A modern analogue of the Pleistocene steppe‐tundra ecosystem in southern Siberia

Steppe‐tundra is considered to have been a dominant ecosystem across northern Eurasia during the Last Glacial Maximum. As the fossil record is insufficient for understanding the ecology of this vanished ecosystem, modern analogues have been sought, especially in Beringia. However, Beringian ecosystems are probably not the best analogues for more southern variants of the full‐glacial steppe‐tundra because they lack many plant and animal species of temperate steppes found in the full‐glacial fossil record from various areas of Europe and Siberia. We present new data on flora, land snails and mammals and characterize the ecology of a close modern analogue of the full‐glacial steppe‐tundra ecosystem in the southeastern Russian Altai Mountains, southern Siberia. The Altaian steppe‐tundra is a landscape mosaic of different habitat types including steppe, mesic and wet grasslands, shrubby tundra, riparian scrub, and patches of open woodland at moister sites. Habitat distribution, species diversity, primary productivity and nutrient content in plant biomass reflect precipitation patterns across a broader area and the topography‐dependent distribution of soil moisture across smaller landscape sections. Plant and snail species considered as glacial relicts occur in most habitats of the Altaian steppe‐tundra, but snails avoid the driest types of steppe. A diverse community of mammals, including many species typical of the full‐glacial ecosystems, also occurs there. Insights from the Altaian steppe‐tundra suggest that the full‐glacial steppe‐tundra was a heterogeneous mosaic of different habitats depending on landscape‐scale moisture gradients. Primary productivity of this habitat mosaic combined with shallow snow cover that facilitated winter grazing was sufficient to sustain rich communities of large herbivores.     

末次冰期黄土中蜗牛壳体碳酸盐同位素组成与其环境指示意义

为了揭示蜗牛化石壳体碳酸盐（文石）稳定同位素组成的古气候和古生态环境指示意义,对采集于河南荥阳邙山末次冰期黄土剖面上部中的粉华蜗牛（Cathaica pulveratrix）化石壳体碳酸盐进行了碳、氧稳定同位素分析,同时还对全岩有机物质（SOM）碳同位素组成以及全岩磁化率和粒度等气候替代指标进行分析,结果显示：剖面中反映蜗牛食物碳同位素组成的壳体δ¹³C_SSA的变化,与反映古植被碳同位素组成的全岩有机物质碳同位素组成（δ¹³C_SOM）无显著的相关关系,但是壳体¹³C相对于SOM的富集程度（Δδ¹³C_SSA-SOM）的变化与石笋氧同位素记录的末次冰期东亚夏季风强度演化同步一致;   壳体δ¹⁸O_SSA的变化不但与黄土磁化率、粒度等气候替代指标变化具有显著相关性,同样也与末次冰期东亚夏季风强度演化同步一致。这些特征,一方面说明受季风环流控制的气候温湿程度变化左右蜗牛夏季活动的几率和食物的类型,干冷气候条件下,相对温湿夏季成为蜗牛活动主要时期,相对富集¹³C苔藓、菌类和植物可能是蜗牛的主要食物;   另一方面暗示蜗牛化石壳体碳酸盐稳定同位素组成能够指示气候温湿程度和生态环境的变化。     

On the present habitats and ecology of Vertigo pseudosubstriata Ložek, 1954 (Mollusca,Gastropoda, Vertiginidea) in Central Asia and its distribution history in Central and Eastern Europe

The small terrestrial gastropod Vertigo pseudosubstriata Ložek, 1954 is one of the rarest glacial indicator species in the Pleistocene of Central and Eastern Europe. In all, this species has been found at only about 15 sites in Europe. V. pseudosubstriata was initially described as a fossil in Central Europe and was discovered only later alive in Central Asia. With regard to its modern distribution, 25 habitats with V. pseudosubstriata have been examined in Tien Shan and in the central and southern Altai. These findings seem to capture the contemporary distribution of the species and provide information on the boundaries of its ecological requirements. These data are of great significance for the interpretation of the fossil assemblages. Since the few fossil specimens in Europe date from very different glacial periods in the Elsterian, Saalian Complex and Weichselian, it can be concluded that V. pseudosubstriata apparently immigrated in at least three distinct waves. Most of the Pleistocene specimens in eastern Central Europe and Eastern Europe are reported from archaeological sites of the Upper Middle Weichselian (Gravettian), roughly between 33 and 29 ka cal bp. In this paper, we review all reported modern and fossil occurrences and discuss the species' ecological range.     

Palaeoenvironment and biogeography of a late MIS 3 fossil beetle fauna from South Taranaki,New Zealand

Fossil beetles from a last glacial landslide‐generated lake‐forest sequence aged 33 480–34 410 cal. yr BP (late Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3)) are identified from the Waitotara Valley in South Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand. The stratigraphy indicates that the landslide caused changes to local hydrology, resulting in the formation of a lake‐swamp environment and subsequent transition to forest. Fossil leaves suggest a forest dominated by Nothofagus menziesii, and radiocarbon ages indicate the site was forested for around 4000 yr. A fossil beetle‐based temperature estimate using the maximum likelihood envelope method indicates the climate was cooler than present day. The distributions of the fossil beetle taxa are examined and compared with the modern ecological patterns. The fossil fauna is very typical of a modern‐day Nelson (northern South Island) fauna. None of the beetle species is present in the modern South Taranaki fauna and many taxa such as Platypus caviceps, Alema paradoxa, Rhyzobius consors, Syrphetodes ater, Cyclaxyra impressa and species of Grynoma and Pycnomerus are now absent from part or all of the lower North Island. This is important because the lower North Island is currently an area of low diversity and endemism and these results suggest this biogeographical pattern stems from the last glaciation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deciphering late Quaternary land snail shell δO and δC from Franchthi Cave (Argolid,Greece)

This paper investigates the stable isotopic composition from late Pleistocene–Holocene (~ 13 to ~ 10.5 cal ka BP) shells of the land snail Helix figulina, from Franchthi Cave (Greece). It explores the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental implications of the isotope palaeoecology of archaeological shells at the time of human occupation of the cave. Modern shells from around the cave were also analysed and their isotopic signatures compared with those of the archaeological shells. The carbon isotope composition of modern shells depicts the consumption of C₃ vegetation. Shell oxygen isotopic values are consistent with other Mediterranean snail shells from coastal areas. Combining empirical linear regression and an evaporative model, the δ¹⁸Os suggest that modern snails in the study area are active during periods of higher relative humidity and lower rainfall δ¹⁸O, probably at night. Late glacial and early Holocene δ¹⁸Os show lower values compared to modern ones. Early Holocene δ¹⁸Os values likely track enhanced moisture and isotopic changes in the precipitation source. By contrast, lower late glacial δ¹⁸O could reflect lower temperatures and δ¹⁸Op, compared to the present day. Shell carbon isotope values indicate the presence of C₃ vegetation as main source of carbon to late glacial and early Holocene snails.     

Depositional system and palaeoclimatic interpretations of Middle to Late Pleistocene travertines: Kocabaş, Denizli,south‐west Turkey

Travertine deposits in western Turkey are very well‐exposed in the area of Kocaba?, in the eastern part of the Denizli Basin. The palaeoclimatic significance of these travertines is discussed using U/Th dates, stable isotope data and palynological evidence. The Kocaba? travertine occurrences are characterized by successions of depositional terraces associated with palaeosols and karstic features. The travertines have been classified into eight lithotypes and one erosional horizon, namely: laminated, coated bubble, reed, paper‐thin raft, intraclasts, micritic travertine with gastropods, extra‐formational pebbles and a palaeosol layer. The analysed travertines mostly formed between 181 ka and 80 ka (Middle to Late Pleistocene) during a series of climatic changes including glacial and interglacial intervals; their δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values indicate that the depositional waters were mainly of basinal thermal origin, occasionally mixed with surficial meteoric water. Palynological results obtained from the palaeosols showed an abundance of non‐arboreal percentage and xerophytic plants (Oleaceae and Quercus evergreen type) indicating that a drought occurred. Marine Isotope Stage 6 is represented by grassland species but Marine Isotope Stage 5 is represented by Pinaceae–Pinus and Abies, Quercus and Oleaceae. Uranium/thorium analyses of the Kocaba? travertines show that deposition began in Marine Isotope Stage 6 (glacial) and continued to Marine Isotope Stage 4 (glacial), but mostly occurred in Marine Isotope Stage 5 (interglacial). The travertine deposition continued to ca 80 ka in the south‐west of the study area, in one particular depression depositional system. Palaeoenvironmental indicators suggest that the travertine depositional evolution was probably controlled by fault‐related movements that influenced groundwater flow. Good correlation of the stable isotope values and dates of deposition of the travertines and palynological data of palaeosols in the Kocaba? travertines serve as a starting point for further palaeoclimate studies in south‐west Turkey. Additionally, the study can be compared with other regional palaeoclimate archives.     

Origin and contrasting succession pathways of the Western Carpathian calcareous fens revealed by plant and mollusc macrofossils

Calcareous fens are unique environments whose history is almost unexplored. The radiocarbon dates of the basal layers of 49 undisturbed calcareous fens showed that in the Western Carpathians (central Europe) many of the extant fen sites originated fairly recently, with two peaks in the High Middle and Roman Ages, the former corresponding to human‐induced changes of the landscape. Conspicuous number of fens also appeared in the Lateglacial and later in the Bronze Age owing to suitable environmental conditions. The Lateglacial calcareous fens were of semi‐open character with coniferous trees, a heliophilous understorey, and mollusc communities composed of several snail species typical of glacial landscapes. We found wood of Taxus baccata in six localities between 7390 and 600 cal. a BP, suggesting that calcareous fens could have represented a refugial habitat for this red‐listed species during the middle Holocene. Using plant macrofossil and mollusc analyses of three representative profiles we illustrate the most common developmental types: (i) fens originating in the Lateglacial, having an open or semi‐open character during the whole Holocene; (ii) open fens originating as wooded wetlands; and (iii) open fens starting their development de novo in the late Holocene. Human activities were responsible for the formation of a high number of calcareous fens, especially in the Outer Western Carpathians, and became important drivers of fen biodiversity development. Only a few recently existing calcareous fens contain old sequences of calcareous deposits. They represent unique natural archives and harbour highly endangered relic populations of fen specialists, making their strict protection urgent.     

Recurrent spring‐fed rivers in a Middle to Late Pleistocene semi‐arid grassland: Implications for environments of early humans in the Lake Victoria Basin,Kenya

The effect of changing palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment on human evolution during the Pleistocene is debated, but hampered by few East African records directly associated with archaeological sites prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. Middle to Late Pleistocene deposits on the shoreline of eastern Lake Victoria preserve abundant vertebrate fossils and Middle Stone Age arte‐facts associated with riverine tufas at the base of the deposits, which are ideal for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. New data from tufas identified on Rusinga Island and on the mainland near Karungu, Kenya are provided from outcrop, thin sections, mineralogical, stable isotopic and U‐series dating analyses. Tufa is identified in four sites: Nyamita (94·0 ± 3·3 and 111·4 ± 4·2 ka); Kisaaka, Aringo (455 ± 45 ka); and Obware. The age ranges of these tufa deposits demonstrate that spring‐fed rivers were a recurrent, variably preserved feature on the Pleistocene landscape for ca 360 kyr. Poor sorting of clastic facies from all sites indicates flashy, ephemeral discharge, but these facies are commonly associated with barrage tufas, paludal environments with δ¹³C values of ca 10‰ indicative of C₃ plants and fossil Hippopotamus, all of which indicate a perennial water source. Other tufa deposits from Nyamita, Obware and Aringo have a mixed C₃/C₄ signature consistent with a semi‐arid C₄ grassland surrounding these spring‐fed rivers. The δ¹⁸O values of tufa from Nyamita are on average ca 1‰ more negative than calcite precipitated from modern rainfall in the region, suggesting greater contribution of depleted monsoonal input, similar to the Last Glacial Maximum. Microdebitage and surface‐collected artefacts indicate that early modern humans were utilizing these spring‐fed rivers. The presence of spring?fed rivers would have afforded animals a reliable water source, sustaining a diverse plant and animal community in an otherwise arid environment.     

Early‐middle Holocene land snail shell stable isotope record from Grotta di Latronico 3 (southern Italy)

This paper compares stable isotope (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) records of early–middle Holocene land snail shells from the archaeological deposits of Grotta di Latronico 3 (LTR3; southern Italy) with modern shell isotopic data. No substantial interspecific variability was observed in shell δ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸Os) of modern specimens (Pomatias elegans, Cornu aspersum, Eobania vermiculata, Helix ligata and Marmorana fuscolabiata). In contrast, interspecific shell δ¹³C (δ¹³Cs) variability was significant, probably due to different feeding behaviour among species. The δ¹⁸Os values of living land snails suggest that species hibernate for a long period during colder months, so that the signal of ¹⁸O‐depleted winter rainfall in their δ¹⁸Os is lost. This suggests that δ¹⁸Os and δ¹³Cs values of Pomatias elegans from this archaeological succession provide valuable clues for seasonal (spring–autumn) climatic conditions during the early–middle Holocene. The δ¹⁸Os values of fossil specimens are significantly lower than in modern shells and in agreement with other palaeoclimatic records, suggesting a substantial increase of precipitation and/or persistent changes in air mass source trajectories over this region between ca. 8.8 cal ka BP and 6.2–6.7 ka ago. The δ¹³Cs trend suggests a transition from a slightly ¹³C‐enriched to a ¹³C‐depleted diet between early and middle Holocene compared to present conditions. We postulate that this δ¹³Cs trend might reflect changes in the C3 vegetation community, potentially combined with other environmental factors such as regional moisture increase and the progressive decrease of atmospheric CO₂ concentration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence for geographic variation in the diets of late Pleistocene and early Holocene Bison in North America, and differences from the diets of recent Bison

During the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Bison was widely dispersed across North America and occupied most regions not covered by ice sheets. A dietary study on Bison paleopopulations from Alaska, New Mexico, Florida, and Texas was performed using two methods that relate dental wear patterns to diet, mesowear analysis and microwear analysis. These data were compared to a mixed sample of extant Bison from the North American central plains, extant wood Bison from Alberta (Canada) and a variety of other modern ungulates. Mesowear relates macroscopic molar facet shape to levels of dietary abrasion. The mesowear signature observed on fossil Bison differs significantly from the hyper-abrasive grazing diet of extant Bison. Tooth microwear examines wear on the surface of enamel at a microscopic scale. The microwear signal of fossil samples resembles to modern Bison, but the fossil samples show a greater diversity of features, suggesting that fossil Bison populations regularly consumed food items that are texturally inconsistent with the short-grass diet typical of modern plains Bison. Mesowear and microwear signals of fossil Bison samples most closely resemble a variety of typical mixed feeding ungulates, all with diets that are substantially less abrasive than what is typical for modern plains Bison. Furthermore, statistical tests suggest significant differences between the microwear signatures of the fossil samples, thus revealing geographic variability in Pleistocene Bison diets. This study reveals that fossils are of value in developing an understanding of the dietary breadth and ecological versatility of species that, in recent times, are rare, endangered, and occupy only a small remnant of their former ranges.     

The Falkland Islands’ palaeoecological response to millennial‐scale climate perturbations during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition: Implications for future vegetation stability in the southern ocean islands

Oceanic island flora is vulnerable to future climate warming, which is likely to promote changes in vegetation composition, and invasion of non‐native species. Sub‐Antarctic islands are predicted to experience rapid warming during the next century; therefore, establishing trajectories of change in vegetation communities is essential for developing conservation strategies to preserve biological diversity. We present a Late‐glacial‐early Holocene (16 500–6450 cal a bp ) palaeoecological record from Hooker's Point, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Atlantic. This period spans the Pleistocene‐Holocene transition, providing insight into biological responses to abrupt climate change. Pollen and plant macrofossil records appear insensitive to climatic cooling during the Late‐glacial, but undergo rapid turnover in response to regional warming. The absence of trees throughout the Late‐glacial‐early Holocene enables the recognition of far‐travelled pollen from southern South America. The first occurrence of Nothofagus (southern beech) may reflect changes in the strength and/or position of the Southern Westerly Wind Belt during the Late‐glacial period. Peat inception and accumulation at Hooker's Point is likely to be promoted by the recalcitrant litter of wind‐adapted flora. This recalcitrant litter helps to explain widespread peatland development in a comparatively dry environment, and suggests that wind‐adapted peatlands can remain carbon sinks even under low precipitation regimes. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Late Quaternary Paleoclimatic Change in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea

Paleoclimatic changes in the late Quaternary sediments deposited in the East Sea were analyzed by studying diatoms. A total of 95 species belonging to 47 genera were identified from the Core02GHP-02 of the Ulleung Basin in the East Sea, Korea. In the Core 02GHP-02, U-Oki(169–181 cm; 9.3 ka), AT(464–465.5 cm; 22 ka) and U–Ym(556–559 cm; 33 ka) tephra layers were recognized. The chronological divisions of 02GHP-02 may be correlated with the climatic changes from the glacial interval(730–620 cm; MIS3), to interstadial(620–500 cm; MIS3), to the last glacial maximum(500–390 cm; MIS 2), to the deglaciation(390–290 cm; MIS 2), to the late glacial(290–190 cm; MIS 1), and to the Holocene(190–10 cm; MIS 1). It is speculated that diatoms were rarely found during the glacial interval when the 02GHP-02 core was deposited; during the interstadial(MIS 3) and deglaciation, a mixture of warm-water and cold-water species were found. In particular, Fragilariopsis doliolus seems to have appeared in the East Sea after 8 ka BP. In the lower layers of the Holocene deposits, cold-water species such as Neodenticula seminae were frequently found, while in the upper layers, warm-water species such as Hemidiscus cuneiformis were found in relatively large abundance. Therefore, the findings indicate that the climate became warmer during the transition from the lower layer to the upper layer of the Holocene deposits.     

黄土高原西部地区末次冰期和全新世有机碳同位素变化与C3/C4植被类型转换研究

文章利用黄土高原西缘代表性的塬堡剖面有机碳同位素数据,估算了末次冰期以来地表植被中C₃/C₄植 物的相对丰度,指示出研究区域末次冰期几乎为纯粹的C₃植物,而全新世为C₃植物占优势的C₃和C₄混合植被类 型。温度是控制中国黄土高原C₄植物是否发生的关键性气候因素,末次冰期向全新世转化过程中存在的某“阈值 温度”控制了两种植被类型的存在。全新世土壤有机碳同位素偏正于末次冰期,符合前人研究得到的认识。末次 冰期间冰段(MIS3)至盛冰期,土壤有机碳同位素为偏正变化趋势,符合现代C₃植物本身随气候条件改变的碳同位 素组成变化。研究表明,利用黄土-古土壤有机碳同位素进行古气候变化研究,不能只将有机碳同位素简单的解 释为C₃/C₄植物相对丰度的变化,在单一植被类型下,还需要考虑植物本身碳同位素组成随气候条件的变化;另外, 研究还说明,我国黄土高原不同地区同时段土壤有机碳同位素值可以不同,其变化可以不具有相同的趋势,因此, 简单将有机碳同位素偏正归因于夏季风增强是值得商榷的。     

Late Devensian ice‐marginal features in the central North Sea – processes and chronology

Palaeoglaciological reconstructions of the North Sea sector of the last British Ice Sheet have, as other shelf areas, suffered from a lack of dates directly related to ice‐front positions. In the present study new high‐resolution TOPAS seismic data, bathymetric records and sediment core data from the Witch Ground Basin, central North Sea, were compiled. This compilation made it possible to map out three ice‐marginal positions, partly through identification of terminal moraines and partly through location of glacial‐fed debrisflows. The interfingering of the distal parts of the glacial‐fed debrisflows with continuous marine sedimentation enabled the development of a chronology for glacial events based on previously published and some new radiocarbon dates on marine molluscs and foraminifera. From these data it is suggested that after the central Witch Ground Basin was deglaciated at c. 27 cal. ka BP, the eastern part was inundated by glacial ice from the east in the Tampen advance at c. 21 cal. ka BP. Subsequently, the basin was inundated by ice from northeast during the Fladen 1 (c. 17.5 cal. ka BP) and the Fladen 2 (16.2 cal. ka BP) events. It should be emphasized that the Fladen 1 and 2 events, individually, may represent dynamics of relatively small lobes of glacial ice at the margin of the British Ice Sheet and that the climatic significance of these may be questioned. However, the Fladen Events probably correlate in time with the Clogher Head and Killard Point re‐advances previously documented from Ireland and the Bremanger event from off western Norway, suggesting that the British and Fennoscandian ice sheets both had major advances in their northwestern parts, close to the northwestern European seaboard, at this time.     

Land snails from the last glacial maximum on Andikithira,southern Greece and their palaeoclimatic implications

An assemblage of land snails from an aeolianite deposit on the coast of the southern Greek island of Andikithira is shown to date to 16 000 yr BP and thus represents the period of the last glacial maximum (LGM; Oxygen Isotope Stage 2). The assemblage has no modern analogue. Five of the ten species are extinct on the island and some of these now live only at high elevations (> 950 m). Significantly cooler temperatures, some 5-8°C below present, and slightly drier moisture conditions (lower rainfall, partially offset by reduced evapotranspiration at the lower temperature) are inferred. The large temperature depression at the LGM, well documented in northern and central Europe, extended also to the Mediterranean climate of southern Europe. Late Quaternary climatic changes had a considerable impact on the fauna of this isolated island.     

Paleoenvironment of the Folsom archaeological site, New Mexico, USA, approximately 10,500 C yr B.P. as inferred from the stable isotope composition of fossil land snail shells

Well-preserved aragonitic land snail shells (Vallonia) from late Pleistocene Eolian sediment in the Folsom archaeological site in New Mexico exhibit an overall decrease of δ¹⁸O_PDB from maximum values of +2.7‰ (more positive than modern) to younger samples with lower average values of about −3.6‰ (within the modern range). The age of the samples (approximately 10,500 ¹⁴C yr B.P.) suggests that the decrease in δ¹⁸O may manifest climatic changes associated with the Younger Dryas. Some combination of increased relative humidity and cooler temperatures with decreased δ¹⁸O of precipitation during the times of snail activity can explain the decrease in shell δ¹⁸O. A well-known Paleoindian bison kill occurred at the Folsom site during this inferred environmental transition.Average δ¹³C values of the aragonite shells of the fossil Vallonia range from −7.3 to −6.0‰ among different archaeological levels and are not as negative as modern values. This suggests that the proportion of C₄ vegetation at the Folsom site approximately 10,500 ¹⁴C yr B.P. was greater than at present; a result which is consistent with other evidence for higher proportions of C₄ plants in the region at that time.     

Rapidly entrainable tidal vertical migrations in the salt marsh snailLittoraria irrorata

The salt marsh periwinkleLittoraria irrorata (Say) remains on the substratum during low tide but climbs above the water on stalks ofSpartina alterniflora Loisel during high tide. Rhythmic tidal migrations may allowL. irrorata to avoid predators such as blue crabsCallinectes sapidus Rathbun that forage when the marsh is inundated. These tidal rhythms may be driven by endogenous clocks or they may be easily entrained. Snails with flexible and entrainable climbing rhythms may be able to avoid predators in unpredictable environments (e.g., when water unexpectedly covers the substratum as in storm surges). We tested the behavioral response ofL. irrorata to different simulated tidal regimes in the laboratory, and the effect of remaining above mean high water (MHW) on snail survivorship in a smallS. alterniflora salt marsh. In laboratory mesocosms, vertical snail position was measured under constant water levels, simulated tidal cycles, and simulated tidal cycles 180° out of phase (reversed). Under constant water levels, snails ceased to migrate vertically after 1 d. When exposed to tidal and reversed tidal cycles, snails migrated in synchrony with the appropriate simulated rhythm.L. irrorata entrained quickly to differing tidal cycles and maintained their position above the water surfce when water levels were high. In a field experiment, snails were tethered toS. alteriflora plants near the substratum and above MHW in the marsh for 1 wk to assess survival. Survival of snails tethered above MHW was sigificantly greater than for snails tethered at the base of plants; no snails in control cages died. Rapid alteration of tidal vertical migrations may allowL. irrorata to avoid predators that forage when water inundates the marsh predictably or unexpectedly.     

Tidal migration influences the zonation of grazing snails (Turbo smaragdus) in a mangrove-seagrass estuary, Northern New Zealand

The zonation of mobile species, such as grazing snails, may be influenced by migration patterns, which often are missed if the population is not sampled within the appropriate temporal scales (i.e., tidal cycles, diurnal periods, seasons). Aspects of community ecology, especially abundance, biodiversity, and habitat preferences, are better described when the mobility of different species or group of organisms also are investigated. The effect of migration on the density and size-frequency distribution of a dominant intertidal grazer (Turbo smaragdus) was investigated across four habitats (mangrove tree, pneumatophore, algal aggregation, and seagrass bed) during emersion and immersion periods at Matapouri Estuary, northern New Zealand, in August 2004 and March 2005. Snails were marked and recaptured to identify their specific movements across the four zones during high and low tide periods. Results from the population surveys and the marked-recaptured experiments indicate that snails migrate upward during high tide and do wnward during low tide. These snail movements appear to be related to improved feeding activity during tidal inundation within macroalgal aggregations in the pneumatophore and algal zones. Large snails (up to 48 mm in width) were predominant in the highest zone among the mangrove trees, where they appear to feed on filamentous algae and microalgae that cover the sediment and plant surfaces in this area. Differences in snail density and sizes between the two sampling months were attributed to reproductive patterns of this species, which result in about 30% more snails (mostly juveniles) during peak reproduction in March.     

Holocene floristic diversity and richness in northeast Norway revealed by sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) and pollen

We present a Holocene record of floristic diversity and environmental change for the central Varanger Peninsula, Finnmark, based on ancient DNA extracted from the sediments of a small lake (sedaDNA). The record covers the period c. 10 700 to 3300 cal. a BP and is complemented by pollen data. Measures of species richness, sample evenness and beta diversity were calculated based on sedaDNA sampling intervals and 1000‐year time windows. We identified 101 vascular plant and 17 bryophyte taxa, a high proportion (86%) of which are still growing within the region today. The high species richness (>60 taxa) observed in the Early Holocene, including representatives from all important plant functional groups, shows that modern shrub‐tundra communities, and much of their species complement, were in place as early as c. 10 700 cal. a BP. We infer that postglacial colonization of the area occurred prior to the full Holocene, during the Pleistocene‐Holocene transition, Younger Dryas stadial or earlier. Abundant DNA of the extra‐limital aquatic plant Callitriche hermaphroditica suggests it expanded its range northward between c. 10 200 and 9600 cal. a BP, when summers were warmer than present. High values of Pinus DNA occur throughout the record, but we cannot say with certainty if they represent prior local presence; however, pollen influx values >500 grains cm^?2 a^?1 between c. 8000 and 7300 cal. a BP strongly suggest the presence of pine woodland during this period. As the site lies beyond the modern tree limit of pine, it is likely that this expansion also reflects a response to warmer Early Holocene summers.     

The last 30,000 years of faunal history within the Grand Canyon, Arizona

The vertebrate fauna of the last 30,000 radiocarbon years in the Grand Canyon is reviewed. Faunas accompanied with 92 ¹⁴C dates have been analyzed from nine cave sites (four systematically excavated) and 50 packrat middens. Reasonably precise chronological and environmental data of late Pleistocene and Holocene age were obtained through dung studies in Rampart, Muav, and Stanton's Caves; from the numerous packrat middens; and from a ringtail refuse deposit in Vulture Cave. The desert tortoise, 8 species of lizards, 12 species of snakes, 68 species of birds, and 33 species of mammals are identified. Extinct animals include the avian carrion feeder, Teratornis merriami, and the mammalian herbivores, Oreamnos harringtoni, Camelops cf. hesternus, Equus sp., and Nothrotheriops shastense. There is no apparent abrupt end to the late Pleistocene as observed in the Grand Canyon fossil faunal or floral record. Animal and plant taxa of the Grand Canyon responded individually to the changes in climate of the last 30,000 yr. Both animal and plant fossil assemblages indicate that a pre-full glacial, a full glacial, and a late glacial woodland community with many less dominant desert taxa were slowly replaced by a Holocene desert community. All woodland taxa were absent from the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon by 8500 yr B.P.