New occurrences of the wood Protocupressinoxylon purbeckensis Francis: implications for terrestrial biomes in southwestern Europe at the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary

Abstract:  Previously known from the Kimmeridgian–Portlandian of Dorset (UK) only, Protocupressinoxylon purbeckensis wood is reported here from the Kimmeridgian of Asturias (Spain) and Ajoie (Switzerland). The morphospecies taxonomy and nomenclature are discussed, and new supplementary illustrations are given. The P. purbeckensis tree was growing in dry strongly seasonal (tropophilous) environments, and the new occurrences suggest that such a climate prevailed on land all over southwestern Europe at the end of the Jurassic (Kimmeridgian sensu anglico – Portlandian). The review of fossil wood data indicates that such a stressful environment may have constrained terrestrial biocoenoses and their evolution at the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. But wood generic diversity curves are also strikingly similar to that drawn 20 years ago for nonmarine tetrapods, implying a fossil Lagerstätte effect.     

TAXONOMIC REEVALUATION OF GEMMULOBORSONIA SHUTO, 1989 (GASTROPODA: CONOIDEA), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF NEW RECENT DEEP-WATER SPECIES

The genus Gemmulobonorua Shuto, 1989, until now known only fromUpper Miocene-Lower Pleistocene deposits of the Tethys, is recordedin Recent faunas, with five new bathyal species from New Caledonia,Indonesia, Mozambique Channel, and the Philippines. Radularmorphology indicates that Gemmuloborsorua belongs to the subfamilyTurnnae, and not to Borsoruinae, where it had been allocatedbased on shell morphology. Columellar pleats, which have longbeen considered a synapomorphy of the borsornid group of genera,have thus been acquired independently in the Turnnae. The consequenceof this finding is that the current (sub)fanuly allocation ofsome genera, based on shell characters only, may need reevaluation. (Received 21 July 1995; accepted 8 August 1995)     

Climate change impacts on structure and diversity of fish communities in rivers

It is widely accepted that climate change constrains biota. Yet, because of the lack of consistent multisite and multitaxon surveys, few studies have addressed general rules about how climate change impacts on structure and diversity of animal communities. Especially, the relative influence of nonclimatic anthropogenic disturbances on this impact is fairly unknown. Here, we present for the first time a meta-analysis assessing the effect of global warming on stream organisms. Fish communities of large rivers in France undergoing various anthropogenic pressures showed significant increase in proportions of warm-water species and of specific richness during the last 15–25 years. Conversely, the equitability decreased, indicating a gradual decrease of the number of dominant species. Finally, the total abundance increased, coupled with rejuvenation and changes in size-structure of the communities. Interestingly, most of these effects were not depressed by the strength of nonclimatic anthropogenic disturbances. Conversely, geographical location of communities and especially closeness of natural barriers to migration could influence their response to climate change. Indeed, increase in the proportion of southern species seemed hindered at sites located close to the southern limit of the European species' geographical ranges. This work provides new evidence that climate change have deep impacts on communities which, by overtaking the effects of nonclimatic anthropogenic disturbances, could be more substantial than previously thought. Overall, our results stress the importance of considering climate change impacts in studies addressing community dynamics, even in disturbed sites.     

Microhabitats and diel downstream migration of young grayling (Thymallus thymallm L.)

SUMMARY. 1, Microhabitats chosen by young grayling ( Thymallus thymallus L.) were investigated by electrofishing. The first feeding habitat was marginal areas where water velocity did not exceed 15 cms⁻¹. Fry fed on drift in the first 10 cm of the water column below the surface. This location was very stable during the first weeks of growth (mid-April to mid-May). When they were 3–3.5 cm long, fry began using benthic areas and gradually moved away from the banks towards the channel.
2. A downstream migration was noted from the beginning of emergence (mid-April) to the end of May. This mainly nocturnal movement involved all fish sizes and caused a complete removal of young-of-the-year by June from the spawning tributary.     

Radiation précoce des coniferes Taxodiaceae et bois affines du Jurassique de France

Three Jurassic fossil-wood taxa from France have been investigated, Taxodioxylon lemoignei n.sp. from the Oxfordian, Prototaxodioxylon romanensis Philippe from the Pliensbachian, and P. sp. from the Hettangian. Wood of this type, prior to the Late Cretaceous, is reviewed. The Oxfordian wood shows a structure characteristic of a Taxodiaceae, previously unknown before the Late Cretaceous. It is well differentiated from contemporaneous woods of Cupressaceae. The systematic position of the Liassic forms, with mixed type of pitting, remains more arguable. These taxodiaceous woods, along with known reproductive structures, reinforce the idea that this family was well separated from Cupressaceae already in the Middle Jurassic. *** Fossil wood, Jurassic, France, Taxodiaceae.     

Four new species of Provanna Dall (Prosobranchia,Cerithiacea?) from East Pacific hydrothermal sites

Four new species of Provanna Dall, 1918 are described from East Pacific hydrothermal sites: Provanna ios sp.n., P. goniata sp.n., P. echinata sp.n. and P. variabilis sp.n. The type species of Provanna, P. Iomana Dall, 1918 and Trichotropis (Cerithioderma) pacifica Dall, 1908. which here is transferred to Provanna , are the only additional species known of the genus. Results of some preliminary anatomical investigations are given and a tentative position in the Cerithiacea is suggested. The four new species were collected by manned submersibles from sites of hydrothermal activity; P. Iomana has been dredged on two occasions only. from an area known for hydrothermal activity and we assume that the type- and only known locality for P. pacifica also is affected by hydrothermal acitivity.