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The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest living cat species native to the Americas and one of few large American carnivorans to have survived into the Holocene. However, the extent to which jaguar diversity declined during the end-Pleistocene extinction event remains unclear. For example, Pleistocene jaguar fossils from North America are notably larger than the average extant jaguar, leading to hypotheses that jaguars from this continent represent a now-extinct subspecies (Panthera onca augusta) or species (Panthera augusta). Here, we used a hybridization capture approach to recover an ancient mitochondrial genome from a large, late Pleistocene jaguar from Kingston Saltpeter Cave, Georgia, United States, which we sequenced to 26-fold coverage. We then estimated the evolutionary relationship between the ancient jaguar mitogenome and those from other extinct and living large felids, including multiple jaguars sampled across the species' current range. The ancient mitogenome falls within the diversity of living jaguars. All sampled jaguar mitogenomes share a common mitochondrial ancestor ~400 thousand years ago, indicating that the lineage represented by the ancient specimen dispersed into North America from the south at least once during the late Pleistocene. While genomic data from additional and older specimens will continue to improve understanding of Pleistocene jaguar diversity in the Americas, our results suggest that this specimen falls within the variation of extant jaguars despite the relatively larger size and geographic location and does not represent a distinct taxon.

As many marine species face dwindling populations due to the effects of climate change, it is vital to gain crucial information on what this means for the future of these organisms and their surrounding ecosystems. In order to gain insight to what ocean ecosystems might look like with shifting climate variability, we can look to the past. The goal of this project is to produce a two-million-year record of abundance of pelagic fish and sharks in the waters off Cape Town, South Africa. A Ichthyolith Accumulation Rate (IAR) was established to identify fish and shark production over the span of 2 million years. Results from this study show significant fluctuations of IAR, potentially contributing to the glacial-interglacial cycles that characterize the Pleistocene. When compared to complementary data, IAR data from this site is significantly higher compared to other subtropical regions. This increased IAR may be attributed to the behavior of the Agulhas Current that flows around the southern end of the Cape of Good Hope. This project aims to expand the geological history of fish abundances, providing baseline data to fill gaps in knowledge and guide future management efforts.See the storymap created for this project here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9e02851bc352487db26e5c4aa9fed27b

The giant panda is well known to have unique dentition, adapted to bamboo exclusive diet. The teeth are used to cut and grind the bamboo. However, it is unclear how these teeth evolved through geographical time. Here, we present the first geometric morphometric analysis of all cheek teeth of the giant panda, based on the large fossil collection of the giant panda teeth found from the Pleistocene deposits of southern China. Our analyses reveal the substantial intraspecific variation of the giant panda teeth, but no significant interspecific differences in Ailuropoda, supporting the basic function of the giant panda teeth has already formed since the Early Pleistocene. Among the cheek teeth, the premolars show the highest interspecific variation, suggesting a continuous increase in the feeding efficiency of the bamboo diet, which may facilitate the giant panda to grow a larger body size from Early Pleistocene species to A. melanoleuca. The Late Pleistocene A. m. baconi and two modern two subspecies show largely overlapped morphospace for all teeth, and the variation ranges are also similar, suggesting a fully established feeding apparatus and implying a similar diet. Our analyses provide new information on the giant panda evolution and adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flying squirrels (Rodentia, Sciuridae, Sciurinae, Pteromyini) have a long and complex history in North America. First recorded during the Late Eocene, they vanished during the early Late Miocene (at about 9 Ma) only to re-appear in the Pliocene and Pleistocene. The first flying squirrels to be recorded after this Late Miocene gap are surprisingly attributed to the Eurasian genus of giant flying squirrel Miopetaurista. These are just two specimens from Florida that purportedly belong to Miopetaurista webbi, an endemic species. In this work we review these occurrences and further describe a new specimen from the Early Pliocene (latest Hemphillian or early Blancan) Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee, which may represent the oldest record of the genus in North America. We ascribe this new material to Miopetaurista webbi and find that this species is probably closely related to Miopetaurista thaleri, the only known Pliocene Eurasian species. The occurrence of Miopetaurista in eastern North America is puzzling, as it is distant from the known geographical range of the genus and of that of its sister taxon, the extant Petaurista. We hypothesize that Miopetaurista, which was linked to warm forested environments, dispersed into North America via the Bering Land Bridge during the warm phases of the Early Pliocene in the context of a major faunal dispersal event involving many other taxa. Later climatic cooling isolated these squirrels in warmer refuges, such as Florida, until they finally became extinct during the Early Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluates the potential presence of bone disease in an extinct primate from late Pleistocene of Brazil. The skull and post crania of an extinct platyrrhine primate, curated by the Museu de Ciências Naturais PUC, Brazil. Pathological changes were noted via analysis of radiographic images and CT of the affected bones. The lesions noted include cortical thickening, sclerosis, and coarse trabeculae in the skull and long bones. The features observed support the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease with lesions comparable to those seen in Paget's disease. This specimen appears to be the only case is of metabolic bone disease in an extinct New World monkey and adds data to the paleopathological record of South American primates. The absence of other skeletal materials from individuals of the same genus for comparison makes differential diagnosis challenging, and conclusions must be drawn with caution. A more complete comparative sample of images involving more genera of living and extinct platyrrhines can help to rule out morphological oddities and design a more accurate diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conduct a systematic review of the extinct robust species of Ctenomys from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of central Argentina to assess the systematic status of †Ctenomys latidens. Based on qualitative comparisons and geometric morphometric evidence, †Ctenomys latidens is identified as a well-supported species, clearly distinguishable from †Ctenomys magnus and †Ctenomys kraglievichi. We propose †Ctenomys intermedius Rusconi, 1931a, and †Ctenomys dasseni Rusconi, 1931a as junior synonyms of †C. latidens. Accordingly, †Ctenomys latidens is recorded in the late Ensenadan age (late Early to early Middle Pleistocene) of Buenos Aires Province in central Argentina. Additionally, we suggest upgrading †Ctenomys intermedius tandilensis Rusconi, 1931a, and †Ctenomys latidens orthognathus Rusconi, 1931a to full species status. Finally, we demonstrate that the name †Plateomys scindens cannot be applied to the Early Pliocene Octodontidae currently recognised as †Pseudoplataeomys formosus, as that taxon is a potential junior synonym of †Ctenomys latidens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied red-colored sediments of the Mikhailovka section (south of the Irkutsk amphitheater) were formed in the course of discontinuous filling of an erosional landform dating back to the main phase of neotectonic uplift in the Late Pliocene–Early Quaternary. A pedocomplex of three paleosols with different degrees of preservation has been identified in this section. The paleosols developed during phases of decreasing activity of exogenous relief-forming processes. The analysis of the micromorphological features of the paleosols makes its it possible to identify the signs of biogenic structuring and biogenic forms of secondary carbonates in the upper horizons of the paleosols. Their middle-profile horizons have clear features of striated optical orientation of clay particles and contain carbonate pendants attesting to the mobility of ferruginous-clayey and carbonate substances in periods with different moistening conditions. The analysis of δ13C values of soil organic matter, as well as δ13C and δ18O values of carbonate nodules, indicates a significant role of pedogenesis in their origin and suggests that paleosol formation in the red-colored sediments could take place under hydrothermal conditions comparable to the modern ones in the studied area. At the same time, the observed isotopic equilibrium between the carbonate material and the paleosol organic matter suggests a less contrasting hydrothermal regime in the intra-annual cycle and a longer duration of the growing season. Soils and pedosediments formed within the red-colored strata also contain the signs of cryogenesis at the macro- and microlevels, which indicates pronounced tendencies toward climate cooling in the phases of transition from pedogenic to morpholithogenic stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beavers have occurred in North America since at least 7 Ma, but relatively little is known about their distribution across the continent. We modeled distributions of beavers in the late Pliocene (3.3 Ma), Pleistocene (130 ka and 21 ka), and recent Holocene (1970 to 2000) to understand their dispersal across North America, predict future distributions and predict their possible response to future climate and habitat changes. Occurrence data for Castor canadensis were derived from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Those data were used with both modern (1970 to 2000) and modeled future (EC-Earth-Veg 2081 to 2100) bioclimatic variables from WorldClim as well as past (Pliocene Marine Isotope Stage M2, Pleistocene Last Interglacial, and Pleistocene Last Glacial Maximum) bioclimatic variables from PaleoClim to model beaver distributions through time. Fossil locality points for Castor extracted from the New and Old Worlds Database of Fossil Mammals (NOW), NEOTOMA Paleoecology Database, and Paleobiology Database were overlain on past projection models to use as validation points. Models were run using MaxEnt with post-processing in ArcGIS. Accuracy for the 5 models ranged between 59.6% and 60.2%. Results for the present model (1970 to 2000) showed habitat suitability in areas beavers inhabit today. During the Pliocene MIS M2 cooling event (3.3 Ma) and Pleistocene Last Glacial Maximum (21 ka), habitat suitability shifted further south into Mexico and peninsular Florida and away from more periglacial northern regions. During the Last Interglacial period (130 ka) and modeled future (2081 to 2100) EC-Earth-Veg 2081 to 2100, habitat suitability was higher in coastal and central regions in North America and lower in southern regions compared to their present distribution. Distributions were most affected by precipitation seasonality, isothermality, and mean annual temperature. High variability in seasonal precipitation and temperatures is likely to influence surface water availability, vegetation type, and riparian vegetation composition, which consequently may reduce available food resources and habitat for beavers. Observed shifts during warmer periods may indicate areas in the late Miocene that facilitated dispersal into North America. Future models using other predicted climatic scenarios and shared socioeconomic pathways may provide better resolution of potential future shifts in beaver distribution with best- and worst-case climate scenarios, thereby permitting at-risk areas to be prioritized for conservation in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the lion in Africa is obscure. A giant lion was reported from Natodomeri, a MIS 8–7 site located in East Africa. Initial analysis showed intriguing features of the specimen. However, further analysis on what kind of lion (e.g. modern Panthera leo, Pleistocene Panthera spelaea) has not yet been performed. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the phylogenetic position of the Natodomeri lion through statistical morphometric analysis. To this end, the Natodomeri lion is compared with lions from Pleistocene Eurasia and Holocene Africa. Results show a surprising affinity between the Mauer lion (Panthera spelaea fossilis) and the Natodomeri lion. Such may be indicative of a more recent divergence date between P. leo and P. spelaea. However, if a divergence date between extant P. leo and Eurasian P. spelaea of 1.85 mya is used (based on recent phylogenetic studies), the close affinity between the Mauer and Natodomeri lions suggests that the Natodomeri lion is an African form of early P. spelaea. Under this theory, the Natodomeri lion may have originated through a 'reverse' migration of Panthera spelaea fossilis into Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithological features of Late Quaternary sediments deposited during the marine isotope stage (MIS) 3 in the Ura River valley on the Barents Sea coast (Kola region, northwestern Russia) have been studied. Seismo-induced soft-sediment deformation structures (SSDS) are preserved in the sandy–clayey deposits as five deformed layers separated by undisturbed deposits. These layers are marked by load casts, flame structures, injections, sedimentary breccia, and folds. The SSDS were produced by several processes: origination of debris flows in the subaqueous setting due to shear stress, gravity load of the overlying deposits, and liquefaction. The seismic shock and aftershocks could trigger the gravity flow activity and initiate the processes of liquefaction and fluidization of sediments. We believe that the main seismogenic zone was related to reactivation of the large Karpinsky oblique-slip fault, which separated the Baltic Shield from the Barents Sea Plate of the West Arctic Platform, contrast movements at the boundary of large structural elements, and development of strains at the front of the advancing Weichselian Ice Sheet at MIS 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asia, one of the major biodiversity hotspots, is experiencing substantial species loss, with predictions indicating that 13–85% of species are threatened to lose their original habitats. As herbivores play a crucial role in shaping the structure of environments and the ecosystem dynamics of the region, it is crucial to protect these endangered species. Here we measure stable carbon isotopic ratios (δ13C) of tooth enamel samples of eight extant Southeast Asian cervid and bovid taxa, mostly listed as either endangered or vulnerable species by the IUCN and compare the results with their Pleistocene counterparts, in order to investigate their dietary and preferred habitat changes through time. As a result, three distinct categories of ecological patterns among these ruminant taxa are observed: (1) species with dietary and habitat changes through time (i.e. Axis axis, Rucervus eldii, Bos javanicus, and Bos gaurus), (2) those with more restricted diets and habitats today than in the past (i.e. Rusa unicolor and Bubalus arnee), and (3) those with unchanged diets and habitats over time (i.e. Axis porcinus and Muntiacus muntjak). In the case of species with dietary and habitat changes, the Pleistocene C4-grazer enamel isotopes showed a shift towards greater reliance on C3 plants or more closed environments during the Holocene. The isotopic evidence raises the question of whether climatic and environmental changes and/or anthropogenic pressure have significantly driven the population decline of threatened species and can contribute to the understanding of future conservation outlooks of existing wildlife populations in Southeast Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Erebia comprises numerous species in Europe. Due to preference of cold environments, most species have disjunct distributions in the European mountain systems. However, their biogeographical patterns may differ significantly. The Bright-eyed ringlet Erebia oeme is widespread in high-altitude grasslands of the European high mountains, hence showing a disjunct distribution pattern. Over its distribution, E. oeme shows high morphological variability indicating pronounced intraspecific differentiation. We analysed two mitochondrial (COI, Cytb) and eight nuclear markers as well as the Wolbachia surface protein-coding gene (WSP). A total of four lineages were identified: two Balkan lineages, one Slovenian lineage as well as one lineage containing all other individuals (Alps, Massif Central, Pyrenees). COI data only indicate a fifth lineage in the southern Carpathians. The region of origin of E. oeme is most likely the western Balkans. From here, E. oeme spread to the eastern Balkan area and further to the southern Carpathians as well as to Slovenia, from where it rapidly crossed the Alps to Massif Central and Pyrenees. Wolbachia was found to be highly prevalent with multiple strains, partly within one population. However, recent Wolbachia impact on the mitochondrial DNA and consequently influence on the intraspecific genetic structure was not detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isolated river drainages of eastern North America serve as a natural laboratory to investigate the roles of allopatry and secondary contact in the evolutionary trajectories of recently diverged lineages. Drainage divides facilitate allopatric speciation, but due to their sensitivity to climatic and geomorphological changes, neighboring rivers frequently coalesce, creating recurrent opportunities of isolation and contact throughout the history of aquatic lineages. The freshwater mussel Quadrula quadrula is widely distributed across isolated rivers of eastern North America and possesses high phenotypic and molecular variation across its range. We integrate sequence data from three genomes, including female‐ and male‐inherited mitochondrial markers and thousands of nuclear encoded SNPs with morphology and geography to illuminate the group's divergence history. Across contemporary isolated rivers, we found continuums of molecular and morphological variation, following a pattern of isolation by distance. In contact zones, hybridization was frequent with no apparent fitness consequences, as advanced hybrids were common. Accordingly, we recognize Q. quadrula as a single cohesive species with subspecific variation (Q. quadrula rumphiana). Demographic modeling and divergence dating supported a divergence history characterized by allopatric vicariance followed by secondary contact, likely driven by river rearrangements and Pleistocene glacial cycles. Despite clinal range‐wide variation and hybridization in contact zones, the process‐based species delimitation tool delimitR, which considers demographic scenarios like secondary contact, supported the delimitation of the maximum number of species tested. As such, when interpreting species delimitation results, we suggest careful consideration of spatial sampling and subsequent geographic patterns of biological variation, particularly for wide‐ranging taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the Hengduan Mountains in biodiversity distribution is well-documented, but the impact of its subsidiary ranges on species distribution and evolution remains unclear. This study examined the Stoliczka's Asian Trident Bat (Aselliscus stoliczkanus) to assess how Pleistocene climatic changes and the uplift of these ranges influenced its distribution and evolution. Using species distribution models, morphometric data, and molecular genetic analysis, we identified shifts in the bat's distribution under different climatic scenarios and evaluated its morphological and genetic differentiation. We found a significant correlation between the bat's distribution and warmest quarter precipitation, with habitat suitability fluctuating in response to climatic changes. The subsidiary ranges facilitated morphological and genetic differentiation among bat populations and acted as barriers to dispersal. These findings underscore the critical role of the Hengduan Mountains' subsidiary ranges in shaping bat distribution and evolution, providing new insights into the effects of geological changes on small mammals in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global record of fossil hyenid tracks is sparse—the only formal reports that can be considered reliable are of trackways from Tanzania and a single track from Greece. However, trackway and track patterns of the four extant members of the Hyaenidae are distinctive among the tracks of carnivorans. A Pleistocene trackway comprising five manus–pes pairs has been identified on an aeolianite surface on the Cape south coast of South Africa, and is attributed to a hyena, most likely the brown hyena (Parahyaena brunnea). The diagnostic approach followed involves a combination of the knowledge of Indigenous Master Trackers and the methods of modern ichnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of at least two contemporaneous Pleistocene mastodon taxa in North America (Mammut americanum and M. pacificus) invites re-examination of specimens at the geographic margins of each species in order to determine range boundaries, overlaps, and fluctuations. Third molars from Oregon in the United States, as well as from Hidalgo and Jalisco in Mexico, were found to be morphologically consistent with M. pacificus. Washington in the United States includes a number of specimens that could not be confidently assigned to either taxon. Alberta in Canada was found to have some specimens that were consistent with M. pacificus, but others that were identified as M. americanum. The Alberta specimen referred to M. pacificus is the same tooth found to have a Pliocene divergence time from M. americanum based on mitochondrial genome data from a previous study, suggesting a deep divergence time between the two taxa. The apparent presence of both mastodon taxa in close geographic proximity has interesting paleobiogeographic implications. It is not yet clear if both taxa were present simultaneously in a given location; if not, it suggests fluctuating ranges that may reflect shifting climates and/or biomes over time. Alternatively, if both taxa were simultaneously present in the same place, it may suggest a high degree of niche partitioning in mammutids. Additional accurately dated specimens will be required to resolve this question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ontocetus is one of the most notable extinct odobenines owing to its global distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Originating in the Late Miocene of the western North Pacific, this lineage quickly spread to the Atlantic Ocean during the Pliocene, with notable occurrences in England, Belgium, The Netherlands, Morocco and the eastern seaboard of the United States. Reassessment of a pair of mandibles from the Lower Pleistocene of Norwich (United Kingdom) and a mandible from the Upper Pliocene of Antwerp (Belgium) that were referred to as Ontocetus emmonsi reveals existences of features of both Ontocetus and Odobenus. The presence of four post-canine teeth, a lower canine larger than the cheek-teeth and a lower incisor confirms the assignment to Ontocetus; simultaneously, characteristics such as a fused and short mandibular symphysis, a well-curved mandibular arch and thin septa between teeth align with traits usually found in Odobenus. Based on a combination of these characters, we describe Ontocetus posti, sp. nov. Its mandibular anatomy suggests, a better adaptation to suction-feeding than what was previously described in the genus suggesting that Ontocetus posti sp. nov. likely occupied a similar ecological niche to the extant walrus Odobenus rosmarus. Originating from the North Pacific Ocean, Ontocetus most likely dispersed via the Central American Seaway. Although initially discovered in the Lower Pliocene deposits of the western North Atlantic, Ontocetus also left its imprint in the North Sea basin and Moroccan Plio-Pleistocene deposits. The closure of the Isthmus of Panama during the Mio-Pliocene boundary significantly impacted the contemporary climate, inducing global cooling. This event constrained Ontocetus posti in the North Sea basin leaving the taxon unable to endure the abrupt climate changes of the Early Pleistocene, ultimately going extinct before the arrival of the extant counterpart, Odobenus rosmarus.

New data on the enamel ultrastructure of molars of selected extinct and extant representatives of the genus Ellobius (Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from the Pleistocene of the south of Eastern Europea, mainly from the territory of Ukraine, are presen­ted. Among the analysed species are the extinct Е. tiliguliensis, E. paleotalpinus, E. tarchankutensis, E. tauricus, and E. melitopoliensis, some extinct populations of Ellobius talpinus from the Late Pleistocene, as well as the extant E. talpinus and E. fuscocapillus. It was revealed that the enamel of molars of these species has the same structure as the enamel of Cricetidae and it belongs to three types described by Koenigswald (1980): radial, tangential, and lamellar. Radial enamel is the prevailing type in Ellobius, which is the initial form in the evolutionary process of other types. According to Kilic et al. [1997], radial enamel can also be divided into three groups (І, ІІ, and ІІІ) by the arrangement of the interprismatic matrix (IPM) and prismatic enamel (PE) in its structure. The first type is characterised by an almost linear arrangement of IPM and PE, whereas the second type is reticulate, and the third one is always located near the enamel-dentin junction (EDJ) and is connected to dentin, the matrix of enamel formation. It was shown that in the lineage of the subgenus Ellobius and in the formation of the species E. talpinus the second type of radial enamel predominated, whereas weakly expressed lamellar enamel of various levels of evolutionary development is present only on the tips of conids (primitive and progressive enamel). In contrast, in the lineage of the subgenus Bramus (= Afganomys) and the formation of the species E. fuscocapillus monotypic (according to the density of IPM and PE) first type radial enamel predominates and lamellar enamel is absent. This line of development by morphological characters has traditionally been considered as progressive evolution of the genus, although (as it turned out) it is characterised by a more primitive enamel structure (lack of lamellar enamel). As a result, we were able to further substantiate the phylogeny of the genus Ellobius with new data from the morphologocal analysis of molars and to outline the prospects for possible use of the enamel structure as a character in the taxonomy and phylogeny of species of Cricetidae.

Estimation of the groundwater (GW) recharge from rainfall is important for determining GW resources in water resources development and management. GW is currently extensively exploited and is an important source of freshwater for people in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, especially during dry seasons. To achieve sustainable utilization of GW resources in the delta, it is essential to determine the annual renewable GW reserve from the rainfall recharge. The study provides evidence for the application of the cumulative rainfall departure (CRD) method for the GW recharge estimation for deep aquifers. The monitored rainfall data and GW levels of the aquifers in Bac Lieu province are used. The results of the analysis by the CRD method show that the fractions of cumulative rainfall departure for Holocene (qh), Upper Pleistocene (qp3), Middle-Upper Pleistocene (qp2–3), and Lower Pleistocene (qp1) aquifers are 0.08 %, 0.18 %, 0.55 %, and 0.50 %, respectively, which only equals 1.31 % of the total rainfall. The Pearson correlation between the observed and model water levels is high, from 0.898 to 0.925. The total GW annual recharge from the rainfall over the province is estimated to be 74.07 million m3 , equivalent to 203 000 m3 / day, i.e., which is 16 % lower than the current water abstraction of 23 600 m3 /day. The obtained results are important for subsequent comparison with the Red River basin in northern Vietnam, where it is necessary to keep track of the groundwater inflow along with its volume/resource, including the inflow from the geothermal system of the rift zone of the Red River.

The article presents the generalized data about the first results of radiocarbon dating carried out for the archaeological sites of the Oka Plateau in the Eastern Sayan Mountain Ridge. For the first time archaeological sites in the territory of the Oka Plateau have become known since the beginning of the second part of the 19th century, however at that time only assumption about the ancientry of the sites was proposed without substantiations. Further, for a long time archeologists visited this territory occasionally with long time intervals and the investigations consisted of the collecting artifacts from daylight surface. All attempts of the archaeological site and materials dating was based on the comparing of the typology and morphology of the artifacts from the Oka Plateau and that from the neighboring territories. In 2017 chronological investigations of Oka Plateau ancient sites with using radiocarbon dating metho began. The first archaeological site, which was dated by radiocarbon method, was the stone construction in the form of the pathway that the local people called Strela Gesera. Further on ancient settlements were engaged in the chronological research. Basing on obtained data the fact about ancient people occupying Rivers Valleys of the Oka Plateau in the final Pleistocene was approved.

Abstract Sus arvernensis is a Pliocene species that occupies a key position in the evolution of suids (Suidae, Artiodactyla, Mammalia) in Eurasia, and besides, it is considered important for biochronological correlations and paleoecological inferences. However, our knowledge on S. arvernensis is largely based on fossil remains from southwestern Europe. Here, we present a revision of the Hungarian fossil record of S. arvernensis. Up to now, the species was known from only two localities of Hungary, Gödöllő (central Hungary) and Süttő (northwest Hungary), and the latter occurrence has even been questioned. After the comparison with other relevant samples of S. arvernensis, of the Early Pleistocene S. strozzii, and of the extant wild boar S. scrofa (motivated by previous attributions and the chronology of the localities), the presence of S. arvernensis from Gödöllő and Süttő is confirmed, and more material of the species is described from Beremend (southern Hungary) and Kisláng (western Hungary). Collectively, the results of the revision carried out herein reveal a relatively widespread distribution of S. arvernensis in Hungary, hence providing an important link from the eastern to western European fossil record of the species. The specimens from Gödöllő and Süttő are slightly larger than the other material of S. arvernensis from France and Italy included in the biometric comparison, although the paucity of the material precludes to evaluate whether these differences are significant and to relate them to a chronological and/or geographical context. The occurrence of S. arvernensis in the Hungarian localities considered in this work is a biochronological indication of an age older than at least 2.6 Ma, since the species is not recorded after the Pliocene–Pleistocene transition. This in agreement with the age estimates available so far for some of the localities or provides new insights. At Süttő, in particular, the identification of S. arvernensis reinforces the view that travertine deposition started already in the Pliocene.

Fossil remains of the beaver, including skull fragments and hemimandibles, were first discovered in Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the Chongphadae Cave, Hwangju County and Jothan Cave, Cholwon County. The fossil remains represent dental features of the Castor fiber (Castoridae, Rodentia, Mammalia). Radiocarbon dating of Layers 12 and 13 in Chongphadae Cave Site yielded 34 770–27 800 cal yr BP and 24 980–21 340 cal yr BP, respectively. The mammalian fauna of Layer 2 of Jothan Cave also indicates to the upper Late Pleistocene age. This discovery extends the geographic of the fossil beavers and fills a gap in the knowledge of the beavers occurrence and palaeoenvironment in the DPRK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter provides a systematic description of all confirmed or reliable finds of fossil coturnicines (Aves: Galliformes: Phasianidae: Coturnicini) from the Miocene to the Lower Pleistocene of Eurasia, as well as North Africa (Morocco). Previously published data are reviewed and newly described materials come from the Miocene to the Lower Pleistocene of Eastern Europe (Ukraine and European part of Russia) and Eastern Siberia (Baikal), as well as from the Upper Pliocene of Mongolia. The oldest member of the Coturnicini clade (Tologuica vetusta sp. nov.) is described from the uppermost Lower Miocene-lowermost Middle Miocene of Baikal area (Tagay locality). Members of the fossil genus Tologuica are present in the upper Middle Miocene of Mongolia and the fossil genus Palaeoperdix, which is here revised and transferred to Coturnicini, is known from the upper Middle Miocene of Europe (Palaeoperdix longipes Milne-Edwards, 1869 and Palaeoperdixgrivensis (Ennouchi, 1930) comb. nov.). Plioperdix ("Palaeocryptonyx") hungarica (Jánossý, 1991) from the Upper Miocene of Hungary is transferred to Palaeoperdix. Mioryaba magyarica Zelenkov, 2016 is shown to be similar to modern Perdicula. Several Upper Miocene through Lower Pleistocene coturnicine taxa are assigned to the fossil genera Chauvireria and Plioperdix, with several new species erected: Chauvireria egorovkensis sp. nov., Chauvireria axaina sp. nov., and Plioperdix boevi sp. nov. (all of them from the Upper Miocene of North Black Sea area). The Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene taxon Plioperdix ("Francolinus") capeki (Lambrecht, 1933) is transferred to Palaeocryptonyx, and the Late Pliocene taxa Palaeocryptonyx novaki Sánchez Marco, 2009 from Spain and Plioperdixafricana Mourer-Chauriré & Geraads, 2010 from Morocco are transferred to a new genus, Marocortyx gen. nov., which is considered a morphologically transitional form between Alectoris and Margaroperdix. The new finds of Palaeocryptonyx donnezani Depéret, 1892 are described, which were previously partly treated as Plioperdix pontica. Some previously published finds of P. donnezani are revised. The oldest find of Coturnix quails in the region is from the Upper Pliocene of Mongolia (Shaamar) and is described as Coturnix augustus sp. nov. Coturnix coturnix is further described from the Lower Pleistocene of Crimea (Taurida Cave). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter describes the main localities of fossil Eurasian coturnicines (Aves: Phasianidae: Coturnicini). The age and fauna of the Sansan locality (Middle Miocene; France) and Tagay locality (latest Early–early Middle Miocene; East Siberia), which yielded the oldest finds of coturnicines in Eurasia, are discussed in more detail. The geological description of the Sharga locality (Middle Miocene; Mongolia), Hyargas-Nuur 2 locality (Khirgiz-Nur; Miocene–Pleistocene; Mongolia), and Chono-Harayah 1 and 2 localities (Chono-Khariakh; Pliocene; Mongolia) are given as of 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study demonstrates the synchronicity of the positive and negative phases of summer irradiation of the Northern Hemisphere in the precession cycle with periods of global climate warming and cooling for the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The cold phase 50–41.5 ka BP corresponds to the Shestikhinsky cooling in Eastern Europe and the development of glaciation in North America. The warm phase 41–30 ka BP accounts for climate warming in Europe (Bryansk interstadial, Paudorf, Gotwei warming) and in North America (Plum Point Interstadial). The period of maximum development of glaciation in Europe and North America is synchronized with the cold phase 29.5–17.5 ka BP. The warm phase 17–5.5 ka BP is associated with the transition from the cold Pleistocene to the relatively warm Holocene. The Little Ice Age falls on the cold phase 5 ka BP – 5000 CE. It is expected that warming of the climate with respect to the present will correspond to the Warm Epoch 5000–13 000 CE. Changes in solar radiation arriving in the first astronomical half of the year in 5° latitude zones were determined for all astronomical months of the tropical year for climatic precession extrema. This makes it possible to compare spatiotemporal changes in Earth's solar climate during years of climate precession extrema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Juniperus spp. are keystone shrubs in western North America and important climatic indicators in paleo‐records. However, a lack of taxonomic resolution among fossil species limits our ability to track past environmental changes. Plant macrofossils at Rancho La Brea (RLB) allow for reconstructions of juniper occurrence to species across 60 000 yr. We use microscopy, image analysis, species distribution modeling (SDM), and radiocarbon dating to identify an unknown Juniperus species at RLB and put it into chronological context with fossil Juniperus californica at the site to infer past environmental conditions. We identify the unknown taxon as Juniperus scopulorum Sargent, 1897. The Pleistocene occurrence of this species in California expands its known distribution and documents its extirpation. Temporal ranges of the two fossil junipers alternate, revealing a pattern of differential climatic sensitivity throughout the end of the Pleistocene. Occurrence patterns suggest sensitivity to temperature, moisture availability, and the presence of two mega‐droughts at c. 48–44.5 ka and c. 29.3–25.2 ka. Extirpation of both taxa by c. 13 ka is likely driven by climate, megafaunal extinction, and increasing fire. The extirpation of fossil junipers during these past climatic events demonstrates vulnerability of juniper species in the face of global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]