Discrete proterozoic structural terranes associated with low-P, high-T metamorphism, Anmatjira Range, Arunta Inlier, central Australia: tectonic implications

Structural overprinting relationships indicate that two discrete terranes, Mt. Stafford and Weldon, occur in the Anmatjira Range, northern Arunta Inlier, central Australia. In the Mt. Stafford terrane, early recumbent structures associated with D_1a,_1b deformation are restricted to areas of granulite facies metamorphism and are overprinted by upright, km-scale folds F_1c), which extend into areas of lower metamorphic grade. Structural relationships are simple in the low—grade rocks, but complex and variable in higher grade equivalents. The three deformation events in the Mt. Stafford terrane constitute the first tectonic cycle (D₁-D₂) deformation in the Weldon terrane comprises the second tectonic cycle. The earliest foliation (S_2a) was largely obliterated by the dominant reclined to recumbent mylonitic foliation (S_2b), produced during progressive non-coaxial deformation, with local sheath folds and W- to SW-directed thrusts. Locally, (D_2d) tectonites have been rotated by N—S-trending, upright (F_2c) folds, but the regional upright fold event (F_2d), also evident in the adjacent Reynolds Range, rotated earlier surfaces into shallow-plunging, NW—SE-trending folds that dominate the regional outcrop pattern.The terranes can be separated on structural, metamorphic and isotopic criteria. A high-strain D₂ mylonite zone, produced during W- to SW-directed thrusting, separates the Weldon and Mt. Stafford terranes. 1820 Ma megacrystic granites in the Mt. Stafford terrane intruded high-grade metamorphic rocks that had undergone D_1a and D_1b deformation, but in turn were deformed by S_1c, which provides a minimum age limit for the first structural—metamorphic event. 1760 Ma charnockites in the Weldon terrane were emplaced post-D_2a, and metamorphosed under granulite facies conditions during D_2b, constraining the second tectonic cycle to this period.Each terrane is associated with low-P, high-T metamorphism, characterized by anticlockwise P—T—t paths, with the thermal peaks occurring before or very early in the tectonic cycle. These relations are not compatible with continental-style collision, nor with extensional tectonics as the deformation was compressional. The preferred model involves thickening of previously thinned lithosphere, at a stage significantly after (>50 Ma) the early extensional event. Compression was driven by external forces such as plate convergence, but deformation was largely confined to and around composite granitoid sheets in the mid-crust. The sheets comprise up to 80% of the terranes and induced low-P, high-T metamorphism, including migmatization, thereby markedly reducing the yield strength and accelerating deformation of the country rocks. Mid-crustal ductile shearing and reclined to recumbent folding resulted, followed by upright folding that extended beyond the thermal anomaly. Thus, thermal softening induced by heat-focusing is capable of generating discrete structural terranes characterized by subhorizontal ductile shear in the mid-crust, localized around large granitoid intrusions.     

再论龙凤山藻属（Longfengshania Du）的形态学特征与系统分类

龙凤山藻属(Longfengshania)由叶状体、柄和固着器三部分组成,类似高等植物根、茎、叶的器官分化,分别营光合作用、支撑藻体和固着功能,营海底固着生活。关于其形态学特征,特别是关于它的系统分类一直存在不同看法。根据形态学特征、个体发育中的生物重演律,以及古生态、古气候特征等认为,该属更接近于褐藻门海带目海带科的一些分子,似为海带目的早期原始类型。由于该属藻体较小,叶状体(叶片)全缘无褶皱或刻裂,固着器不分枝足状,与海带科也有较大区别,加之时代久远,在海带目中另立一科也是适宜的,经过适当修订后,进一步确认了龙凤山藻科的存在。对龙凤山藻属与龙凤山藻科的定义进行了重新修订,初步解决了它们的系统分类问题,为古藻类的早期演化提供了化石证据,具有生物学上的重要意义。概述了海藻类各门、纲、目及科级藻类的一般形态学特征,以供对比研究时参考,从而为确定龙凤山藻属的系统分类提供依据。     

New record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plectoidothyris</Emphasis> from the Middle Jurassic Sequence of Jaisalmer Basin,Western India: Implications on the easterly brachiopod migrations

The Bathonian sediments of the Jaisalmer Basin, India host a terebratulide brachiopod Plectoidothyris which has been previously known from the Bajocian rocks of the Boreal Province. The sharp and prominent plication of the anterior commissure and increased length of costae separates the Jaisalmer specimens from other known species of the genus and the population represents an endemic species — Plectoidothyris jaisalmerensis. The population was only cursorily described earlier lacking in details of precise stratigraphic control and was wrongly assigned to a different genus. The present study is based on a large number of specimens from different localities with precise stratigraphic data, coupled with this some recent findings of time-diagnostic ammonites have helped determine the Plectoidothyris jaisalmerensis duration in the Jaisalmer Basin as the Late Bathonian. Presence of lower Jurassic Boreal brachiopod genera in the Middle Jurassic rocks of Ethiopian and Indo — Madagascan biogeographic provinces has been noticed earlier whereto Plectoidothyris is a new addition while it is also the first report of the genus from the Jurassic of India. The brachiopod migrations from the north to south of the Tethys provide evidences for opening of shallow water routes in the Tethyan seaway and are probably indicative of warmer water conditions in the Indo-Madagascan and African areas during the Middle Jurassic.     

Rotation of contemporary folds into the X direction during overthrust processes in Laksefjord, Finnmark

The formation of L—S tectonite fabrics in the metamorphic nappe rocks of East Laksefjord, Finnmark, is accompanied by the rotation of contemporary folds into the X direction of the finite-strain ellipsoid. An interpretation based on the simple-shear model for active mobile belts is presented.     

A biogeographically mixed late Guadalupian (late Middle Permian) brachiopod fauna from an exotic limestone block at Xiukang in Lhaze county, Tibet

A total of 17 brachiopod species belonging to 15 genera are recorded from a limestone block of about 3×4 km² in the Indus–Tsangbo suture zone at Xiukang in Lhaze County of Tibet. The brachiopod fauna generally indicates a Late Guadalupian age (late Wordian–Capitanian, late Middle Permian) based on its association with the Timorites-bearing ammonoid fauna and the presence of the brachiopod Urushtenoidea crenulata. Palaeobiogeographically, the fauna exhibits transitional/mixed characters between the warm-water Cathaysian and cold to temperate Gondwanan faunas and may have developed on a carbonate build-up or seamount on the oceanic crust.     

The upper Cenomanian (Cretaceous) ammonite Neolobites vibrayeanus () in the Middle East: taxonomic and palaeoecologic remarks

In the Middle East and Africa, the Cenomanian ammonite genus Neolobites occurs, partly in great abundance, in shallow marine shelf settings. The genus includes several species but it has remained uncertain to what extent these species reflect biospecies, chronospecies or morphological variants. Based on material from Jordan and Egypt, the morphological variation of Neolobites vibrayeanus is described and discussed. From the several species of Neolobites described in the literature, only N. vibrayeanus, N. fourtaui and N. peroni appear to deserve specific separation. Sedimentological and lithological data, notably the common occurrence in strata that were possibly deposited above storm wave base, suggest that Neolobites was able to inhabit shallow marine settings. In these settings, it seems to form a distinct assemblage with the nautiloid Angulithes. Although N. vibrayeanus shows morphological variability between distinct populations, local N. vibrayeanus assemblages seem to develop morphologically stable populations that show only a little morphological overlap with those of other areas. This may be the reason for the earlier taxonomic splitting. The occurrence in habitats in which other stratigraphically significant ammonites are often missing may be the reason for the previous poor dating of Neolobites assemblages.     

Antiquity and long-term morphological stasis in a group of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): Description of the oldest Octavius species from Cretaceous Burmese amber and a review of the “Euaesthetine subgroup” fossil record

The Staphylinine group of rove beetle subfamilies is a significant animal radiation, and one subordinate monophyletic clade – the ‘Euaesthetine subgroup’ – includes around 3000 species in subfamilies Euaesthetinae and Steninae and has a fossil record dating to the Early Cretaceous. Detailed morphological study of a new well-preserved Cretaceous Burmese amber fossil revealed strong evidence consistent with its taxonomic placement in the euaesthetine genus Octavius. We thus describe Octavius electrospinosus sp. nov., the first Cretaceous record of the genus and of the tribe Euaesthetini. Previously, the oldest records of Octavius and Euaesthetini were from the Eocene (Baltic amber) and discovery of O. electrospinosus sp. nov. therefore nearly doubles the minimum lineage age of Octavius, increasing it by 50 million years. We also briefly review the known Euaesthetine subgroup fossil record and tabulate summary data for all previously described fossils. All are placed in extant genera, and have visible diagnostic generic-level characters including some putative synapomorphies as judged by recent phylogenetic work. Including O. electrospinosus sp. nov., there are now four known Cretaceous species, all of which belong to either Octavius, Nordenskioldia, or Stenus. To explain the long-term morphological stasis in this group of rove beetles, we suggest that the continuous presence of mesic habitats may have buffered these lineages from strong selection for morphological change. Considering the fossils along with phylogenetic hypotheses we suggest the Euaesthetine subgroup originated in the Late Jurassic– Early Cretaceous and the Staphylinine group in the Early Jurassic. We emphasize the derived status of Cretaceous fossils in assessing possible divergence times and the significance of the pre-Cretaceous taphonomic bias for restricting more robust estimates. Further detailed morphological study of available fossils in a phylogenetic framework is badly needed to clarify the phylogenetic positions of these taxa.     

Within-taxon morphological diversity in late-Quaternary Neotoma as a paleoenvironmental indicator, Bonneville Basin, Northwestern Utah, USA

Ecological data indicate that as the amount of precipitation in an arid areas increases, so too does mammalian taxonomic richness. This correspondence has been found in two late-Quaternary mammalian faunas from Utah, one from Homestead Cave in the Bonneville Basin. We use the remains of two species of woodrat (Neotoma cinerea and Neotoma lepida) from Homestead Cave to test the hypothesis that as the amount of precipitation in an arid area increases, so too does morphological diversity within individual mammalian taxa. Morphological diversity is measured as corrected coefficients of variation and as richness of size classes of mandibular alveolar lengths. Coefficients of variation for N. cinerea are few and coincide with moisture history if temporally successive small samples are lumped together. More abundant coefficients of variation for N. lepida coincide only loosely with moisture history, likely because such coefficients measure dispersion but not necessarily other aspects of variation. Richness of size classes of N. lepida is high during the early and late Holocene when moisture was high, and lowest during the middle Holocene when climate was most arid.     

Observations of the electrical asthenosphere beneath Scandinavia

The recent recognition that long period (i.e., of the order of hours) electromagnetic induction studies could play a major role in the detection of the asthenosphere has led to much interest amongst the geophysical and geological communities of the geomagnetic response functions derived for differing tectonic environments. Experiments carried out on the ocean bottom have met with considerable success in delineating the “electrical asthenosphere”, i.e., a local maximum in electrical conductivity (minimum in electrical resistivity) in the upper mantle.In this paper, observations of the time-varying magnetic field recorded in three regions of Scandinavia, northern Sweden (Kiruna—KIR), northern Finland/northeastern Norway (Kevo—KEV) and southern Finland (Sauvamaki—SAU), are analysed in order to obtain estimates of the inductive response function, C(ω), for each region. The estimated response functions are compared with one from the centre of the East European Platform (EEP), and it is shown that the induced eddy currents, at periods of the order of 10³–10⁴ s, in the three regions flow much closer to the surface than under the platform centre. Specifically, at a period of ~3000 s, these currents are flowing at depths of the order of: KEV—120 km; KIR—180 km; SAU—210 km; EEP—280 km; implying that the transition to a conducting zone, of σ -0.2 S/m, occurs at around these depths. One-dimensional inversion of and shows that there must exist a good conducting zone, of σ = 0.1–1.0 S/m, under each of the two regions, of 40 km minimum thickness, at depths of: KEV 105–115 km; KIR 160–185 km. This is to be contrasted with EEP, where the ρ-d profile displays a monotonically decreasing resistivity with depth, reaching σ~0.1 S/m at > 300 km.Finally, a possible temperature range for the asthenosphere, consistent with the deduced conducvitity, is discussed. It is shown that, at present, there is insufficient knowledge of the conditions (water content, melt fraction, etc.) likely to prevail in the asthenosphere to narrow down the probable range of 900°–1500°C.     

On the affinity of Chuaria–Tawuia complex: A multidisciplinary study

In this study, biometric and structural engineering tool have been used to examine a possible relationship within Chuaria–Tawuia complex and micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analyses to understand the biological affinity of Chuaria circularis Walcott, collected from the Mesoproterozoic Suket Shales of the Vindhyan Supergroup and the Neoproterozoic Halkal Shales of the Bhima Group of peninsular India. Biometric analyses of well preserved carbonized specimens show wide variation in morphology and uni-modal distribution. We believe and demonstrate to a reasonable extent that C. circularis most likely was a part of Tawuia-like cylindrical body of algal origin. Specimens with notch/cleft and overlapping preservation, mostly recorded in the size range of 3–5 mm, are of special interest. Five different models proposed earlier on the life cycle of C. circularis are discussed. A new model, termed as ‘Hybrid model’ based on present multidisciplinary study assessing cylindrical and spherical shapes suggesting variable cell wall strength and algal affinity is proposed. This model discusses and demonstrates varied geometrical morphologies assumed by Chuaria and Tawuia, and also shows the inter-relationship of Chuaria–Tawuia complex.Structural engineering tool (thin walled pressure vessel theory) was applied to investigate the implications of possible geometrical shapes (sphere and cylinder), membrane (cell wall) stresses and ambient pressure environment on morphologically similar C. circularis and Tawuia. The results suggest that membrane stresses developed on the structures similar to Chuaria–Tawuia complex were directly proportional to radius and inversely proportional to the thickness in both cases. In case of hollow cylindrical structure, the membrane stresses in circumferential direction (hoop stress) are twice of the longitudinal direction indicating that rupture or fragmentation in the body of Tawuia would have occurred due to hoop stress. It appears that notches and discontinuities seen in some of the specimens of Chuaria may be related to rupture suggesting their possible location in 3D Chuaria.The micro-FTIR spectra of C. circularis are characterized by both aliphatic and aromatic absorption bands. The aliphaticity is indicated by prominent alkyl group bands between 2800–3000 and 1300–1500 cm⁻¹. The prominent absorption signals at 700–900 cm⁻¹ (peaking at 875 and 860 cm⁻¹) are due to aromatic CH out of plane deformation. A narrow, strong band is centred at 1540 cm⁻¹ which could be COOH band. The presence of strong aliphatic bands in FTIR spectra suggests that the biogeopolymer of C. circularis is of aliphatic nature. The wall chemistry indicates the presence of ‘algaenan’—a biopolymer of algae.     

青海湖裸鲤内脏发光细菌的分离和鉴定

2009-2013年,从青海湖裸鲤内脏器官中共分离获得6株发光细菌,编号依次为Q1、Q2、Q3、Q4、Q5、Q6.这6株发光细菌细胞壁革兰氏染色均为阴性,细胞为杆状,大小为(0.5~0.8)μm×(1.0~1.5)μm,具有单极生鞭毛,有运动性.氧化酶和接触酶均呈阳性反应,能发酵葡萄糖产酸;吲哚试验和V-P试验均为阳性反应,能分泌淀粉酶、明胶酶、DNA酶,能将硝酸盐还原为亚硝酸盐.最适生长温度为20~25℃,最适生长pH为8.5~9.0.16S rDNA基因序列分析结果表明,6株发光菌与其亲缘关系最近的属为Vibrio(弧菌属),该属内和此次实验的6株发光菌亲缘关系最近的种Vibrio anguillarum(鳗弧菌)的16S rDNA序列相似值为99.57%.Biolog GenⅢ鉴定结果显示,该实验的6株发光菌在有氧条件下,在提供的71种碳源中,只能利用其中的30种,其中,糖类12种,氨基酸类5种,羧酸类4种,聚合物类2种,其他类7种.结合6株发光菌的形态学特征、生理生化特性、Biolog Gen III鉴定结果和分子生物学特性,将菌株鉴定为Vibrio anguillarum.该菌所具有的发光特性为首次报道.     

The occurrence of the genus Tanousia Servain (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Hydrobiidae) in the Middle Pleistocene Piànico-Sèllere Basin (Bergamo, Northern Italy)

The occurrence of the freshwater genus Tanousia Servain 1881 (Hydrobiidae) in the Middle Pleistocene lacustrine succession of the Piànico-Sèllere Basin (Bergamo, Northern Italy) represents a significant biostratigraphical discovery. The Tanousia were recovered from the basal part of the carbonate varved bed (BVC), in siltysandy slump sediments, and from the lower and middle parts of the La Palazzina Member (MLP) of the Piànico formation. The BVC unit, in which a dated tephra layer occurs, accumulated during an interglacial phase, as shown by pollen analyses. The MLP Tanousia-bearing layers have been laid down during cool–temperate climate oscillation. The Piànico population of Tanousia displays great morphological variability but is similar to T. runtoniana (Sandberger, 1880), T. stenostoma (Nordmann, 1901) and T. cf. T. stenostoma (Nordmann, 1901), from the Bavelian and Cromerian interglacial deposits of late Early and early Middle Pleistocene age in Northern Europe. As for these species, the Tanousia population from Piànico appears to indicate fluvial conditions under a fully temperate climate.     

Occurrence of the Indian genus Hemibos (Bovini, Bovidae, Mammalia) at the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition in Italy

The morphology of the horn-core structure and section shape of the Bos galerianus type specimen, as well as the general anatomy of the frontal and occipital areas of the skull, suggest that the skull is better attributed to the Indian genus Hemibos. This finding contributes to our understanding of faunal dispersal patterns into Europe at the Early–Middle Pleistocene transition.     

Revision of the conchostracan genus Estherites from the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin and its biogeographic significance in China

The diagnosis of Estherites corrugatus from the basal part of the Coniacian Second Member of the Nenjiang Formation in Nenjiang County, north-east China is revised following the application of a new preparation technique to some of the carapaces and an examination of specimens under a scanning electron microscope, both of which revealed morphological features on the carapace that had not been recognized previously. Restudy of the type species of the two subgenera Estherites (Euestherites) and Estherites (Parestherites) also revealed details of carapace features not seen hitherto. These indicate that they should be separated from Estherites. As a result, Euestherites is upgraded to genus level and Parestherites is placed in synonymy. The importance of Estherites and Euestherites is considered in the context of Late Cretaceous assemblages of these crustaceans and the three conchostracan provinces (South-West, South-East and North China) that are recognized to have been present in China during the Turonian–Santonian period.     

Study of time-related variability within the genusAstarte (bivalvia): A multivariate approach

A morphometric analysis of two closely related species Astarte omaliiand Astarte basterotiwas made. Specimens were sampled from three successive stratigraphic levels of the Pliocene deposits of northern Belgium. Two chronological subspecies were distinguished—Astarte omalii omaliiand Astarte omalii basteroti.     

Lichenometric dating using Rhizocarpon subgenus Rhizocarpon in the Patagonian Andes, Argentina

This study represents the first attempt to develop and apply lichenometric dating curves of Rhizocarpon subgenus Rhizocarpon for dating glacier fluctuations in the Patagonian Andes. Six glaciers were studied along the Patagonian Andes. Surfaces of known ages (historical evidences and tree-ring analyses) were used as control sites to develop indirect lichenometric dating curves. Dating curves developed for the studied glaciers show the same general logarithmic form, indicating that growth rate of subgenus Rhizocarpon decreases over time. The strong west–east precipitation gradient across the Andean Cordillera introduces statistically significant differences in the growth curves, with faster growth rates in the moist west sites than the drier eastern sites. Latitudinal difference among the studied glaciers does not appear to be a major factor regulating lichen growth rates. Therefore, we developed two lichenometric curves for dating glacier fluctuations in wetter and drier sites in the Patagonian Andes during the past 450 yrs. Application of the developed curves to moraine dating allowed us to complement glacial chronologies previously obtained by tree-ring analyses. A first chronosequence for moraine formation in the Torrecillas Glacier (42°S) is presented. Our findings confirm the utility of lichenometry to date deglaciated surfaces in the Patagonian Andes.     

An endemic brachiopod fauna from the Middle Ordovician of North Wales

The brachiopod fauna from the base of the Bryn Siltstone Formation (middle Caradoc), Glyn Ceiriog, north Berwyn Hills, North Wales, consists of Platystrophia elevata sp. nov., Salopia abbreviata sp. nov., Kiaeromena ungula (M'Coy) and unnamed species of Hesperorthis?, Reuschella and Bicuspina. The dominant brachiopod species, Leptaena (Leptagonia) ungula M'Coy, 1851 is revised and its current assignment to the leptaenid genus Kiaeromena confirmed, based on the examination of type and topotype material from the Bryn Siltstone Formation. Kiaeromena spjeldnaesi nom. nov. is proposed to replace the junior homonym K. ungula Spjeldnæs, 1957 for that congeneric species from the upper Caradoc rocks of Ringerike, southern Norway. The fauna as a whole is unusual within the context of the Anglo-Welsh province and may represent a rare preserved nearshore community.