Patterns in the diversity and endemism of extant Eocene age lineages across southern Africa

Southern Africa boasts a wealth of endemic fauna and flora, comprising both massive recent radiations such as those characteristic of the Cape flora, and solitary ancient species such as the peculiar desert gymnosperm Welwitschia. This study was undertaken to identify ancient biological lineages (tetrapod and vascular plant lineages of Eocene age or older) endemic to southern Africa, and to map their distribution across the region. Twenty‐seven (17 plant and ten animal) lineages were identified, and distribution maps were generated for each of them across 74 operational geographic units, which were then combined into total endemism and corrected weighted endemism per unit area. Total endemism peaked along South Africa's coast and Great Escarpment, but in the case of weighted endemism high values were also recorded along other portions of the Great Escarpment further north. A review of the lineages sister to southern African ancient endemic lineages showed that these are often globally widespread, and many of them differ substantially from the southern African ancient lineages in terms of morphology and ecology. The mechanisms of ancient lineage survival in the region are discussed, and their importance for conservation in southern Africa is emphasised.     

Current status and needs for life cycle assessment development in Asian/Pacific Regions

Conclusion  In conclusion, LCA that is conducted and used appropriately is an indispensable tool to assist decision-makers in making an informed decision about the environmental impacts of their activities, products or services. A global effort towards LCA use should be encouraged and countries in the Asian/Pacific Regions should not be left out. LCA-related activities reported in the symposium were described     

扬子区后Llandovery世（志留纪）胞石的发现及其意义

坟头组时代争论长期不能统一的原因之一,在于各家对坟头组涵盖范围理解不一,坟头组有广义和狭义之分：以侯家塘组的顶为底,以秀山动物群的最高层位为顶的坟头组概念,为狭义坟头组,以侯家塘组,茅山组之间岩层的总答和为坟头组的概念,为广义坟头组,本文建议使用狭义坟头组概念,以求定义统一。坟头组之上,茅山组之下还存在寨山组和新河庄组（新组）。宁镇山脉志留系存在倒序,脱顶,丢层等问题,建议将坟头组,寨山组的标准剖     

Study on the Floristic Composition Similarity of Mangrove Among Their Global Distribution Regions

Based on set theory, the similarity and disparity indices among plant distribution regions were defined with the Jaccard’s similarity index. The similarity among six mangrove distribution regions in the world was analysed. The results showed that the region most similar to the eastern coast of Africa was the coast of Oceania, the region most similar to the coast of Asia and the eastern Pacific Archipelago was the coast of Oceania, the region most similar to the western coast of America was the western coast of Africa, the region most similar to the western coast of Africa was the eastern coast of America. By cluster analysis of the six mangrove distribution regions, the western coast of Africa and the eastern coast of America, the coast of Asia and eastern Pacific Archipelago and the coast of Oceania, were merged into two large regions respectively. The six mangrove distribution regions were further merged into two large regions which were consistent with the east central group and the west central group.     

秦巴山区蝗虫群落多样性研究

作者于1995～1997年对秦巴山区蝗虫资源进行了调查。采用Shannon-Wiener提出的多样性指数(H')公式、Pielou提出的均匀度(E)公式及Simpson提出的优势度(C)公式,计算群落的多样性、均匀度和优势度。结果表明,不同地区、不同生境、不同海拔高度及不同月份,秦巴山区蝗虫群落的物种数目、多样性指数值、均匀度及优势度指数值均有明显差异。这主要与蝗虫的生物学特性直接有关,另外也受到环境因素的影响。     

新疆麦田主要蚜虫的生态位

利用生态位理论,对新疆塔城、伊犁两地区麦田的麦双尾蚜Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko)、麦二叉蚜Shizaphis graminum (Rondani)、麦长管蚜Sitobion avenae (F.)和禾谷缢管蚜Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)等4种麦蚜生态位宽度和重叠度进行了估测和分析。在塔城麦田麦双尾蚜时间生态位宽度最大,麦双尾蚜和麦二叉蚜时间生态位重叠最大,竞争激烈。伊犁麦田禾谷缢管蚜时间生态位宽度最大,麦二叉蚜在空间生态位和时 空二维生态位上均占有明显的优势,麦长管蚜和麦双尾蚜的时间生态位重叠最大,麦长管蚜和麦二叉蚜在空间生态位和时 空生态位重叠最大。     

Molecular and morphological characterization of the Achnanthidium minutissimum complex (Bacillariophyta) in Petuniabukta (Spitsbergen,High Arctic) including the description of A. digitatum sp. nov.

Recent morphology-based investigations of freshwater Arctic diatoms suggest that many species remain to be discovered, reflecting a unique polar flora. During a survey of the freshwater diatom flora of northern Billefjorden, including the Petuniabukta fjord region (Spitsbergen), several morphodemes belonging to the Achnanthidium minutissimum species complex were recorded. Molecular phylogenies based on rbcL, 28S and 18S sequences, including single cells from Canada and strains from Marion Island (sub-Antarctica) and GenBank revealed the presence of 12 distinct A. minutissimum complex lineages, of which three contained strains from Spitsbergen. One Arctic lineage is described as a new species. Achnanthidium digitatum sp. nov. is morphologically characterized by narrow, linear to only slightly lanceolate valves and usually two areolae per stria. The two remaining Arctic lineages are in need of a more complete morphological and molecular comparison with other representatives of the A. minutissimum complex to clarify their taxonomic identity. It is argued that implementation of molecular data in the taxonomy of Achnanthidium will be essential to solve the taxonomic problems associated with this group, eventually resulting in a better understanding of the biogeography and niche differentiation of different species belonging to the A. minutissimum complex. Ideally, this should be based on more variable genes than the currently widely used 18S, which does not have a species level resolution in the A. minutissimum complex.     

西南地区红花龙胆分布格局模拟与气候变化影响评价

应用最大熵(MaxEnt)模型,基于230条分布记录及33个气候因子数据,模拟全新世中期(约6000年前)、当前时期(1950—2000年)和未来(2050s、2070s)气候条件下,红花龙胆西南地区的潜在分布范围;结合多元统计分析和ArcGIS空间分析,筛选影响物种分布的关键气候因子,探讨不同分布区对气候变化的敏感性.结果表明: 模型训练集AUC值为0.942,验证集AUC值为0.849,表明模型预测的准确性较高.5个气候因子(7月最高气温、8月最低气温、昼夜温差与年温差比值、7月最低气温和6月最低气温)对模型贡献最大,累计贡献率达59.9%.随未来气候变化,红花龙胆适生区将呈现先减少后增加的变化趋势,在RCP 8.5情景下,至2070s阶段,西南地区红花龙胆适宜生境总面积与当前气候条件相比减少15.0%,但云南境内适生区和高适生区面积较当前分别增加32.8%和32.7%.红花龙胆适宜生长于温暖、湿润的气候条件下,气候变暖明显影响着适宜生境的面积和范围,尤其低海拔分布区对气候变化较敏感,适宜生境退缩严重,而高海拔地区由于降水、温度条件的改善适宜生境有所增加.随着全球气候的变化,未来西南地区红花龙胆主要分布区可能向西迁移,并向更高海拔扩张.     

Roveacrinids (Crinoidea,Roveacrinida) from the Cenomanian-Turonian of southwest Algeria (Saharan Atlas and Guir Basin)

In the southwestern part of Algeria, the Cenomanian-Turonian marine deposits build up a prominent ledge in a perched syncline (Ksour Mountains, western Saharan Atlas) or at high radius of curvature (Guir Basin). The petrographical analysis of the Cenomanian-Turonian deposits of the Ksour Mountains and of the Guir Basin reveals unexpected assemblages of roveacrinoidal ossicles comparable with those formerly reported from the Tinrhert area. For the first time, isolated ossicles of genuine and undisputable Roveacrinidae are illustrated. Three sections, Djebel Rhoundjaia (western Saharan Atlas), Berridel and Kénadsa (Guir Basin), were scrutinized to recognize the microcrinoidal sections within the carbonate microfacies and to compile the successive occurrence of respective roveacrinid taxa (besides the classical search for standard index microfossils) in an attempt to pinpoint more precisely the position of the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (C/T B). These assemblages are particularly morphologically and taxonomically diverse with three species of genus Roveacrinus and one of genus Orthogonocrinus. The presence of Saccocomidae (Applinocrinus) is especially unusual in such stratigraphic levels. The relative abundance and diversity of Roveacrinidae evidence a peak when approaching the C/T B. Such an event is recurring in the latest Cenomanian in various Tethyan and Atlantic areas. These fluctuations are consistent with a high surface-water productivity just before the C/T B.     

Deciduous dentition and eruption pattern in late Miocene Pachyrukhinae (Hegetotheriidae,Notoungulata) from La Pampa Province,Argentina

The study of juvenile remains of Paedotherium Burmeister from Cerro Azul Formation (La Pampa Province, Argentina; late Miocene) is presented. Upper and lower deciduous dentition (or permanent molars supposed to be associated with non-preserved deciduous teeth) are recognised. Several ontogenetic stages are distinguished among juveniles, according to the degree of wear and the replaced deciduous teeth. Besides, some morphological and metrical differences are observed along the crown height. Deciduous cheek teeth are high-crowned and placed covering the apex of the corresponding permanent tooth. The height of the crown and the degree of wear allow establishing the pattern of dental replacement of deciduous and permanent premolars in a posterior–anterior direction (DP/dp4–2 and P/p4–2), as well as the eruption of M/m3 before DP/dp4 is replaced. Some of the studied remains are recognised as young individuals of Tremacyllus Ameghino, but with complete permanent dentition, which leads to propose a different timing in the dental replacement with respect to Paedotherium; they also allow the establishment of an opposite premolar eruption pattern, from P/p2 to P/p4. This knowledge of the deciduous dentition of Paedotherium suggests the need of revising the morphological and metrical characters previously used for defining species within this taxon.