cite this article: M. Pickford et al., C. R. Palevol 5 (2006).     

A new primitive hadrosauroid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China)

The right dentary of a new hadrosauroid dinosaur, Penelopognathus weishampeli, has been discovered in the Bayan Gobi Formation (Albian, Lower Cretaceous) of Inner Mongolia (P.R. China). This new taxon is characterised by its elongated, straight dental ramus, whose lateral side is pierced by about 20 irregularly distributed foramina. Its dentary teeth appear more primitive than those of Probactrosaurus, but more advanced than those of Altirhinus, both also from the Lower Cretaceous of the Gobi area. Non-hadrosaurid Hadrosauroidea were already well diversified in eastern Asia by Early Cretaceous time, suggesting an Asian origin for the hadrosauroid clade. To cite this article: P. Godefroit et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

Seed germination and seedling fitness in Mesua ferrea L. in relation to fruit size and seed number per fruit

Effect of fruit size and seediness (seed number per fruit) was examined on germination and early growth of seedlings in Mesua ferrea L. Fruiting incidence (number of fruited trees in a population) and fruit loading (number of fruits per tree) vary from one year to the other, and were greater in 1997 than in 1998. Seeds from large fruits (> 40 g) are preferred for forestry plantations and those from small fruits (< 40 g) are discarded, despite a greater proportion of small fruits (63.2 %) than large fruits (36.8 %). A fruit, large or small in size, may contain one, two, three or four seeds. The germination percentage of seeds increased from 1-seeded through 4-seeded fruits both in laboratory and greenhouse conditions, and both in case of large and small fruits. Conversely, the mean seed weight and germination time decreased along this gradient, i.e. seeds from 1-seeded fruits were the heaviest and required maximum time for germination, and the seeds from 4-seeded fruits were the lightest and required minimum time for germination. The seeds from small fruits were lighter in weight, achieved lower germination percentages and required greater germination time than the seeds from large fruits in all four seeded categories. Seedlings from seeds from 1-seeded fruits survived better and with stronger vigour after 1 year of growth than seedlings from 2-, 3- and 4-seeded fruits. Further, seedling survival and vigour were greater for seeds from large rather than small fruits.     

First record of a fossil bird from the Early Cretaceous of Thailand

We present the first known occurrence of a Mesozoic fossil bird from Thailand. The new specimen is the distal end of a left humerus, from the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation in the Northeast of the country, and testifies to the presence of a medium-sized avian in these non-marine strata. This is also the first Mesozoic bird known from the whole of Southeast Asia. To cite this article: E. Buffetaut et al., C. R. Palevol 4 (2005).     

NO EVIDENCE OF BOTTLENECK IN THE POSTGLACIAL RECOLONIZATION OF EUROPE BY THE NOCTULE BAT (NYCTALUS NOCTULA)

During the Pleistocene, the habitat of the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula) was limited to small refuge areas located in Southern Europe, whereas the species is now widespread across this continent. Using mtDNA (control region and ND1 gene) polymorphisms, we asked whether this recolonization occurred through bottlenecks and whether it was accompanied by population growth. Sequences of the second hypervariable domain of the control region were obtained from 364 noctule bats representing 18 colonies sampled across Europe. This yielded 108 haplotypes that were depicted on a minimum spanning tree that showed a starlike structure with two long branches. Additional sequences obtained from the ND1 gene confirmed that the different parts of the MST correspond to three clades which diverged before the Last Glacial Maximum (18,000 yrC¹⁴ BP), leading to the conclusion that the noctule bat survived in several isolated refugia. Partitioning populations into coherent geographical groups divided our samples (φ_CT = 0.17; P = 0.01) into a group of highly variable nursing colonies from central and eastern Europe and less variable, isolated colonies from western and southern Europe. Demographic analyses suggest that populations of the former group underwent demographic expansions either after the Younger Dryas (11,000–10,000 yrC¹⁴ BP), assuming a fast mutation rate for HV II, or during the Pleistocene, assuming a conventional mutation rate. We discuss the fact that the high genetic variability (h = 0.69–0.96; π = 0.006–0.013) observed in nursing colonies that are located some distance from potential Pleistocene refugia is probably due to the combined effect of rapid evolution of the control region in growing populations and a range shift of noctule populations parallel to the recovery of forests in Europe after the last glaciations.     

Molecular evidence for species level divergence in African Nile Crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus (Laurenti, 1786)

Relationships of the newly discovered dwarf crocodiles from Mauritania were inferred from mitochondrial 12S sequences. Specimens from 13 different Crocodylus niloticus populations (from East Africa, West Africa and Madagascar) were compared. Additional representatives of the genus Crocodylus (one from Africa and one from Australia), the African genus Osteolaemus and the South American alligatorid Paleosuchus palpebrosus (as outgroup) were included in the analysis. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses yielded relationships that were strikingly different from currently prevailing phylogenetic hypotheses. Both analyses consistently revealed two groups, one consisting of the monophyletic West- and Central African populations and the other of a paraphyletic group containing the East African and Madagascan populations. High genetic divergence between those groups indicates separation on the species level. Furthermore ‘C’ cataphractus is clearly shown not to be a member of the genus Crocodylus. The resulting nomenclatural changes are discussed. To cite this article: A. Schmitz et al., C. R. Palevol 2 (2003).