Taimyr Peninsula （ Arctic tectonic thrust sheets Siberia） in Late Precambrian： and geodynamic evolution

Structural relationships between the Neoproterozoic rock complexes of a continental massif, island arc and back-arc basin geodynamic affinities are described and considered in this work based on field observations within the northeastern segment of the Central Taimyr tectonic zone distinguished in the late Hercynian fold- thrust belt of Taimyr Peninsula. As is established for the first time, rock complexes of the continental massif with the early Late Riphean （Tonian-Cryogenian） volcanogenic-sedimentary cover occur in the study region as the allochthonous syn- and post-sedimentary thrust sheets buried in or thrust over deposits of a back-arc basin, which accumulated in the terminal Late Riphean （Cryogcnian）-initial Vendian （Ediacaran）. These and other results of the large-scale structural observations elucidate important details of the region tectonic development in the Late Precambrian, when two lateral ensembles of the Neoproterozoic structures originated in the region. In the first half of the Neoproterozoic, the regional tectonic ensemble included the oceanic plate abut on the continental massif with a primitive volcano-plutonic belt. The subsequent system of an island arc and marginal back- arc basin originated in the second half of the Neoproterozoic and existed approximately till the mid-Vendian （Ediacaran） phase of the intense formation of thrust sheets in the region.     

Sedimentary Precambrian deposits in southwestern Transbaikalia (Siberia): phytoliths content, lateral correlations and geodynamics

The Baikal Group is one of the most important stratigraphic units in the geology of East Siberia (Upper Riphean). This paper focuses on litological-facies features based on the analysis of organic remains (stromatolites, microphitolites and microfossils), in order to better precise the age and environmental deposit conditions of the Baikal Group. The results are used to draw a correlation between all the Precambrian of deposits of the South of East Siberia. The stratigraphy of the Baikal Group is then compared to the geodynamic evolution of this region, characterized by the break-up of the supercontinent Rodinia and subsequent opening of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. Stratigraphic analogs to the Baikal Group display in most areas deposits of various minerals (complex ores, phosphoresces, bauxites etc. have been dated of the same age), so the present study would also provides an economic interest.     

Abundance and production ofBranchiura sowerbyi (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) in two typical shallow lakes (Hubei, China)

An April 1996 to March 1997 comparative study on the abundance and secondary production ofBranchiura sowerbyi Beddard, 1892 in two typical shallow lakes showed that in Houhu, an algae-dominated lake, the worm density (68 ind·m⁻²) peaked in July, biomass (1.930 g·m⁻²) peaked in June, while in Biandantang, a macrophyte-dominated lake, standing stock (density: 60 ind·m⁻²; biomass: 1.019 g·m⁻² in wet weight) peaked in December. Secondary production of the animal in Houhu Lake was 3.413 g wet wt m⁻² a⁻¹, a little more than that (2.675 g wet wt m⁻² a⁻¹) in Biandantang Lake. Their turnover rates (P/B ratios) were 4.0 and 5.0, respectively. Project (39600019 and 39430101) supported by NSFC.     

Aquatic molluscs in high mountain lakes of the Eastern Alps (Austria): Species-environment relationships and specific colonization behaviour

Mountain lakes represent essential stages for aquatic species on their way colonizing habitats of more elevated regions. Despite extensive biological and chemical study, only little has been reported about the species number and density of freshwater molluscs in these waters. The article presented here elucidates the dispersal of aquatic gastropods and bivalves in 12 mountain lakes that are commonly situated in the Eastern Alps, Austria. Molluscs were recorded at 120 sample points, where a total of 13 species (8 gastropods and 5 bivalves) could be determined. Species distribution data as well as results from contemporarily conducted physico-chemical factor recording were subject to weighted average analysis. In addition, a global marginality coefficient indicating the particularity of a habitat inhabited by a focal species as well as a global tolerance coefficient expressing the width of a niche occupied by this species were computed. Species-environment relationships exhibited that species number and specific density decrease with increasing geographic altitude, declining water temperature, and decreasing amount of submerged vegetation. Whilst waters of the montane altitude level are partly charcterized by high number of mollusc species (> 10), lakes of the subalpine altitude level commonly bear 1 or 2 species with <<1 ind./m2. As proposed by the results of statistics, 9 of the 13 mollusc species are characterized by a pronounced behaviour as specialists with respect to most environmental factors. The four remaining species, Pisidium casertanum, Galba truncatula, Radix labiata, and Radix balthica, act as generalists which increases their pioneering role in the long-term occupation of the Central-alpine region.