Implications of Lower and Middle Pleistocene Faunal Assemblage Composition

2020 ◽  
pp. 213-242
Author(s):  
Grant S. McCall
Keyword(s):  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Assemblage Composition

Soil faunal assemblage composition modifies root in-growth to plant litter patches

Pedobiologia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Bradford ◽  
Till Eggers ◽  
John E. Newington ◽  
George M. Tordoff
Keyword(s):  
Plant Litter ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Assemblage Composition

Faunal assemblage composition and paleoenvironment of Plovers Lake, a Middle Stone Age locality in Gauteng Province, South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 1102-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darryl J. de Ruiter ◽  
Juliet K. Brophy ◽  
Patrick J. Lewis ◽  
Steven E. Churchill ◽  
Lee R. Berger
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Middle Stone Age ◽  
Stone Age ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Assemblage Composition

scholarly journals Cyclic changes in oxygenation based on foraminiferal microhabitats: Early–Middle Pleistocene, Lucania Basin (southern Italy)

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Stefanelli
Keyword(s):  
Southern Italy ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Sea Level Changes ◽  
Foraminiferal Assemblage ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Oxygen Penetration ◽  
Microhabitat Distribution ◽  
Composite Section ◽  
Microhabitat Preferences ◽  
Cyclic Changes

Abstract. In the Pleistocene Montalbano Jonico composite section (southern Italy) the microhabitat preferences of the benthic foraminifera have been determined by comparison with data on living forms. The stratigraphic distribution of the different living positions seems to be related to the cyclic oxygen fluctuations recorded in the succession. In the high-oxygenated phases, when the oxygenated zone within the sediment column is wide, the assemblages show a distinct vertical microhabitat distribution. In the low-oxygenated phases, when the minor oxygen availability at the bottom–water interface reduces the oxygen penetration within the sediment, infaunal microhabitat is the preferred living depth.In order to quantify the oxygen fluctuations recorded in the succession, a palaeo-oxygen curve is reconstructed testing Kaiho’s benthic foraminiferal oxygen index (BFOI) in the equation: y=1.686+ 0.033337x. In general, good correlations are observed between the dissolved oxygen regimes and the benthic assemblage composition. The low-oxygenated phases are identified with the low-medium oxic regime and the high-oxygenated phases with the high oxic regime.In the deeper part of the composite section, oxygen has played an important role on the foraminiferal assemblage composition. In contrast, in the shallower part, a combination of oxygen and sea-level changes regulates the distribution and composition of the assemblages.

scholarly journals Consistency Is Critical for the Effective Use of Baited Remote Video

Oceans ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-232
Author(s):  
Robyn E. Jones ◽  
Ross A. Griffin ◽  
Roger J. H. Herbert ◽  
Richard K. F. Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Baited remote underwater videos (BRUV) are popular marine monitoring techniques used for the assessment of motile fauna. Currently, most published studies evaluating BRUV methods stem from environments in the Southern Hemisphere. This has led to stricter and more defined guidelines for the use of these techniques in these areas in comparison to the North Atlantic, where little or no specific guidance exists. This study explores metadata taken from BRUV deployments collected around the UK to understand the influence of methodological and environmental factors on the information gathered during BRUV deployments including species richness, relative abundance and faunal composition. In total, 39 BRUV surveys accumulating in 457 BRUV deployments across South/South-West England and Wales were used in this analysis. This study identified 88 different taxa from 43 families across the 457 deployments. Whilst taxonomic groups such as Labridae, Gadidae and Gobiidae were represented by a high number of species, species diversity for the Clupeidae, Scombridae, Sparidae, Gasterosteidae and Rajidae groups were low and many families were absent altogether. Bait type was consistently identified as one of the most influential factors over species richness, relative abundance and faunal assemblage composition. Image quality and deployment duration were also identified as significant influential factors over relative abundance. As expected, habitat observed was identified as an influential factor over faunal assemblage composition in addition to its significant interaction with image quality, time of deployment, bait type and tide type (spring/neap). Our findings suggest that methodological and environmental factors should be taken into account when designing and implementing monitoring surveys using BRUV techniques. Standardising factors where possible remains key. Fluctuations and variations in data may be attributed to methodological inconsistencies and/or environment factors as well as over time and therefore must be considered when interpreting the data.

Geochronology, paleogeography, and archaeology of the Acheulian locality of ‘Evron Landfill in the western Galilee, Israel

2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 729-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maayan Shemer ◽  
Onn Crouvi ◽  
Ron Shaar ◽  
Yael Ebert ◽  
Ari Matmon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Coast ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Important Data ◽  
Cosmogenic Isotope ◽  
Lower Paleolithic ◽  
Multidisciplinary Study ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Lithic Artifacts

AbstractA multidisciplinary study was conducted in a newly discovered Paleolithic locality, named ‘Evron Landfill. This locality is a part of the Lower Paleolithic complex of ‘Evron located at the western Galilee, Israel. Examination of artifacts has enabled the cultural attribution of ‘Evron Landfill to the Early Acheulian, while detailed paleomagnetic stratigraphy places the hominin occupations near the Brunhes–Matuyama transition ~0.77 Ma. This age is constrained by cosmogenic isotope burial dating of the sediments overlying the Paleolithic finds, providing a minimum age of ~0.66±0.11 Ma for hominin activity at the site. These results are further supported by the biochronological information derived from the faunal assemblage. Comparative analyses of faunal remains and lithic artifacts from ‘Evron Landfill demonstrate similarities to the assemblages from the Early Acheulian site of Evron Quarry, located ~300 m to the south. Pedo-sedimentological analyses indicate that hominin activity took place in a marsh environment in proximity to the Mediterranean coast, which probably fluctuated in both space and time with a fluvial environment. In addition, this study provides important data about ancient coastal activity during the early to middle Pleistocene.

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of bears from the locality Šandalja I (Croatia) and its biostratigraphic consequences

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 533-544
Author(s):  
Jan Wagner ◽  
Qigao Jiangzuo ◽  
Jadranka Mauch Lenardić ◽  
Jinyi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
The Other ◽  
Dental Material ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Ursus Thibetanus ◽  
Fossil Remains ◽  
Other Hand

Abstract Šandalja I palaeocave (“fossil” cave), situated in the southern part of the Istrian peninsula (Croatia), is a well-known locality due to the abundant fossil remains extracted from the bone breccia. It is broadly accepted that the fauna is Middle Villafranchian in age. Since the beginning, the taxonomic status of bear remains has caused controversy and, as a consequence, different authors listed between one to three bear species from this site. Detailed revision of dental material confirmed the presence of two bear species – Ursus thibetanus and U. deningeri. On the other hand, the previously reported presence of U. etruscus was refuted. Subsequently, based on the presence of these two bear taxa, the age of the whole faunal assemblage was re-evaluated and determined as Middle Pleistocene (Toringian).

scholarly journals The influence of bait on remote underwater video observations in shallow-water coastal environments associated with the North-Eastern Atlantic

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn E. Jones ◽  
Ross A. Griffin ◽  
Stephanie R. Januchowski-Hartley ◽  
Richard K.F. Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Coastal Environments ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Ria Formosa ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Swansea Bay

The use of baited remote underwater video (BRUV) for examining and monitoring marine biodiversity in temperate marine environments is rapidly growing, however many aspects of their effectiveness relies on assumptions based on studies from the Southern Hemisphere. The addition of bait to underwater camera systems acts as a stimulus for attracting individuals towards the camera field of view, however knowledge of the effectiveness of different bait types in northern temperate climbs is limited, particularly in dynamic coastal environments. Studies in the Southern Hemisphere indicate that oily baits are most effective whilst bait volume and weight do not impact BRUV effectiveness to any great degree. The present study assesses the influence of four bait types (mackerel, squid, crab and no bait (control)) on the relative abundance, taxonomic diversity and faunal assemblage composition at two independent locations within the North-Eastern Atlantic region; Swansea Bay, UK and Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal. Two different bait quantities (50 g and 350 g) were further trialled in Swansea Bay. Overall, patterns showed that baited deployments recorded statistically higher values of relative abundance and taxonomic diversity when compared to un-baited deployments in Swansea Bay but not in Ria Formosa Lagoon. No statistical evidence singled out one bait type as best performing for attracting higher abundances and taxonomic diversity in both locations. Faunal assemblage composition was however found to differ with bait type in Swansea Bay, with mackerel and squid attracting higher abundances of scavenging species compared to the crab and control treatments. With the exception of squid, bait quantity had minimal influence on bait attractiveness. It is recommended for consistency that a minimum of 50 g of cheap, oily fish such as mackerel is used as bait for BRUV deployments in shallow dynamic coastal environments in the North-Eastern Atlantic Region.

scholarly journals Über die komplexe Genese mittelpleistozäner archäologischer Fundstellen am Beispiel des Platzes Kärlich-Seeufer (Mittelrhein)

1997 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Sabine Gaudzinski
Keyword(s):  
Cervus Elaphus ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Site Formation Processes ◽  
Faunal Remains ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Faunal Assemblages ◽  
Lithic Assemblage ◽  
Quaternary Stratigraphy

Abstract. The Middle Pleistocene site Kärlich-Seeufer is the youngest archaeological site in the Kärlich clay pit which, since the beginning of this century, has been the most important exposure for Quaternary stratigraphy in the Central Rhineland. The site was discovered in 1980 and excavated during the following years. Together with an Acheulean lithic assemblage and faunal remains, numerous macroscopic plant remains were recovered in an outstanding state of preservation. Wood of Abies and Quercus dominates the botanical assemblage in the form of trunks and branches. The faunal assemblage comprises: Panthera leo ssp., Elephas antiquus, Equus sp., Sus scrofa, Cervus elaphus, Rangifer sp. as well as Bos vel Bison. Elephas antiquus dominates the faunal assemblage and the molars of this species show a certain robustness in comparison to teeth of other Middle- and Upper Pleistocene Elephas antiquus populations. The results of the palynological analysis show that the sediments containing the archaeological assemblage were deposited during the second half of an interglacial phase, the Kärlich Interglacial. Moreover, these results allow detailed reconstruction of palaeoecological conditions during the Middle Pleistocene. Analysis of site formation processes, taking into account the sedimentology of the archaeological layers, the lithic and faunal assemblages and the numerous macroscopic palaeobotanical remains, shows that the Seeufer site functioned as a sediment trap in which evidence for hominid activity has been re-bedded together with wood and faunal remains. At Kärlich-Seeufer, as at other European Lower Palaeolithic sites, claims for hominid activity are very difficult to assess and can only be demonstrated for the lithic assemblage. The contribution of hominids to the presence of other categories of finds remains obscure.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document