Detecting recent changes in the demographic parameters of drosophilid populations from western and central Africa

Previous genetic studies showing evidence of past demographic changes in African drosophilids suggested that these populations had strongly responded to Quaternary climate changes. We surveyed nine species of Zaprionus, a drosophilid genus mostly present in Africa, in forests located between southern Senegal and Gabon. The mitochondrial COI gene showed contrasted levels of sequence variation across species. Populations of the only cosmopolitan species of the genus, Z. indianus, and of its closely related sibling species, Z. africanus, are highly polymorphic and appear to have undergone a continuous population expansion beginning about 130,000 years ago. Five less variable species probably underwent a population expansion beginning only about 20,000–30,000 years ago. One of them, Z. taronus, was significantly structured between forest blocks. The last two species were nearly monomorphic, probably due to infection by Wolbachia. These results are similar to those obtained in three species from the melanogaster subgroup, and may be typical of the responses of African drosophilid populations to glacial cycles.     

Paleoecology and radiocarbon dating of the Pleistocene megafauna of the Brazilian Intertropical Region

During the Pleistocene a fauna composed of large (biomass > 44 kg) and giant mammals (biomass > 1000 kg) that are usually associated with open environments lived in the Brazilian Intertropical Region. We present here new information concerning the paleoecology and chronology of some species of this megafauna. Carbon isotope analyses were performed for a better understanding of the paleoecology of the species Eremotherium laurillardi (Lund, 1842), Notiomastodon platensis (Ameghino, 1888) and Toxodon platensis (Owen, 1849). The δ¹³C data allow attributing a generalist diet to these species, which varied according to the kind of habitat in which they lived. In more open habitats all species were grazers; in mixed habitats E. laurillardi and T. platensis were mixed feeders, and N. platensis was grazer; and in more closed habitats all species were mixed feeders.     

Biometry of the Late Cretaceous Arkhangelskiella group: ecophenotypes controlled by nutrient flux

This study focuses on the morphometry and taxonomy of the Late Cretaceous coccolith genus Arkhangelskiella. Sixty samples from the Campanian–Maastrichtian interval of DSDP Hole 390A (Blake Nose) were investigated for their contents of Arkhangelskiella spp. In each sample one hundred specimens of Arkhangelskiella spp. were examined by measuring the coccolith length and width, as well as the length and width of the central area. In the samples investigated the Arkhangelskiella group exhibits a large size variation, specimens length varies from 4.95 μm to 14.52 μm. Former taxonomic concepts, based on morphometry, subdivided the Arkhangelskiella group into three species: Arkhangelskiella maastrichtiana, Arkhangelskiella confusa and Arkhangelskiella cymbiformis. Our data show a large variability of the morphometric data (coccolith length, width of the outer rim). There is no indication for three independant species; two of the quoted taxa (1. thick outer rim = Arkhangelskiella maastrichtiana; 2. very thin outer rim = Arkkhangelskiella cymbiformis) seem to be extreme forms of a continuous morphometric lineage. The lower part of the investigated succession (139.92–133.42 mbsf) is dominated by small specimens with an average length of 6.8 μm whereas the upper part (132.86–126.15 mbsf) is characterized by larger specimens (mean 8.7 μm). In DSDP Hole 390A the size increase appears to be very abrupt, within two samples (samples 133.42 mbsf, 132.86 mbsf) the mean size increases by 1.51 μm. Previous morphometric studies of Arkhangelskiella indicate a more continuous size increase throughout the late Campanian–Maastrichtian. The abrupt size increase observed here hints toward a minor hiatus in DSDP Hole 390A separating upper Campanian from lower Maastrichtian sediments. It seems likely that the size increase of Arkhangelskiella reflects changes of various environmental factors like nutrient supply and sea water chemistry (Mg/Ca ratio; Ca concentration). A comparison of morphometric results with previous palaeoecological studies documents a nutrient control for the growth of Arkhangelskiella. Small specimens can be related to more mesotrophic conditions whereas large specimens are linked to oligotrophic surface waters.     

Evolutionary stasis in enigmatic jacobsoniid beetles

Jacobsoniidae is a small but perplexing beetle family, with unknown phylogenetic relationships to other polyphagan Coleoptera. To date, only a single fossil jacobsoniid has been described, from Eocene Baltic amber (~ 40 Ma). Here, we push back the oldest definitive record of Jacobsoniidae by approximately 60 million years with a new fossil species recovered from mid-Cretaceous (~ 99 Ma) Burmese amber from Myanmar. Remarkably, exploration of the fossil's morphology with confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that it belongs to an extant genus, Derolathrus. The similarity of the new taxon, Derolathrus abyssus n. sp., to modern congeners provides a striking example of morphological stability over deep evolutionary time—a possible outcome of long-term persistence of mesic microhabitats, a hypothesis we argue is supported by a variety of other Recent, litter-inhabiting arthropod taxa now known to be largely unchanged since the Mesozoic. Many such examples belong to the Staphylinoidea—a hyperdiverse beetle superfamily that dominates contemporary mesic habitats, and with which Jacobsoniidae may have a close phylogenetic relationship.This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7C65ACAF-456E-4301-BDD7-0A801768EEB9.     

Peat bank growth,Holocene palaeoecology and climate history of South Georgia (sub-Antarctica), based on a botanical macrofossil record

Botanical macrofossil analysis of a more than 9000 years old, radiocarbon dated peat sequence of a moss peat bank from South Georgia, shows a clear evolution in the vegetation. Seven ecological phases could be distinguished and they can be interpreted in terms of climate development during the Holocene. Until 2200 years ago, Warnstorfia fontinaliopsis was the dominant moss species pointing to a wet environment. Lower numbers of this species in association with the presence of drier species are assumed to indicate drier periods, such as occurring between ca 6000–5200 and 4400–3400 cal yr BP. The most prominent and definitive vegetation change took place around 2200 cal yr BP. A Polytrichum–Chorisodontium moss peat bank was formed, which is still growing there today. The forcing mechanism for this vegetation change is thought to be a temperature decrease, rather than a precipitation decrease. This conclusion is mainly based on the fact that, today, moss peat banks have their optimal occurrence range in the maritime Antarctic, a region were the mean annual temperature is ca 4 °C lower than on South Georgia. The remarkable change in the moss bank vegetation at 2200 cal yr BP raises the question whether this moment was only a short climatic deterioration, or a definitive change to a cooler and wetter climate after a Holocene climatic optimum period.     

A new U–Pb zircon age dating and palynological data from a Lower Permian section of the southernmost Paraná Basin,Brazil: Biochronostratigraphical and geochronological implications for Gondwanan correlations

Index species useful for correlations with the International Stratigraphical Column are rare or absent in the Pennsylvanian–Permian strata of the Paraná Basin in Brazil, preventing accuracy in geochronologic assignments. Besides, absolute datings are very scarce in comparison with other Gondwana basins. This paper presents palynological data from an outcrop on the surroundings of the Candiota coal mine, southmost Brazil, from several levels of the Rio Bonito and Palermo formations. The presence of certain index species of spore–pollen allowed the recognition of two Permian palynozones: the Vittatina costabilis and the Lueckisporites virkkiae zones. Furthermore, U–Pb in zircons from a volcaniclastic level interbedded in the coal strata of the former unit was analyzed through LA-MC-ICP-MS method, providing a new absolute age dating of 281.4 ± 3.4 Ma (Cisuralian, Early Permian). This dating is assumed as the oldest occurrence of the L. virkkiae Zone in Paraná Basin, which contains index species that are widespread in other Gondwana basins. A well distributed surface boundary occurs in this section also, allowing local and regional correlations. These new biostratigraphical and geochronological data are integrated, in order to offer a deep analysis on the stratigraphical significance for correlations across the Occidental Gondwana.     

Diatoms in Southeast Pacific surface sediments reflect environmental properties

Diatom abundance and assemblage composition determined for 47 surface sediment samples from the Southeast Pacific (50°S–15°N), combined with existing data for the Peru and Chile margins, demonstrate responses to regional temperature, upwelling, and productivity. High diatom abundances (# valves/g) mark the eastern equatorial Pacific upwelling and the coastal upwelling areas, in particular the upwelling centers off Peru. Freshwater diatoms reflect the low-salinity tongue off the Chilean fjords. Diatom species composition distinguishes between coastal and eastern equatorial Pacific upwelling conditions, and records sea-surface temperatures. Q-mode factor analysis defines five floral assemblages. Factors 1 and 4 determined by the genus Chaetoceros (F1) and Thalassionema (F4) reflect coastal and equatorial upwelling conditions, respectively. Factors 2 and 3 characterized by the genus Thalassiosira and Azpetia nodulifera can be associated with El Niño conditions. A 5th factor, described by Paralia sulcata, records a near-shore upwelling center off Point Concepción, central Chile. Statistical transfer functions relate diatom species percentages to sea-surface temperature and productivity with error estimates of ±0.9 °C and ±23 gC/m² yr, respectively, and provide new tools for estimating past temperature and productivity along the west coast of South America.     

The Bonneville Estates Rockshelter rodent fauna and changes in Late Pleistocene–Middle Holocene climates and biogeography in the Northern Bonneville Basin,USA

Excavations at Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada recovered rodent remains from stratified deposits spanning the past ca. 12,500 ¹⁴C yr BP (14,800 cal yr BP). Specimens from horizons dating to the late Pleistocene and early Holocene include species adapted to montane and moist and cool habitats, including yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris) and bushy-tailed woodrat (Neotoma cinerea). Shortly after 9000 ¹⁴C BP (10,200 cal yr BP) these mammals became locally extinct, or nearly so, taxonomic diversity declined, and the region became dominated by desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida) and other species well-adapted to xeric, low-elevation settings. The timing and nature of changes in the Bonneville Estates rodent fauna are similar to records reported from nearby Homestead and Camels Back caves and provide corroborative data on terminal Pleistocene–early Holocene environments and mammalian responses to middle Holocene desertification. Moreover, the presence of northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) at Bonneville Estates adds to a sparse regional record for that species and, similar to Homestead Cave, it appears that the ca. 9500 ¹⁴C yr BP (10,800 cal yr BP) replacement of the northern pocket gopher by Botta's pocket gopher in the Great Salt Lake Desert vicinity was also in response to climate change.     

Combined U-Pb,Lu-Hf,Sm-Nd and Ar-Ar multichronometric dating on the Bailang eclogite constrains the closure timing of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane,Tibet

The Lhasa terrane, the main tectonic component of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen, has received much attention as it records the entire history of the orogeny. The occurrence of Permian to Triassic high-pressure eclogites has a significant bearing on the understanding of the Paleo-Tethys subduction and plate suturing processes in this area. An eclogite from the Bailang, eastern Lhasa terrane, was investigated with a combined metamorphic P–T and U–Pb, Lu–Hf, Sm–Nd and Ar–Ar multichronometric approach. Pseudosection modeling combined with thermobarometric calculations indicate that the Bailang eclogite equilibrated at peak P–T conditions of ~ 2.6 GPa and 465–503 °C, which is much lower than those of Sumdo and Jilang eclogites in this area. Garnet–whole rock–omphacite Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages of 238.1 ± 3.6 Ma and 230.0 ± 4.7 Ma were obtained on the same sample, which are largely consistent with the corresponding U–Pb age of 227.4 ± 6.4 Ma for the metamorphic zircons within uncertainty. The peak metamorphic temperature of the sample is lower than the Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd closure temperatures in garnet. This, combined with the core-to-rim decrease in Mn and HREE concentrations, the slightly U-shaped Sm zonation across garnet and the exclusive occurrence of omphacite inclusion in garnet rim, are consistent with the Lu–Hf system skewing to the age of the garnet core and the Sm–Nd system favoring the rim age. The Sm–Nd age was thus interpreted as the age of eclogite-facies metamorphism and the Lu–Hf age likely pre-dated the eclogite-facies metamorphism. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of hornblende from the eclogite yielded ages about 200 Ma, which is interpreted as a cooling age and is probably indicative of the time of exhumation to the middle crust. The difference of peak eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions and the distinct metamorphic ages for the Bailang eclogite (~ 2.6 GPa and ~ 480 °C; ca. 230 Ma), the Sumdo eclogite (~ 3.4 GPa and ~ 650 °C; ca. 262 Ma) and Jiang eclogite (~ 3.6 GPa and ~ 750 °C; ca. 261 Ma) in the same (ultra)-high-pressure belt indicate that this region likely comprises different slices that had distinct P–T histories and underwent (U)HP metamorphism at different times. The initiation of the opening the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane could trace back to the early Permian. The ultimate closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the Lhasa terrane was no earlier than ca. 230 Ma.     

The subfossil tree deposits from the Garonne Valley and their implications on Holocene alluvial plain dynamics

Subfossil tree trunks deposits are common in large rivers, but their status as a source for dating alluvial sequences and palaeoenvironmental studies is still discussed. Particularly their origin and the process(es) of deposition as well as a possible remobilization were pointed as a limit to their use to document river alluvial changes. In this work we report the discovery of the largest subfossil trunks deposits in the Garonne valley. These new data are compared to the previous ones. A set of 17 tree trunks and more than 300 smaller wood fragments were collected. The xylologic study shows the prevalence of Quercus and a single occurrence of Ulmus. These two hardwood species are commonly associated with riparian forest. The ¹⁴C dating carried out on seven trunks and a single branch of Quercus on the outermost identified growth rings, indicates age ranging from 8400–8000 cal. BP for the oldest fragment (bough) to 4300–4000 cal. BP for the most recent tree trunk. Radiocarbon ages of the trunks are aggregated into two main periods: 5300–5600 cal. BP (four trunks) and 4300–4000 cal. BP (three trunks). The radiocarbon (charcoal) dating of the top of the alluvial sequence overlaying the trunks gives an age between 1965–1820 and 1570–1810 cal. BP, i.e. between the 2nd and the 5th c. AD. In addition, the discovery of two unpublished subfossil tree trunks deposits in Finhan are reported (six trunks). At the light of these results, we discuss previously proposed models for the Garonne floodplain building.     

Bearing up well? Understanding the past,present and future of Australia's koalas

The modern Koala Phascolarctos cinereus is the last surviving member of a once diverse family Phascolarctidae (Marsupialia, Phascolarctomorphia). Nine genera and at least 16 species of koala are known. Late Oligocene sediments of central Australia record the oldest fossils and highest species diversity. Five species are known from the early to middle Miocene rainforest assemblages of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Queensland. With the onset of dryer conditions after the middle Miocene climatic optimum (~ 16 Ma), rainforest habitats contracted resulting in the apparent extinction of three koala lineages (Litokoala, Nimiokoala, Priscakoala). Phascolarctos first appears in the fossil record during the Pliocene and the modern species around 350 ka. Despite a dramatic decline in taxonomic diversity to a single extant species, the fossil record indicates that at most only three koala species coexisted in any given faunal assemblage throughout their 24 million year history. Within these assemblages, the vast majority of extinct koalas are extremely rare (some known from only a single specimen) which may reflect a general rarity within their palaeohabitats compared with the modern species which is represented by an estimated 400,000 individuals spread over most of eastern mainland Australia. Be that as it may, P. cinereus, although once geographically more widespread, occurring for example in Western Australia in the Pleistocene, underwent significant range contractions and localized population extinctions during the stressful climatic conditions of the late Pleistocene and more recently through human-induced habitat destruction. Combined with threats of disease, reduced genetic diversity and climate change, the survival of this iconic Australian marsupial is arguably a cause for concern.     

Biostratigraphic and biogeographic implications of a hadrosaurid (Ornithopoda: Dinosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous Almond Formation of Wyoming,USA

The results of Barnum Brown's 1937 expedition to the Almond Formation of Wyoming consisted of two unidentified ceratopsian skulls and a partial hadrosaurid specimen (AMNH 3651). The hadrosaurid is here attributed to the Maastrichtian genus Saurolophus, verifying previous biostratigraphic correlations of this formation using ammonite zones. Fossiliferous lower Maastrichtian formations occurring latitudinally between those of Alberta, Canada, and southwestern Texas, USA, such as the Almond Formation, are essential for testing the effects and duration of apparent hadrosaurid faunal segregation earlier in the Campanian, and indirectly aiding in the placement of faunal boundaries that are currently unknown for the late Campanian. The discovery of Saurolophus in Wyoming, a close relative of the Campanian genus Prosaurolophus, affirms that the segregation of hadrosaurid faunas established in the late Campanian (～75 Ma) continued for at least 3 million years. Combining occurrences of Saurolophus from Mongolia and the Moreno Formation of California with those of Alberta, Canada, this genus appears to have had one of the largest geographic ranges of any equivalent clade of hadrosaurid dinosaur, although species level distributions are still uncertain.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in late Eocene to early Pleistocene mudstones of the Sylhet succession,NE Bengal Basin,Bangladesh: Implications for source and paleoclimate conditions during Himalayan uplift

Distribution and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been investigated in 23 late Eocene to early Pleistocene mudstones from the Sylhet succession of the northeastern Bengal Basin, Bangladesh. Paleoclimatic conditions in the southern Himalaya region throughout the Himalayan uplift were reconstructed, based on combustion derived PAHs and aromatic land plant derived biomarkers. Phenanthrene, fluoranthene (Fla), pyrene (Py), benz[a]anthracene (BaAn), chrysene/triphenylene (Chry + Tpn), benzofluoranthenes (Bflas), benzo[e]pyrene (BePy), benzo[a]pyrene (BaPy), perylene (Pery), indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (InPy), benzo[ghi]perylene (BghiP), coronene (Cor) and retene (Ret) were the identified PAHs. Fla/(Fla + Py) ratios > 0.5 and InPy/(InPy + BghiP) > 0.2 from almost all Sylhet samples suggest occurrence of natural wildfires. Low contents of BaAn and BaPy indicate decomposition by long exposure to sunlight before sedimentation, or early diagenetic weathering. Increased Cor, InPy and BghiP contents suggest occurrence of larger, high temperature wildfires. Correlation coefficients of the PAHs and p-values for statistical hypothesis testing showed that the positive and negative correlations within the PAHs may be indicative of high or low temperatures in wildfires. Fungi derived Pery showed negative correlations with Py (r = −0.67, p = 4.6 × 10⁻⁴) and Fla (r = −0.56, p = 5.0 × 10⁻³), but not with Cor, Bflas, InPy and BghiP. Based on the correlation coefficients for all PAHs and their p-values, five statistical groups ([Py, Fla], [Cor, Bflas, InPy, BghiP], [BaAn, Chry + Tpn, BaPy], [Pery] and [Ret]) were recognized. These groups are probably correlated with origins and depositional processes. According to the results, the Sylhet succession was deposited in three differing paleoclimatic regimes: (1) First phase (late Eocene to early Miocene, early to middle stage of Himalayan uplift): High contents of combustion derived PAHs (Fla, Py and BePy), significant gymnosperm derived Ret, and low Pery abundances in the Jaintia and Barail groups indicate arid climatic conditions. Although wildfires could often occur, 5- or 6-ring combustion PAHs (Cor, InPy and BghiP) contents are low, suggesting that the wildfires were relatively low temperature. (2) Second phase (middle to late Miocene: middle to late stage of Himalayan uplift): Combustion derived PAHs and fungi derived Pery were dominant in the Surma Group. The climate was arid to humid and seasonal, with a dry season giving conditions suitable for combustion. Abundant Fla, Bflas, BePy, Cor, InPy and BghiP imply high temperatures in large wildfires. However, frequency of the wildfires decreased because of wet climate. (3) Third phase (late Miocene to Pleistocene: late stage of Himalayan uplift): Moderate to high Pery contents and low Fla, Py and BePy abundances in the Tipam and Dupitila groups indicate establishment of more humid climate. InPy, BghiP, Cor, Bflas and BaPy were predominant. Intensified humid and seasonal climate arising from the Himalayan monsoon decreased the incidence and frequency of general wildfires, but increased the ratio of large to small wildfires.     

Paleomagnetism of the Middle–Late Jurassic to Cretaceous red beds from the Peninsular Thailand: Implications for collision tectonics

Jurassic to Cretaceous red sandstones were sampled at 33 sites from the Khlong Min and Lam Thap formations of the Trang Syncline (7.6°N, 99.6°E), the Peninsular Thailand. Rock magnetic experiments generally revealed hematite as a carrier of natural remanent magnetization. Stepwise thermal demagnetization isolates remanent components with unblocking temperatures of 620–690 °C. An easterly deflected declination (D = 31.1°, I = 12.2°, α₉₅ = 13.9°, N = 9, in stratigraphic coordinates) is observed as pre-folding remanent magnetization from North Trang Syncline, whereas westerly deflected declination (D = 342.8°, I = 22.3°, α₉₅ = 12.7°, N = 13 in geographic coordinates) appears in the post-folding remanent magnetization from West Trang Syncline. These observations suggest an occurrence of two opposite tectonic rotations in the Trang area, which as a part of Thai–Malay Peninsula received clockwise rotation after Jurassic together with Shan-Thai and Indochina blocks. Between the Late Cretaceous and Middle Miocene, this area as a part of southern Sundaland Block experienced up to 24.5° ± 11.5° counter-clockwise rotation with respect to South China Block. This post-Cretaceous tectonic rotation in Trang area is considered as a part of large scale counter-clockwise rotation experienced by the southern Sundaland Block (including the Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and south Sulawesi areas) as a result of Australian Plate collision with southeast Asia. Within the framework of Sundaland Block, the northern boundary of counter-clockwise rotated zone lies between the Trang area and the Khorat Basin.     

Influence of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (Mw 7.9) on the occurrence probability of future earthquakes on neighboring faults

The Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault are two major neighboring faults of the Longmen–Shan fault zone where the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake (M_w 7.9) occurred. To study the influence of the Wenchuan event on these two active faults, we calculate changes of Coulomb stress on the Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault caused by the Wenchuan mainshock. Our results indicate that the Coulomb stress in the northern section (Zone A) of the Longquan–Shan fault is increased by 0.07–0.10 bars, that in the middle section (Zone B) by 0.04–0.11 bars, and that in the southern section (Zone C) shows almost no change. For the Huya fault, the Coulomb stress is decreased by 0.01–0.03 bars in the northern section (Zone A), 0.10–0.35 bars in the middle section (Zone B), and nearly 0.5 bars in the southern section (Zone C). The epicenter distribution of small earthquakes (M_L ⩾ 1.5) on the Longquan–Shan fault and the Huya fault after the Wenchuan earthquake is consistent with the distribution of the Coulomb stress change. This implies that the Wenchuan earthquake may have triggered small events on the Longquan–Shan fault, but inhibited those on the Huya fault. We then use the rate/state friction law to calculate the occurrence probability of future earthquakes in the study region for the next decade. They include the distribution of b-values, magnitude of completeness (M_c), the background seismicity rate, a value of Aσ_n and the duration for the transient effect (t_a) in the study region. We also estimate the earthquake occurrence probabilities on the neighboring faults after the Wenchuan earthquake. Our results show that, the occurrence probability of future earthquakes in the Longquan–Shan has a slight increase, being 7% for M ⩾ 5.0 shocks during the next decade, but the earthquake probability in the Huya region is reduced obviously, being 5–20%, 7–26% and 3–9% for M ⩾ 5.0 shocks during the next decade in sections A, B and C of the Huya fault, respectively.     

A new species of Tupuxuara (Thalassodromidae,Azhdarchoidea) from the Lower Cretaceous Santana Formation of Brazil,with a note on the nomenclature of Thalassodromidae

A new species of the sail-crested pterosaur Tupuxuara is described from the Santana Formation of Brazil, Tupuxuara deliradamus sp. nov. The holotype, a partial skull, and a larger, partial skull referred to the same taxon differs from Tupuxuara leonardii by having a nasoantorbital fenestra with an acutely-angled posterior border with a long, straight posterodorsal margin, a reclined cranium, and an orbit situated entirely in the ventral half of the nasoantorbitral fenestra. Unfortunately, neither specimen is comparable with the fragmentary rostrum representing Tupuxuara longicristatus. In addition, resolution of a recent nomenclatural problem over the correct name for the clade containing Tupuxuara and its sister taxon, Thalassodromeus, is provided. Both genera are used by different authors as the nomenclatural basis for the group, but “Tupuxuaridae” has never been explicitly erected as a new taxon, and therefore fails to meet ICZN criteria that new taxa are only valid if authors clearly indicate their intention to establish new names. By contrast, “Thalassodrominae” was explicitly erected as a name for the Thalassodromeus + Tupuxuara clade, thereby fulfilling all ICZN requirements for naming of a new taxon and making Thalassodromeus stand as the type genus for this group.     

New Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology constrains the subduction of oceanic crust during the Carboniferous–Permian in the Dabie orogen

Eclogites from the Huwan shear zone in the western Dabie were investigated in terms of their P–T evolution, geochemistry, and combined Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd geochronology. Trace element and isotope data suggest a normal mid-ocean ridge rather than an intraplate or ocean island setting for the protoliths of the eclogites. Electron microprobe analyses of representative garnets show typical prograde zoning profiles. Estimated peak metamorphic temperatures of 540–590 °C most likely did not exceed the closure temperature of the Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd systems. The consistent Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd ages, therefore, most likely reflect garnet growth and are interpreted to reflect high-pressure eclogite-facies metamorphism due to the occurrence of omphacite inclusions from core to rim in garnets and the spherical geometry effect despite the well-preserved prograde zoning in the garnets. The high-pressure mineral assemblage of the eclogite yielded a statistically robust Lu–Hf age of 260.0 ± 1.0 Ma (2σ, 10 points, MSWD = 1.0) and a Sm–Nd age of 260.4 ± 2.0 Ma (2σ, 9 points, MSWD = 1.4), which are younger than the Carboniferous zircon U–Pb ages of ca. 310 Ma. The new Lu–Hf and Sm–Nd data, in combination with published geochronological data, define two distinct Carboniferous and Permian population ages for the oceanic-type eclogites from the Huwan shear zone, which may require that these rocks experienced two episodes of high-pressure metamorphism within less than 50 Myr.     

Where was the Ailaoshan Ocean and when did it open: A perspective based on detrital zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope evidence

The Indochina–Simao and Yangtze blocks were separated by a branch of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean, commonly referred as the Ailaoshan Ocean in the Paleozoic. Remnants of this Ailaoshan Ocean have been variably suggested to locate along (from east to west) the Ailaoshan fault, Jiujia–Anding fault and Amojiang–Lixianjiang fault. In order to test these models, we have carried out comprehensive detrital zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotope analyses on the Cambrian to Devonian sedimentary units in the Ailaoshan Belt and its adjacent western margin of the Yangtze Block. Our results indicate marked detrital zircon provenance variation on different sides of the Ailaoshan–Tengtiaohe fault: detrital zircons from east of the fault display a diagnostic age peak at 730–900 Ma, which is characterized by both positive and negative εHf(t) values with a Hf model age (T_DM^C) peak at ~ 1.8 Ga, whereas detrital zircons from west of the fault display two major age populations of 400–500 and 900–1000 Ma, both characterized by mainly negative εHf(t) values with a Hf model age (T_DM^C) peak at ~ 2.1 Ga. Our new data indicate that detritus from east and west of the Ailaoshan–Tengtiaohe fault may have been mainly derived from, respectively, the Yangtze Block and Indochina–Simao blocks, thus suggesting the fault may represent the actual suture between the two blocks. Our study also reveals that the Ailaoshan Ocean may have started its early continental rift in the Early Silurian.     

Paleo-depths reconstruction of the last 550,000 years based on the transfer function on recent and Quaternary benthic foraminifers of the East Corsica margin

In this study, the model H(i) = 109.6103 + C₁ × F1(i) + C₂ × F₂(i) + … + C₃₃ × F₃₃(i) obtained from depth modelling based on 33 recent benthic foraminifer species distribution, has been applied to the fossil benthic foraminifers from the borehole GDEC-4-2 drilled at a water depth of 491 m, in the East-Corsica basin, covering the last 550,000 years. The obtained variations of the paleo-depths show a medium correlation with the oscillations of the relative sea level and also with the fluctuations of the oxygen isotopic ratio (δ¹⁸O G. bulloides and δ¹⁸O C. pachyderma–C. wuellerstorfi). This newly developed transfer function is accompanied by an error margin of ± 86 m, suggesting that this model will probably be more suitable for a time scale of the order of a million years where sea level variations are recorded with larger amplitudes. Without considering these problems related to amplitudes, it also turns out that the “eustatic” signal of the microfauna is accompanied by a “trophic” signal, which should not to be neglected, especially at a millennial scale time resolution. Thus, the application of this method would require taking into account the bottom trophic effects strongly controlling the distribution of benthic foraminifer assemblages.     

Geochemistry and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon chronology of granitoids and microgranular enclaves from Jhirgadandi Pluton of Mahakoshal Belt,Central India Tectonic Zone,India

The northern part of Central India Tectonic Zone (CITZ) is delineated by an arc-shaped supracrustal belt commonly referred to as Mahakoshal Belt, which is considered as a product of intense rifting of sialic crust that occurred at ca 2400–2600 Ma. Several granitoid plutons intrude the Parsoi Formation of Mahakoshal Belt. Among these, an elliptical small stock-like granitoid body trending E–W is exposed in and around Jhirgadandi region of Mahakoshal Belt, referred herein as Jhirgadandi Pluton. It is composed of minor amount of mafic rocks (diorite) and predominant granitoids. Country-rock pelitic xenoliths and microgranular enclaves (ME) are commonly hosted in granitoids but are absent in diorite. The ME exhibit typical magmatic texture with a Bt(±Cpx ± Hbl)-Pl-Kf-Qtz-Mag-Ap assemblage, similar to that in host granitoids but with contrasting mineral proportions. Whole-rock molar Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O) (A/CNK) ratios of diorite (0.63–0.72), ME (0.69–1.21) and granitoids (0.83–1.05) suggest their nature largely metaluminous (I-type) to rarely peraluminous (S-type) granitoids. On most binary plots involving silica, two distinct compositional paths can be recognized; one formed by an array of differentiating diorite and ME, and another by fractionating granitoids gradually depleting in compatible elements. It is most likely that ME were generated by progressive and concurrent mixing of coeval pristine mafic (diorite) and granitoid magmas and fractionation processes. However, coherent and identical trace elements (except for Sr, Th, Y and Ni) and REE patterns for ME-granitoid pairs most likely suggest partial to near-complete chemical equilibration through varying degrees of diffusion process across the ME – partly crystalline host granitoid boundary. High-precision U–Pb SHRIMP zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages for ME (1758 ± 19 Ma) and host granitoid (1753 ± 9.1 Ma) from Jhirgadandi Pluton further support the notion that they were coeval. The obtained age (∼1750 Ma) of Jhirgadandi Pluton also points to the existence and role of Super-Columbian continental component in the evolution of Mahakoshal Belt of the CITZ.