Perturbation at the sea floor during the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from benthic foraminifera at Contessa Road, Italy

Detailed analyses of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages extracted with the cold acetolyse method together with high resolution geochemical and mineralogical investigations across the Paleocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary of the classical succession at Contessa Road (western Tethys), allowed to recognize and document the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) interval, the position of the Benthic Extinction Event (BEE) and the early recovery of benthic faunas in the aftermath of benthic foraminiferal extinction. The stratigraphical interval spanning the P/E boundary consists of dominantly pelagic limestones and two prominent marly beds. Benthic foraminifera indicate that these sediments were deposited at lower bathyal depth, not deeper than 1000–1500 m. The Carbon Isotope Excursion (CIE) interval is characterized by high barite abundance with a peak at the base of the same stratigraphic interval, indicating a complete, although condensed record of the early CIE. A succession of events and changes in the taxonomic structure of benthic foraminifera has been recognized that may be of use for supra-regional stratigraphic correlation across the P/E boundary interval. The composition of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages, dominated by infaunal taxa, indicates mesotrophic and changing conditions on the sea floor during the last  45 kyr of the Paleocene. The BEE occurs at the base of the CIE within the lower marly bed and it is recorded by the extinction of several deep-water cosmopolitan taxa. Then, the lysocline/CCD rose and severe carbonate dissolution occurred. Preservation deteriorated, the faunal density and simple diversity dropped to minimum values and a peak of Glomospira spp. has been observed. Stress-tolerant and opportunistic groups, represented mainly by bi-and triserial taxa, dominate the low-diversity post-extinction assemblages, indicating a benthic foraminiferal recovery under environmental unstable conditions, probably within a context of sustained food transfer to the bottom. A three-phase pattern of faunal recovery is recognizable. At first the lysocline/CCD started to descend and then recovered. Small-sized “Bulimina”, Oridorsalis umbonatus, and Tappanina selmensis rapidly repopulated the severely stressed environment. Later on, Siphogenerinoides brevispinosa massively returns, dominating the assemblage together with other buliminids, Nuttallides truempyi, and Anomalinoides sp.1. Finally, a marked drop in abundance of S. brevispinosa is followed by a bloom of the opportunistic and recolonizer agglutinated Pseudobolivina that, for the first time, is recorded within the main CIE. A second interval of dissolution, but less severe than the previous one, has been recognized within the upper marly bed (uppermost part of the main CIE interval) and it is interpreted as a renewed, less pronounced shoaling of the lysocline/CCD that interrupted the recovery of benthic faunas. This further rise likely represents a response to persistent instability of ocean geochemistry in this sector of the Tethys before the end of the CIE. In the CIE recovery and post CIE intervals, the composition of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages suggests mesotrophic and unstable conditions at the sea floor. According to the geochemical proxy for redox conditions, the deposition of the PETM sediments at Contessa Road occurred in well-oxygenated waters, leading out a widespread oxygen depletion as major cause of the BEE. Changing oceanic productivity, carbonate corrosivity and global warming appear to have played a much more important role in the major benthic foraminiferal extinction at the P/E boundary.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Utricularia</Emphasis> (Lentibulariaceae) from Guerrero,Mexico

Utricularia regia is described and illustrated. It occurs in the Sierra Madre del Sur region of Guerrero, Mexico, and belongs to section Psyllosperma; a key to differentiate the species of sect. Psyllosperma is included. The new species is similar to Utricularia hintonii and U. petersoniae, from which it differs in the unusual division of the upper lip of the corolla into four lobes and its peculiar coloration pattern. A table comparing the differences among these three species is presented. Utricularia regia adds a new, narrowly endemic species to the flora of Guerrero, Mexico.

---

Resumen  Se describe e ilustra como especie nueva para la ciencia a Utricularia regia a partir de ejemplares procedentes del estado de Guerrero, México. La nueva especie se ubica en la sección Psyllosperma y está mejor relacionada con Utricularia hintonii y U. petersoniae; de las que se diferencia por la división del labio superior de la corola en cuatro lóbulos y por su peculiar coloración; se presenta una tabla en la que se comparan más ampliamente estas tres especies y se incluye también una clave para diferenciar las especies de la sección Psyllosperma. Utricularia regia agrega un elemento endémico más a la flora de Guerrero y de México.

     

Intensity,repetitiveness, and directionality of habitual adolescent mobility patterns influence the tibial diaphysis morphology of athletes

Mobility patterns affect the loads placed on the lower limbs during locomotion and may influence variation in lower limb diaphyseal robusticity and shape. This relationship commonly forms the basis for inferring mobility patterns from hominin fossil and skeletal remains. This study assesses the correspondence between athletic histories, varying by loading intensity, repetition and directionality, measured using a recall questionnaire, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography‐derived measurements of tibial diaphysis rigidity and shape. Participants included male university varsity cross‐country runners (n = 15), field hockey players (n = 15), and controls (n = 20) [mean age: 22.1 (SD +/? 2.6) years]. Measurements of tibial rigidity (including J, %CA, I_max, I_min, and average cortical thickness) of both runners and field hockey players were greater than controls (P ≤ 0.05). Differences in tibial shape (I_max/I_min, P ≤ 0.05) between runners and hockey players reflect pronounced maximum plane (I_max) rigidity in runners, and more symmetrical hypertrophy (I_max, I_min) among hockey players. This corresponds with the generally unidirectional locomotor patterns of runners, and the multidirectional patterns of hockey players. These results support the relationship between mobility and tibial diaphysis morphology as it is generally interpreted in the anthropological literature, with greater levels of mobility associated with increased diaphyseal robusticity and shape variation. Although exercise intensity may be the primary influence on these properties, the repetitiveness of the activity also deserves consideration. In conclusion, bone morphological patterns can reflect habitual behaviors, with adaptation to locomotor activities likely contributing to variation in tibial rigidity and shape properties in archaeological and fossil samples. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

中国贵州东部乌溜-曾家崖剖面早—中寒武世凯里组疑源类(英文)

我国贵州东部乌溜-曾家崖凯里组剖面作为世界早-中寒武世界线层型侯选剖面,产出良好保存的大型无脊椎动物化石(尤其是三叶虫)。因此,更加详细研究该剖面海洋疑源类的生物地层非常重要,将提供围绕界线的生物和环境变化的细微记录。乌溜-曾家崖剖面凯里组的疑源类划分两个组合,它们是凯里组0-52m的Leiomarginata si mplex-Fi mbriaglomerella membranacea组合和52-140m的Cristallinium cambriense-Heliosphaeridiumnodosum-Globosphaeridiumcerinum组合。140-214m仅有很少疑源类标本,可能因为凯里组上部以白云岩为主,不适宜有机壁微体化石的保存。距凯里组底部往上约52m处疑源类组合出现重大变化,无疑为解释沉积环境提供重要资料。两疑源类组合间界线,位于52.3-52.7m,此稍低于被三叶虫Oryctocephalusindicus首现所指示的全球寒武系第5阶潜在层型剖面界线。     

无菌豚鼠与普通豚鼠血液学参数的比较

目的对普通级豚鼠进行剖宫产,培育无菌豚鼠模型,并比较无菌豚鼠和普通级豚鼠的血液学参数。方法行子宫摘除术摘除子宫,在无菌隔离器中将子宫剥离取仔,用人工哺乳的方法将仔豚鼠培育成无菌豚鼠,并在固定的周期检测豚鼠的无菌情况。采用全血细胞计数分析仪、全自动血液生化分析仪测定无菌豚鼠、普通豚鼠的血常规和血生化参数。用SPSS12.0进行统计分析。结果无菌豚鼠和普通豚鼠在白细胞(WBC)、嗜碱性粒细胞数(BA#)、单核细胞百分比(MO)、血红蛋白浓度(MCHC)、中性粒细胞数(NE#)、嗜酸性粒细胞数(EO#)、淋巴细胞数(LY#)七个血常规指标上有差异显著性,其他指标没有显著性差异;谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、葡萄糖(GLU)、总胆固醇(CHO)、总胆红素(TBIL)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、甘油三酯(TG)、球蛋白(GLO)、A/G、K、Na、谷酰转肽酶(GGT)15个指标上差异有显著性,其他指标差异无显著性。结论通过规范的子宫摘除术和人工喂养的方法获得符合标准的无菌豚鼠,与普通豚鼠在多项血液学指标上差异有显著性。     

Obesity as an Obstetric Risk Factor: Does It Matter in a Perinatal Center?

Objectives: Obesity before and during pregnancy is associated with several obstetrics risk factors for both mother and fetus. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the influence of BMI before pregnancy on distinct perinatal parameters. Research Methods and Procedures: The study includes 5067 singleton pregnancies from 2001 to 2004 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Leipzig. The study group was divided into BMI groups: <18.5, ≥18.5 to <25, ≥25 to <30, ≥30 to <35, ≥35 to <40, and ≥40 kg/m². Analysis of perinatal data included rate of intrauterine death, rate of cesarean section and shoulder dystocia, time of hospital stay for mother and newborn, and gestational age of delivery. Neonatal outcome variables included percentage of newborns weighing >4000 grams, rate of umbilical cord pH <7.10, and rate of 1‐, 5‐, and 10‐minute Apgar scores of <8. Results: There was no difference in the gestational age at delivery among the groups. In the group with BMI ≥30 kg/m², the cesarean section rate was significantly elevated to 25.1%, with a more dramatic increase up to 30.2% in the group with BMI ≥35 kg/m² and 43.1% in the group with BMI ≥40 kg/m², mainly because of a higher number of secondary cesarean sections. Although newborns of obese women showed worse initial neonatal adaptation, the 10‐minute Apgar values did not differ among the groups. The higher rate of operative deliveries and the trend to an increased rate of shoulder dystocia did not influence duration of the hospital stay for mothers and newborns or morbidity of both. Discussion: A high pre‐pregnancy BMI is clearly associated with a higher rate of cesarean section deliveries. However, under the compensating conditions of a tertiary perinatal center, overall morbidity of mothers and newborns seems not to be increased.     

湖北宜昌黄花场剖面中/下奥陶统界线附近的牙形剌

重点描述宜昌黄花场剖面中 /下奥陶统界线附近的重要牙形剌共 3属、5种和 2新种Bergstroe mognathussp .nov .,BaltoniodustetrachotomusLiandWangsp .nov .,并对Oepikodusevae带和Baltoniodustriangu laris带分子的首现位置及带的含义进行厘定。作者还在此剖面大湾组下段发现北美中大陆区暖水型牙形剌Tripoduslaevis和Protoprioniodusaranda ,并确定Tripoduslaevis的首现位置在Baltoniodustriangularis带底界之上 0 .3m处。Tripoduslaevis的首次出现曾提议为中奥陶统的底界的标志 (见陈旭等 ,2 0 0 0 ) ,在宜昌黄花场剖面上Tripoduslaevis的首现位置接近Baltoniodustriangularis带底界 ,对确定中 /下奥陶统界线很重要。由于在黄花场剖面可识别出Baltonioduscrassulus—B .gladiatus—B .triangularis演化谱系 ,作者建议以B .triangularis的首次出现作为中奥陶统的底界 ,宜昌黄花场剖面为中 /下奥陶统界线的层型剖面。同时 ,文中将本区的牙形刺带与世界其它地区作了对比。     

The effects of spinal nerve section on responses of melanophores in the minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus(L.)

A continuous observation apparatus was used to study the responses of Phoxinus phoxinus melanophores to illuminated black/white backgrounds and their reversal. The fish. Although confined, showed maximum melanosome dispersion (MI 5) and maximum melanosome aggregation (MI 1) when exposed to illuminated black and white backgrounds respectively. Melanophores affected by spinal nerve section showed full melanosome dispersion and the affected area appeared as a black band. The affected melanophores marginally and gradually aggregated their melanosomes if the fish was exposed to an illuminated white background for about a week. The responses of these melanophores to illuminated black and white backgrounds and their reversal indicates that the dispersal of their melanosomes in response to a black background is much faster than their aggregation in response to a white background. It is concluded that an active mechanism is involved and possible factors controlling it are discussed.     

A further phylogenetic study of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate genus, Protoperidinium (Dinophyceae) based on small and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences

The heterotrophic marine dinoflagellate genus Protoperidinium is the largest genus in the Dinophyceae. Previously, we reported on the intrageneric and intergeneric phylogenetic relationships of 10 species of Protoperidinium, from four sections, based on small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. The present paper reports on the impact of data from an additional 5 species and, therefore, an additional two sections, using the SSU rDNA data, but now also incorporating sequence data from the large subunit (LSU) rDNA. These sequences, in isolation and in combination, were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the genus. The LSU rDNA trees support a monophyletic genus, but the phylogenetic position within the Dinophyceae remains ambiguous. The SSU, LSU and SSU + LSU rDNA phylogenies support monophyly in the sections Avellana, Divergentia, Oceanica and Protoperidinium, but the section Conica is paraphyletic. Therefore, the concept of discrete taxonomic sections based on the shape of 1′ plate and 2a plate is upheld by molecular phylogeny. Furthermore, the section Oceanica is indicated as having an early divergence from other groups within the genus. The sections Avellana and Excentrica and a clade combining the sections Divergentia/Protoperidinium derived from Conica‐type dinoflagellates independently. Analysis of the LSU rDNA data resulted in the same phylogeny as that obtained using SSU rDNA data and, with increased taxon sampling, including members of new sections, a clearer idea of the evolution of morphological features within the genus Protoperidinium was obtained. Intraspecific variation was found in Protoperidinium conicum (Gran) Balech, Protoperidinium excentricum (Paulsen) Balech and Protoperidinium pellucidum Bergh based on SSU rDNA data and also in Protoperidinium claudicans (Paulsen) Balech, P. conicum and Protoperidinium denticulatum (Gran et Braarud) Balech based on LSU rDNA sequences. The common occurrence of base pair substitutions in P. conicum is indicative of the presence of cryptic species.