Paleoecological Interpretations Research Articles

Lower Campanian calcareous nannofossils: Morphometry and palaeoenvironmental implications of the Aspidolithus group (Rhenodanubian Flysch Zone, Austria)

Our calcareous nannofossil study focused on eleven samples from the lower Campanian (UC14a–UC14b) of the Loibichl section, located in the Rhenodanubian Flysch Zone of the Austrian Alps. Relative counts of calcareous nannofossil assemblages were followed by a morphometrical analysis on 1021 specimens belonging to the Aspidolithus genus (Aspidolithus enormis and Aspidolithus parcus). For this analysis, a light microscope was utilized to improve our understanding of the taxonomic concepts of this group during a phase of rapid morphological evolution. The analysis included the maximum length (L), the width of the outer rim versus the small diameter of the central area (b/a), and the number of perforations in the central area. The CaCO3 content and bulk carbonate stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ18O were analysed to facilitate stratigraphic and palaeoecological interpretations. Additionally, this study was to determine whether variations in nannofossil morphometrics were driven by changing palaeoenvironmental conditions. This study identified five morphotypes: A. enormis subsp. 1, A. enormis subsp. 2, A. parcus expansus, A. parcus parcus, and A. parcus constrictus. The morphometric analysis substantiated the differentiation between “small” morphotypes (L < 8.5 μm; A. enormis) and the “large” A. parcus group (L > 8.5 μm). However, the results did not show any significant patterns that would justify a natural separation of the “subspecies” within the A. enormis and A. parcus group. Our statistical analysis suggests that these morphometric changes may be related to various palaeoenvironmental proxies. Further high-resolution morphometric analysis is required to verify the impact of contrasting environmental factors on Aspidolithus-size variation.

A revisit to the Early Pliocene site of Abla (Guadix-Baza Basin, southern Spain)

The Guadix-Baza Basin (southern Spain) displays one of the best continental records from the Late Miocene to the Middle Pleistocene in western Europe, with many localities of fossil small mammals in a quite complete and continuous stratigraphic sequence. The Late Miocene continentalization of the Guadix-Baza Basin was firstly mentioned in the 1980s based on the presumed presence of Hipparion gromovae granatensis at the site of Abla (Almería province). Subsequent discoveries of late Turolian deposits confirmed the Late Miocene continentalization of the basin. The interest in the Abla site led to a second sampling campaign to look for microvertebrate fossils, which proved successful. In this paper, a complete taxonomic study of the novel microvertebrate fauna from Abla is presented, providing updated information on the age of the locality. Representatives of the vertebrate families Cyprinidae, Alytidae, Anguidae, Soricidae, Cricetidae, and Muridae have been identified. The presence of Stephanomys specimens exceeding the size of latest Miocene-earliest Pliocene species allows us to correlate the Abla site with the Early Pliocene (Ruscinian), a younger age than initially stated. A qualitative paleoecological interpretation based on the herpetofauna suggests the dominance of open environments with presence of permanent water bodies during the deposition of the Abla site, under warmer and more humid climate conditions than today in the Guadix-Baza Basin. A revision of the Hipparion remains from this locality showed that the sample is closer to Hipparion fissurae than to the initially assigned species.

A revisit to the Early Pliocene site of Abla (Guadix-Baza Basin, southern Spain)

The Guadix-Baza Basin (southern Spain) displays one of the best continental records from the Late Miocene to the Middle Pleistocene in western Europe, with many localities of fossil small mammals in a quite complete and continuous stratigraphic sequence. The Late Miocene continentalization of the Guadix-Baza Basin was firstly mentioned in the 1980s based on the presumed presence of Hipparion gromovae granatensis at the site of Abla (Almería province). Subsequent discoveries of late Turolian deposits confirmed the Late Miocene continentalization of the basin. The interest in the Abla site led to a second sampling campaign to look for microvertebrate fossils, which proved successful. In this paper, a complete taxonomic study of the novel microvertebrate fauna from Abla is presented, providing updated information on the age of the locality. Representatives of the vertebrate families Cyprinidae, Alytidae, Anguidae, Soricidae, Cricetidae, and Muridae have been identified. The presence of Stephanomys specimens exceeding the size of latest Miocene-earliest Pliocene species allows us to correlate the Abla site with the Early Pliocene (Ruscinian), a younger age than initially stated. A qualitative paleoecological interpretation based on the herpetofauna suggests the dominance of open environments with presence of permanent water bodies during the deposition of the Abla site, under warmer and more humid climate conditions than today in the Guadix-Baza Basin. A revision of the Hipparion remains from this locality showed that the sample is closer to Hipparion fissurae than to the initially assigned species.

Nautilid beaks: unsuspected disparity and palaeoecological interpretation

Nautilid beaks: unsuspected disparity and palaeoecological interpretation

Simulating taphonomic processes on teeth: The impact of sediment pressure and thermal alteration on dental microwear

Dietary reconstructions based on dental microwear methodologies may be limited due to the various taphonomic processes that affect the formation of archaeological deposits. These limitations are primarily affected by two issues: 1) taphonomic alterations occurring over dental microwear patterns which mimic dietary signals and can lead to confusion in quantifying these signals, and 2) the exclusion of teeth due to structural damage caused by taphonomic processes, resulting in a reduction of the sample size. Thus, it is necessary to understand how taphonomic processes impact teeth to avoid biases in dietary reconstructions and improve the validity of their interpretations. Under these considerations, we conducted two experiments: one involving the simulation of sediment pressure, and the other focusing on thermal alterations. A hydraulic press and a muffle furnace were used for these purposes. The results of the experiments allowed us to characterise the alterations produced by abrasion caused by sediment pressure, enabling differentiation from dietary signals (scratches, pits, and gouges) and excluding them from dental microwear analyses. However, the thermal alteration experiment showed that this process does not produce significant effects, and even carbonized teeth retain dental microwear, making them appropriate for dietary reconstructions. Additionally, a comparison of archaeological teeth from level IIIb of Teixoneres Cave (Moià, Barcelona) was conducted, confirming the inferences drawn from the experimental results. This research highlights the importance of conducting such studies to better understand the impact of taphonomic processes on dental microwear, which is crucial for accurate dietary and palaeoecological interpretations.

High-resolution UAV maps of the Gobi Desert provide new insights into the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia

The Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia is home to an incredibly rich record of dinosaurs and other vertebrate fossils from the latest Cretaceous Period. Together, more than a dozen sites in several basins have produced one of the richest palaeofaunas known from this interval anywhere in the world. Most of this diversity has been recovered from the fluvial deposits of the Nemegt Formation. Despite historic and ongoing research in southern Mongolia, accurate maps and geological data for the main fossil sites are still lacking, limiting our ability to investigate how local palaeoecological dynamics influenced Nemegt taxa, their geographic distribution, and their evolutionary patterns. One of these sites, Guriliin Tsav, has produced more than a hundred significant fossil specimens to date, but still remains one of the lesser known Nemegt localities. In part this is because many expeditions have instead focused on the nearby Bügiin Tsav, one of the largest and richest localities for the Nemegt Formation. To address this gap, a project was initiated in 2018 to produce a high-resolution topographic map of Guriliin Tsav using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and consequently, to plot the geographic and stratigraphic distributions of palaeontological resources on this map. In so doing, we also collected stratigraphic and taphonomic data from the area, allowing for the first detailed palaeoecological interpretation of Guriliin Tsav and a comparison with other localities of southern Mongolia. Here we present the results of this project, and also discuss new topographic and stratigraphic data from Bügiin Tsav. This sheds new light into the temporal and geographic distribution of vertebrate taxa in the latest Cretaceous of Mongolia.

A late Oligocene molluscan fauna and Oligocene coastal outcrops from Vilsund, NW Denmark

Abstract: A rich late Oligocene molluscan fauna from a coastal cliff at Vilsund on the island of Mors, Jylland, Denmark, was studied. A summary of the upper Palaeogene sedimentary sequence in NW Jylland is given and lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical correlations are suggested. The molluscan fauna contains 120 species, and the nonmolluscs are briefly mentioned. The new species Mitromorpha (Mitrolumna) danica n. sp. and Cerithiopsis vilsundensis n. sp. are established. Mitromorpha (Mitrolumna) danica n. sp. is the first representative of the gastropod genus Mitromorpha Carpenter, 1865 and subgenus Mitrolumna Bucquoy, Dautzenberg &amp; Dollfus, 1883 from the Cenozoic of Denmark. Eubela (s. lat.) zetes (Kautsky, 1925) represents the oldest record of the genus Eubela Dall, 1889. Andersondrillia Schnetler &amp; Beyer, 1990 is considered to be a junior synonym of Benthomangelia Thiele, 1925. The bivalve genus Cubiostrea Sacco, 1897 is recorded from the upper Oligocene of the North Sea Basin for the first time. In the systematical part, several species are treated, including 16 species which have not been recorded previously from the Danish upper Oligocene; a synopsis of the representatives of the genus Streptodictyon Tembrock, 1961 in the Danish Oligocene is also given. Aphanitoma ingerae Schnetler &amp; Palm, 2008 is transferred to the genus Mitromorpha, subgenus Mitrolumna. The fauna is compared with other Danish and German late Oligocene faunas and palaeoecological interpretations are suggested. As many of the mollusc species have not previously been illustrated from the Dan– ish upper Oligocene, the fauna is extensively illustrated. Dinocyst assemblages have been studied to help date the investigated successions. The assemblages indicate that the glauconitic clay from Vilsund should be assigned to the provisionally named stratigraphical Unit X in Śliwińskaet al. (2012) or the lowermost Brejning Formation. Unit X was previously only known from the interval 61.5–67.5 m in the Harre-1 borehole. Schnetler &amp; Beyer (1990) assigned the glauconitic clay in the coastal cliff at Mogenstrup to the Brejning Formation, but dinocyst studies herein indicate that these strata should be assigned either to Unit X, most likely the upper part, or the lowermost Brejning Formation (see Appendix). This interpretation is supported by the foraminifers and the pectinid species Palliolum hausmanni (Goldfuss, 1835). The occurrence of other nearby outcrops of differing Oligocene ages is demonstrated. The outcrops are described and dated by means of dinocysts and foraminifers and include a section showing a depositional contact between the lowermost Rupelian Viborg Formation and Chattian Branden Clay. The age of the Mogenstrup section is also demonstrated by means of dinocysts.

A palynological atlas of the Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone in northeastern Brazil

Describing the diversity of Brazilian plant species, as well as the wide variety in the associated pollen grains, is crucial to understanding their evolution and ensuring effective conservation. The accurate identification of pollen is key to successful pollen studies and the consistent paleoecological interpretation of past vegetation changes. Pollen analysts usually identify plant taxa from reference collections built from herbaria material. In Brazil, pollen atlases primarily focus on three main vegetation domains, namely, the Amazon Forest, the Atlantic Forest, and the Cerrado, while information about Caatinga pollen taxa is dispersed across multiple studies; this significantly impedes efforts to further develop palynological research. To address this gap, we built a palynological atlas for the state of Piauí which is covered by the biomes Caatinga and Cerrado along with their transitional zones. These domains encompass various vegetation types, including dense shrubland, grassland, palm swamp formation, riverine forest, seasonal deciduous and semi-deciduous forests, as well as valley-side marshes. We collected flower buds from the Herbarium Prisco Bezerra (EAC) at the Federal University of Ceará and extracted the pollen grains for the pollen reference slides. The atlas comprises 398 species from 99 families, with the most represented families being Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Malpighiaceae, and Rubiaceae. Each taxa is presented with a description of the pollen grain, a photo showing polar and equatorial views, and ecological information as life form (liana/scandent/vine, herb, subshrub, shrub or tree), substrate, and vegetation type to support further studies.

African bovid tribe classification using transfer learning and computer vision.

Objective analytical identification methods are still a minority in the praxis of paleobiological sciences. Subjective interpretation of fossils and their modifications remains a nonreplicable expert endeavor. Identification of African bovids is a crucial element in the reconstruction of paleo-landscapes, ungulate paleoecology, and, eventually, hominin adaptation and ecosystemic reconstruction. Recent analytical efforts drawing on Fourier functional analysis and discrimination methods applied to occlusal surfaces of teeth have provided a highly accurate framework to correctly classify African bovid tribes and taxa. Artificial intelligence tools, like computer vision, have also shown their potential to be objectively more accurate in the identification of taphonomic agency than human experts. For this reason, here we implement some of the most successful computer vision methods, using transfer learning and ensemble analysis, to classify bidimensional images of African bovid teeth and show that 92% of the large testing set of images of African bovid tribes analyzed could be correctly classified. This brings an objective tool to paleoecological interpretation, where bovid identification and paleoecological interpretation can be more confidently carried out.

Mandibular anatomy of the paracryptodire Glyptops ornatus supports active hunting behavior in a Jurassic turtle.

The mandible of turtles is rich in osteological characters that are relevant for systematic purposes. Shape variation additionally reflects upon various feeding strategies and are thus informative for the palaeoecological interpretation of extinct species based on fossils. The mandibular anatomy of non-baenid paracryptodires has so far been undescribed. Based on digital segmentation of a computed tomography scan, I herein describe the mandible of the pleurosternid paracryptodire Glyptops ornatus. This taxon has a slender and gracile jaw, with weakly developed muscle attachment sites for adductor muscles (i.e., adductor fossa, coronoid process, and retroarticular process) and strongly reduced triturating ridges. These features are typical for suction-feeding aquatic hunters, thereby contrasting with the robust, durophagous-adapted mandibles of many baenid or compsemydid paracryptodires. In addition, the mandible of G. ornatus is characterized by the presence of a large splenial with a dorsal splenial-dentary contact, the presence of a splenial foramen, and the strong reduction of the foramen dentofaciale majus and the absence of a posterior intermandibular foramen.

The marine fossils and paleoecological significance of the Southern edge of South Sumatra Basin in Linggapura Lampung, Indonesia

The South Sumatra Basin is identified as a Paleogene-Neogene sedimentary basin with Mesozoic basements. It is located in the eastern Barisan Mountains, covering Jambi, South Sumatra, and Linggapura (Lampung), Indonesia. Linggapura represents the southernmost part of the South Sumatra Basin. The basin consists of two well-known rock formations, namely the Talangakar and Baturaja Formations. In this study, we investigated these formations through fossil records and paleoecological interpretations. Our investigation was based on measured stratigraphy and fossil observations along the Way Penandingan River in Linggapura, Lampung. We discovered that the bottom of this area consists of Cretaceous granitoid, which forms a nonconformity with the sedimentary rocks in this area. The Talangakar Formation in this region comprises quartzy-grained sandstone and conglomerates containing fossilized remains of terrestrial plants/vegetation. These plant fossils have undergone coalification, with some being silicified. The Batujara Formation in Linggapura is dominated by bioclasts, primarily consisting of Miocene shoreface-lagoonal larger benthic foraminifera, along with other marine and ichnofossils. Based on our findings, we suggest that the paleoecological condition of this area is associated with shoreline transgression during the Oligo-Miocene period. The hotter Miocene climate contributed to a rise in sea levels, resulting in shoreline transgression. Gradually, the area transformed from a terrestrial environment to a highly bioproductive marine environment, at least from the Late Oligocene to the Early Miocene. This study represents an important milestone in better understanding the paleoenvironmental conditions at the edge of the South Sumatra Basin throughout its geological history.

Palynological investigation of an Upper Triassic sequence in Nanjing area, eastern China, with paleoecological implications

The end-Triassic is characterized by a significant biotic crisis in both marine and terrestrial realms. However, terrestrial records in eastern Tethys are relatively limited, especially in eastern China. The Fanjiatang Formation represents the Upper Triassic sequence in southern Jiangsu and Anhui provinces of eastern China, yielding a rich plant and bivalve fossil record. The present study provides the first detailed palynological investigation for the Upper Triassic of Nanjing area, eastern China. Six of twenty processed palynological samples are productive, and more than 70 terrestrial spore and pollen fossil taxa were identified. A palynological assemblage, namely, the Concavisporites–Dictyophyllidites–Kyrtomisporis–Classopollis Assemblage was established, characterized by abundant fern spores, mainly including Concavisporites, Dictyophyllidites and Kyrtomisporis, and much less abundant gymnosperm pollen grains (important taxa include Alisporites, Chasmatosporites, and Classopollis), indicating a Late Triassic Norian–Rhaetian age. In conjunction with previously reported macro-plant data, the palynofloral analysis reveals a vegetation dominated by ferns, with diverse cycadophytes, less abundant lycophytes, bryophytes, equisetales, ginkgophytes and seed ferns, and a few conifers. Paleovegetation and semiquantitative palynological analysis permit a paleoecological interpretation, suggesting a lowland groundcover-dominated vegetation under (sub)tropical warm and humid climate in Nanjing area during this time interval. More detailed palynological and macro-plant data through the whole Upper Triassic in this region are necessary in the future to better reveal the Late Triassic paleoecological settings and variations on land prior to the end-Triassic mass extinction in eastern Tethys.

What can be gained from studying coprolite taphonomy: the case of Villanueva-1 (Palencia, Spain)

ABSTRACT Coprolites are relatively common trace fossils in Quaternary sites and are used to obtain a variety of information that goes from environment reconstruction to dating sites or recovering DNA among others. However, little attention is given to taphonomic processes undergone by the coprolites that might compromise their validity as sources of information. In this paper, we present the study of the Middle Pleistocene coprolites of Villanueva-1 from a taphonomic point of view and discuss the results of the analyses performed and how the taphonomic alterations identified have an effect on palaeoecological interpretations based on these fossils. Modifications prior to burial may be determined by direct observation of shape, colour, fractures and inclusions. Some diagenetic alterations can also be inferred from colour differences, but mostly require destructive analyses in order to identify the degree of chemical and structural changes that might interfere with content preservation, such as pollen, DNA, or organic carbon for dating purposes.

Oldest evidence of abundant C 4 grasses and habitat heterogeneity in eastern Africa

The assembly of Africa's iconic C4 grassland ecosystems is central to evolutionary interpretations of many mammal lineages, including hominins. C4 grasses are thought to have become ecologically dominant in Africa only after 10 million years ago (Ma). However, paleobotanical records older than 10 Ma are sparse, limiting assessment of the timing and nature of C4 biomass expansion. This study uses a multiproxy design to document vegetation structure from nine Early Miocene mammal site complexes across eastern Africa. Results demonstrate that between ~21 and 16 Ma, C4 grasses were locally abundant, contributing to heterogeneous habitats ranging from forests to wooded grasslands. These data push back the oldest evidence of C4 grass-dominated habitats in Africa-and globally-by more than 10 million years, calling for revised paleoecological interpretations of mammalian evolution.

The interaction between large mammals and Acheulean tools during the Middle Pleistocene in the Manzanares valley (Madrid, Spain): new evidence for Santa Elena and Oxígeno sites

The fluvial deposits of the Manzanares and Jarama rivers present one of the largest concentrations of lithic and faunal remains of Pleistocene sites in Europe. In the Manzanares River close to the confluence of the Jarama River, the stepped terrace system disappears and gives way to the Complex Terrace of Butarque (CTB), where the sites of Santa Elena and Oxígeno are located. Different numerical dates obtained from the visible CTB’s bottom suggest that it was deposited during the MIS 6 or even MIS 7. This paper provides the first taphonomic and palaeoecological interpretation of both collections. A total of 445 fossil elements have been recorded in Oxígeno. The most represented are cranial fragments of Elephas sp. About Santa Elena, 130 fossil elements have been recorded. The best represented are fragments of Bos/Bison sp. horns and Elephas sp. tusks. The taphonomic processes identified at both sites bring to light a complex taphonomic history. The incidence of processes related to fluvial transport is higher in Oxígeno than in Santa Elena. Besides, dismemberment cut marks have been identified exclusively on the humerus of Bos primigenius in Santa Elena. Several tooth marks from carnivores have been recorded: small pits and scores at Oxígeno as well as pits and furrowing on Bos primigenius and Megaloceros sp. bones from Santa Elena. The faunal association depict an open landscape of wet meadows with herbaceous vegetation adjacent to riparian wood habitats associated with the Manzanares alluvial plain, where hominids and predators competed to some unknown extent.

Scrutinizing the paleoecological record of the Maya forest

Human expansion into and occupation of the New World coincided with the great transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene epoch, yet questions remain about how we detect human presence in the paleoecological record. In the Maya area of southern Mesoamerica, archeological evidence of the human imprint is largely invisible until ∼4,000 years ago. How do environmental changes after that time correspond and relate to human impacts? Are the archeological signatures of initial settlements in the Early Preclassic detected? Later, by ∼2,000 years ago when the Maya had fully settled the landscape, how does the evidence of forest compositional changes relate to human intervention? This paper evaluates published paleoecological data in light of the rise of the Maya civilization and reflects on interpretations of how swidden agriculture and the milpa cycle impacted the environment. Evaluating the contrast between the long archeological sequence of successful Maya development and paleoecological interpretations of destructive human-induced environmental impacts requires a concordance among pollen data, archeological evidence, ethnohistoric observations, ethnological studies of traditional Maya land use, and the historical ecology of the Maya forest today.

Tracing ecological fluctuations during the Middle to Late Jurassic of Jhura, Kutch, India, using foraminifera

The aim of this work is to examine ecological patterns by analyzing the distribution of foraminifera in the Jurassic sediments of the Jhura area, Kutch, India. 87 foraminiferal species were recovered, which were analyzed for paleoecological interpretations. Three techniques were employed: 1) Diversity indices, in which four episodes are identified based on different indices values; 2) Clustering and nMDS ordination approaches identify four assemblages of benthic foraminifera, which differ in biotic and abiotic characteristics; 3) Morphogroup analysis, which divides the studied sequence into four paleoecological units. Four depositional episodes are recognized within the studied interval: Episode I (Bajocian to Bathonian), Spirillina polygyrata assemblage shows the calm environment with a high diversity of foraminiferal species and enough nutrients in the outer shelf zone having normal salinity and high level of dissolved oxygen. Episode II (Lower Callovian), Miliammina cf. M. valdensis assemblage occurred in a stressed condition with low diversity of species in a shallower portion of mid-shelf in a hypo-saline environment and reduced oxygen condition having low to average food influx. Episode III (Middle to Upper Callovian), Lenticulina subalata assemblage indicates that this portion deposited in stress-free environmental conditions having normal salinity and well‑oxygenated waters in the deepest section of the outer shelf region with high nutrient supply. Episode IV (Oxfordian), Lenticulina bulla assemblage thrived in hyposaline conditions with low oxygen levels and enough nutrients in the deeper portion of the mid-shelf region. An unstable oceanic shelf is interpreted during the deposition of the examined section because of the fluctuations in all inferred parameters.

Teaching writing skills in online paleontology and evolution courses

Though foundational knowledge and technical skills are frequently and rightfully emphasized in biology curricula, transferrable skills, including writing, are under-prioritized to the detriment of biology graduates and to the scientific field. In an effort to target this gap, we designed assessments in online paleontology and evolution courses to foster critical analysis, synthesis, and written communication skills among students. This article describes model writing assignments for a variety of college courses at different levels and for different audiences. For example, appropriate analysis and comparison of major texts like Darwin’sOn the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selectioncan be approached by students in general education courses as well as upper-level science students within their major. In another assignment, upper-level science students write to assess the effectiveness of novel characters in phylogenetic systematics. Last, we describe an assignment that introduces students to paleoecological interpretation to develop expository writing skills for scientists and non-scientists alike.

Palaeoecological implications of stable isotope analyses of late Valanginian ammonites from central Poland

Analyses of δ18O and δ13C of original shells of late Valanginian (verrucosum to triptychoides ammonite zones) ammonites preserved in clay at localities in central Poland, and of some Berriasian samples from well cores have been carried out for the first time. Analyses of carbon stable isotope composition have revealed diverse values, representing vital effects rather than recording the palaeoenvironment. In turn, analyses of oxygen stable isotope composition in samples from the verrucosum and triptychoides ammonite zones clearly indicates the connection between particular species and stable isotope ratios, and thus palaeotemperature. The interpretation of ammonite palaeoecology in the present paper is based on estimated palaeotemperatures and supports other interpretations of ammonite behaviour, mainly based on functional morphology of shells. There are two main groups of ammonites associated with lower and higher temperatures. The first group of δ18 O values indicates lower palaeotemperatures. Genera analysed include Bochianites, Dichotomites and Prodichotomites; a nekto-benthic (demersal) habitat is suggested for these. The second group, characterised by higher palaeotemperatures, includes Saynoceras, Valanginites and Olcostephanus, with a suggested nektonic (or planktic) habitat (free-floating), Neohoploceras and Neocomites with a suggested nektonic habitat (free-swimming) and a seasonal migration from warmer (Tethys) to cooler waters of the Polish Basin or lived in the Polish Basin for several summer and winter seasons. Co-occurring bivalves, echinoid spines and scaphopods were analysed for comparison with results obtained from ammonites for a better overview of the palaeoenvironment. The estimated palaeotemperatures for the Polish Basin are between 12 and 13 °C (at the sea floor) to 21–24 °C (in the upper water column), while for the Tethys or summer surface waters of the Polish basin, these were in the range of 26–30 °C.

On the Use of Spores of Coprophilous Fungi Preserved in Sediments to Indicate Past Herbivore Presence

Fungal spores that grew on the faeces of herbivores in the past can be extracted from sediments and used to identify the presence of herbivores in former ecosystems. This review: (i) examines the factors that should be considered when interpreting these fungal spores, (ii) assesses the degree to which they can be used to estimate past herbivore populations and biomass density change, and (iii) identifies gaps in our current understanding that limit, or confound, the information that can be extracted from the fungal spore record. We focus on the life cycles of coprophilous fungi and highlight the importance of understanding spore dispersal mechanisms to ensure robust palaeoecological interpretation. We then discuss how variation in methodological approaches across studies and modifications can influence comparability between studies. The key recommendations that emerge relate to: (i) improving our understanding of the relationship between spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) and herbivores through the study of the coprophilous fungi succession; (ii) refining our understanding of how climate and environment parameters effect fungal spore abundance, with particular reference to estimating past herbivore biomass density; and (iii) enhancing sedimentary DNA (SedaDNA) analysis to identify SCF that do not allow preservation in a way that allows visual identification. To further this field of study and provide more robust insights into herbivores in the past, we suggest that additional research is required to help to reduce bias during the preparation process, that concertation metrics are used for the quantification of SCF, and that multiple cores should be taken in each site and multiproxy analysis should be utilised.