The Early Evolutionary History and Adaptive Radiation of the Pterosauria

Phylogenetic analyses of early pterosaur species are relatively new and contradictory. However, they imply a similar evolutionary history for early pterosaurs: a large divergence of all major early groups of pterosaurs before the first named pterosaur species appeared in the fossil record. This large, unsampled divergence may be a record of the initial adaptive radiation of the pterosaurs, but a recent comprehensive phylogenetic analysis reconstructs named Triassic pterosaur species grouped together in a monophyletic clade with all other major groups diverging later. Ten patterns that characterize adaptive radiations put forward by Gavrilets and Losos (2009) are assessed for congruence with the comprehensive phylogeny and two previous phylogenies to determine which are consistent with our notions of an adaptive radiation. Of the eight patterns that can be applied to pterosaurs, only six vary between pterosaur phylogenies. Of these six patterns, all apply to the three phylogenies with varying amounts of support. For many patterns, however, the comprehensive phylogeny has a greater magnitude, shorter time span, or is the only topology within which they can be assessed. Pterosaurs are characterized by an adaptive radiation no matter which phylogeny is considered, but congruence with the fossil record increases the support and information content of a phylogeny by reducing the time and area within which to reconstruct evolutionary history.     

陕西岚皋地区Oktavites spiralis(螺旋奥式笔石)发育过程的初步研究

Oktavites spiralis是志留纪兰多维列统特列奇阶的笔石带化石之一,具有重要的地层意义。为更精确地描述这一属种,对产自陕西岚皋地区的Cyrtograptus lapworthi笔石带的O.spiralis不同发育阶段的标本进行了详细研究,从而对其始部发育情况有了更深入的认识。同时,对O.spiralis发育过程的研究也可以成为对该属进行精确厘定的手段之一。     

Ammonoid Succession of Setorym River （Verkhoyansk Area） and Problem of Permian—Triassic Boundary in Boreal Realm

The presence of a single Otoceras species (O.boreale), morphologically very variable, at the base of the Nekuchan Formation in Verkhoyansk, we believe, is to be obvious. Some morphological evidence leaves no doubt that two described morphs of O. boreale are s strictly corresponding sexual dimorphic pair. It is very likely that Kummel‘s idea that Canadian. O. concavum Tozer is an invalid species is truthful, considering the range of variability seen in larger Siberian and Himalayan Otoceras fauna. Just above the upper Tatarian Imtachan Formation, the six stages of ammonoid succession can be recognized within the lower part of the Nekuchan Formation in the Setorym River Section:(a) Otoceras boreale;(b) Otoceras boreale-Tompophiceras pascoei; (c) Otoceras boreale-Tompophiceras pascoei-Aldanoceras;(d)Tompophiceras pascoei-Otoceras boreale-Aldanoceras;(e) Tompophiceras morpheous-T.pascoei-Aldanoceras;(f) Tompophiceras more pheous-T.pascoei-Wordieoceras domokhotovi-Ophiceras transitorium;(g)Tompophiceras morpheous-T.pascoei, corresponding to the Otoceras boreale and Tompophiceras morpheous zones. In spite of the domination of Otocerataceae or Xenodiscaceae in both oif these zones and the presence of some Permian type conodonts in the lower part of the Otoceras boreale Zone, they seem to be early Induan in age on the basis of the following arguments:(1) in contrast to the underlying regressive type sediments of the Upper Tatarian Imtachan Formation, both the Otoceras boreale and the Tompophiceras morpheous zones of the lowermost part of the Nekuchan Formation correspond to the single transgressive cycle;(2)typical early Induan ammonoids (Ophiceras and Wordieoceras) have been recognized in the Tompophiceras morpheous zone; (3) all described ammonoid succession stages (a-g) are characterized by very gradual changes and therefore correspond to the different parts of the single zone or to the different zones of the same stage, but not to the different systems (Permian and Triassic);(4)elsewhere in the Boreal realm (Arctic Canada), the conodont index species for the base of the Triassic, Hindeodus parvus, has been reported from the Otoceras boreale Zone. A new scheme of the phylogeny for the Otocerataceae and its Induan-Olenekian offspring (Araxceratidae-Otoceratidae-Vavilovitidae n.fam.-Proptychitidae-Arctoceratidae) and Xenodiscaceae is offered.     

MCPA biodegradation in an anoxic sequencing batch reactor (SBR)

This research investigated the potential for industrial-strength 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) degradation by activated sludge microorganisms in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) under nitrate-reducing conditions. The research was divided into four phases consisting of Phase I (a “proof-of-concept” phase); Phase II (an initial “tolerance” exploration phase); Phase III (an “effect of hydraulic retention time” phase), and Phase IV (a “limits” phase). The SBR successfully and simultaneously removed the nitrates completely and around 98 % of the MCPA up to an initial concentration of 50 mg/L MCPA in the dimethylamine salt form (DMCPA) (Phases I, II and III); however, it took approximately 28 days to observe a steady, high-level of MCPA removal. When the concentration of DMCPA was increased to 75 mg/L (Phase IV), the MCPA removal efficiency dropped to 85 %, but removal was observed only for a relatively short period of time since the biomass appeared to eventually become saturated with the herbicide, stopping conversion of DMCPA to its acid form and halting biodegradation.     

Allometry in the pliocene bivalveAstarte omalii: A new look at an old data set

The relationships between ontogeny and phylogeny have been studied for the bivalve Astarte omaliifrom the Lower, Middle, and Upper Pliocene of Belgium using canonical variates analysis, principal components in the form of multivariate allometry, and bivariate power functions or allometric equations. The results indicate that the three samples represent segments of a single evolutionary lineage which is characterized mainly by paedomorphosis where adult descendants are similar to juvenile ancestors. Recapitulation or peramorphosis is only observed for a single parameter. The Lower and Middle Pliocene samples are considered as Astarte omalii omalii,whereas the Upper Pliocene specimens are placed in A. omalii basteroti.The evolutionary trends most likely reflect changes in the living positions of the bivalves.     

Allometry in the pliocene bivalveAstarte omalii: A new look at an old data set

The relationships between ontogeny and phylogeny have been studied for the bivalve Astarte omaliifrom the Lower, Middle, and Upper Pliocene of Belgium using canonical variates analysis, principal components in the form of multivariate allometry, and bivariate power functions or allometric equations. The results indicate that the three samples represent segments of a single evolutionary lineage which is characterized mainly by paedomorphosis where adult descendants are similar to juvenile ancestors. Recapitulation or peramorphosis is only observed for a single parameter. The Lower and Middle Pliocene samples are considered as Astarte omalii omalii,whereas the Upper Pliocene specimens are placed in A. omalii basteroti.The evolutionary trends most likely reflect changes in the living positions of the bivalves.     

Effects of human activities on the ecological changes of lakes in China

Lake ecosystems are greatly affected by anthropogenic activities due to population growth and the accompanying development of industry and agriculture. These anthropogenic activities include intensified exploitation of fisheries resources, reclamation of land from marshes of lakes, wastewater discharge, construction of water conservancy, and tourism etc. The negative ecological consequences in lakes caused by these factors are discussed in detail and are reflected in the following consequences: 1. depletion of fisheries resources and decrease in fisheries production; 2. changes in fish community structure (increased proportion of young and small individuals); 3. disappearance of some endemic species; and 4. eutrophication of lakes with blue-green algal blooms, elevation in chlorophyll pigment concentration, simplification of species composition, changes in zooplankton and benthos species and substitution of aquatic macrophytes originally dominant in lakes by planktonic algae.     

Depositional environments of Upper Miocene (Messinian) evaporite deposits of the Sicilian Basin*

In Sicily, Messinian evaporitic sedimentary deposits are developed under a wide variety of hypersaline conditions and in environments ranging from continental margin (subaerial), to basin-margin supratidal, to intertidal, to subtidal and out into the hypersaline basin proper. The actual water depth at the time of deposition is indeterminate; however, relative terms such as ‘wave base’ and ‘photic zone’ are utilized. The inter-fingering relationships of specific evaporitic facies having clear and recognizable physical characteristics are presented. These include sub-aerial deposits of nodular calcium sulphate formed displacively within clastic sediments; gypsiferous rudites, arenites and arenitic marls, all of which are reworked sediments and are mixed in varying degrees with other clastic materials (subaerial, supratidal, and intertidal to deep basinal deposits). Laminated calcium sulphate alternating with very thin carbonate interlaminae and having two different aspects; one being even and continuous and the other of a wavy, irregular appearance (subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal deposits). Nodular calcium sulphate beds, usually associated with wavy, irregular laminated beds (supratidal, sabkha deposits); very coarsely crystalline gypsum beds (selenite), associated with more even, laminated beds (subaqueous, intertidal to subtidal deposits); wavy anastomozing gypsum beds, composed of very fine, often broken crystals (subaqueous, current-swept deposits); halite having hopper and chevron structures (supratidal to intertidal); and halite, potash salts, etc. having continuous laminated structure (subaqueous, possibly basinal). Evidence for diagenetic changes is observed in the calcium sulphate deposits which apparently formed by tectonic stress and also by migrating hypersaline waters. These observations suggest that the common, massive form of alabastrine gypsum (or anhydrite, in the subsurface) may not always be ascribed to original depositional features, to syndiagenesis or to early diagenesis but may be the result of late diagenesis.     

进化序列系统学——以二叠纪瓦岗珊瑚类为例

进化序列系统学是古生物学中研究物种间和类别间的系统发育关系为目的的学科, 包括研究物种或类别间的亲缘关系, 并确定它们形成的先后序列.表型-分支系统学是该系统学的基础.分支系统学的许多重要概念在该系统学中加入了时间的含义, 例如, 认为最亲近的姐妹种之间的时间间隔不会超过它们母种的生存期.姐妹群和性状镶嵌分析是进化序列研究的主要方法, 而理解性状镶嵌分布是关键.这些分析可由计算机程序实现.以二叠纪瓦岗珊瑚类作为研究进化序列系统学的实例, 该类在特提斯地区广泛分布.通过对瓦岗珊瑚类的特征分析确定了17个性状用于研究, 并且每一性状确定了几个变化状态.根据最广布的性状状态、化石记录和个体发生等原则分辨出近祖性状状态, 并根据性状在系统发育中的重要性确定性状分级.然后, 确定了姐妹群间的关系和物种间的进化序列.在姐妹群与进化序列分析相互检验中可发现性状退化、平行演化和多向分支等古生物学重要现象, 并分辨出物种的异常顺序.在检验生物地层学首次出现事件讨论中推测了一些化石首次出现的可能层位.      

Epithermal environments and styles of mineralization: Variations and their causes, and guidelines for exploration

Epithermal precious- and base-metal deposits are diverse, reflecting the different tectonic, igneous and structural settings in which they occur, the complexities of their local setting, and the many processes involved in their formation. Most epithermal deposits form at shallow crustal levels where abrupt changes in physical and chemical conditions result in metal deposition and attendant hydrothermal alteration. The principal factors that influence the conditions prevailing in the epithermal environment, and which ultimately determine the sites and character of mineralization, include: geology (structure, stratigraphy, intrusions and rock type, which affect the style and degree of permeability and the reactivity of the host); pressure and temperature (which in the epithermal environment are related on the boiling point with depth curve); hydrology (the relationship between permeability and topography which governs fluid flow, and discharge/recharge characteristics, as well as access of steam-heated waters); chemistry of the mineralizing fluid (which determines the metal-carrying capacity, as well as the associated vein and alteration assemblage); and syn-hydrothermal development of permeability and/or changes in hydraulic gradients.Many attempts have been made to classify epithermal deposits based on mineralogy and alteration, the host rocks, deposit form, genetic models, and standard deposits. All have their strengths and weaknesses. We prefer a simple approach using the fundamental fluid chemistry (high or low sulfidation, reflecting relatively oxidized or reduced conditions, respectively) as readily inferred from vein and alteration mineralogy and zoning, together with the form of the deposit, and using comparative examples to clarify the character of the deposit.Guidelines for exploration vary according to the scale at which work is conducted, and are commonly constrained by a variety of local conditions. On a regional scale the tectonic, igneous and structural settings can be used, together with assessment of the depth of erosion, to select areas for project area scale exploration. At project area scale, direct (i.e. geochemical) or indirect guidelines may be used. Indirect methods involve locating and interpreting hydrothermal alteration as a guide to ore, with the topographic and hydrologic reconstruction of the system being of high priority. These pursuits may involve mineralogic, structural, geophysical or remote sensing methods. On a prospect scale, both direct and indirect methods may be used; however, they can only be effective in the framework of a sound conceptual understanding of the processes that occur in the epithermal environment, and the signatures they leave.     

Ancient dna from pleistocene fossils: Preservation, recovery, and utility of ancient genetic information for quaternary research

Until recently, recovery and analysis of genetic information encoded in ancient DNA sequences from Pleistocene fossils were impossible. Recent advances in molecular biology offered technical tools to obtain ancient DNA sequences from well-preserved Quaternary fossils and opened the possibilities to directly study genetic changes in fossil species to address various biological and paleontological questions. Ancient DNA studies involving Pleistocene fossil material and ancient DNA degradation and preservation in Quaternary deposits are reviewed. The molecular technology applied to isolate, amplify, and sequence ancient DNA is also presented. Authentication of ancient DNA sequences and technical problems associated with modern and ancient DNA contamination are discussed. As illustrated in recent studies on ancient DNA from proboscideans, it is apparent that fossil DNA sequence data can shed light on many aspects of Quaternary research such as systematics and phylogeny. conservation biology, evolutionary theory, molecular taphonomy, and forensic sciences. Improvement of molecular techniques and a better understanding of DNA degradation during fossilization are likely to build on current strengths and to overcome existing problems, making fossil DNA data a unique source of information for Quaternary scientists.     

Brochocolein beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous of northeast China and southern England

Lower Cretaceous beetles belonging to the extinct tribe Brochocoleini (Coleoptera: Cupedidae: Ommatinae) are revised and five new species proposed in the extinct Eurasian genus Brochocoleus: Brochocoleus yangshuwanziensis sp. nov. (Yixian Formation, China); Brochocoleus crowsonae sp. nov., Brochocoleus keenani sp. nov., Brochocoleus tobini sp. nov. (Weald Clay Group, UK); and Brochocoleus maximus sp. nov. (Purbeck Limestone Group, UK). New morphological data is provided for Brochocoleus impressus and Brochocoleus sulcatus stat. nov. of which Brochocoleus angustus is considered a synonym (Yixian Fm.). The hindwing venation is described for the first time supporting the basal position of this tribe. A simple key is provided to all Cretaceous species of this presumably xylophagous, warm climate genus.     

Late-Quaternary biogeographic scenarios for the brown bear (Ursus arctos), a wild mammal model species

This review provides an up-to-date synthesis of the matrilineal phylogeography of a uniquely well-studied Holarctic mammal, the brown bear. We extend current knowledge by presenting a DNA sequence derived from one of the earliest known fossils of a polar bear (dated to 115 000 years before present), a species that shares a paraphyletic mitochondrial association with brown bears. A molecular clock analysis of 140 mitochondrial DNA sequences, including our new polar bear sequence, provides novel insights into the times of origin for different brown bear clades. We propose a number of regional biogeographic scenarios based on genetic data, divergence time estimates and paleontological records. The case of the brown bear provides an example for researchers working with less well-studied taxa: it shows clearly that phylogeographic models based on patterns of modern genetic variation alone can be substantially improved by including data on historical patterns of genetic diversity in the form of ancient DNA sequences derived from accurately dated samples and by using an approach to divergence-time estimation that suits the data under analysis. Using such approaches it has been possible to (i) establish that the processes shaping modern genetic diversity in brown bears acted recently, within the last three glacial cycles; (ii) distinguish among hypotheses concerning species’ responses to climatic oscillations in accordance with the lack of phylogeographic structure that existed in brown bears prior to the last glacial maximum (LGM); (iii) reassess theories linking monophyletic brown bear populations to particular LGM refuge areas; and (iv) identify vicariance events and track analogous patterns of migration by brown bears out of Eurasia to North America and Japan.     

Vestrogothia spinata (Phosphatocopina, Crustacea), Fossils of Orsten-type Preservation from the Upper Cambrian of Western Hunan, South China

Abstract: Fossils of Orsten-type preservation represented by the crustacean Skaracarida and Phosphatocopida were found in western Hunan, South China in 2005, including the important phosphatocopid species Vestrogothia spinata based on exquisitely preserved soft-bodied specimens that allow the first growth stage to be reestablished. The taxonomy of Vestrogothia spinata is revised employing the character of a two-divided limb stem of the mandible. A new foundation for the phylogeny of the Phosphatocopina using mandible characters related to crustacean appendages is postulated. Vestrogothia spinata has only previously been found from Sweden.     

Ecological stability during the LGM and the mid-Holocene in the Alpine Steppes of Tibet?

Arid and Alpine ecosystems are known for extreme environmental changes during the Late Quaternary. We hypothesize that the world's largest Alpine arid ecosystem however, the Alpine Steppes of the Tibetan highlands, remained ecologically stable during the LGM and the mid-Holocene. This hypothesis is tested by distributional range of plant species, plant life forms and rate of endemism. The set of character species has a precipitation gradient between 50 and 350 mm/a, testifying for resilience to precipitation changes. 83% of the species have a wider vertical range than 1000 m used as a proxy for resilience to temperature changes. 30% of the species are endemic with 10 endemic genera, including plate-shaped cushions as a unique plant life form. These findings are in line with palaeo-ecological proxies (δ¹⁸O, pollen) allowing the assumption that Alpine Steppes persisted during the LGM with 3 to 4 K lower summer temperatures.During the mid-Holocene, forests could have replaced Alpine Steppes in the upper catchments of the Huang He, Yangtze, Mekong, Salween and Yarlung Zhangbo, but not in the interior basins of the north-western highlands, because the basins were then flooded, suppressing forests and supporting the environmental stability of this arid Alpine grassland biome.     

New lacewings (Insecta,Neuroptera, Osmylidae,Nymphidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Burmese amber and Crato Formation in Brazil

One new osmylid genus and species, Burmaleon magnificus, and one new nymphid genus and species Rafaelnymphes cratoensis are described, respectively based on inclusions in the Cretaceous Burmese amber and on a compression fossil from the Crato Formation in Brazil. The nymphid Araripenymphes seldeni, from the Crato Formation, is redescribed on the basis of a new specimen, showing possible sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, a feature extremely rare among the Neuroptera. In a recently published phylogenetic analysis of the family, the attribution to the fossil taxa (versus rejection) of the larval characters proper to the modern nymphids, has a crucial impact on the resolution of the phylogeny. The compression fossils currently attributed to the Nymphidae should be revised because their wing venation alone is not really sufficient for an accurate family attribution to Nymphidae rather than to another family of Neuroptera (viz. Osmylidae).     

Historical Comparison of Fish Community Structure in Lower Chesapeake Bay Seagrass Habitats

Seagrass beds provide important habitat for fishes and invertebrates in many regions around the world. Accordingly, changes in seagrass coverage may affect fish communities and/or populations, given that many species utilize these habitats during vulnerable early life history stages. In lower Chesapeake Bay, seagrass distribution has contracted appreciably over recent decades due to decreased water clarity and increased water temperature; however, effects of changing vegetated habitat on fish community structure have not been well documented. We compared fish community composition data collected at similar seagrass sites from 1976–1977 and 2009–2011 to investigate potential changes in species richness, community composition, and relative abundance within these habitats. While seagrass coverage at the specific study sites did not vary considerably between time periods, contemporary species richness was lower and multivariate analysis showed that assemblages differed between the two datasets. The majority of sampled species were common to both datasets but several species were exclusive to only one dataset. For some species, relative abundances were similar between the two datasets, while for others, there were notable differences without directional uniformity. Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) and northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus) were considerably less abundant in the contemporary dataset, while dusky pipefish (Syngnathus floridae) was more abundant. Observed changes in community structure may be more attributable to higher overall bay water temperature in recent years and other anthropogenic influences than to changes in seagrass coverage at our study sites.     

胶州湾沉积物中氮的地球化学特征及其环境意义*

通过分级浸取的方法获得了胶州湾沉积物中不同形态的氮,将可转化态氮分为离子交换态(IEF-N)、弱酸浸取态 (WAEF-N)、强碱浸取态(SAEF-N)和强氧化剂浸取态(SOEF-N),讨论了其地球化学特征和控制因素,并结合²¹⁰ Pb测年计算了不同年代氮的埋藏通量。在此基础上,分析了胶州湾沉积物中氮给出的环境信息。结果表明,强氧化剂浸取态氮是胶州湾沉积物中可转化态氮主要赋存形态,NO₃-N是胶州湾沉积物中氮的优势形态,氮的含量及埋藏通量的分布受到pH、盐度、温度、生物扰动、沉积物粒度、沉积速率等多种因素的影响。受人为活动的影响,目前每年排入胶州湾的固体垃圾和污水中的悬浮颗粒物的量已超过河流来沙,成为胶州湾主要的沉积物来源。在20世纪初由于污染情况较轻,并且受人为活动的影响较小,胶州湾沉积物各形态氮的埋藏通量较低,但自从20世纪80年代开始,环胶州湾地区的工农业迅猛发展,氮的埋藏通量急剧增加,胶州湾地区的环境一度恶化,但由于近年来采取的较为得力的治污与排放措施,胶州湾的环境状况已有明显改观。     

On Evolutionary Sequence Systematics: Taking Permian Waagenophylloid Coral Fauna as an Example

INTRoDUCTIONEvolutionarysequencesystematicsisadisciplineinpale-ontologyandbiology,themainpurposeofwhichistostudyphylogeneticsystemoforganisms.Twojobsareincludedinthediscipline:(l)tounderstandkinshipamongspeciesortaxa,and(2)toshowtheirevolutionarysequence.Hennig(1966)definedtheconceptofphylogeneticrelationshipasthat:ThespeciesBandCcamefromasameancestor,butthespeciesAdidnotcomefromtheancestor,Therefore,there-lationshipbetweenspeciesBandCiscloserthanspeciesA.Thisdefinitioncontainsonlythef…     

Phylogenetic Relatedness Influences Plant Interspecific Interactions Across Stress Levels in Coastal Ecosystems: a Meta-Analysis

Positive and negative interactions can occur simultaneously between plant species. According to the stress gradient hypothesis (SGH), species interactions shift towards more facilitative interactions or reductions in competition with increasing stress, whereas debate continues over whether evolutionary history influences the strength of species interactions. However, few studies have investigated the effects of phylogenetic relatedness (i.e., the sum of branch lengths separating species on a phylogeny) on the outcomes of interspecific interactions across stress levels. Therefore, we conducted a Bayesian meta-analysis on data collected from publications on plant interactions within coastal ecosystems in order to investigate the effects of phylogenetic relatedness on interspecific interactions across different stress levels. These analyses showed the effect sizes of species interactions on survival and growth to increase with stress increment, supporting the SGH in coastal ecosystems. However, phylogenetic relatedness did not lead to these differences of interspecific interactions between low and high stress. We found that species interactions affecting plant survival were not significantly influenced by phylogenetic relatedness; however, when evolutionary relationships of target and neighbor species were more phylogenetically distant, their interactions were more likely to facilitate growth of target species. Furthermore, the effect of the interaction between phylogenetic distance and stress on species interactions was negative. This suggests the observed net effects of phylogenetically distant neighbor species on target species were not due to true facilitation but reductions in competition when moving from low stress to high stress environments. According to these results, phylogenetic relatedness should be considered in choosing species for restoration of coastal ecosystem plant communities. Specifically, increasing the phylogenetic breadth of the assemblage is more likely to include species that have evolved to reduce stress on surrounding species through modification of the environment.