Small Fauna Research Articles

On the hydrothermal nature of cherts in the Artinskian stage deposits of the Cis-Urals

Relevance. The results of paleontological, geophysical, and mineragraphic studies of flints in Artinskian stage deposits in the Cis-Urals are presented. Purpose of the work. Reef organogenic structures with silicified limestones and flints, silicified sandstones and injections of flints into them have been studied. The goal is to show the hydrothermal nature of chert injections into reefs and sandstones. Research methods. Geophysical electrical prospecting studies of reef limestones with the aim of identifying areas of silicification, geological and paleontological mapping of reefs, biostromes, bioherms, sandstones, areas of accumulation of nodules and flint nodules, study of polished sections of silicified rocks, production of thin sections and their mineragraphic study. Results of the work. Paleontological mapping of the reef structure made it possible to establish the different species composition, size, and preservation of biota in the coastal, summit and outer parts of the reef. Mineragraphic studies have established the high-temperature hydrothermal nature of chert in all types of sediments. Hydrothermal injections of chert into sandstone layers occur by diffusion with the formation of siliceous nodules and Lysigang rings in sandstones. Intensive penetration of silicon hydrotherms into sandstone layers forms areas of silicification in them in the form of laccoliths tens of meters in size. Various degrees of development of flint hydrotherms by marine fauna have been established. Flints may include small specimens of small fauna, be rich in well-preserved fauna, or include layers of biota overlain by layers of flints covered with new colonies of microorganisms. Sometimes cherts contain only fragments of faunal shells caught in the hot gel of cherts. Conclusions. Hydrotherms of siliceous composition in loose marine sediments could be a condition for the development of biota and the basis for reef structures. Increased values of electrical resistivity of flints and silicified limestones allow electrical prospecting to explore the internal structure of reefs. It has been suggested that in the Carboniferous and Early Permian in the Cis-Urals there was a hydrothermal belt extending from Kungur to Sterlitamak.

Sowing wildflower meadows in Mediterranean peri-urban green areas to promote grassland diversity

IntroductionThe increase of urban areas and their infrastructure network is homogenizing the landscape and threatening biodiversity and ecosystems functions and services. Wildflower meadows have a high biodiversity value and can prosper in degraded areas dominated by nitrophilous species, making them suitable to be used in peri-urban and urban areas to promote local flora, create habitat for pollinators and other small fauna, and increase overall biodiversity. Moreover, the application of wildflowers seed mixes suitable for rehabilitating anthropized environments should be restricted to native species of regional origin, and the results properly monitored. However, thorough monitoring of seed mixes evolution is uncommon. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a seed mix of wild native species developed to promote grassland diversity in Mediterranean peri-urban areas.MethodsThe study was divided into two sequential phases. Firstly, a preparatory phase consisted in developing two seed mixes and sowing them (autumn 2016) in ex-situ plots (three plots of 5 × 2 m2 per mix) at an experimental field to choose the one with the best performance. The second phase consisted of the in-situ application (autumn 2018) of the chosen seed mix by sowing 14 plots (10 × 2 m2) in pocket parks distributed along pedestrian trails of South Portugal. All plots were monitored through floristic surveys for two springs (ex-situ trials: 2017 and 2018; in-situ trials: 2019 and 2020).ResultsAll sowed species germinated in the in-situ plots over the first 2 years. The seed mix application positively contributed to the floristic community, generating a significant increase in the total species richness, diversity, evenness, and vegetation cover. The seed mix establishment did not require watering nor soil fertilizing and the mowing frequency was low (once in late spring), contributing to sustainable and low-cost management of these green areas.DiscussionThe tested seed mix promoted native flora diversity rapidly and seems suitable for use in peri-urban context under identical climate conditions. Given the small number of native seed mixes tested in the Mediterranean, this study represents a contribution toward improved management standards of native flora diversity in Mediterranean green urban and peri-urban areas.

Human occupational intensity and palaeoecology at Klasies River from MIS 5–3: Preliminary taphonomic analyses of faunal remains from the Deacon and Wurz excavations

Klasies River is a key site in understanding the behaviour of coastal foragers in the southern Cape of South Africa. Faunal remains from Klasies River, recovered from an almost 70,000 year sequence over the Late Pleistocene, are a valuable dataset in investigating subsistence and occupational dynamics, yet few taphonomic studies have been conducted on the fauna from Klasies River. Here, the first taphonomic analyses of faunal remains from the Deacon and Wurz excavation is presented. The aim of this paper is to link occupational patterns during the Late Pleistocene at Klasies River with coastal ecology using taxonomic data from previous studies, and recently analysed taphonomic data. Taphonomic analyses of samples from the MSA II Lower, the Howiesons Poort and the MSA III periods were used to examine occupational intensity based on proportions of anthropogenic and zoogenic bone surface modification, trampling marks, transverse fractures and faunal density. Declining foraging efficiency or subsistence intensification was also investigated using indicators for expanded diet breadth (e.g., small fauna exploitation and increases in juveniles), more intensive marrow extraction and evidence for greater foraging distances. Herbivore functional types and dietary preferences were examined using taxonomic data and these show three main ecological phases at Klasies River: the MSA I; the upper and lower MSA II; and the HP and MSA III phases. Taphonomic data show increased occupational intensity in the MSA II Lower, with subsistence intensification also more evident here than other layers. Trampling data suggests that occupational intensity was greater in the earlier Howiesons Poort than later phase with little evidence of declining foraging efficiency then. The data indicate that, while humans contributed significantly to the MSA III assemblage, carnivores were the main accumulators here suggesting lower occupational intensity in this phase. The results of this study shows a possible link between increased occupational intensity and declining foraging efficiency at Klasies River but larger taphonomic samples are needed to explore this relationship further.

Higher Plant Conservation Across a Gradient of Increasing Agroecosystems Management Intensity in Western Ethiopia

Human mismanagement of natural forests caused the great loss of ecosystem services because of conversion into modified landscapes. On the other hand, agroecosystems are playing vital role in terms of retaining and conserving certain perennial plants in addition to the small fauna. The main objective of this study is to assess the diversity of woody species and vegetation structure in three coffee systems across an increasing farmers’ management intensity in selected research areas of Western Wollega, Ethiopia. A total of 72 samples (24 per each management systems) were purposively selected from three districts based on the dominant coffee production system and the level of coffee production, which supposed to affect the diversity of tree species for collecting data on woody species. Plant specimens were collected following standard herbarium technique and identified in the field and at national herbarium. A total of 50 woody species were identified. The nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination and Sorensen distance-based ordination demonstrated that plots of the same coffee system were almost maintained similar species composition and abundance. Diversity of woody species was significantly different among the coffee management systems (P <.0001). Similarly, some of the structural parameters like density, basal area, and shade significantly reduced along the increased coffee management intensity. The study found evidence that the intensification of coffee management was not always the source of biodiversity loss; rather, it is an opportunity for conservation of the locally threatened higher plants. Incorporation of coffee shrubs in the degraded lands or remnant forest patches, integrating coffee in the massive afforestation can be used as an alternative strategy for overstorey plant conservation.

Holistic description of new deep sea megafauna (Cephalopoda: Cirrata) using a minimally invasive approach

BackgroundIn zoology, species descriptions conventionally rely on invasive morphological techniques, frequently leading to damage of the specimens and thus only a partial understanding of their structural complexity. More recently, non-destructive imaging techniques have successfully been used to describe smaller fauna, but this approach has so far not been applied to identify or describe larger animal species. Here, we present a combination of entirely non-invasive as well as minimally invasive methods that permit taxonomic descriptions of large zoological specimens in a more comprehensive manner.ResultsUsing the single available representative of an allegedly novel species of deep-sea cephalopod (Mollusca: Cephalopoda), digital photography, standardized external measurements, high-field magnetic resonance imaging, micro-computed tomography, and DNA barcoding were combined to gather all morphological and molecular characters relevant for a full species description. The results show that this specimen belongs to the cirrate octopod (Octopoda: Cirrata) genus Grimpoteuthis Robson, 1932. Based on the number of suckers, position of web nodules, cirrus length, presence of a radula, and various shell characters, the specimen is designated as the holotype of a new species of dumbo octopus, G. imperator sp. nov. The digital nature of the acquired data permits a seamless online deposition of raw as well as derived morphological and molecular datasets in publicly accessible repositories.ConclusionsUsing high-resolution, non-invasive imaging systems intended for the analysis of larger biological objects, all external as well as internal morphological character states relevant for the identification of a new megafaunal species were obtained. Potentially harmful effects on this unique deep-sea cephalopod specimen were avoided by scanning the fixed animal without admixture of a contrast agent. Additional support for the taxonomic placement of the new dumbo octopus species was obtained through DNA barcoding, further underlining the importance of combining morphological and molecular datasets for a holistic description of zoological specimens.

First genetic identification of Sundevall’s jird Meriones crassus (Rodentia, Muridae) in Morocco and the hypothesis of range extension

Rodents from the subfamily Gerbillinae Gray, 1825, are an important component of small fauna in arid and desertic regions in Africa and Asia. Among this group of rodents, Sundevall’s jird, Meriones crassus, is one of the most widespread desert species, found in countries ranging from Morocco to Pakistan. In this study, we sequenced the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial DNA in two specimens captured in Morocco, constituting the first genetic identification for this species in the African continent. Molecular identification was complemented and supported with morphological evidence. Additionally, we propose the hypothesis of a northward extension of 250 km of the geographic distribution of Sundevall’s jird in Morocco, perhaps indicating the increasing desertification affecting North Africa. Further evidence will be required to test the latter hypothesis. Dataset published through Zenodo (Doi: 10.5281/zenodo.4674889)

Late Pleistocene biota from Pubenza, Colombia; turtles, mammals, birds, invertebrates and plant remains

ABSTRACTPubenza is a remarkable palaeontological site of Colombia, and a place that could hold some of the potentially oldest evidence of humans in northern South America. Previous palaeontological research at this site has mainly focused on the megafauna. Here we describe and establish the systematic palaeontology for the small fauna that inhabited this ancient lacustrine ecosystem, including the first report of birds, tortoises and vipers for the Late Pleistocene in Colombia. Furthermore, exceptionally well preserved fossilised wasp nests are morphologically and elementally characterised, which is the first report of an ichnofossil of this kind in northern South America. In addition, new material of kinosternid turtles, armadillos and rodents is also described. Our results reveal that the Bogotá River Basin, where Pubenza is located, was a rich ecosystem during the Late Pleistocene and a region of great interest for future articulated palaeontological and archaeological studies.

New rodents from the late Oligocene site of Gözükızıllı in Anatolia (Turkey)

ABSTRACT The Oligocene rodent assemblage from Gözükızıllı (Anatolia, Turkey) is described. The assemblage is relatively small, but it contains the new large and hypsodont baluchimyine Daxneria fragilis nov. gen. nov. sp. In addition, the ctenodactyline Sayimys, two new species of Eucricetodon: E. ruber nov. sp. and E. oculatus nov. sp. are present. Rare are the glirids Bransatoglis and Peridyromys/Microdyromys and a dipodid that could not be classified. The assemblage contains Asian and some European elements and is dated as early part of the late Oligocene (29–26 Ma). The small fauna from Gözükızıllı is important because only a few Paleogene rodent faunas are known from Asia Minor.

НОВЫЕ РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ЛИТОЛОГО-ФАЦИАЛЬНОГО И БИОСТРАТИГРАФИЧЕСКОГО ИЗУЧЕНИЯ ОСИНСКОГО ГОРИЗОНТА НИЖНЕГО КЕМБРИЯ ЮГА СИБИРСКОЙ ПЛАТФОРМЫ (БОЛЬШЕТИРСКАЯ СКВ. 7)

The section of the Osa Subformation of the Usolka Formation of the Lower Cambrian Tommotian stage penetrated by the Bolshetirskaya 7 well in the south of the Nepa-Botuoba anteclise has been studied. As a result of lithological-facies investigations, seven lithological types of rocks were identified, they are regularly replaced by each other along the section. Facies environments of the reef complex were dеtected: bar bank, rear part of the reef, organogenic bioherm bildup, reef rear bars, reef buildup, core of reef buildup. In the section of the subformation, three fourth-order sequences are identified. The sequence boundaries are fixed by subaerial hiatuses represented in the core by sedimentation breccias, karst zones. The largest lowering of sea level, in terms of amplitude and duration, is confined to the border of the second and third sequences. The conducted biostratigraphic analysis confirms the Lower Cambrian age. Remains of calcareous algae Renalcis polymorphum, R. gelatinosum, R. granosum, Botomaella zelenovi were found. Small shell fauna of the genus of Namacalathus Grotzinger, Watt ers et Knoll. also was found. It has global distribution in the Lower Vendian (Ediacaran) deposits in Namibia, Brazil, Canada, Oman, Spain, China, Russia, etc.

Spatial variation in the effects of predator exclusion on epifaunal community development in seagrass beds

Biotic interactions have critical effects on the structure of ecological communities, and the variation in the strength of these interactions over space and time contributes to biogeographic variation in communities. Predation shapes community composition in a variety of habitats, although there have been comparatively few experimental studies of these effects across latitudinal scales. We tested the impact of predator exclusion on the development of epifaunal communities across 3 sites (Florida [USA], Belize, and Panama) in seagrass habitats dominated by Thalassia testudinum using caged and uncaged settlement panels. We found that predators altered composition and slowed development of epifaunal communities. The nature and magnitude of these effects, however, were complex, site-dependent, and tightly coupled to community development. Fast-growing, soft-bodied species dominated space when predators were excluded, while more resistant calcifying species were dominant in communities exposed to predators. In Panama, non-native ascidians dominated communities in cages, while ascidians were consumed when exposed to predators, indicating the importance of biotic resistance at that site. Predators also reduced the abundance of associated small mobile fauna, and the positive correlation between mobile faunal abundances and sessile biomass in our study suggests a potential indirect effect of predator-mediated habitat modification. Overall, prey characteristics were important in explaining the site-specific effects of predators on communities, indicating that taxonomic resolution can influence the results of multi-regional studies examining the mechanisms affecting community structure.

Middle Cambrian trilobites (Miaolingian, Ehmaniella Biozone) from the Telt Bugt Formation of Daugaard-Jensen Land, western North Greenland

A small fauna of middle Cambrian trilobites is described from the upper Telt Bugt Formation of Daugaard-Jensen Land, western North Greenland, and the formation is formally defined. Blainiopsis holtedahli and Blainiopsis benthami, originally described from the equivalent Cape Wood Formation of Bache Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada, are documented in an assemblage assigned to the Ehmaniella Biozone (Topazan Stage of North American usage), Miaolingian Series, Wuliuan Stage, of the international standard. Two new species are proposed: Ehmaniella sermersuaqensis and Clappaspis tupeq.

Pleistocene mammals from Extinction Cave, Belize

A small mammalian fauna is recorded from Extinction Cave (also called Sibun Cave), east of Belmopan, on the Sibun River, Belize, Central America. The animals recognized are armadillo (†Dasypus bellus), American lion (†Panthera atrox), jaguar (Panthera onca), puma or mountain lion (Puma concolor), Florida spectacled bear (†Tremarctos floridanus), javelina or collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), llama (Camelidae indet., †?Palaeolama mirifica), red brocket deer (Mazama americana), bison (Bison sp.) and Mexican half-ass (†Equus conversidens); sabre-toothed cat (†Smilodon fatalis) may also be represented. “†” indicates an extinct taxon. Bear and bison are absent from the region today. The bison record is one of the more southerly known. The bear record is almost the most westerly known and a first for Central America.

Ultrasonic device effectiveness in keeping rodents off the road

Finding achievable ways to reduce roads’ impacts on wildlife is a conservation priority. Road verges may be important refuges for small fauna, making them good hunting sites for predators. These make both prey and predators vulnerable to vehicle collisions. Thus, actions aiming to dissuade these animals from approaching roads are needed. Here we tested the effectiveness of ultrasonic devices to keep rodents away from the road verges. We hypothesised that exposing rodents to ultrasounds will cause them to stay away from the device and, consequently, from the road. We sampled rodents before and after the devices were switched on. Our results showed a reduction in animal activity after 10 days with the devices on. The next step is to analyse if this behaviour translates in a reduction of wildlife-vehicle collisions of rodents and their predators.

Paleobiogeographical inferences of Indian Late Cretaceous vertebrates with special reference to dinosaurs

ABSTRACT The Infra- and Intertrappean deposits have yielded diverse vertebrates, especially dinosaurs, mammals, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, and invertebrates. The biotic assemblages demonstrate a remarkable degree of resemblance between these deposits. The palaeobiogeographical affinities of the paleobiota are more intricate, yielding remains of Gondwanan and Laurasian affinities, and some endemic forms. In order to explain the presence of such a complex biota during the northward drift of the Indian plate (Late Cretaceous period), different palaeobiogeographical models have been proposed. Special emphasis has been given in this paper to the palaeobiogeographical implications of Indian Late Cretaceous dinosaurs. The size of the animal played an essential role in determining the nature of the biotic interchange between India and its nearby landmasses. The faunal exchange between India and Asia through the Kohistan Dras volcanic arc system has been considered as the superlative migratory route, which favoured the small fauna during trans-maritime dispersal. Conversely, it was difficult for small animals to cross huge marine boundaries, other than for the very large vertebrates (especially dinosaurs). Consequently, a straight terrestrial course, especially in the northern India, is a lesser probability, and the dispersal of these huge vertebrates ought to be seen as part of a ‘Pan Gondwanan’ model.

Měkkýší fauna (Gastropoda, Bivalvia) z lokality Mušlov (vídeňská pánev)

The Mušlov locality is situated 3.5 km ESE from the town of Mikulov and it is a part of the Vienna Basin. On the locality a profile rich in shallow-water middle Miocene (Badenian) fauna was uncovered. Its substantial part was deposited in fine-grained calcareous sand, to a lesser extent the fauna also occurred in pebbles and blocks of gray algal limestones. Mainly stone cores with calcareous and degrading shells were found in the limestones, while in the calcareous sands the fossils were well preserved. A rich set of small fauna from fine-grained sand was obtained by washing of samples. There have been determined 73 species of Gastropoda and 25 species of Bivalvia. The most abundant species of gastropods are Tricolia eichwaldi, Rissoina podolica, Bittium reticulatum, Gibbula aff . umbilicalis, Jujubinus striatus, Neritina picta and Turritella bicarinata. Among bivalves the most abundand species are Cardites partschi partschi and Linga columbella. Quantity and degree of conservation of fauna indicate minimal transport and slow sedimentation on the sea floor. Based on the found species, the fauna was mainly bound to a fine-grained substrate but there were also species that preferred the solid substrate. The abundant occurrence living on algal species is evidenced by their rich stands. The fauna lived in the shallow sea with a good oxygenation and a normal salinity. The occurrence of some species documents a warm sea between 20–28 °C.

Small carnivoran fauna of the Mascall Formation, Crooked River Basin, central Oregon

ABSTRACTThe Hemingfordian North American Land Mammal Age is a poorly known time period, although recently discovered sites in central Oregon have begun to cast light on a diverse mammalian fauna. Here, we describe four small carnivorans new to this region, one of which is a new species. Cryptailurus tinaynakti, sp. nov., is a hypercarnivorous feliform. UOMNH F-70218 is the dp4 of a diminutive mustelid similar in morphology to that of extant martens, but likely of a new species based upon discussed patterns in mustelid deciduous dentition. The occurrence of two additional species, Leptocyon leidyi and Bassariscus antiquus, increases both their geographic and temporal ranges. The early to middle Miocene was a time of transition from sparse woodland to grassland ecosystems in much of North America. The Hemingfordian fauna of the Pacific Northwest inhabited a diverse wet woodland ecosystem, surprisingly rich in carnivorans. With the description of these additional small taxa, we can now get a clearer picture of what must have been a diverse assemblage of mammals with a variety of ecological roles in an undersampled period of time.

Upper Valanginian to Lower Hauterivian coral faunas from the Sierra Larga (Prebetic zone, SE Spain)

From the Upper Valanginian and Lower Hauterivian of the Sierra Larga (Prebetic zone, SE Spain) two small faunas of colonial corals are taxonomically described. The Valanginian fauna encompasses 23 species and the Hauterivian fauna 11 species. The family diversity with 11 families or informal groups is high. Most species-rich are the families Latomeandridae, Microsoleniidae, and Stylinidae. Whereas the Hauterivian fauna contains only few common genera, the Valanginian fauna represents more and more rare genera. The faunas differ in age and facies and represent a low coincidence in their taxonomic composition. The species of both faunas are known from other areas with a range of Oxfordian to Turonian in age, but most species occurred from the Hauterivian to the Lower Aptian. Palaeobiogeographically, both faunas show a relationship with Lower Cretaceous faunas of the Western Hemisphere and nearby located faunas of the Tethys and Boreal. Two genera – Actinastraeopsis and Polyphylloseris – experience a range extension in their first occurrence.

Vertebrate remains from the Insect Limestone (latest Eocene), Isle of Wight, UK

ABSTRACTA small fauna of vertebrates is recorded from the Insect Limestone, Bembridge Marls Member, Bouldnor Formation, late Priabonian, latest Eocene, of the Isle of Wight, UK. The taxa represented are unidentified teleost fishes, lizards including a scincoid, unidentified birds and the theridomyid rodent Isoptychus. The scincoid represents the youngest record of the group in the UK. Of particular note is the taphonomic interpretation based on the preservation of anatomical parts of land-based tetrapods that would have been most likely transported to the site of deposition by wind, namely bird feathers and pieces of shed lizard skin. These comprise the majority of the specimens and suggest that the dominant transport mechanism was wind.

NEW DATA ON THE LATE MIOCENE BRACHIOPOD FAUNA OF TETTI BORELLI (PIEDMONT, N ITALY)

After a small brachiopod fauna was published in 2010 from the Tortonian Sant’Agata Fossili Formation of Tetti Borelli (N Italy), two new and more numerous brachiopod collections turned up from this locality. The Roest Collection in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden, the Netherlands), and the Pavia-Giuntelli Collection in the Department of Earth Sciences of Torino University (Torino, Italy) contain 199 and 131 specimens, respectively. Based on the study of these collections, the Tetti Borelli brachiopod fauna is now much better known and more diverse. Additionally to the previously described six species (Cryptopora lovisati, Eucalathis aff. tauriniensis, Megathiris detruncata, Joania aff. falunica, Megerlia truncata, Lacazella mediterranea), another four taxa have been found (Lingula sp., Terebratulina retusa, Joania cordata, Argyrotheca sp.), and a new Megathyrididae genus and species (Borellithyris gaetanii n. gen. n. sp.) has been discovered. Another new species (Eucalathis giulioi n. sp.) is introduced on the basis of a dorsal valve of the Roest Collection and a previously illustrated ventral valve from the Janssen Collection. This is the sixth known fossil Eucalathis species, most of which are described on the basis of a few specimens. The Tetti Borelli brachiopods are mostly resedimented with different degree of transport, but the minute rhynchonellide Cryptopora seems to be more or less autochthonous.

Predation of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814) on Atlantic herring eggs in the Western Baltic Sea

ABSTRACTThe Ponto-Caspian round goby (Neogobius melanostomus Pallas, 1814) is a prominent invasive species in many European waters. Eggs of the Western Baltic Spring Spawning Atlantic herring might be attractive prey for the invasive round goby during the spawning season. However, investigations of the small fish fauna in an important spawning area of herring, which was characterized by high densities of macrophytes, indicated a spatio-temporal mismatch of round goby and herring spawn in spring, at least on some of the known important spawning beds situated on vegetated sandy bottoms. In contrast, a spatio-temporal overlap between round gobies and herring spawn was observed in a more structured area, characterized with stones, where round gobies’ stomachs were sampled. Further field study results suggest that large round gobies (> 10 cm) do not feed on herring eggs, while smaller round gobies (< 10 cm) do so. To support these results, we conducted laboratory feeding experiments with round gobies. When C. crangon, M. edulis and herring eggs were offered simultaneously, round gobies preferred C. crangon. M. edulis was preferred over herring eggs when C. crangon was absent. The predatory impact of the round goby on herring eggs seems to be of minor importance compared to other species, such as three-spined stickleback or perch. Applying the same data, different food ‘preference indices’ revealed a discrepancy in preference between indices. Therefore, we propose a modified food preference index (mE), taking into account four important parameters and combining benefits of two commonly applied indices.