Generalism as a subsistence strategy: advantages and limitations of the highly flexible feeding traits of Pleistocene Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis (Rhinocerotidae,Mammalia)

The so-called Hundsheim rhinoceros, Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis, was a very common faunal element of the Early to early Middle Pleistocene period in the western Palaearctic. In this study, individuals from two different central European populations of the Hundsheim rhinoceros were analysed in order to determine whether their local dietary signals could reflect differing food availability between the two populations, and whether such information could provide a better understanding of the ecological role of S. hundsheimensis within corresponding faunal assemblages, and of its principal subsistence strategy in the western Palaearctic. The mesowear traits observed in the studied S. hundsheimensis populations have been interpreted as representing biome-specific signals, indicating grassland vegetation at the site of Süßenborn, and dense to open forests at Voigtstedt (both localities in Germany). The analyses performed on the fossil rhino material demonstrate the most pronounced dietary variability ever established for a single herbivorous ungulate species by mesowear studies. This variability ranges from an attrition dominated grazing regime, to a one of predominantly browsing, and characterises S. hundsheimensis as the most ecologically tolerant rhinoceros of the Palaearctic Plio-Pleistocene. Although such dietary flexibility proved an effective enough subsistence strategy over a period of 600–900 ka (1.4/1.2–0.6/0.5 Myr) in the western Palaearctic, the situation changed dramatically after 0.6 Myr BP, when the new species of rhinoceroses, Stephanorhinus hemitoechus and Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis, appeared and started to compete for both the grass and the browse. For the generalist S. hundsheimensis, this bilateral interference was detrimental to its success in all of its habitats. The successful competition of specialised forms of rhinoceroses, which might have originated as a result of the development of 100 ka periodicity in the global climatic record, is proposed as the main reason for the extinction of S. hundsheimensis during the early Middle Pleistocene.     

Lithostratigraphical correlation of micromammal sites and biostratigraphy of the Upper Pliocene to Lower Pleistocene in the Northeast Guadix‐Baza Basin (southern Spain)

The Plio‐Pleistocene non‐marine sequence in the northeast Guadix–Baza Basin (southern Spain) comprises alluvial and lacustrine deposits (Baza Formation). The results of a revised lithostratigraphical correlation between sections from the middle and upper members of the Baza Formation in the northeast part of the basin, supported by detailed mapping, is presented. The position of micromammal sites in the lithostratigraphical scheme, together with the results of intensive palaeontological sampling for small mammal remains, has allowed us to develop a high‐resolution biostratigraphical framework for the area. This provides an opportunity to refine the biozonation for the Plio‐Pleistocene micromammal faunas, and to define faunal events from the late Villanyian (late Pliocene) to the early Pleistocene. On the basis of the lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical approaches we obtain the following sequence of biozones for the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene: Kislangia gusii, Mimomys cf. reidi, M. oswaldoreigi, Allophaiomys pliocaenicus and A. burgondiae. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Pleistocene fluvial sediments,palaeontology and archaeology of the upper River Thames at Latton,Wiltshire, England

Pleistocene fluvial sediments of the Northmoor Member of the Upper Thames Formation exposed at Latton, Wiltshire, record episodic deposition close to the Churn–Thames confluence possibly spanning the interval from Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 7 to 2. The sequence is dominated by gravel facies, indicating deposition by a high‐energy, gravel‐bed river. A number of fine‐grained organic sediment bodies within the sequence have yielded palaeoenvironmental and biostratigraphical data from Mollusca, Coleoptera, vertebrates, pollen and plant macrofossils. The basal deposit (Facies Association A) contains faunal material indicating temperate conditions. Most of the palaeontological evidence including a distinctive small form of mammoth (Mammuthus cf. trogontherii), together with the U‐series age estimate of >147.4 ± 20 kyr suggest correlation with MIS 7. The overlying deposits (Facies Associations B and C) represent deposition under a range of climatic conditions. Two fine‐grained organic deposits occurred within Association B; one (Association Ba) in the northern part of the pit as a channel fill and the other (Association Bb) in its southern part as a scour‐fill deposit. The coleopteran assemblages from Ba, indicate that it accumulated under temperate oceanic conditions, while Bb, which also yielded a radiocarbon age estimate of 39 560 ± 780 ¹⁴C yr BP, was formed under much colder and more continental climatic conditions. The sequence is considered to represent deposition within an alluvial fan formed at the Churn–Thames confluence; a depositional scenario which may account for the juxtaposition of sediments and fossils of widely differing age within the same altitudinal range. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary mammalian zoogeography of eastern Washington

The late Quaternary mammalian zoogeographic history of eastern Washington as revealed by archaeological and paleontological research conforms to a set of past environmental conditions inferred from botanical data. During the relatively cool and moist late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Cervus cf. elaphus, Ovis canadensis, Vulpes vulpes, Martes americana, Alopex lagopus, and perhaps Rangifer sp., taxa with ecological preferences for mesic steppe habitats, were present in the now xeric Columbia Basin. As the climate became progressively warmer and drier during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, Antilocapra americana, Onychomys leucogaster, Spermophilus townsendii, and Neotoma cinerea, taxa with ecological preferences for xeric steppe habitats, appear in the Columbia Basin. Bison sp. and Taxidea taxus may have been present in eastern Washington for the last 20,000 yr. Middle and late Holocene records for Oreamnos americanus, Spermophilus columbianus, S. townsendii, Lagurus curtatus, and Urocyon cinereoargenteus in central eastern Washington suggest fluctuations in the ranges of these taxa that conform to a middle Holocene period of less effective precipitation and a ca. 3500-yr-old period of more effective precipitation before essentially modern environmental conditions prevailed.     

The Early to Middle Pleistocene boundary in the Baza Basin (Spain)

The continental vertebrate fauna of Cúllar Baza-1 (Granada, Spain) occur immediately above the Matuyama/Brunhes polarity boundary, and therefore represent an initial record for the Middle Pleistocene. All polarity zones for the Late Pliocene through Middle Pleistocene are found in an 80 m section, which includes this fossil quarry. The existing collection of abundant remains of micro-mammals, macro-mammals and lithic artifacts (indicating human activity) can now be assigned an earliest Middle Pleistocene age of 0.75 Ma. Another section, 25 km across the Neogene Baza Basin, also has the Matuyama/Brunhes polarity boundary. However, in this case the Huéscar-1 fossil quarry and the Puerto Lobo sites are both below the polarity boundary, thus representing a record of the late Early Pleistocene at ∼0.9 Ma. Differences in micro-mammal species across these Matuyama/Brunhes boundaries are significant and justify an approximately coincident biostratigraphic boundary between the Biharian and Toringian stages.     

南天山西端乌帕塔尔坎群发现石炭-二叠纪放射虫化石

南天山西端的乌帕塔尔坎群为一套灰色、深灰色细碎屑岩,夹火山岩、硅岩和碳酸盐岩,其中分布有一些超基性岩(块)。以往曾据灰岩夹层中的化石将其划归志留系-中泥盆统或前泥盆系。我们对乌帕塔尔坎群中所采集的24块硅岩样品进行室内分离和鉴定,发现的放射虫化石主要有Albaillella sp. cf A. undulata Deflandre,Albaillella sp. cf A. paradoxa Deflandre,Albaillella cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon,Albaillella sp. cf. A. indensis Won,Albaillella sp. cf. Albaillella excelsa Ishiga, Kitoand Imoto,Albaillella sp.和Latentifistulidae gen. et. sp. indet.。其中可划分出两个放射虫化石组合,一个是以Albaillella sp. cf A. undulata Deflandre,Albaillella sp.cf A. paradoxa Deflandre,Albaillella cf. A. deflandrei Gourmelon和Albaillella sp. cf. A. indensis Won为代表的早石炭世早期的化石组合;另一个是以Albaillella sp. cf. Albaillella excelsa Ishiga, Kito and Imoto为代表的晚二叠世化石组合。说明乌帕塔尔坎群至少可能包含有志留系到二叠系不同时代的岩石,可能是蛇绿混杂岩。这是该群首次发现放射虫化石,特别是再次发现晚二叠世放射虫化石,进一步证实了南天山西段晚二叠世(残余)古洋盆存在的可能性。     

New evidence for the presence of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) on the Iberian Peninsula in the Pleistocene: an archaeopalaeontological and chronological reassessment

Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) populations reached the Iberian Peninsula during the end of the Middle Pleistocene and there are numerous examples of this species from Late Pleistocene Mousterian and Upper Palaeolithic sites. In this paper, new evidence of reindeer in the east Cantabrian region is presented that further supports the timing of this species’ first appearance, and previous assessments are updated. To date, the presence of this species has been identified at 55 sites in the Iberian Peninsula, nearly as many as those of mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) and woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) combined. Most of the sites with presence of reindeer (50) are located in the Cantabrian region with a clear increase in the density of sites and remains towards the Pyrenees. The remaining five sites with evidence of reindeer are located on the other side of the Pyrenees in the NW corner of Catalonia. In contrast, archaeological evidence of reindeer in the form of art (both parietal and portable) is more scarce and scattered. Evidence for the representation of these animals has been found outside the northern fringe of the Iberian Peninsula, which could reflect either long‐distance cultural communication or the movement of human groups.     

An Upper Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) actinopterygian fish assemblage from the marginal marine Adaffa Formation of Saudi Arabia

Actinopterygian remains have been recovered from Upper Cretaceous (lower Campanian to lower Maastrichtian) marginal marine deposits of the Adaffa Formation in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The fossils comprise gars (Lepisosteidae), pachycormids (cf. Protosphyraena sp.), indeterminate pycnodontiforms, enchodontid teleosts (cf. Enchodus sp.) and other indeterminate Teleostei. This assemblage is significant because it includes a novel occurrence for the Middle East (Pachycormidae) together with taxa (Lepisosteidae, Pycnodontiformes, Enchodontidae) that have been previously recorded from Late Cretaceous faunas elsewhere in the Mediterranean Tethyan region.     

Southern dispersal and Palaeoecological implications of woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis): review of the Iberian occurrences

Cold-adapted large mammal populations spread southward during the coldest and driest phases of the Late Pleistocene reaching the Iberian Peninsula. Presence of woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) can be identified from 23 Iberian sites, which is compiled and analyzed herein, and the fossil specimens from seven of these sites are described here for first time.Morphological and biometrical analyses demonstrate that the Iberian woolly rhinoceros did not significantly differ from individuals of other European populations, but represent the westernmost part of a continuous Eurasian belt of distribution.The first presence of woolly rhino in the Iberian Peninsula has been identified during the late Middle Pleistocene and early Late Pleistocene. However, the highest abundance of this species is recorded during MIS 3 and 2. The latest Iberian occurrences can be dated around 20 ka BP. The presence of woolly rhinoceros in the Iberian Peninsula correlates with periods of extreme dry and cold climatic conditions documented in Iberian terrestrial and marine sediment sequences.From a palaeobiogeographic point of view, the maximum southern spread of C. antiquitatis on the Iberian Peninsula was registered during the late Middle Pleistocene or early Late Pleistocene, reaching the latitude of Madrid (about 40°N). Subsequently, during MIS 3 and 2, all Iberian finds were restricted to the Northern regions of Iberia (Cantabrian area and Catalonia). The southern expansion of C. antiquitatis during the Late Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula reached similar latitudes to other Eurasian regions.The ecological composition of fossil assemblages with presence of woolly rhinoceros was statistically analyzed. Results show that temperate ungulate species are predominant at Iberian assemblages, resulting in a particular mixture of temperate and cold elements different of the typical Eurasian cold-adapted faunal associations. This particular situation suggests two possible explanations: a) Eventual migrations during the coldest time spans, resulting in a mixing of cold and temperate faunas, instead a faunal replacing; b) Persistence of woolly rhinoceros populations in the Iberian Peninsula during interglacial episodes confined at cryptic southern refugia.     

Stratigraphic Implications of Skeletal Microfossils from the Cambrian of Korea: A Preliminary Report

Diverse small shelly fossils and other associated fossils were recently recovered from the Cambrian Hanaeri section, southwestern Mungyeong, Korea. The fauna includes conoidal problematica, poriferans (sponge spicules), coeloscleritophorans (chancelloriids), brachiopods, monoplacophorans, trilobite (?) fragments, echinoderms, and conodonts. A preliminary assessment of faunal associations, stratigraphic implications, and the correlation of these skeletal fossils is given, based on occurrences of Actinotheca cf. mira (He), Microcornus sp., Torellela laevigata (Linnarsson), Torellela sp., Archiasterella quadratina Lee, Chancelloria sp., Lingulella sp., Prototreta sp., Phakelodus tenuis (Müller), Phakelodus elongates (An), Hertzina sp., and Furnishina sp.     

Plio-Pleistocene geological record and small mammal faunas, eastern shore of the Azov Sea, Southern European Russia

The shoreline of the Taganrog Gulf of the Azov Sea at the mouth of Don River provides a series of extended Upper Pliocene and Quaternary sections that have been actively studied in the last century. This extraglacial region had a complex sedimentary history combining subaerial aggradation with marine, fluvial, and deltaic sedimentation. The well-exposed stratigraphical sequence and abundant palaeontological record continuously attract geologists and highlight the region as one of international importance for the addressing of numerous problems of Late Pliocene and Quaternary stratigraphy and palaeogeography. Fossil mammalian faunas of the region include important Eurasian biostratigraphical markers such as Stenocranius ex gr. hintoni-gregaloides, Lagurini spp., and Mimomys savini. For many years, fossil remains of mammals provide decisive clues to the geological history of the region. Recent geological studies of reference sections have provided data on small mammals, palaeomagnetism and palaeogeographical reconstructions in the northeastern part of the Azovian Region. Mammalian assemblages indicate the presence of the Late Pliocene, late Early Pleistocene, Middle Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene levels and, in addition, provide a clear biostratigraphical context for the Early Middle Pleistocene transition.     

Middle Pleistocene climate and habitat change at Zhoukoudian, China, from the carbon and oxygen isotopic record from herbivore tooth enamel

The Pleistocene deposits at Zhoukoudian, often referred to as the “Peking Man” site, contain dental remains from a diverse group of herbivores, including Equus sanmeniensis, Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon, Megaloceros pachyosteus, Sus lydekkeri, and Dicerorhinus choukoutienensis. The carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of structural carbonate within the enamel of these teeth are used to reconstruct the paleodiet and paleoenvironment of the mammals. The δ¹³C values of enamel from Zhoukoudian range from −2.3‰ to −13.0‰, indicating that these mammals consumed between 25% and 100% C₃ plants. The presence of significant amounts of C₄ plants in the diets of some herbivore species indicates that at the onset of the Middle Pleistocene local habitats included mixed C₃/C₄ vegetation. By approximately 470,000 yr ago, C₃ plants dominated the diets of herbivores studied, suggesting that the abundance of C₄ flora had decreased in the area. For all deer analyzed in this study, the values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O decrease substantially from about 720,000 to 470,000 yr ago. This trend may be due to a strengthening of the winter monsoon during the Middle Pleistocene.     

The ammonite family Parahoplitidae in the Sanganeh Formation of the Kopet Dagh Basin, north-eastern Iran

The Iranian part of the Kopet Dagh Basin is located in north-eastern Iran, where sedimentation was continuous throughout Jurassic to Tertiary times. The ammonite content of the Sanganeh Formation (Lower Cretaceous) has been studied. The following parahoplitid forms have been recorded: Acanthohoplites cf. aschiltaensis, A. cf. bigoureti, A. sp. 1, A. sp. 2, A. spp., Colombiceras sp., Hypacanthoplites cf. anglicus, H. cf. clavatus, H. cf. elegans, H. cf. subrectangulatus, H. uhligi, H. sp., Parahoplites cf. campichii and P. cf. maximus.     

Zoophycos and related trace fossils from the Chefar El Ahmar Formation,Upper Emsian-Frasnian Ia-Ib (Ougarta,SW Algeria)

The Upper Emsian to Frasnian Ia-Ib strata of the Marhouma area (or “km 30” outcrop), exposed in the Ougarta Range (SW Algeria) belong to the Chefar El Ahmar Formation. On the basis of distinct lithological and palaeontological features, this formation is subdivided into three members (Lower Marly Limestones Member, Middle Marly Limestones Member, and Upper Marly Limestones Member). The studied beds show low to moderate diversity of trace fossil assemblage which contains thirteen ichnotaxa: Chondrites intricatus, Chondrites isp., Chondrites cf. targionii, Circulichnis cf. montanus, Cochlichnus isp., Neonereites biserialis, Neonereites multiserialis, Nereites isp., Palaeophycus isp., Planolites isp., Thalassinoides isp., Zoophycos aff. cauda-galli, and Zoophycos isp. A. The two latter ichnotaxa are the most common trace fossils in the assemblage and occur at three different levels showing different bioturbation intensities. The first Zoophycos-bearing level (Zl 1) is characterised by an overall high bioturbation intensity reflecting a very high oxygenation rate and nutrient supply, allowing the development of large and dense Zoophycos specimens. The second Zoophycos-bearing level (Zl 2) has a considerable reduction of bioturbation intensity as compared to the previous level, with an abundance of Chondrites, which is probably due to radical palaeoecological changes that suggests dysoxic and stressful conditions. The third Zoophycos-bearing level (Zl 3) is characterised by an overall moderate bioturbation intensity. The distribution of trace fossils was influenced by lithology, sedimentation rate, energy level (storm events), bottom oxygenation, and nutrient supply. The lithofacies and trace fossils of the Chefar El Ahmar Formation both indicate a depositional environment fluctuating from the lower shoreface to lower offshore zone.     

Calcareous Nannofossils and Molecular Fossils in Cobalt-rich Crusts and their Response to the P/E Global Event

A biostratigraphic study on calcareous nannofossils from the CM3D06 Co-rich ferromanganese crust from the Magellan seamounts in the northwestern Pacific enabled estimation of depositional age.The bio-imprinting of calcareous nannofossils and other fossil species suggests six age ranges for the nannofossils: late Cretaceous,late Paleocene,(early,middle,late) Eocene,middle Miocene,late Pliocene,and Pleistocene.Gas chromatography(GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were used to test the Co-rich crusts,and a variety of molecular fossils were detected,such as chloroform bituminous "A",n-alkane,isoprenoid and sterol.Peak carbon and molecular indices(such as ΣC23 /ΣC24 +,CPI,Pr/Ph,Pr/nC17,Ph/nC18 and δ13C) indicate that the parent organic matter is dominated by marine phytoplankton and thallogen whereas there is little input of terrestrial organic matter.Researches on calcareous nannofossils,molecular fossils and molecular organic geochemistry data reveal that the Paleocene/Eocene(P/E) global event is recorded in the cobaltrich crusts from the northwestern Pacific Ocean.A succession of biomes can be observed near the 85 mm boundary(about 55 Ma),i.e.,the disappearance of the late Cretaceous Watznaueria barnesae and Zigodicus spiralis,and Broisonia parka microbiotas above the P/E boundary,and the bloom of Coccolithus formosus,Discoaster multiradiatus,Discoaster mohleri and Discoaster sp.below the boundary.Typical parameters of molecular fossils,such as saturated hydrocarbon components and carbon-number maxima,Pr/Ph,Pr/C17,Ph/C18,distribution types of sterols,Ts/Tm ratios and bacterial hopane,also exhibit dramatic changes near the P/E boundary.These integrated results illustrate that the biome succession of calcareous nannofossils,relative content of molecular fossils and molecular indices in the cobalt-rich crusts near the 85 mm boundary faithfully record the P/E global event.     

新疆准噶尔盆地西北缘石炭纪浊积岩系中遗迹化石的发现及其意义

准噶尔盆地西北缘石炭纪地层主要由碎屑岩组成,沉积厚度5000—7000m,在下石炭统和中石炭统中首次发现了包括浊流在内的重力流沉积和平流岩,大量的深水相遗迹化石。说明盆地西北缘是深水沉积,而非前人普遍认为的属浅水沉积环境。     

Large mammal taphonomy of the Middle Pleistocene hominid occupation at Treugol’naya Cave (Northern Caucasus)

A taphonomic study was conducted of large mammal remains from the Middle Pleistocene site of Treugol’naya Cave. The site is located at an elevation of 1500 m above sea level near the town of Pregradnaya in the northwestern Caucasus region of Russia, and was excavated by Doronichev (Doronichev, V.B., 2000. Lower paleolithic occupation of the northern Caucasus. ERAUL 92, 67–77.) between 1986 and 2000. Large mammal remains were identified by Baryshnikov (Baryshnikov, G.F., 1993. Krupnye mlekopitayushchie ashelskoi stoyanki v peshchere Treugol’naya na Severnom Kavkaze. Trudy Zoologicheskogo instituta RAN 249, 3–47), and reflect predominance of red deer (Cervus elaphus), bison (Bison schoetensacki), and cave bear (Spelaearctos deningeri). Less common taxa include goat (Capra sp.), wolf (Canis mosbachensis), rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus hundsheimensis) and horse (Equus altidens). Data were collected on weathering, breakage, surficial damage, skeletal-part frequencies, and age and season of death from the these remains, which are stored at the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. Analysis of the data revealed little evidence for accumulation of the large mammal remains by the hominid occupants of the cave. The carnivore remains probably represent natural mortality, while some of the ungulate remains were apparently accumulated by stream action. Most of the remaining ungulate remains were probably collected by carnivores.     

Lower Ordovician sediments in the Wagga Trough: Discovery of early Bendigonian graptolites near Eskdale,north east Victoria

An assemblage of Early Ordovician dichograptids has been discovered in a spotted slate from the Omeo Metamorphic Complex just north of Eskdale in northeast Victoria. Identifiable species present are Tetragraptus fruticosus (4 br.), T. acclinans, and Didymograptus cf. D. ensjoensis. Together these indicate an age corresponding to zone Bel of the early Bendigonian. They are therefore the first recorded fossils of pre‐Darriwilian age discovered east of the Howqua Zone in Victoria. The depositional history of the Wagga Trough is thus demonstrated to have commenced at least early in the Ordovician, rather than in the late Middle Ordovician as previously thought.     

Palaeontological age and correlations of the Tertiary deposits of the NW Iberian Peninsula: the tectonic evolution of a broken foreland basin

Ages of Cenozoic sedimentary basins yield information that can be used to infer detailed spatial and temporal evolution in the Alpine foreland. The Tertiary deposits of the NW Iberian Peninsula comprise the remains of a broken foreland basin (the West Duero Basin). This work constrains the timing of tectonic fragmentation and the evolution of the western termination of the Alpine Pyrenean–Cantabrian Orogen (NW Iberian Peninsula). The discovery of Issiodoromys cf. minor 1 and Pseudocricetodon in the lower formation of the Tertiary depression of Sarria (the Toral Formation) constrains its age to the late Early Oligocene (MP23–MP25), similar to its age in the El Bierzo depression (MP24–MP25). Sedimentation initiated in the NE of the study area at Oviedo during the Middle Eocene (Bartonian–Early Priabonian MP16–MP17) and migrated towards the west and south during the Early Oligocene. The Toral Formation was deposited in a foreland basin that connected the present day outcrops of the El Bierzo, Sarria and As Pontes Tertiary depressions. The basin was segmented during the westward migration of structural deformation associated with the Orogen, and the subsequent uplift of the Galaico–Leoneses Mountains. The present‐day height above reference level of the base of the Toral Formation has been used to quantify Alpine segmentation that took place after Early Oligocene times. Minimum tectonic uplift assessed is 960 m in the Cantabrian Mountains and 1050 m in the Galaico–Leoneses Mountains. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.