Search

This paper investigates the paleoecology of the Neogene savanna in the northern Black Sea region during the late Miocene, focusing on the " Hipparion fauna" that inhabited the area. The study explores the dietary habits of various ungulates and carnivorans through dental mesowear and microwear patterns, aiming to infer aspects of trophic interactions and ecological niches occupied by different species. The research covers three sites that span from the late Khersonian (late Tortonian; MN11) to the late Maeotian (Messinian; MN13) stages. We report catastrophic bone accumulation at the Grebeniki and Cioburciu 1 sites. Results indicate a significant dietary diversity that is challenging the traditional assumptions about the " Hipparion fauna". Rhinoceroses, specifically Chilotherium schlosseri and Aceratherium incisivum , are identified as true grazers, contradicting previous beliefs about their preference for forested or swampy ecosystems. The hipparions, traditionally considered open landscape foragers, are revealed as browsers or mixed-feeders. The study also highlights the diverse dietary traits among small antelopes, giraffids, and suids, emphasizing their adaptability to various environmental conditions. Data obtained on the hyaenid Adcrocuta eximia indicate a diet very similar to that of the bone-cracking spotted hyena. The microwear pattern of the cubs was very different from both adults and any other carnivorans used for comparison. The large felid Machairodus copei was characterized by a hypercarnivorous diet similar to lions, while smaller-size Ictitherium viverrinum was characterized by a more opportunistic feeding strategy. These findings suggest similarities and differences in feeding patterns between modern and Neogene savanna mammals. The presence of both grazing and browsing herbivores indicates a more heterogeneous landscape, with a mixture of open grasslands and denser vegetation. Additionally, the paper provides insights into the changing paleoenvironment, suggesting a transition from wooded grasslands to open landscapes during the late Miocene. Overall, this research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the Neogene savanna ecosystem and challenges existing perceptions of the paleoecology of the " Hipparion fauna" in the northern Black Sea region. • Dietary habits of the ungulates and carnivorans in the Eastern Paratethys region • High dietary diversity among Neogene savanna herbivores • True grazers among rhinoceroses; browsers and mixed-feeders among hipparions • Diverse dietary traits among small antelopes, giraffids, and suids. • Hyaenids had a strictly carnivorous diet while the other carnivorans had a broader diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A palynological record from Girraween Lagoon sediments (Darwin region of the Northern Territory, Australia) provides detailed long-term insight into tropical savanna vegetation community patterns, climatic and fire relationships, through Marine Isotope Stage 4 (MIS 4: 71–57 thousand years ago, ka) and Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3: 57–29 ka). Owing to a lack of data in reconstructing northern Australian environments, this paper looks to define and describe to a greater degree the nature and scope of these stadial and interstadial stages for the region. Girraween Lagoon simultaneously provides proximal palaeoecological data for the time and region of Aboriginal people's first arrival into Australia, also encompassing the late Pleistocene continental decline of megafauna. This study provides a dataset enabling full exploration of long-term people-landscape and faunal-floral interactions. Sea levels and associated variations imposed on the transportation of moisture and heat, held implications for MIS 4 and MIS 3 monsoon strength, which was particularly consequential for Girraween regional ecology. Results reveal a prolonged transition from wooded- to grassy-savanna, into a cool drier semi-arid savanna. Increasingly episodic delivery of moisture influenced the permanency of freshwater in the landscape. • A detailed picture of vegetation in monsoonal north Australia during MIS 4 and MIS 3. • An ultimate transition from grassy eucalypt savanna into semi-arid savanna revealed. • Changed monsoonal delivery particularly consequential for regional ecology. • An indication of baseline landscapes during people's first arrival into Australia. • Assisting to place megafaunal decline within an ecological landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rich insect fauna is found in the Cretaceous (Aptian) Nova Olinda Member of the Crato Formation in the Araripe Basin, northeastern Brazil. The Crato Formation was deposited close to the centre of the supercontinent Gondwana, prior to significant rifting. In this paper, we analyzed remains of 1135 insect specimens, representing 55 families, within two limestone facies of the Nova Olinda Member: pale yellow and dark gray limestones. We collected taphonomical data and assessed the paleoecological significance of insect faunas in terms of their distribution and interaction with the paleoenvironment. The insect fauna is dominanted by fully terrestrial taxa despite preservation in an aquatic paleoenvironment. Considering both facies, the distribution of insect families is similar throughout the Nova Olinda Member, which excludes possible overlapping of one entomofauna over another. The pale yellow limestones near the top of the section are richer in fossil insect content and show a higher incidence of aquatic and semiaquatic insects preserved in dorsoventral view compared to the dark gray limestones. This suggests that the Crato insects preserved in the pale yellow limestones experienced short transport distances or prolonged decay or both. In contrast, insects preserved in the dark gray limestones appear proportionally with higher degrees of disarticulation than those preserved in the pale yellow limestones, indicating that these insects underwent a higher degree of postmortem transport in the biostratinomic stage. Compared to descriptions of other Early Cretaceous assemblages, the taxonomic literature of Crato Paleoentomofauna shows distinct differences. The Yixian and Zaza formations are described as being dominated by beetles and wasps. The Crato Formation, however, is relatively richer in Paleoptera species. Both the sedimentary facies studied and the paleoentomological content reveal a complex ecosystem inserted in a depositional setting, similar to modern long-standing wetlands, and where periodically flooded zones were surrounded by dry lands with xeromorphic vegetation. • Crato insects preserved in the dark gray limestones appear proportionally with higher degrees of disarticulation. • The paleoentomological content reveals an ecosystem inserted in a setting similar to modern long-standing wetlands. • Compared to other Early Cretaceous assemblages, the Crato Paleoentomofauna is relatively richer in Paleoptera species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the comment on our paper, Prevosti et al. (2024) make a series of criticisms regarding the alleged lack of information provided on the dated samples and their geographic and stratigraphic provenance. In this contribution, we will give a reply to their comments. Our new zircon dating achieves the objective of the original study and provides valuable insights into the paleoecological dynamics of the period. It was out of the scope for our work to undertake a high resolution stratigraphical/sedimentological and dating analysis of each of the selected outcrops/sites. • First zircon dates from Neogene classic sites in central Argentina are provided. • The new dating achieves the objective of the original study. • Dating sets a solid time frame for paleoecological interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanz-Pérez et al. (2024) recently, based on detrital zircon, presented new maximum depositional ages for several sites of the Neogene of central Argentina to constraint the age of the faunas studied with stable isotopes. Unfortunately, the precise provenance of the dated samples is not clear. In this comment, we discuss the absence of key basic information to replicate their (geochronological) study, or even to evaluate their inferences and conclusions. Without more information about the precise geographic provenance of the dated detrital zircons, and their stratigraphic position in the geological profile/schema of each locality the interpretation of the authors is not supported by the presented information. • Detrital Zircon Dates presented by Sanz-Pérez et al. (2024) lack of precise geographic location information. • These samples lack of any stratigraphic position in the profile of each location. • Based on a new work, the date of Salinas Grandes is from the top of the profile, and irrelevant for age constraint. • Geochronological inferences of Sanz-Pérez et al. (2024) are unsupported by the data presented in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Pliocene fossil locality of Las Higueruelas (central Spain) has been known for many decades; however, in this paper, we describe the fauna of small-sized vertebrates (fish, amphibians, squamate reptiles, and rodents) for the first time based on pre-existing collections in the Museo Provincial de Ciudad Real. In addition to updating the taxonomical nomenclature of previously-published faunal lists, we also report the new occurrences of four fish taxa, a lizard (Lacertidae indet.), and several snakes (Malpolon gr. monspessulanus-mlynarskii , cf. Zamenis scalaris , and a large-sized indetermined viperid, probably from the Oriental vipers group or genus Daboia). The only rodent is identified as Stephanomys minor. Overall this assemblage indicates the predominance of open, dry environments and shrubby vegetation close to more grassy and riparian woodland under warm (15.1 ± 1.8 °C) and semi-arid (556 ± 40 mm) conditions. There was 4-month period of summer aridity similar to a modern Mediterranean climate. Most of the aquatic taxa (Pleurodeles , Pelophylax , and Natrix) were able to tolerate brackish environments, and the amphibians suggest the presence of deep and stable water bodies, with a long hydroperiod and aquatic vegetation, necessary for reproduction. Las Higueruelas is confirmed as being assigned to subchron 2An.1r (3.116–3.032 Ma) like the Camp dels Ninots Konservat-Lagerstätten (Girona, Spain). Palaeoclimate reconstruction for both localities is consistent with the later stages of the mid-Piacenzian Warm Period. Palaeontological comparison between the two sites may support either a small difference in age, or most probably, varied climate zonations within the Iberian Peninsula, with a north-eastern area allowing a local survival of Early Pliocene taxa that are absent from Las Higueruelas. [Display omitted] • The small vertebrates from Las Higueruelas (Spain) are described for the first time. • Fish, herpetofauna, and rodent represent up to 18 different taxa. • Stephanomys minor and palaeomagnetism constrain to the cron 2An.1r (3.03–3.11 Ma). • Predominance of open environments under temperate and dry climate conditions. • Central Spain does not seem to allow local survival of early Pliocene taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebrate teeth are highly mineralized dermal tissues composed, principally, of bioapatite making them highly resistant to physical and chemical alteration over geologic time scales. This means that the morphology and microstructure of fossil teeth is often preserved, providing diagnostic features for taxonomic classification and enabling inferences about phylogenetic relationships. They also provide abundant information about the feeding ecology of fossil taxa, including diet, feeding behavior, local resource availability, habitat structure, and climate conditions. Tooth shape, tooth wear at different scales, dental chemistry and isotopic composition, as well as ingesta particles aggregated in dental calculus comprise important clues to reconstruct the feeding ecology of a fossil species. This special issue features 21 papers that address the use of dental proxies to infer diet and related ecological habits. Among them, a first paper compares post mortem damages on enamel surfaces with dietary-related tooth wear. Then, nine papers focus on in vivo or in vitro experimentation to test specific hypotheses. Authors address questions about taphonomic processes that may blur dietary or ecological signals, the biotic and abiotic sources of the dental wear, and the calibration of models linking diet composition to dental proxies. Eight papers explore links between dental proxies and ecology and behavior in real world contexts and focus on the study of living mammals in the wild at the individual and population scales. Among those latter studies, three integrate fossil case studies. The remaining papers address questions about niche partitioning, climate effects on local resources and their use, physiology, and the influence of diet on phenotypic selection in extinct species. As such, this special issue will stimulate further work on dental proxies and be of interest to a broad community of palaeoecologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest Cretaceous (mid-late Berriasian) tracksite Los Corrales del Pelejón is an important dinosaur trackway site in Teruel Province in Spain. The ichnoassemblage occurs in the Galve Formation (Galve sub-basin, Maestrazgo Basin) and comprises around 40 tracks assigned to theropods and ornithopods. In this paper, we undertake a paleoenvironmental analysis of the succession, which includes the overbank deposits of a fluvial environment, and discuss the implications of these findings for trackway preservation and orientation. The track-bearing unit is composed of fine- to very fine-grained, thinly bedded sandstone layers with wave ripples and traces of the Mermia ichnofacies, which were deposited as splay deposits within an ephemeral overbank pond. Two different theropod ichnotaxa (Megalosauripus cf. transjuranicus and Grallatoridae indet.) of three different size classes occur as small-, medium-, and large-sized tracks. The ornithopod tracks are classified as cf. Iguanodontipus isp. Five theropod trackways (M. cf. transjuranicus) show a bimodal orientation pattern with a similar orientation to NE-SW wave ripple crests, suggesting that these animals were walking parallel to the shoreline of the ephemeral overbank pond. Three of them walked in a similar subparallel orientation, but there is no evidence suggesting gregarious behavior as they have slightly different orientations and/or speed values. The Los Corrales del Pelejón site is an example of environmental influence on dinosaur behavior. • New data on a historic dinosaur tracksite (one of the first described in Spain). • Detailed analysis into the stratigraphy and track preservation. • Fluvial environment with splay deposits accumulated in an ephemeral pool. • New ichnotaxonomic study with large amount of 3D data. • Dinosaur trackway orientation influenced by the shoreline of the ephemeral pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid cooling during the Eocene-Oligocene transition resulted in a vegetation shift in southern France, from warm, humid vegetation to open savannah-like vegetation; however, the precise nature of this shift is uncertain. In this paper, we study the latest Eocene flora from the Saint-Chaptes and Alès basins (southern France) and compare it with other well-known southern European localities to evaluate vegetation changes near the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. Five plant communities are recognised: 1) hydrophytic vegetation dominated by water lilies and a Limnobiophyllum -like plant; 2) reeds that formed a palustrine belt around the lake; 3) ferns with Osmunda aff. parschlugiana and Pronephrium stiriacum , conifers with Doliostrobus taxiformis , a Sequoia -like plant, angiosperms with Daphnogene sp. , Byttneriopsis sp., Myrica sp., Comptonia difformis and palms, which inhabited the lake shores and constituted the riparian vegetation; 4) Tetraclinis , which grew just behind the riparian vegetation but not far from watercourses, forming open landscapes and 5) Zizyphus ziziphoides , Fabaceae, and probably Ailanthus sp. and Tetraclinis forming an open woodland distal to the lake. The flora of the Saint-Chaptes and Alès basins resembles coeval floras from Sarral (Catalonia, Spain) that are characteristic of Southern Europe, although riparian vegetation is more diverse in the Saint-Chaptes and Alès basins, and Fabaceae diversity is higher at Sarral. We hypothesise that vegetation composition was mainly controlled by (1) basin architecture, allowing for a variety of wetland habitats and (2) climate. The coexistence of genera that are restricted to Central Europe (e.g., Byttneriopsis or Doliostrobus), together with genera more typical of Southern Europe (e.g., diversity of Fabaceae, C. difformis and Z. ziziphoides) suggests that the Saint-Chaptes and Alès basins contain latest Priabonian floras that are transitional between these two regions. • Plant paleoecology at the EOT is studied in the Alès and Saint-Chaptes basins (France). • Plant communities range from lacustrine, wetlands to savannah-like woodlands. • The riparian vegetation is more diverse than in other coeval South European plant sites. • Alès and Saint-Chaptes flora shows taxa characteristic either South or Central Europe. • These plants represent a transitional flora between the two main European vegetations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cenomanian–Turonian is considered the warmest interval of the last 150 million years. It was characterized by major disturbances to the global carbon cycle, resulting in elevated pCO 2 levels and global temperatures, and witnessed the rise to dominance of angiosperms floras. In this paper, we assess changes of fossil floras during the Cenomanian–Turonian interval based on palynological studies of two distantly-spaced localities in high southern paleolatitudes: the Mata Amarilla Formation of Patagonia, southern South America and the Tupuangi Formation of the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Richness estimations for each stratigraphic unit and cluster analysis were conducted to assess the vegetation changes. Palynological dominance and the presence/absence of taxa were compiled for these units and compared with others from the Cenomanian of southern Gondwana. We recognize a peak in richness during the Mid-Cenomanian Event in Patagonia, with a fall in richness after the event due to species being displaced by dominant taxa. Several richness peaks are also recognized in New Zealand, but the lack of stratigraphic control prevents correlation with marine-based events. Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 is not recorded in either study area. The inclusion of Gondwanic palynological records demonstrate that the Tupuangi Formation cluster with sites from the Antarctic Peninsula and south-eastern Australia conforming a 'polar cluster'. However, this area has its own palynological signature, constituting a newly proposed Taxodiaceaepollenites Subprovince. The abundances of key plant groups of the Mata Amarilla Formation cluster with those of Bathurst Island (northern Australia), but also show important differences, likely owing to their geographic separation and latitudinal difference. In summary, our paper presents a new scheme for the mid-Cretaceous palynological provinces of Southern Gondwana and provides novel data sets for Patagonia and New Zealand, which can be used as reference points for palynological and paleoecological studies of coeval floras worldwide. • A peak of richness is described for the mid-Cenomanian Event in Patagonia. • After the mid-Cenomanian Event Patagonian palynofloras show a decrease in richness. • Five richness peaks are described for the Cenomanian–Turonian of New Zealand. • The Taxodiaceaepollenites Subprovince is proposed for New Zealand palynofloras. • Angiosperms are small portion of Gondwana palynofloras during Cenomanian–Turonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the Miocene squirrels of the Linxia Basin in Gansu Province, and a paleoenvironmental and palaeoecological analysis based on the remains collected recently by screen-washing nine localities of early to late Miocene age. The assemblages contain 12 sciurid species (nine genera, three subfamilies), including squirrels with different adaptations, predominantly ground squirrels and chipmunks. Our analysis suggests that Miocene squirrels in Linxia reflect a relatively dry climate and open shrub-steppe environment, and favorable dispersal across Eurasia. The Linxia Miocene squirrels show close taxonomic composition with contemporary faunas known from the Mongol-Xinjiang highland and adjacent regions, implying that northern China represents a single biotic province with uniform paleoenvironment. In addition, the Linxia squirrels are quite different from those found in Yunnan in southern China, which are dominantly tree and flying squirrels that suggest a humid forest biotope. The differences in distribution indicate that Miocene squirrel faunas of China showed distinct provinciality and latitudinal ecological variation. Already in the Miocene we see evidence for predecessors of the present-day Palearctic and Oriental zoogeographic provinces of North and South China. • Rich Miocene Linxia Basin squirrel assemblages show distinctive adaptions. • Preferred habitat and ecology indicate open versus forested environments. • Miocene squirrels across China indicate zoogeographic province precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil bovids are key components of the Neogene mammal faunas in Eurasia, showing high diversity and rapid rates of evolution, with important implications for biostratigraphy and understanding past climate change. The Linxia Basin (Gansu Province, China) contains rich Miocene to Early Pleistocene bovid assemblages that provide an opportunity to study the evolution of this group. This paper reviews the fossil record of bovids in the Linxia Basin, which comprises more than 20 genera within seven tribes, spanning nine stratigraphic horizons and distributed across 43 fossil localities. Findings show that the diversity of fossil bovids in the Linxia Basin increased dramatically from the Early to Late Miocene but fell suddenly at the end of the Late Miocene before reaching a second peak in the Early Pleistocene. The Late Miocene mammal assemblages from the Linxia Basin may indicate somewhat younger age than previously thought based on fossil bovid comparisons. With diverse species and rich material, the bovids of the Linxia Basin present an excellent opportunity for further studies on morphology and adaptations within the group. • Linxia fossil bovids from 9 fossiliferous layers comprise over 20 genera (7 tribes). • The Linxia Dashengou Fauna shares similar bovids with Lamagou and Bahe. • Yangjiashan Fauna shares bovids with the Hipparion faunas of Baode and Qingyang. • There is chronological overlap of some faunas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to quantify the intensity and diversity of plant-insect associations observed in the fossil assemblage of Gelinden, Limburg, Belgium. The site yields a rich collection of well-preserved plant remains, mainly leaves, from a Paleocene European temperate forest. The 780 specimens presented here were scanned using standardized morphotype systems for any trace of damage. This raw data was then used to quantify the intensity and diversity of interactions in the Gelinden flora. This material showed an impressive richness of interactions, contrasting with the poor North American sites covering the period that followed the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction. Both hosts and interaction types observed at Gelinden are two to three times more abundant than in most American floras, in raw numbers and leaf area affected. This is coherent with what has been observed in the few other studies conducted in Europe, South America and Antarctica, pointing toward more regionalized effects of the extinction than previously assumed based on American findings. This greater richness implies that these sites were either less affected or quicker to recover from the Cretaceous/Paleogene extinction, questioning its global impact, at least on the lower levels of the food web, as discussed in the following paper. • We provide quantitative data on plant-insect interactions observed in the Gelinden flora. • One of the few such study on a European locality. • Higher richness compared to similar age North American localities. • Supporting conclusion drawn from previous studies in France and South America. • Recovery from the K-Pg extinction was probably more regionalised than previously assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyse the upper Barremian-lowermost Aptian Alacón Formation (Oliete subbasin, Maestrazgo Basin) of Spain to understand the progressive opening of a shallow-marine bay found on the northeastern margin of Iberia. The succession consists of four transgressive-regressive sequences (S1S4) bounded by widespread unconformities caused by rapid base-level fall. The transgressive interval of each sequence is characterized by relatively high detrital input and fresh-water inflow that caused the demise of shallow-marine benthic communities. The regressive interval of each sequence triggered progressive regeneration of the benthic carbonate producers. Sequences 1 and 2 consist of lacustrine to restricted shallow-marine facies, followed by accumulations of the gryphaeid oyster Ceratostreon , with progressive colonization of the bay by marine benthic communities subjected to frequent salinity oscillations. Sequences 3 and 4 represent the stabilization of open-marine conditions in the bay with widespread development of high-energy bioclastic tidal dunes. The long-term transgression around the Barremian-Aptian boundary, which gave rise to the progressive flooding of the Oliete bay, was episodically interrupted by shorter-term episodes of abrupt base-level fall, with the eventual subaerial exposure of the entire bay at the end of the deposition of the Alacón Formation. Our data suggest that the observed sequence architecture was mostly controlled by climatic and eustatic sea-level oscillations, with local synsedimentary tectonics having a minor impact. Two major sea-level fall events responsible for the discontinuities found on top of sequences 3 and 4 are possibly correlated to the cooling episodes close to the Barremian-Aptian boundary and during the earliest Aptian (predating the OAE 1a) described in many other worldwide basins. • The progressive opening of a shallow marine bay in Iberia (W Tethys) is documented. • Four sequences register progressive paleogeographical and paleoecological changes. • Sequence boundaries are tentatively linked to major cooling events KBa5 and KAp1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen analysis provides a key technique for the reconstruction of post-glacial vegetation. Modern observation of the plant-pollen relationship, through the use of surface pollen studies, is an instrumental process for informing these reconstructions. However, results from surface pollen studies suggest that the diversity of pollen assemblages is rarely a faithful representation of the diversity of the local vegetation. Pollen diversity at high altitude is determined by both the composition and density of the local vegetation and long-distance pollen. This paper examines the relationship between floristic and palynological diversity using surface samples collected from alpine communities found on three glacier forelands (Austerdalsbreen, Storbreen and Grjøtbreen) in the Jostedalsbreen-Jotunheimen region of Norway. Several diversity indices indicate the complexity of the relationship between palynological and floristic diversity. This is accentuated in open, high altitude, sparsely-vegetated sites, where palynological diversity is a measure of the diversity of the long-distance pollen assemblage rather than the diversity of the local vegetation. Even at sites on older moraines at Storbreen and Austerdalsbreen, where the vegetation is denser and more diverse, the relationship is not simple but depends on pollen production of the taxa that dominate the local vegetation. On Storbreen foreland, for example, the diversity of small, insect-pollinated plants growing locally is poorly represented in the pollen assemblage which is dominated by long-distance arboreal pollen. The surface pollen results were compared with fossil pollen data from a palaeosol at Memurubreen in Eastern Jotunheimen. DCA ordination indicates that the fossil pollen spectra are distinct from the modern samples, due to differences in the pollen assemblages, probably related to lower treelines in the past associated with climatic cooling or human impact. The palaeosol samples are most similar to modern samples from heath and snowbed communities, found on older terrain at Grjøtbreen and Storbreen, and the diversity indices also show strong similarities with these communities. The potential for improvements in methodology to increase resolution is considered. • Floristic and palynological diversity are compared using several diversity indices. • Pollen source and local vegetation influence floristic & palynological diversity. • High-altitude sites present a challenge since regional pollen dominates samples. • Diversity of Holocene and modern heath and snowbed samples shows strong similarities. • Comparison of Holocene & modern pollen diversity offers insight into past vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]