Search

A complete taxonomic review of Neogene birds of continental Asia is provided. To date, avifauna from the latter half of the Miocene and Pliocene of Central Asia (Mongolia and adjacent regions of Inner Asia) are most thoroughly investigated. Available data enable a reconstruction of successive replacement of Early and Middle Miocene avifaunas by communities of the Recent type. Middle Miocene avifaunas of Mongolia include a great number of extinct genera and species, many of which were widespread in Eurasia. Extant genera became dominant in the Late Miocene and taxa close to living species appear in the Late Pliocene fossil record. Late Pliocene communities of birds of Central Asia were complex in genesis, composed of Miocene relicts ( Struthio), immigrants from the European regions of the Palearctic (phasianid Plioperdix), North American immigrants ( Calcarius), and also autochthonous elements, the origin of which is apparently connected with the arid belt of Central Asia (diverse passerines). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first tetrapods entered continental communities as consumers of the highest order, forming the subdominant and aquatic tetrapod communities. At the end of the Carboniferous, herbivorous tetrapods appeared in North America and Western Europe; the first (pelycosaurian) dominant tetrapod communities were formed. In the Middle Permian, dominant communities are already known in all continents, where they are formed by Dinocephalian (therapsid) faunas. The history of the Dinocephalian fauna is most completely represented in the fossil record of South Africa and Eastern Europe. In the East European region, it is represented in the Mezen, Golyusherma, Ocher, Isheevo, and Sundyr assemblages, displaying successive stages of phylocoenogenesis of Dinocephalian community. The major features of these stages are considered. In the terminal Middle Permian (Guadalupian), Dinocephalian communities were disintegrated worldwide. In Eastern Europe, this occurred during the Severodvinian ecosystem crisis. The main features of the Severodvinian crisis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Espanola de Antropologia Americana is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Twenty-two terrestrial and over 20 marine mammal faunas are currently recognized in the fossil record of Victoria, representing one of the most complete records of mammal evolution in Australia. Although the earliest recorded terrestrial mammals come from the Early Cretaceous, the majority of the faunas are concentrated in the Pliocene and Pleistocene, whereas the marine mammal record spans the Late Oligocene–Holocene. Despite the generally fragmentary nature of the fossil remains, many of the faunas are diverse and offer insights into the changes in palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental conditions of the region over time. The terrestrial mammal faunas follow the global trend with the appearance of more arid-adapted species in the late Pliocene; however, a number of Pliocene–Pleistocene coastal sites indicate the continued presence of wet forest refugia, with several relict species occurring in the Early Pleistocene. Most of the faunas are well dated, providing a basis for the production of a biostratigraphic framework, essential for the more accurate dating of mammals in Australia. Two new diverse mammal sites, Childers Cove and Portland, are a welcome addition to the Pliocene records of both terrestrial and marine mammals. Marine mammal research is only in its early stages, but the Victorian record is fundamental in understanding the evolution of cetaceans in the southern oceans. The known diversity of species has increased substantially as a result of recent research. Some well-preserved specimens, including complete skulls, have implications for cetacean systematics, including basal mysticetes. However, much more work needs to be focused on the cataloguing, preparation, description and interpretation of the faunas to take full advantage of this excellent record. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floras (and Faunas) have a rich history that involves examining questions on evolution and biogeography. However, in recent publications Floras have been viewed as an end unto themselves, separate from clade-based monographs and evolutionary studies. Floras are not a separate entity but rather a part of a continuum that involves databases, checklists, floras, biodiversity studies, and conservation biology as well as monographs. As the importance of Floras and related studies has become more apparent, there have been comments about the lag time between when specimens are collected and when they are identified, the amount of time it takes to describe new taxa, and how long it takes to finish floras and other projects. Some have referred to this as the "Taxonomic Impediment", and it is sometimes laid at the feet of taxonomists. Taxonomists can become more efficient by using various on-line resources and this will continue to speed up as more literature, etc. become available but the impediments to taxonomy are many, not the least of which is a lack of funding and the dwindling number of taxonomists. Changes in how systematists work and interact with other branches of science must take place in order to speed up research and re-establish the importance of Floras but only a substantial infusion of funds and personnel will really accelerate our progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 70 examples of Quaternary fauna in China’s tropics are enumerated in this paper. Of which about 40% of the examples can be found even in cooling stages, showing the smaller amplitude of climatic fluctuation during Quaternary. According to the temporal and spatial distribution of tropical faunas, the following characters of climate variation can be evidenced: two main cycles in Early Pleistocene, three main cycles in Middle Pleistocene, two main cycles in Late Pleistocene and Holocene Megathermal. The drop in temperature during the Latest Glacial Period and Neoglaciation has not endangered the existence of tropical faunas. With influence of cooling fluctuation during historical period, some faunas have removed southwards progressively, but disappearance of these animals in China’s tropics was mainly the result of artificial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]