scholarly journals First substantial evidence for Old World vultures (Aegypiinae, Accipitridae) from the early Palaeolithic and Iberomaurusian of Morocco

PalZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albrecht Manegold ◽  
Rainer Hutterer
Keyword(s):  
Upper Pleistocene ◽  
Old World ◽  
Cut Marks ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Cinereous Vulture ◽  
Entire Sequence ◽  
Gyps Melitensis ◽  
Important Evidence ◽  
Cave Deposit

AbstractRemains of at least three species of large aegypiine vultures from early Palaeolithic and Iberomaurusian of Ifri n’Ammar, Morocco are the first substantial fossil record of these taxa in the Maghreb. They can be tentatively referred to the two extant species Aegypius monachus (Cinereous Vulture) and Gyps fulvus (Griffon Vulture), and to the extinct Gyps melitensis. Few fragments of remarkably large bones may belong to especially large specimens of A. monachus, but it cannot be ruled out that they are indeed remains of the so far only insufficiently known palaeospecies A. prepyrenaicus Hérnandez, 2001, originally described from the Upper Pleistocene of Spain. Two vulture species definitely occurred contemporarily; Gyps fulvus was found in the entire sequence, while A. monachus occurred only between 13,800 and 17,000 calBP. G. melitensis was found only once in an unknown stratigraphic context. All remains were found along with human artefacts in a cave deposit. Few bones show longitudinal scratches, which probably are cut marks, indicating that humans made use of the flesh, feathers and/or bones of these vultures. None of these species were previously recorded for the Upper Pleistocene of the Maghreb, and the fossil specimens provide important evidence for the former distribution of Old-World vultures in this area, which is insufficiently known and which changed dramatically during the twentieth century.

On the issues related to the discoid cores

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-178
Author(s):  
Youcheng Chen ◽  
Tongli Qu
Keyword(s):  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Middle Paleolithic ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
The West ◽  
Upper Pleistocene ◽  
Old World ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe discoid core and the Levallois core are important symbols of the Middle Paleolithic Age in the west of the Old World. The two types of artifacts show not only technical relationships but also differences. The discoid core can be classified into two sub-types, namely the unifacial and the bifacial classes. In China, discoid cores may have appeared in the upper Middle Pleistocene, and prevailed in the lower and middle Upper Pleistocene, which corresponded to the middle Paleolithic Age in Europe and to the Middle Stone Age in Africa. The discovery and study of discoid cores provide significant insight into the culture of the Middle Paleolithic Age in China.

Discovery of the ichneutine genus Paroligoneurus Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from the Indian subcontinent with the description of a new species from Northwest India

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4786 (3) ◽  
pp. 396-408
Author(s):  
A.P. RANJITH ◽  
CORNELIS VAN ACHTERBERG ◽  
H. SANKARARAMAN ◽  
M. NASSER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
World Species ◽  
Old World ◽  
Taxonomic Key ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Northwest India ◽  
A New Species

The small braconid subfamily, Ichneutinae is one of the least studied groups within the Braconidae. Old world species of the widely distributed ichneutine genus, Paroligoneurus (unknown from the Neotropical region) is revised along with description of a new species, P. harishi Ranjith & van Achterberg sp. nov. We reinstate the genera Anaprixia Mason and Muesebeckia Mason based on the following characters; exodont mandibles and absence of spiracles in the alternate tergites (in Anaprixia) and presence of carinae on propodeum and anterior subalar depression with carina (in Muesebeckia). Five species, Paroligoneurus cosmopterygivorus (He, 2000), P. crassicornis (He, 2000), P. flavifacialis (He, 2000), P. sinensis (He, 2000) and P. songyangensis (He, 2000) were described from the Oriental part of China are transferred from Oligoneurus to Paroligoneurus. A taxonomic key to the Old world species Paroligoneurus and a provisional checklist of extant species are provided. 

scholarly journals Interrogating Phylogenetic Discordance Resolves Deep Splits in the Rapid Radiation of Old World Fruit Bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Nesi ◽  
Georgia Tsagkogeorga ◽  
Susan M Tsang ◽  
Violaine Nicolas ◽  
Aude Lalis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Content ◽  
Incomplete Lineage Sorting ◽  
Gene Tree ◽  
Fruit Bats ◽  
Lineage Sorting ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Old World ◽  
Nectar Feeding ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Evolutionary Distinctiveness

Abstract The family Pteropodidae (Old World fruit bats) comprises $>$200 species distributed across the Old World tropics and subtropics. Most pteropodids feed on fruit, suggesting an early origin of frugivory, although several lineages have shifted to nectar-based diets. Pteropodids are of exceptional conservation concern with $>$50% of species considered threatened, yet the systematics of this group has long been debated, with uncertainty surrounding early splits attributed to an ancient rapid diversification. Resolving the relationships among the main pteropodid lineages is essential if we are to fully understand their evolutionary distinctiveness, and the extent to which these bats have transitioned to nectar-feeding. Here we generated orthologous sequences for $>$1400 nuclear protein-coding genes (2.8 million base pairs) across 114 species from 43 genera of Old World fruit bats (57% and 96% of extant species- and genus-level diversity, respectively), and combined phylogenomic inference with filtering by information content to resolve systematic relationships among the major lineages. Concatenation and coalescent-based methods recovered three distinct backbone topologies that were not able to be reconciled by filtering via phylogenetic information content. Concordance analysis and gene genealogy interrogation show that one topology is consistently the best supported, and that observed phylogenetic conflicts arise from both gene tree error and deep incomplete lineage sorting. In addition to resolving long-standing inconsistencies in the reported relationships among major lineages, we show that Old World fruit bats have likely undergone at least seven independent dietary transitions from frugivory to nectarivory. Finally, we use this phylogeny to identify and describe one new genus. [Chiroptera; coalescence; concordance; incomplete lineage sorting; nectar feeder; species tree; target enrichment.]

scholarly journals Sheath-tailed bats (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) from the early Pleistocene Rackham’s Roost Site, Riversleigh World Heritage Area, and the distribution of northern Australian emballonurid species

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10857
Author(s):  
Tyler R. King ◽  
Troy J. Myers ◽  
Kyle N. Armstrong ◽  
Michael Archer ◽  
Suzanne J. Hand
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Modern Species ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
The Family ◽  
World Heritage Area ◽  
Area North ◽  
Heritage Area ◽  
North Western ◽  
Cave Deposit

Sheath-tailed bats (Family Emballonuridae) from the early Pleistocene Rackham’s Roost Site cave deposit in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area, north-western Queensland are the oldest recorded occurrence for the family in Australia. The fossil remains consist of maxillary and dentary fragments, as well as isolated teeth, but until now their precise identity has not been assessed. Our study indicates that at least three taxa are represented, and these are distinguished from other Australian emballonurids based on morphometric analysis of craniodental features. Most of the Rackham’s Roost Site emballonurid remains are referrable to the modern species Taphozous georgianus Thomas, 1915, but the extant species T. troughtoni Tate, 1952 also appears to be present, as well as a very large, as-yet undetermined species of Saccolaimus Temminck, 1838. We identify craniodental features that clearly distinguish T. georgianus from the externally very similar T. troughtoni. Results suggest that the distributions of T. georgianus and T. troughtoni may have overlapped in north-western Queensland since at least the early Pleistocene.

scholarly journals Vultures, their population status and some ecological aspects in an Indian stronghold

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-142
Author(s):  
Kaushalendra K. JHA ◽  
Michael O. CAMPBELL ◽  
Radhika JHA
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Central India ◽  
Griffon Vulture ◽  
Egyptian Vulture ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Forested Areas ◽  
Cinereous Vulture ◽  
Gyps Indicus

Indian vultures have important ecological and socio-economic functions and are increasingly studied, per their ecological role and recently, their catastrophic populations’ decline. However, there are few studies of vultures in central India, a vulture stronghold. The present paper examined the presence, distribution per landcover variation, roosting and nesting habits of vultures in this region. Both quantitative (total count) and qualitative (questionnaire survey) methods of research were applied. The hypotheses were that vulture presence is higher in forested areas, unaffected by agricultural development (excepting the Egyptian vulture); as well as that vultures are more likely to roost and nest in large trees and on cliffs in open landcover. Vulture species recorded in summer and winter counts were the Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus, Scopoli, 1786), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus, Linnaeus, 1758), White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis, Gmelin, 1788), Eurasian Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus, Hablizl, 1783), Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus, Scopoli, 1786), Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus, Linnaeus, 1766) and Himalayan Griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis, Hume, 1869). Their average total abundance was of 7,028 individuals, maximum being Long-billed vulture (3,351) and minimum being Cinereous vulture (39). Thematic maps documented distributions in different agroclimatic regions and ecozones. Orography and forest structure influenced vulture presence, but human disturbance did not. Vulture protection, food monitoring and human-induced disturbances are manageable with critical, informed and flexible policies. These findings contribute to monitoring and management planning for vulture conservation in Central India and elsewhere.

Evolution and Circumscription of the True Cypresses (Cupressaceae: Cupressus)

2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon P. Little
Keyword(s):  
New World ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Molecular Sequence Data ◽  
World Species ◽  
Old World ◽  
Molecular Sequence ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Intron 2

Recent phylogenetic investigations of Cupressoideae have found evidence to suggest that Cupressus is not monophyletic. This study tested the division of Cupressus into an Old World clade and a New World clade with complete sampling of the 28 extant species. Data from anatomy, biochemistry, micromorphology, reproductive development, reproductive morphology, and vegetative morphology were combined with molecular sequence data (matK, NEEDLY intron 2, nrITS, rbcL, and trnL) to produce the most complete hypothesis of evolutionary relationships within Cupressoideae to date. Callitropsis, Cupressus, and Juniperus formed a well–supported monophyletic group (100%). Within this clade, the only demonstrably monophyletic genus was Juniperus (100%). Monophyly of the 12 Old World species of Cupressus was well supported (100%). Old World species of Cupressus were sister to Juniperus (99%). Callitropsis and the 16 New World species of Cupressus were resolved as the sister group to the Old World Cupressus plus Juniperus clade (100%), rendering Cupressus polyphyletic. The relationship between Callitropsis and the New World species of Cupressus was not resolved. Based on the results of the combined analysis, generic circumscriptions were modified: Cupressus was restricted exclusively to Old World species and Callitropsis was expanded to include the New World species previously classified as Cupressus (seventeen new combinations in Callitropsis were made).

A phylogenetic study of the Lutrinae (Carnivora; Mustelidae) using morphological data

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 2536-2544 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. van Zyll de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Data ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Phylogenetic Study ◽  
Independent Evidence ◽  
Old World ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Qualitative Characters ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
High Degree

The phylogenetic relationship of the 13 extant species of otters were analyzed by canonical variate analysis using mensural data and by Wagner analysis using qualitative characters. The results of the two analyses showed a high degree of concordance. The information of the generalized distance (D) and Wagner trees was combined in an Adams-2 consensus tree. The phylogenetic hypothesis generated deviates from currently accepted classifications chiefly in separating the species of river otters of the genus Lutra, as it is generally conceived, into two groups of genera. One, the New World river otters (Lontra), is a monophyletic group phylogenetically linked to the African and Asian clawless otters (Aonyx and Amblonyx). The other group, their Old World ecological counterparts (Lutra), constitutes a different clade. Enhydra and Pteronura are the most divergent of living otters, the former being closer to the clawless otters and the latter to the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale), which in turn is phylogenetically close to the Old World river otters (Lutra). Available independent evidence, although incomplete, does not contradict the hypothesis.

scholarly journals One new species of the genus Ischnothyreus Simon, 1893 and re-description of I. yueluensis Yin & Wang, 1984 from China (Araneae, Oonopidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Huang ◽  
Yanfeng Tong ◽  
Dongju Bian ◽  
Shuqiang Li
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Old World ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
One New Species

The genus Ischnothyreus Simon, 1893 is one of the most speciose genera of Oonopidae, with 114 extant species mainly distributed in the Old World. Currently, 16 species have been recorded in China. Two species of the genus Ischnothyreus Simon, 1893 from China are recognised, including one new species, I. yunlong Tong & Li, sp. n. (male, female) from Yunnan. Ischnothyreus yueluensis Yin & Wang, 1984 is re-studied. Descriptions, diagnoses and photos of the two species are provided.

scholarly journals Blood Parasites in Sympatric Vultures: Role of Nesting Habits and Effects on Body Condition

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2431
Author(s):  
Nayden Chakarov ◽  
Guillermo Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Tree Breeding ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Gyps Fulvus ◽  
Cinereous Vulture ◽  
Nesting Habits ◽  
Tree Nest ◽  
Low Prevalence

Avian haemosporidians are a common and widespread group of vector-borne parasites capable of infecting most bird species around the world. They can negatively affect host condition and fitness. Vultures are assumed to have a very low prevalence of these blood parasites, likely due to their strong immunity; however, factors contributing to variation in host exposure and susceptibility to haemosporidians are complex, and supporting evidence is still very limited. We analyzed blood samples collected from nestlings of three vulture species in Spain over 18 years, and used updated nested-PCR protocols capable of detecting all haesmosporidian cytochrome b lineages typical for diurnal birds of prey (Accipitriformes). Similarly to previous studies, we found low haemosporidian prevalence in cliff-breeding species, with Leucocytozoon as the only represented blood parasite genus: 3.1% in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) (n = 128) and 5.3% in Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) (n = 114). In contrast, the tree-breeding cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) had a substantially higher prevalence: 10.3% (n = 146). By far the most common lineage in Spanish scavenging raptors was the Leucocytozoon lineage CIAE02. No effects of nestling age and sex, or temporal trends in prevalence were found, but an effect of nest habitat (tree-nest vs. cliff-nest) was found in the griffon vulture. These patterns may be explained by a preference of vectors to forage in and around trees rather than on cliffs and wide open spaces. We found an apparent detrimental effect of haemosporidians on body mass of nestling cinereous vultures. Further research is needed to evaluate the pathogenicity of each haemosporidian lineage and their interaction with the immune system of nestlings, especially if compromised due to pollution with pharmaceuticals and infection by bacterial and mycotic pathogens.

Occurrence and biogeographic significance of Heliaster (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from the Pliocene of southwest Florida

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Jones ◽  
Roger W. Portell
Keyword(s):  
Central American ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Southwest Florida ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Geologic Record ◽  
Central American Isthmus

Whole body asteroid fossils are rare in the geologic record and previously unreported from the Cenozoic of Florida. However, specimens of the extant species,Heliaster microbrachiusXantus, were recently discovered in upper Pliocene deposits. This marks the first reported fossil occurrence of the monogeneric Heliasteridae, a group today confined to the eastern Pacific. This discovery provides further non-molluscan evidence of the close similarities between the Neogene marine fauna of Florida and the modern fauna of the eastern Pacific. The extinction of the heliasters in the western Atlantic is consistent with the pattern of many other marine groups in the region which suffered impoverishment following uplift of the Central American isthmus.

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