Northeastern Amazon Research Articles

Fine‐scale variation in the medium and large‐sized mammal assemblage composition in northeastern Amazon: Drivers of β‐diversity and species interactions

AbstractUnderstanding fine‐scale assemblage composition patterns of mammals is important to increase ecological knowledge and support conservation actions. We investigated whether β‐diversity of medium and large‐sized mammals and its components (replacement and richness difference) are related to distance to major rivers, height above the nearest drainage (HAND), and vegetation height; and whether species interactions shape their spatiotemporal distribution. We used camera traps to monitor the mammal assemblage of the Tumucumaque Mountains National Park, Northeastern Amazon. The difference (Δ) in distance to major rivers and geographic distance between sites affected positively the total β‐diversity and both its components. ΔVegetation height affected total β‐diversity and species replacement, while ΔHAND affected richness differences, and to a lower extent, species replacement. We found evidence that spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) adjust their spatiotemporal dynamics to escape from predation and to overlap with abundant prey, respectively. However, we did not find evidence that competition affects the spatiotemporal distribution of any other species. Vegetation height, distance to rivers and HAND influenced mammal assemblages probably through shaping the quality and amount of resources. Predation risk seems to be important in shaping the use of time and space by prey, while the distribution of prey is important for the use of time and space for predators. Furthermore, other niche differentiation mechanisms may explain why competition did not affect the species' spatiotemporal dynamics. We highlight the need to include different environmental contexts within protected areas to promote mammal diversity and conservation.

Rainfall during multiyear La Niñas caused the decline of social wasps in Northeastern Amazonia.

Rainfall during multiyear La Niñas caused the decline of social wasps in Northeastern Amazonia.

Spatiotemporal interactions between jaguars (Panthera onca) and their potential prey in Amazonian islands

AbstractAlthough large carnivores usually prefer large prey, in some situations, they may shift their predation patterns towards smaller but abundant prey. The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large carnivore capable of changing its diet according to prey and habitat availability. Here, we assessed the temporal and spatiotemporal interactions between jaguars and their prey in the Maracá‐Jipioca Islands (Northeastern Amazon, Brazil) through camera traps. We assessed overlapping activity patterns and tested for spatiotemporal segregation/avoidance between jaguars and nine potential prey species. We used a time‐to‐encounter approach, which consists in calculating the minimum time between prey and jaguar's detections, and vice versa, for each record of preys' species at a specific camera trap station, which translates into aggregation or avoidance behaviors. We found that these insular jaguars are more active in daylight periods when most of their prey are active and in locations used by species that cannot become nocturnal to avoid predators due to morphology constraints. Four prey species (great egret, white‐tailed deer, muscovy duck, and black‐and‐white tegu) presented moderate activity overlapping with jaguars. Agoutis and white‐tailed deer seek to spatiotemporally segregate from jaguars, although jaguars did not show spatiotemporal aggregation with any of the evaluated prey. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics is essential to establish the islands' trophic network composition and structure. This is fundamental information to efficiently allocate efforts for reducing costs and maximizing benefits in managing this population aiming to protect and conserve it, and consequently, the related ecosystems.

Enhanced Carbon Flux Response to Atmospheric Aridity and Water Storage Deficit During the 2015–2016 El Niño Compromised Carbon Balance Recovery in Tropical South America

AbstractDuring the 2015–2016 El Niño, the Amazon basin released almost one gigaton of carbon (GtC) into the atmosphere due to extreme temperatures and drought. The link between the drought impact and recovery of the total carbon pools and its biogeochemical drivers is still unknown. With satellite‐constrained net carbon exchange and its component fluxes including gross primary production and fire emissions, we show that the total carbon loss caused by the 2015–2016 El Niño had not recovered by the end of 2018. Forest ecosystems over the Northeastern (NE) Amazon suffered a cumulative total carbon loss of ∼0.6 GtC through December 2018, driven primarily by a suppression of photosynthesis whereas southeastern savannah carbon loss was driven in part by fire. We attribute the slow recovery to the unexpected large carbon loss caused by the severe atmospheric aridity coupled with a water storage deficit during drought. We show the attenuation of carbon uptake is three times higher than expected from the pre‐drought sensitivity to atmospheric aridity and ground water supply. Our study fills an important knowledge gap in our understanding of the unexpectedly enhanced response of carbon fluxes to atmospheric aridity and water storage deficit and its impact on regional post‐drought recovery as a function of the vegetation types and climate perturbations. Our results suggest that the disproportionate impact of water supply and demand could compromise resiliency of the Amazonian carbon balance to future increases in extreme events.

Drought and radiation explain fluctuations in Amazon rainforest greenness during the 2015–2016 drought

Abstract. The 2015–2016 Amazon drought was characterized by below-average regional precipitation for an entire year, which distinguishes it from the dry-season-only droughts in 2005 and 2010. Studies of vegetation indices (VIs) derived from optical remote sensing over the Amazonian forests indicated three stages in canopy response during the 2015–2016 drought, with below-average greenness during the onset and end of the drought, and above-average greenness during the intervening months. To date, a satisfactory explanation for this broad temporal pattern has not been found. A better understanding of rainforest behaviors during this unusually long drought should help predict their response to future droughts. We hypothesized that negative VI anomalies could be caused by water and heat stress exceeding the tolerance ranges of the rainforest. To test our hypothesis, based on monthly observations of terrestrial water storage (TWS), land surface temperature (LST), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for January 2003 to December 2016, we proposed an approach to categorize regions into two groups: (1) those exceeding normal hydrological and thermal ranges and (2) those within normal ranges. Accordingly, regions exceeding normal ranges during different stages of the 2015–2016 event were delineated. The results showed a gradual southward shift in these regions: from the northeastern Amazon during August to October 2015 to the north–central part during November 2015 to February 2016 and finally to the southern Amazon in July 2016. Over these regions exceeding normal ranges during droughts, negative VI anomalies were expected, irrespective of radiation anomalies. Over the regions within normal ranges, VI anomalies were assumed to respond positively to radiation anomalies, as is expected under normal conditions. We found that our proposed approach can explain more than 70 % of the observed spatiotemporal patterns in VI anomalies during the 2015–2016 drought. These results suggest that our “exceeding normal ranges”-based approach combining (i) water storage, (ii) temperature, and (iii) atmospheric moisture demand drivers can reasonably identify the most likely drought-affected regions at monthly to seasonal timescales. Using observation-based hydrological and thermal condition thresholds can help with interpreting the response of the Amazon rainforest to future drought events.

Mapping a French Department in the northeastern Amazonia: The 1947 Oyapock mission in a context of Decolonization

This article delves into the interplay between the political, social, and cultural context and the material conditions of governing a cartographic mission within a French territory in the northeastern Amazon. It brings to the fore the collaborative endeavors involving a spectrum of stakeholders, ranging from local knowledge to various institutions, financial and technical resources, and human and logistical support. This research aims to offer an understanding of the cartographic mission during the period of departmentalization, with a specific focus on the situated and context-specific nature of knowledge production. By scrutinizing the fieldwork and the distinct labor regimes of local members of the mission in AEF and French Guiana, along with investigating the intra-imperial circulation of epistemic practices, it examines the colonial integration of cartographers through their trajectories. In a broader context, the article underscores the pivotal role played by geographical knowledge, enriching the landscape of research on the history of cartography during the transformation of the French colonial empire. Employing an approach encompassing material and social dimensions, this study shows the intricacies inherent in colonial cartography and illuminates its implications in the post-World War II era. In doing so, it unlocks fresh avenues for comprehending the geographical and colonial dynamics that characterize this period.

Size and crown shape predict reproductive maturity of Carapa guianensis in upland and floodplain forests in the northeastern Amazon

AbstractComprehending the size distribution within a population and grasping its connection to tree maturation (onset of reproductive phase) is pivotal for formulating sustainable management strategies and conserving numerous tree species. The objective of this study was to compare the structure and probability of fruit production of Carapa guianensis in two types of forest (varzea, or floodplain, vs. terra firme, or upland) in the northeastern Amazon, Brazil. The study was conducted in four permanent plots of 300 × 300 m (two for each type of forest). All individuals ≥10 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) were mapped and measured for DBH, height, and canopy characteristics (shape and position), and liana infestation. Sixty‐seven trees were inventoried in the upland forest and 297 in the floodplain forest. The trees were larger in the upland (33.36 ± 1.84 cm) than in the floodplain (21.92 ± 1.5 cm) and more than half (56%) of the upland trees and more than two thirds (67%) of floodplain trees were reproductive. The minimum diameter for fruit production in the floodplain (10.2 cm of DBH) was more than two times smaller than in the upland (25.5 cm of DBH). The probability of fruit production of a tree of the same size was twice as high in the floodplain compared with the upland, and trees with rounded canopies had a higher probability of fruit production in the upland. Our results showed that the probability of fruit production can be modeled with variables of tree size and canopy shape, and that intrinsic factors of the forests influence the reproductive maturity of C. guianensis which presents greater precocity and productive potential of seeds in the estuarine floodplain forest of the Amazon River.Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.

Interpopulational genetic diversity in the medically important scorpion Tityus obscurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from northeastern Brazilian Amazonia

ABSTRACT Scorpion envenoming is considered a public health problem in Brazil. A recent study described a variation in the clinical outcome of envenoming by Tityus obscurus in two populations separated by 850 km in the northeastern Amazon region. Our aim was to evaluate whether such clinical and toxinological variations are associated with underlying differences in genetic diversity between these two T. obscurus populations. We obtained DNA from five individuals of each population, in the municipalities of Belém and Santarém, located east and west of the state of Pará, Brazil, respectively. Gene regions encoding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and ribosomal 16S RNA (16S) were amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inferences (BA) for both molecular data (COI and 16S). The sampled T. obscurus populations corresponded to two distinct mtDNA lineages (genetic distance COI K2 P = 0.08 to 0.13; 16S K2 P = 0.10 to 0.11) with no shared mutations between groups and well supported by ML and BA inferences. Based on the divergence values found between eastern and western populations (COI, 0.07 to 0.12; 16S, 0.10), our study confirms the genetic heterogeneity of T. obscurus populations within the state of Pará, which correlates with observed venom and clinical differences, and reinforces the need for mapping the distribution of haplotypes throughout the geographic range of T. obscurus, to aid in future epidemiological, toxinological, and evolutionary studies.

Human and environmental exposure to rare earth elements in gold mining areas in the northeastern Amazon

Rudimentary methods are used to exploit gold (Au) in several artisanal mines in the Amazon, producing hazardous wastes that may pose risks of contamination by rare earth elements (REEs). The objectives of this study were to quantify the concentrations of REEs and assess their environmental and human health risks in artisanal Au mining areas in the northeastern Amazon. Thus, 25 samples of soils and mining wastes were collected in underground, colluvial, and cyanidation exploration sites, as well as in a natural forest that was considered as a reference area. The concentrations of REEs were quantified using alkaline fusion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the results were used to estimate pollution indices and risks associated with the contaminants. All REEs showed higher concentrations in waste deposition areas than in the reference area, especially Ce, Sc, Nd, La, Pr, Sm, and Eu. Pollution and enrichment levels were higher in the underground and cyanidation mining areas, with very high contamination factors (6.2–27) for Ce, Eu, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, and Sc, and significant to very high enrichment factors (5.5–20) for Ce, La, Nd, Pr, and Sc. The ecological risk indices varied from moderate (167.3) to high (365.7) in the most polluted sites, but risks to human health were low in all areas studied. The results of this study indicate that artisanal Au mining has the potential to cause contamination, enrichment, and ecological risks by REEs in the northeastern Amazon. Mitigation measures should be implemented to protect the environment from the negative impacts of these contaminants.

First records of leucism in Leontocebus nigricollis graellsi (Primates: Callitrichidae)

Leucism is an atypical condition of recessive genetic origin that occurs as a consequence of mutations that affect the generation, distribution, and aggregation of the melanin pigment in the skin of many vertebrates and is particularly noticeable in mammals (Lamoreux et al., 2010). Although this condition has been frequently mentioned in various orders of mammals (Tirira & Arbeláez, 2020), reports in primates are extremely rare (Aximoff et al., 2020; Barros-Diaz et al., 2022; Ramos-Luna et al., 2022), even though they comprise a conspicuous group that is frequently sighted (Mittermeier et al., 2013). The few known reports of leucism in primates have been documented mostly in large species, particularly in the genus Alouatta (Aximoff & Vaz, 2016; Barros-Diaz et al., 2022; López-Platas et al., 2021), but also in Ateles (Guzmán Caro et al., 2018); in small primates, there are only a few reports for the genus Callithrix (Aximoff et al., 2020; do Vale et al., 2018). Therefore, in this short communication, we present the first reports of leucism in the genus Leontocebus. In November of 2021, we observed two black-mantled tamarins (Leontocebus nigricollis graellsi) with leucism in the Reserva de Producción Faunística Cuyabeno, Sucumbíos Province, Ecuadorian Amazon. We sighted the first individual (Figure 1) on the November 21, 2022, at Waita Amazon Lodge, located along the middle of the Cuyabeno River course (00°12’17” S, 75°55’31” W, 205 m a.s.l.); the specimen was observed while it was feeding in a tree together with 12 other individuals. The second record occurred on November 26, 2022, at the mouth of the Aguas Negras river in Cuyabeno (00°04’55” S, 76°09’09” W, 220 m a.s.l.), 29 km NW in a straight line from the previous record; the primate with leucism (not photographed) was moving through the forest along with other five individuals. Leontocebus nigricollis graellsi is a species with a blackish brown coloration (Tirira, 2017); therefore, the two individuals with leucism that we report here were clearly observed by presenting white areas on their bellies. L. n. graellsi is one of the three species of tamarins that inhabit Ecuador; it is present in the northeastern Amazon, north of the Napo River (Tirira, 2017). According to the scientific literature, leucism in monkeys may be caused by two processes: inbreeding because of isolated populations (Aximoff et al., 2020; Aximoff & Vaz, 2016; do Vale et al., 2018; Guzmán Caro et al., 2018; López-Platas et al., 2021), environmental pressure caused by pollution, or the interaction of both (Barros-Diaz et al., 2022), conditions that we believe do not correspond to the records presented here. L. n. graellsi is a species frequently sighted in the Cuyabeno Reserve, which means that its population is large. In addition, this protected area is one of the largest in Ecuador (5,901 km2) (MAE, 2014) and its relative distance from areas of contamination suggests that the area remains largely pristine. It has also been indicated that individuals with leucism have a negative survival outlook (Parsons & Bonderup-Nielsen, 1995; Rodrigues et al., 1999), especially in species with diurnal habits, since they can be sighted by their predators with greater ease (Geiger & Pacheco, 2014). These arguments indicate the need to continue reporting observed cases of leucism so that we can understand the origin of this genetic anomaly and the consequences for the individuals with leucism.

Climate change negatively affects Amazonian social wasps

Abstract The impact of climate change is intensifying in Amazonia through, among other causes, the higher frequency of both severe droughts and floods due to El Niño and La Niña events as well as an Atlantic influence. Over a 25-year period (1997–2021) we examined in French Guiana the impact of different climatic parameters on the most frequent social wasp, Polybia bistriata (Polistinae). As it commonly nests on Clusia grandiflora (Clusiaceae), its nests are easily found. Heavy rainfall, particularly during the 1999–2000 La Niña episode, negatively affected this social wasp species as the percentage of Clusia sheltering an active P. bistriata nest decreased from ≈ 40% during the pre-2000 period to zero in 2021. We conclude that extreme wet seasons related to climate change translated into the decline of this species and likely were detrimental to many other polistine wasps of north-eastern Amazonia.

Investigating Changes Driving Cumulative Impacts on Native Vegetation in Mining Regions in the Northeastern Brazilian Amazon

Developing conservation strategies to mitigate cumulative impacts requires the understanding of historic land use and land cover changes at the regional scale. By using a multisensory and multitemporal approach, we identified the major changes driving cumulative impacts on native vegetation in northeastern Amazon. Comparing two regions, one with mining as the key driver and another where mining is associated with other industrial activities (cellulose), we explore the land use and land cover historic dynamics and derive implications for the assessment of cumulative impacts. Transitions of forest cover to pastureland, silviculture, and urban expansion were mapped in detail over a 20-year period, revealing that silviculture growth cleared more forests than pastureland expansion when associated with pulp mill activities and kaolin mining. In contrast, in a region with gold and iron mining, pastureland expansion was more relevant, clearing mainly areas surrounding new roads. This research shows that the interplay of major mining and industrial investments can produce cumulative losses of native vegetation, depending on the associated industries and infrastructure required for the project development. Our findings emphasize that the definition of spatial and temporal boundaries for the assessment of cumulative impacts must consider different trends in impact accumulation and changes in their spatial distribution over time.

Fire propensity in Amazon savannas and rainforest and effects under future climate change

Background Fire dynamics in the Amazon, while not fully understood, are central to designing fire management strategies and providing a baseline for projecting the effects of climate change. Aims The study investigates the recent fire probabilities in the northeastern Amazon and project future ‘fire niches’ under global warming scenarios, allowing the evaluation of drivers and areas of greatest susceptibility. Methods Using the maximum entropy method, we combined a complex set of predictors with fire occurrences detected during 2000–2020. We estimated changes in fire patterns in the near (2020–2040) and distant (2080–2100) future, under two contrasting scenarios of shared socioeconomic pathways. Key results Based on current conditions, the spatial fire pattern is affected by farming activities and fire is more common in savannas than in forests. Over long time scales, changes toward a warmer and drier climate, independent of land cover change, are expected to create conditions more conducive to burning. Conclusion and implications Our study helps in understanding the multiple ecological and human interactions that result in different fire regimes in the Amazon. Future efforts can improve outcomes through more complex models that couple predictions of land use and land cover changes, shifts in vegetation resulting from climate change and fires, and fuel dynamics.

Identity of Gymnophthalmus (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from northeastern Amazonia with evidence for G. underwoodi as invasive in Belém

ABSTRACT We report the occurrence of the lizard Gymnophthalmus underwoodi in the municipality of Belém, state of Pará, Brazil. This is the first record of that species south of the Amazonas River, probably because of an accidental introduction by ships that dock in Belém, the same pathway suggested for the recent introduction of another species of exotic lizard recently recorded in the city. We also determined the identity of some specimens of Gymnophthalmus from the states of Amapá and Pará through external morphology and molecular data, confirming that, until now, G. vanzoi is the only Gymnophthalmus occurring in the savanna enclaves of those states. Finally, we provide a new distribution map for the species of Gymnophthalmus, including the new occurrence record for G. underwoodi for the state of Pará, where it can be considered as an invasive species.

Environmental heterogeneity and water availability shape the structure of phyllostomid bat assemblages (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the northeastern Amazon forest

The relationship between environmental heterogeneity and species diversity has been one of the most studied patterns in ecology. However, some taxa and regions worldwide still lack studies to verify this relationship. Phyllostomidae is the most ecologically diverse family of mammals worldwide, encompassing a great proportion of the species of mammals and bats across the Amazon forest. Even though the Amazon seems to be a homogeneous landscape with an unlimited supply of water, it presents a high variation in vegetation types and proximity to large bodies of water. In our study, we have analyzed the relationship between environmental heterogeneity and proximity to large bodies of water in the structure of phyllostomid assemblages (Chao-estimated species richness and capture rates). We have found that an increase in landscape heterogeneity associated with large bodies of water and representative flooded forest increase species richness. In addition, more heterogeneous landscapes in the presence of water have presented a higher abundance of bats. Our findings might be related with the small niche widths of phyllostomids, which could have promoted specialization in some landscape features, while the presence of water could have promoted an increase in food availability (insects and fruits), leading to an increase in phyllostomid richness and abundance. This is important information for planning where to place protected areas in the northeastern portion of the Amazon, while taking into account the consequences of drought and deforestation close to water bodies on the local phyllostomid fauna, and the maintenance of the ecosystem services provided by a higher bat diversity.

La radio indígena ante la pandemia de la Covid-19 en la Amazonía peruana. El caso de Radio Ucamara (Nauta, Loreto, Perú)

The indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon region have been harshly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically after its arrival, different initiatives arose to provide adequate information in indigenous languages, as well as other directed to help alleviate and reduce the effects of the pandemic. In this article we analyze a project implemented to deal with COVID-19 pandemic and with other sanitary emergencies in general. This project was designed together with the team of indigenous and non-indigenous communicators in Radio Ucamara radio project, located in the city of Nauta (Loreto region), in the northeastern Amazon of Peru. The main objective of this project was to use the radio a communication hub that could allow the flow of information on health issues from the indigenous communities to the regional authorities, and vice versa, in such a way that it could promote timely and culturally relevant primary health interventions.

Cytogenetics of Strumigenys louisianae Roger, 1863 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) from North-eastern Amazonia shed light on a difficult species complex

Cytogenetic techniques provide powerful insights on species-rich taxa–such as ants–allowing better understanding of their biodiversity. Some hints on evolutionary paths can be observed through comparative populational cytogenetics among different ant groups. In this study, the karyotype of Strumigenys louisianae Roger from the Amazon rainforest is described and showed diploid chromosome number of 26 chromosomes. This configuration intriguingly contrasts with the already described karyotype for this species from the Atlantic rainforest with only 2n = 4 chromosomes. 18S rDNA site were detected on the pericentromeric region of the long arm of a metacentric pair and co-localizing with GC-rich chromatin. Recurrent synonymizations of S. louisianae may not reflect the species status of this taxon. The karyotypic differences and the observable morphological variation between the populations of both localities corroborates the idea of a species complex within S. louisianae. The morphology of S. louisianae from the Amazonian region is similar to that from the United States, the type locality. On the other hand, specimens from the Atlantic rainforest are more similar to the junior synonym Strumigenys unidentata Mayr. This study reinforces the need of taxonomical revision in S. louisianae by means of integrative taxonomy approaches.

Unveiling the Conservation Status of Inia and Sotalia in the Brazilian Northeastern Amazon

Unveiling the Conservation Status of Inia and Sotalia in the Brazilian Northeastern Amazon

Influence of ENSO and tropical Atlantic climate variability on flood characteristics in the Amazon basin

Abstract. Flooding in the Amazon basin is frequently attributed to modes of large-scale climate variability, but little attention is paid to how these modes influence the timing and duration of floods despite their importance to early warning systems and the significant impacts that these flood characteristics can have on communities. In this study, river discharge data from the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS 2.1) and observed data at 58 gauging stations are used to examine whether positive or negative phases of several Pacific and Atlantic indices significantly alter the characteristics of river flows throughout the Amazon basin (1979–2015). Results show significant changes in both flood magnitude and duration, particularly in the north-eastern Amazon for negative El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases when the sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly is positioned in the central tropical Pacific. This response is not identified for the eastern Pacific index, highlighting how the response can differ between ENSO types. Although flood magnitude and duration were found to be highly correlated, the impacts of large-scale climate variability on these characteristics are non-linear; some increases in annual flood maxima coincide with decreases in flood duration. The impact of flood timing, however, does not follow any notable pattern for all indices analysed. Finally, observed and simulated changes are found to be much more highly correlated for negative ENSO phases compared to the positive phase, meaning that GloFAS struggles to accurately simulate the differences in flood characteristics between El Niño and neutral years. These results have important implications for both the social and physical sectors working towards the improvement of early warning action systems for floods.

Reorienting the West African craton in Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Nuna

Abstract The location of the West African craton (WAC) has been poorly constrained in the Paleoproterozoic–Mesoproterozoic supercontinent Nuna (also known as Columbia). Previous Nuna reconstruction models suggested that the WAC was connected to Amazonia in a way similar to their relative position in Gondwana. By an integrated paleomagnetic and geochronological study of the Proterozoic mafic dikes in the Anti-Atlas Belt, Morocco, we provide two reliable paleomagnetic poles to test this connection. Incorporating our new poles with quality-filtered poles from the neighboring cratons of the WAC, we propose an inverted WAC-Amazonia connection, with the northern WAC attached to northeastern Amazonia, as well as a refined configuration of Nuna. Global large igneous province records also conform to our new reconstruction. The inverted WAC-Amazonia connection suggests a substantial change in their relative orientation from Nuna to Gondwana, providing an additional example of large-magnitude cumulative azimuthal rotations between adjacent continental blocks over supercontinental cycles.