Tertiary Origin Research Articles

The evolution of the southern Menderes Massif in SW Turkey as revealed by zircon dating

This geochronological study concentrates on the evolution of the southern part of the Menderes Massif, a metamorphic core complex in W Turkey, by dating single zircons with the Pb–Pb evaporation and the U–Pb methods. We have analysed zircons from granitic augen gneisses of the core as well as from quartzites of the metasedimentary envelope. Zircons from the granitic core gneisses are euhedral with typical igneous morphologies. The single zircon ages of these gneisses indicate a time span for magmatic activity from 520 to 570 Ma with a major event at about 550 Ma. Some gneisses contain older zircons of c. 660 Ma which are interpreted as inherited grains. Zircons from the quartzites are detrital as indicated by their rounded shapes and pitted surfaces. Their ages vary from 526 to 2094 Ma. These data partially coincide with the ages of the gneisses, but also indicate an older source region for the sediments. Neither a Tertiary origin nor metamorphic overgrowth is documented in the Pb ages of the zircons. The results suggest that the southern part of the Menderes Massif developed during a major magmatic episode in latest Proterozoic times, thus suggesting a relation with other Pan-African regions in N Africa.

Systematics, biogeography and host plant associations of the Pseudomyrmex viduus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Triplaris - and Tachigali -inhabiting ants

The Pseudomyrmex viduus group is a Neotropical clade of arboreal ants containing 13 species, of which three are newly described here P. insuavis, P. ultrix, and P. vitabilis. Most species inhabit the domatia of specialized ant-plants. The ants keep brood and scale insects (Coccoidea) in the plant cavities, and defend their nest sites much more aggressively than do generalist species of Pseudomyrmex nesting in dead twigs. Five species are obligate associates of trees in the genus Triplaris (Polygonaceae) and five taxa are restricted to Tachigali (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). One species, P. viduus (F. Smith), is much less host-specific, inhabiting Cordia, Coussapoa, Ocotea, Pseudobombax, Pterocarpus, Sapium, Triplaris and other myrmecophytes. Nothing is known about the biology of P. vitabilis, a close relative of P. viduus. The last member of the species group, P. kuenckeli (Emery), is a non-specialist but aggressive species that nests in dead branches of various plants. A cladistic analysis indicates that this aggressive behaviour evolved before obligate associations with specialized ant-plants, and that the Triplaris andTachigali inhabitants each form their own clade. P. viduus, which is nested within the Triplaris -associated clade, suggests a possible model for host plant evolution in these ants wherein shifts from one ant-plant to another involve an intermediate phase of expanded host plant use. At least nine other Pseudomyrmex species, from two different species groups (not closely related to the P. viduus group), have evolved specialized associations with Triplaris or Tachigali including five new species P. crudelis, P. deminutus, P. eculeus, P. ferox and P. hospitalis. Although the P. viduus group is centred in the Amazon basin, the geographic ranges of most species do not coincide with the Pleistocene forest refugia proposed by Haffer and others. A consideration of the phylogenetic relationships, distribution patterns, and host plant specificity of the ants indicates that much of the diversification of the P. viduus group occurred before the Pleistocene, and that the interactions with Triplaris and Tachigali plants are also of Tertiary origin.

Systematics, biogeography and host plant associations of the Pseudomyrmex viduus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Triplaris- and Tachigali-inhabiting ants

The Pseudomyrmex viduus group is a Neotropical clade of arboreal ants containing 13 species, of which three are newly described here: P. insuavis, P. ultrix, and P. vitabilis. Most species inhabit the domatia of specialized ant-plants. The ants keep brood and scale insects (Coccoidea) in the plant cavities, and defend their nest sites much more aggressively than do generalist species of Pseudomyrmex nesting in dead twigs. Five species are obligate associates of trees in the genus Triplaris (Polygonaceae) and five taxa are restricted to Tachigali (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae). One species, P. viduus (F. Smith), is much less host-specific, inhabiting Cordia, Coussapoa, Ocotea, Pseudobombax, Pterocarpus, Sapium, Triplaris and other myrmecophytes. Nothing is known about the biology of P. vitabilis, a close relative of P. viduus. The last member of the species group, P. kuenckeli (Emery), is a non-specialist but aggressive species that nests in dead branches of various plants. A cladistic analysis indicates that this aggressive behaviour evolved before obligate associations with specialized ant-plants, and that the Triplaris and Tachigali inhabitants each form their own clade. P. viduus, which is nested within the Triplarisassociated clade, suggests a possible model for host plant evolution in these ants wherein shifts from one ant-plant to another involve an intermediate phase of expanded host plant use. At least nine other Pseudomyrmex species, from two diVerent species groups (not closely related to the P. viduus group), have evolved specialized associations with Triplaris or Tachigali including five new species: P. crudelis, P. deminutus, P. eculeus, P. ferox and P. hospitalis. Although the P. viduus group is centred in the Amazon basin, the geographic ranges of most species do not coincide with the Pleistocene forest refugia proposed by HaVer and others. A consideration of the phylogenetic relationships, distribution patterns, and host plant specificity of the ants indicates that much of the diversification of the P. viduus group occurred before the Pleistocene, and that the interactions with Triplaris and Tachigali plants are also of Tertiary origin.

Reconstructing the past of Cryptocercus (Blattaria: Polyphagidae): Phylogenetic Histories and Stories

Recent phylogenetic studies showed that the genus Cryptocercus belongs to the subfamily Polyphaginae. This result is well supported by the total congruence between these analyses which were independently carried out on morphology and on neuropeptides from corpora cardiaca. Other recent studies contradict each other and are based on incorrectly defined characters or inappropriate methodologies. Preconceived ideas concerning Cryptocercus (primitiveness, relict distribution) definitely need to be confronted with facts. Facts indicate that Cryptocercus has a surprisingly high dispersal ability and that its present preferenda and distribution suggest a late Tertiary origin. Speculations about unwarrantedly clock-like evolution and dubious fossil records should not be preferred to both congruent phylogenetic framework and facts.

Fossil gap analysis supports early Tertiary origin of trophically diverse avian orders: Comment and Reply

Fossil gap analysis supports early Tertiary origin of trophically diverse avian orders: Comment and Reply

Reclassification of Actaea to include Cimicifuga and Souliea (Ranunculaceae): phytogeny inferred from morphology, nrDNA ITS, and cpDNA trnL‐F sequence variation

SummaryCompton, J. A., Culham, A. & Jury, S. L.: Reclassification of Actaea to include Cimicifuga and Souliea (Ranunculaceae): phytogeny inferred from morphology, nrDNA ITS, and cpDNA trnL‐F sequence variation. – Taxon 47: 593‐634. 1998. – ISSN 0040‐0262Phylogenetic analyses using parsimony were performed on three independent data sets to test generic relationships between Actaea, Cimicifuga, and Souliea. Analyses of morphology and nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS were performed on 23 species of Cimicifuga, 4 species of Actaea, and the single species of Souliea. Analysis of chloroplast DNA trnL‐F was applied to the same species, less two of Cimicifuga. The outgroup taxa Eranthis and Anemonopsis both resolved outside the ingroup in all parsimony analyses, whereas Souliea resolved within it. Jukes‐Cantor pairwise sequence distances confirm Eranthis and Anemonopsis to be most distant. Souliea distances are comparable with those of taxa within the Actaea‐Cimicifuga assemblage. A strongly supported monophyletic clade including all studied species of Actaea, Cimicifuga, and Souliea was found in all analyses. Evidence presented here allows a broader concept of Actaea to be adopted, reverting to the circumscription of Linnaeus in 1753. Seven sections, based on clades found in the total analysis, could be defined by morphological characters: A. sect. Actaea, sect. Podocarpae, sect. Cimicifuga, sect. Dichanthera, sect. Oligocarpae, sect. Pityrosperma, and sect. Souliea. One species, A. taiwanensis, is newly described and 23 new combinations are made in the ranks of section, species, and variety. Keys are provided to identify taxa at all ranks within the revised circumscription of Actaea. Maps showing the distributions of all seven sections and their constituent species are presented. Phytogeographic patterns suggest a Tertiary origin for the newly redefined genus, with species surviving in refugia during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene.

Fossil gap analysis supports early Tertiary origin of trophically diverse avian orders

Recent molecular studies have cited the general incompleteness of the fossil record to support claims that most extant avian orders diverged in the mid-Cretaceous, some 40 m.y. before their first fossil appearances in the early Cenozoic. To evaluate these assertions, I used gap analysis to estimate confidence intervals for the beginnings of the observed stratigraphic ranges for the related extant avian orders Strigiformes (owls), Caprimulgiformes (goatsuckers), and Apodiformes (swifts, hummingbirds), and for the origin of the common ancestor to this larger megaclade. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals for the origins of these groups extend no more than 2 m.y. before the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary and are contained within the Paleocene for strigiforms, apodiforms, and the common ancestor to the megaclade. The confidence level that these orders diverged from a common ancestor after the K-T boundary exceeds 99%. Thus, the quality of the fossil record is consistent with the classical view that trophically diverse extant bird orders arose and diversified rapidly following the widespread extinction of other terrestrial groups at the K-T boundary.

New Polyploid Cytotypes in Species of Magnolia.

Meiosis in two species of Magnolia from South Indian, namely M. obovata and M. liliflora, has been studied. Meiosis in the former was abnormal due to formation of multivalents (penta-, quadri-and trivalent) along with bivalents and univalents together making up a count of 2n=95, while meiosis in the latter was normal with regular formation of 95 bivalents (2n=190). The findings show that the present materials of the two species are new polyploid cytotypes, M obovata 5x and M liliflora 10x on x=19. The n=95 reported here in M liliflora is the highest chromosome number known in the Magnoliaceae. On the speculation that the x=19 in the Magnoliaceae could be a derived one of tertiary origin, representing a 'paleo 6x' state, the present cytotypes of M obovata and M. liliflora may be reckoned as representing very high 'paleopolyploids'-15x and 30x respectively.

Description of Cryptocercus clevelandi (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae) from the Northwestern United States, Molecular Analysis of Bacterial Symbionts in its Fat Body, and Notes on Biology, Distribution, and Biogeography

Previously published studies on distribution, gut fauna, glandular secretions, karyotypes, 12S and 16S mitochondrial ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence divergence, and reproductive isolation suggest that at least 2 species have been included in the taxon Cryptocercus punctulatus Scudder. Here we present morphological and biological studies of the insects, including 16S rDNA sequence divergence of their bacterial endosymbionts in the fat body. We conclude that the name C. punctulatus should be restricted to populations from the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. Those in southern Washington, Oregon, and northern California in the northwestern United States are a distinct species here assigned to Cryptocercus clevelandi by G. W. Byers. The genus Cryptocercus now consists of 4 species, whose distribution suggests an early Tertiary origin.

Recolonization and development of vegetation on mine spoils following brown coal mining in Lusatia

A survey of primary colonization and succession of vegetation on various deposited substrates, littoral and shallow water areas of mining lakes and residual waters of the Lusatian lignite mining district is presented. Dumped substrates are characterized by a high acid potential which is caused by pyrite and marcasite of Tertiary origin. In the process of pyrite oxidation free mineral acids and large quantities of sulphate and bivalent iron are liberated. Residual waters are characterized by extreme acidity with pH values between 1.9 and 3.1 and by extremely high iron contents. Non-linear positive correlations are demonstrated between pH values and free mineral acids and between pH values and free carbonic acids (CO2) and bivalent iron. In aquatic, semi-aquatic and in terrestrial areas the succession of vegetation can be described by the following five main stages: stage of primary colonization and spontaneous vegetation; stage of monodominant species stands; stage of the formation of vegetation mosaics; stage of the formation of plant associations; final stage of succession.

Enhancement of a Hybrid Petroleum System by Raft Tectonics: Example of Onshore Angola: ABSTRACT

Northern Angola shelf area is part of the western Lower Congo basin. The Pinda formation, containing most of the area oil and gas reserves, belongs to a generally transgressive carbonate sequence with a marked backstripping configuration. Three main sources were identified, the lacustrine Pre-salt Bucomazi formation, largely present in the gas window, the rich marine Upper labe formation (Senonian and Paleocene), and the Tertiary Malembo, of lower quality. Integrated geochemical studies and basin modeling showed an early generation from Pre-salt rocks in the deepest grabens, while generation from the labe and Malembo, and the final mixed charging of traps, is very recent. This hybrid petroleum system is strongly enhanced by salt tectonics. Firstly, a combination of large open windows in the Aptian salt and intense faulting in the updip ends of fault blocks facilitated early vertical migration from the Bucomazi source rock. Secondly, hydrocarbons are trapped in Pinda structures related to early halokinesis due to Aptian salt. These salt movements caused the segmentation of the Pinda platform and the development of allochthonous blocks or rafts. Thirdly, the main reservoir developments of the Pinda formation are related to high energy carbonates accumulated on structural positive features. Fourthly, the respective roles ofmore » vertical and lateral migration are controlled by the degree of separation of the rafts, with more lateral migration taking place in the preraft more {open_quotes}connected{close_quotes} easternmost domain. Finally, hydrocarbons of Tertiary origin are linked to depocenters, where lateral space was created to accommodate the extension.« less

Egg shells in mites: vitelline envelope and chorion in Acaridida (Acari)

This study deals with the formation of vitelline envelope (VE) and chorion compartments in several free living and parasitic acaridid mites. In all investigated mites, the VE is of primary origin (produced by oocyte itself), whereas exochorion material is of tertiary origin (oviduct or chorion gland secretion). In acarid mites Acarus siro and Tyrophagus perniciosus, VE formation starts with the oviductal oocytes in which vitellogenesis already proceeds. It is characterized by stratification (Acarus) or coarse fibrillar texture (Tyrophagus). Oocyte microvilli penetrating VE material were not observed. When the vitellogenesis terminates, VE becomes homogeneous and is transformed into chorion. This is the only layer protecting the deposited egg in A. siro, whereas in T. perniciosus the chorion-coated eggs passing through the distal portion of the oviduct are additionally covered by exochorion material deposited in three distinct forms: dense patches, granules, and most conspicuous locular chambers. In Tyrophagus longior, the egg surface closely resembles that of T. perniciosus, but the locular chambers are smaller. In Aleuroglyphus ovatus the exochorion material forms tiny spherical patches instead of locular chambers. In Sarcoptes scabiei, Notoedres cati and Falculifer rostratus, flocculent VE appears on vitellogenic oocytes in the oviduct. VE development is characterized by formation of numerous lenticular perivitelline spaces, which initially grow to disappear later. Then VE material transforms into fully homogeneous chorion. Chorion glands in Sarcoptes and Notoedres produce multivesicular secretory bodies; their content is released onto the egg surface to form a vesicular monolayer (exochorion) during the egg passage. The chorion gland in Falculifer is composed of two secretory cell types. Its secretion possibly glues the eggs to the host feather barb during highly ordered deposition, and forms the appendage ending with a ribbed plate, here considered to be a print of female undulate lamina acting as an ovipositor. The hatching suture is present. Neither distinct micropyle nor aeropyles have been found in eggs of species under study. The exochorion is proposed to be an adhesive layer which fixes the eggs to the substratum. The same role plays the chorion gland secretion in F. rostratus. It can be argued, however, that locular chambers of Tyrophagus exochorion may participate in reduction of water loss rather than in egg adherence or plastron respiration, as previously suggested in the literature.

Systematics and Biogeography of the Tennessee Shiner, Notropis leuciodus (Cope) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

Samples collected from throughout the range of the Tennessee shiner, Notropis leuciodus, were examined electrophoretically for patterns of variation at 47 presumptive gene loci. Statistically significant genic heterogeneity occurred at 24 of the 30 polyallelic loci. Patterns of allelic variability and phylogenetic relationships within N. leuciodus are consistent with the isolation and divergence of forms endemic to the Green, Cumberland, lower Tennessee, middle Tennessee, Hiwassee, and tributaries of the upper Tennessee rivers exclusive of the Hiwassee River. The oldest divergence in this clade is identified between the Green River and CumberlandTennessee River clades. Within the latter clade, N. leuciodus from the lower Tennessee River constitutes the sister group to a clade inclusive of populations from the middle Tennessee, Hiwassee, and upper Tennessee rivers. Biogeographically, the identified patterns of divergence and genealogical relationships within N. leuciodus are consistent with an early Tertiary origin of the clade in pre-Pleistocene river systems. An alternative, late Tertiary-Pleistocene explanation for diversification in the complex, involving dispersal and isolation with river captures, is provided.

Lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous Source Rocks in Louisiana and Mississippi: Implications to Gulf of Mexico Crude Oil (1)

The Lower Tertiary Sparta Formation, Wilcox Group, and the Midway Group in southern Louisiana include organic-rich source facies that generate crude oil at relatively high thermal maturities. The Wilcox Group is an important source of Wilcox crude oil, and regional kerogen variations explain two crude oil subfamilies. Wilcox crude oils in downdip areas of southern Louisiana migrated short distances, but long-range lateral migration (about 150 km) best explains Wilcox crude oils far updip from mature source rocks. Crude oils in Oligocene and younger reservoirs in southern Louisiana migrated vertically from deep lower Tertiary source rocks. Some crude oils in Upper Cretaceous Tuscaloosa reservoirs were emplaced by long-range lateral migration from Tuscaloosa source rocks. G ven little evidence of upper Tertiary source rocks and the overmaturity problems of Mesozoic source rocks, most crude oils in upper Tertiary and Pleistocene reservoirs of the Gulf continental shelf are best explained by vertical migration from deep lower Tertiary source rocks. Even so, it is simplistic to assume an exclusive lower Tertiary origin. Many Tertiary and Pleistocene crude oils of this study probably include an overprint of high-maturity hydrocarbons from Mesozoic sources.

Fuchsia pollen from the tertiary of Australia

Pollen of Diporites aspis, corresponding to the extant genus Fuchsia, is reported from Late Oligocene to Early Miocene strata in two new localities in Australia. They extend the range of Diporites pollen in Australia from the Otway Basin in Victoria to the Capricorn Basin offshore Queensland, and they bring to six the number of Diporites specimens in Australia, from five different sites. These reports establish the presence of Fuchsia in Australasia from at least the Early Oligocene, when mesic forests were widespread across Australia. Fuchsia reached New Zealand by the Late Oligocene and has survived there until the present, but is not known to have survived in Australia past the late Miocene. These results support the hypothesis of an early Tertiary origin of the genus in southern temperate forests.

Impaired expression of certain prereplicative bacteriophage T4 genes explains impaired T4 DNA synthesis in Escherichia coli rho (nusD) mutants

The Escherichia coli rho 026 mutation that alters the transcription termination protein Rho prevents growth of wild-type bacteriophage T4. Among the consequences of this mutation are delayed and reduced T4 DNA replication. We show that these defects can be explained by defective synthesis of certain T4 replication-recombination proteins. Expression of T4 gene 41 (DNA helicase/primase) is drastically reduced, and expression of T4 genes 43 (DNA polymerase), 30 (DNA ligase), 46 (recombination nuclease), and probably 44 (DNA polymerase-associated ATPase) is reduced to a lesser extent. The compensating T4 mutation goF1 partially restores the synthesis of these proteins and, concomitantly, the synthesis of T4 DNA in the E. coli rho mutant. From analyzing DNA synthesis in wild-type and various multiply mutant T4 strains, we infer that defective or reduced synthesis of these proteins in rho 026-infected cells has several major effects on DNA replication. It impairs lagging-strand synthesis during the primary mode of DNA replication; it delays and depresses recombination-dependent (secondary mode) initiation; and it inhibits the use of tertiary origins. All three T4 genes whose expression is reduced in rho 026 cells and whose upstream sequences are known have a palindrome containing a CUUCGG sequence between the promoter(s) and ribosome-binding site. We speculate that these palindromes might be important for factor-dependent transcription termination-antitermination during normal T4 development. Our results are consistent with previous proposals that the altered Rho factor of rho 026 may cause excessive termination because the transcription complex does not interact normally with a T4 antiterminator encoded by the wild-type goF gene and that the T4 goF1 mutation restores this interaction.

Cyclamen (Primulaceae) in tropical Africa

Cyclamen somalenseThulin & Warfa, spec. nova, the first member of the genus known from tropical Africa, is described from the Al Miskat Mts in NE. Somalia. The new species is closely related to the E. MediterraneanC. persicumMill. The disjunct Mediterranean element in the mountain flora of northern Somalia, to whichC. somalense belongs, is believed to be largely a relict of Tertiary origin.

Tertiary initiation of replication in bacteriophage T4. Deletion of the overlapping uvsY promoter/replication origin from the phage genome.

Tertiary initiation of bacteriophage T4 DNA replication is resistant to the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampicin and apparently involved in the activity of recombination hot spots in the T4 genome (Kreuzer, K. N., and Alberts, B. M. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 82, 3345-3349). One of the origins that function by the tertiary mechanism maps at the promoter for gene uvs Y. A deletion and a linker-insertion mutation in the uvsY promoter/origin region were generated by in vitro manipulations and then placed into the T4 genome using the insertion/substitution system (Selick, H. E., Kreuzer, K. N., and Alberts, B. M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 11336-11347). Both resulting phage strains are uvsY- mutants, but they differ in that one has a deletion of the minimal tertiary origin and the other does not. The effects of the uvsY mutations on tertiary origin activity were assayed by infecting tertiary origin plasmid-bearing Escherichia coli with the two phage mutants. The tertiary origin plasmids replicated extensively after infection by either uvsY- phage mutant, demonstrating that the uvsY protein is not required for tertiary initiation. The extent of plasmid replication was increased dramatically as a result of either mutation, indicating that the uvsY protein plays some negative role in either the initiation or subsequent processing of plasmid replicative intermediates. The phage strain with an origin deletion induced the replication of a tertiary origin plasmid with which it shared no homology. Therefore, plasmid-phage recombination is not required for the replication of tertiary origin plasmids. The replication of a tertiary origin plasmid is also shown to be independent of the phage genes uvsX, 59, and 46, but markedly reduced by mutations in the T4-induced topoisomerase.

Deletion analysis of bacteriophage T4 tertiary origins. A promoter sequence is required for a rifampicin-resistant replication origin.

The DNA sequence requirements of two T4 tertiary replication origins have been characterized by a deletion analysis of origin-containing plasmids. Maximal replication of each origin-containing plasmid required both an intact gpmotA-dependent middle-mode promoter sequence and approximately 50 base pairs of the downstream region. In contrast, gpmotA-dependent transcription from the origin promoter was found to be independent of the downstream region. The requirement for a promoter element within the tertiary origins is striking, particularly since the replication of tertiary origin-containing plasmids is resistant to the RNA polymerase inhibitor rifampicin.

Recombination-dependent replication of plasmids during bacteriophage T4 infection.

The replication of plasmids containing fragments of the T4 genome, but no phage replication origins, was analyzed as a possible model for phage secondary (recombination-dependent) replication initiation. The replication of such plasmids after T4 infection was reduced or eliminated by mutations in several phage genes (uvsY, uvsX, 46, 59, 39, and 52) that have previously been shown to be involved in secondary initiation. A series of plasmids that collectively contain about 60 kilobase pairs of the T4 genome were tested for replication after T4 infection. With the exception of those known to contain tertiary origins, every plasmid replicated in a uvsY-dependent fashion. Thus, there is no apparent requirement for an extensive nucleotide sequence in the uvsY-dependent plasmid replication. However, homology with the phage genome is required since the plasmid vector alone did not replicate after phage infection. The products of plasmid replication included long concatemeric molecules with as many as 35 tandem copies of plasmid sequence. The production of concatemers indicates that plasmid replication is an active process and not simply the result of passive replication after the integration of plasmids into the phage genome. We conclude that plasmids with homology to the T4 genome utilize the secondary initiation mechanism of the phage. This simple model system should be useful in elucidating the molecular mechanism of recombination-dependent DNA synthesis in phage T4.