scholarly journals Variability of the lower incisors in the cave bears (Carnivora, Ursidae) from the Caucasus and Urals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry GIMRANOV ◽  
Pavel KOSINTSEV ◽  
Gennady F. BARYSHNIKOV
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplogroups ◽  
The Urals ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Cave Bear ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene ◽  
The One ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Lower Incisors

Morphometric and morphotypic variability of the cave bear lower incisors from two different geographic regions (Caucasus and Urals), different stratigraphic periods (Middle and Late Pleistocene), and bearing different mitochondrial haplogroups (kudarensis (Baryshnikov, 1985) and ingressus Rabeder, Hofreiter & Withalm, 2004) was studied. Urals Ursus kanivetz Vereshchagin, 1973 is clearly distinguished from Caucasian U. kudarensis by morphology of the upper and lower incisors. The Urals cave bear exhibits more derived features compared to the Caucasian cave bears. Ursus kanivetz exhibits the largest average size of the lower incisors. The lower incisors of U. kanivetz are clearly distinct from those in U. kudarensis. Also, U. kudarensis specimens display a clear separation from all other groups of cave bears. Morphology of the incisors of the cave bears is clearly different from that of Early Pleistocene U. etruscus G. Cuvier, 1823, as well as from that of recent U. arctos L., 1758 (Rabeder, 1999) and U. maritimus Phipps, 1774. Our results suggest that the incisors of the cave bears are similar to each other and demonstrate a hypocarnivorous adaptation as a major evolution trend in the lineage of Spelearctos group. These adaptation features were perhaps developed in parallel in different lineages of the cave bears (U. spelaeus Rosenmüller, 1794 and U. kanivetz on the one hand and U. kudarensis on the other hand) in the Late Pleistocene.

Into the Woods Early Homo sapiens and Tropical Forest Colonization

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Forests ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Homo Erectus ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Early Homo ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene

Popular philosophical associations of tropical forests, and forests in general, with an inherent ancestral state, away from the stresses, pollution, and technosphere of modern life, are nicely summarized by Murakami’s quote above (2002). Given the probable origins of the hominin clade in tropical forests, this quote is also apt from an evolutionary standpoint. Yet, somewhat surprisingly, tropical forests have frequently been considered impenetrable barriers to the global migration of Homo sapiens (Gamble, 1993; Finlayson, 2014). As was the case with the focus on ‘savannastan’ in facilitating the Early Pleistocene expansion of Homo erectus discussed in Chapter 3 (Dennell and Roebroeks, 2005), the movement of H. sapiens into tropical regions such as South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia has tended to be linked to Late Pleistocene periods when forests contracted and grasslands expanded (Bird et al., 2005; Boivin et al., 2013). Alternative narratives have focused on the importance of coastal adaptations as providing a rich source of protein and driving cultural and technological complexity, as well as mobility, in human populations during the Middle and Late Pleistocene (Mellars, 2006; Marean, 2016). The evidence of early art and symbolism at coastal cave sites such as Blombos in South Africa (Henshilwood et al., 2002, 2011; Vanhaeren et al., 2013) and Taforalt in North Africa (Bouzouggar et al., 2007) is often used to emphasize the role of marine habitats in the earliest cultural emergence of our species. Indeed, for the last decade, the pursuit of rich marine resources (Mellars, 2005, 2006) has been a popular explanation for the supposed rapidity of the ‘southern dispersal route’, whereby humans left Africa 60 ka, based on genetic information (e.g., Macaulay et al., 2005), to reach the Pleistocene landmass that connected Australia and New Guinea (Sahul) by c. 65 ka (Clarkson et al., 2017). In both of these cases, the coast or expanses of grassland have been seen as homogeneous corridors, facilitating rapid expansion without novel adaptation.

scholarly journals ABOUT THE REASONS OF CLIMATE WARMING BASED ON STUDYING THE HISTORY OF QUATERNARY GLACIOSES OF THE CAUCASUS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE INTERDURCHIE TEREK AND THE ANDIAN KOISU)

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-471
Author(s):  
Valeriy DOTSENKO ◽  
◽  
Ibragim KERIMOV ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Volcanic Activity ◽  
Late Holocene ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Late Pliocene ◽  
Climate Fluctuations ◽  
Greater Caucasus

The Greater Caucasus experienced repeated glaciation during the Quaternary (early, middle, upper Pleistocene, late Glacial, and late Holocene), which occurred under changing climatic conditions and differentiated tectonic movements. These glaciations, of course, are associated with changes in terrain, the formation of new deposits, transgressions and regressions of the Caspian Sea, changes in vegetation and soil types, so the problem of glaciation affects all earth Sciences to varying degrees. The study of Quaternary glaciation, especially Holocene glaciation, is currently relevant for understanding climate change. Against the background of significant climate fluctuations within the epochs of glaciation, there are smaller cooling phases that cause the temporary onset of glaciers. Short-term climate fluctuations are manifested in oscillations – minor fluctuations in the languages of glaciers. All this indicates that the climate undergoes significant changes in a short time, which are reflected in the morphosculpture of the terrain, the latest deposits and modern precipitation. Glaciation of the Greater Caucasus in the Prikazbeksky region reached its maximum in the middle Pleistocene,when glaciers went far into the Ossetian basin. All these traces have been preserved due to the lower capacity of the Chanty-Argun glacier and its fluvioglacial flow, which developed during the late Pleistocene epoch. Volcanic activity, especially active in the late Pliocene and continuing up to the present time, is associated with the late horn stage of development of the Caucasus. The formation of the Rukhs-Dzuar molass formation more than 2 km thick in the late Pleistocene in the Ossetian basin of the Tersky-Caspian flexure is associated with the activity of volcanoes in the Kazbek volcanic region. In the early Pleistocene, volcanic activity on the BC decreased significantly. The most intense outbreak of volcanism in the Kazbek and Elbrus volcanic regions occurred at the beginning of the late Pleistocene, which roughly coincided with the maximum phase of the late Pleistocene (Bezengian) glaciation. Then, in the second half of the late Pleistocene, volcanic activity was manifested on the mount Kazbek. The last outbreak of volcanic activity occurred in the Holocene no more than 2-3 thousand years ago. Fresh lavas are available on Elbrus, Kazbek, in the Terek valley near villages. Sioni and on the Kel volcanic plateau. Fumarolic activity still continues on Elbrus. Thus, in the Kazbek region, eruptions occurred from the late Pliocene to the late Holocene inclusive. Keywords: Pleistocene, Holocene, glaciation stages, nival-glacial processes, causes of glaciations, climate change, anthropogenic factors, natural factors, Earth degassing, magmatogenic degassing branch, seismotectonic degassing branch, greenhouse gases, newest geodynamics, volcanism, mud regimes, volcanism, methane hydrates, land degradation, water reclamation.

scholarly journals Quaternary terraces of the Želivka River

Geografie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-130
Author(s):  
Břetislav Balatka ◽  
Jan Kalvoda
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Bohemian Massif ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Fluvial Sediments ◽  
Entire System ◽  
River Terraces ◽  
Genetic Interpretation ◽  
Neogene Sediments ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene ◽  
Geomorphological Analysis

This article presents the results of a geomorphological analysis of localities of Quaternary river terraces along the Želivka River and its historical-genetic interpretation in light of the formation of the Sázava terrace system. In addition, the morphogenetic characteristics of the Želivka Valley are presented and the fluvial sediments and terrace system of its river are described, including a chronostratigraphic correlation with other river terraces of the Bohemian Massif. Situational data concerning the Neogene sediments and Quarternary terraces of the Želivka River, including correlation with the Sázava River’s terrace system, are presented in Table 1. In accordance with current Quaternary stratigraphic classification, the entire system of terraces along both the Želivka and Sázava Rivers corresponds mainly with the Middle and Late Pleistocene, since the Cromerian Complex up to the Weichsel periods. The erosion phase previous to the accumulation of the first terrace in the Želivka and Sázava valleys belongs to the end of the Early Pleistocene. Older levels of fluvial sediments in the studied area, which are situated in a higher morphological position and which had previously been classified as Pliocene, have, therefore, been stratigraphically shifted into the Early Pleistocene.

Early Pleistocene−to−present paleoclimate archive for the American Southwest from Stoneman Lake, Arizona, USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer E. Staley ◽  
Peter J. Fawcett ◽  
R. Scott Anderson ◽  
Gonzalo Jiménez-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Climate Model ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
American Southwest ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Middle Pleistocene ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Radiocarbon Dates ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene ◽  
Natural Climate

Long, continuous records of terrestrial paleoclimate offer insights into natural climate variability and provide context for geomorphological studies, climate model reconstructions, and predictions of future climate change. STL14 is an 80 m lacustrine sediment core that archives paleoenvironmental changes at Stoneman Lake, Coconino County, Arizona, from the early Pleistocene (ca. 1.3 Ma) to present. Full-core sedimentology was analyzed using smear slides and core face observations. Lithofacies strongly correlate with wet bulk density and bulk magnetic susceptibility (MS), and these data resemble a sawtooth pattern characteristic of glacial-interglacial climate cycles. A linkage between deep to shallow lake depth transitions and glacial terminations is supported by an age model that incorporates accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates and tephrochronology of ashes from the Lava Creek B and multiple Long Valley, California, volcanic eruptions. We correlated middle and late Pleistocene glacial maxima to deep lake deposits defined by well-preserved bedding, increased biosilica, boreal pollen taxa (i.e., Picea), and lower density and MS. Interglacial periods are associated with shallow-water deposits characterized by banded-to-massive siliciclastic material, some authigenic calcite, the alga Phacotus, and higher density and MS. Prior to the marine isotope stage (MIS) 24−22 interval, smaller-amplitude changes in the lake environment suggest milder glacial conditions compared to those of the middle and late Pleistocene. Thus, abrupt intensification of glacial conditions may have occurred ca. 900 ka in the American Southwest, mirroring a global characteristic of the mid-Pleistocene transition. The STL14 record suggests that lake environments throughout the history of this small (3.5 km2), internally drained, basaltic catchment are sensitive to the regional hydrologic balance, which, at orbital time scales, is largely influenced by the northern cryosphere and associated changes in atmospheric circulation. The predominance of quartz in sediment throughout the record indicates significant eolian inputs. Few paleoclimate records from this region extend beyond the last glacial cycle, let alone the middle Pleistocene, making STL14 a valuable resource for studying environmental responses to a range of natural climate states and transitions throughout much of the Quaternary.

Systematics and paleobiogeography of Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. (Leporidae, Lagomorpha) from the early Pleistocene of Sardinia

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 506-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Angelone ◽  
Stanislav Čermák ◽  
Blanca Moncunill-Solé ◽  
Josep Quintana ◽  
Caterinella Tuveri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Relationship ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Late Miocene ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
New Taxon ◽  
Late Pliocene ◽  
Phylogenetic Origin ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene ◽  
Insular Endemic ◽  
Early Late

AbstractThe extreme rareness of Sardinian fossil sites older than Middle and Late Pleistocene makes the Monte Tuttavista karst complex (E Sardinia, Italy) very important. Remarkable lagomorph material, recovered from several fissure infillings of Monte Tuttavista referable to the Capo Figari/Orosei 1 and Orosei 2 faunal sub-complexes (early Pleistocene, ~2.1/1.9–1.1 Ma), allowed us to describe a new endemic insular leporid, Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. The new taxon is characterized by a peculiar combination of an advanced p3 (Lepus-type) and a primitive P2 lacking deep flexa. The origin of such discrepancy, unprecedented among continental and insular endemic European leporids, is unclear. It could be the result of: (1) an independent evolution of p3 from an ancestor bearing the primitive P2/p3 (e.g., Alilepus, Hypolagus), or (2) a selective reversal morphocline from an Oryctolagus/Lepus-like leporine. The lack of data about the phylogenetic origin of the new taxon makes any inference about its possible arrival to Sardinia problematic. Crossing the European leporid records and evidence of migrations to Sardinia, we hypothesize three possible ages in which the ancestor of Sardolagus obscurus could have arrived in Sardinia, restricted to the late Miocene–early/late Pliocene (~8–3.6 Ma). The phylogenetic relationship between Sardolagus obscurus n. gen. n. sp. and the oldest Sardinian leporid, recorded from Capo Mannu D1 and dated at the early/late Pliocene boundary (~3.6 Ma), is unclear at present, however it is quite likely that they pertain to the same lineage.UUID: http://zoobank.org/ca8e0023-7c9d-4b00-a294-d166c37c5c71

scholarly journals Perspectives on Pliocene and Pleistocene Pedal Patterns and Protection

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
Erik Trinkaus ◽  
Tea Jashashvili ◽  
Biren A. Patel
Keyword(s):  
Hallux Valgus ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Upper Paleolithic ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Bipedal Gait ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene

AbstractAs a framework for interpreting Pliocene and Pleistocene hominin footprints, the functional implications of australopith and Homo pedal remains are reviewed. Despite minor variations in pedal proportions and articular morphology, all of these remains exhibit tarsometatarsal skeletons fully commensurate with an efficient (human) striding bipedal gait. The Middle and Late Pleistocene Homo pedal phalanges exhibit robust and distally flattened metatarsal 1 heads, hallux valgus, relatively short lateral digits with largely straight proximal phalanges with dorsally oriented metatarsal facets, all similar to those of recent humans. The Pliocene and Early Pleistocene halluces lack hallux valgus and have bulbous metatarsal 1 heads. The australopith pedal remains have lateral proximal phalanges that are relatively long and dorsally curved and have more proximally oriented metatarsal facets. In addition, pre-Upper Paleolithic Homo lateral phalanges have robust diaphysis implying the habitual absence of protective footwear, whereas the Upper Paleolithic ones are variably gracile, especially at higher latitudes, indicating more consistent use of footwear. These paleontological considerations provide a framework for interpreting the distal portions of earlier hominin footprints (especially with respect to hallucal orientation and digital length) and suggest that many of the Late Pleistocene footprints may be unrecognized given the use of footwear.

scholarly journals A Giant Ostrich from the Lower Pleistocene Nihewan Formation of North China, with a Review of the Fossil Ostriches of China

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Eric Buffetaut ◽  
Delphine Angst
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
North China ◽  
Hebei Province ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Wide Geographical Distribution ◽  
Lower Pleistocene ◽  
The Crimea

A large incomplete ostrich femur from the Lower Pleistocene of North China, kept at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris), is described. It was found by Father Emile Licent in 1925 in the Nihewan Formation (dated at about 1.8 Ma) of Hebei Province. On the basis of the minimum circumference of the shaft, a mass of 300 kg, twice that of a modern ostrich, was obtained. The bone is remarkably robust, more so than the femur of the more recent, Late Pleistocene, Struthio anderssoni from China, and resembles in that regard Pachystruthio Kretzoi, 1954, a genus known from the Lower Pleistocene of Hungary, Georgia and the Crimea, to which the Nihewan specimen is referred, as Pachystruthio indet. This find testifies to the wide geographical distribution of very massive ostriches in the Early Pleistocene of Eurasia. The giant ostrich from Nihewan was contemporaneous with the early hominins who inhabited that region in the Early Pleistocene.

Pleistocene ungulates from the Bow River gravels at Cochrane, Alberta

1968 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 1467-1488 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Churcher
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Late Pleistocene ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Ovis Canadensis ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Cervus Canadensis ◽  
North Bank ◽  
Middle And Late Pleistocene

Five ungulates are reported from gravels comprising the second major terrace above the Bow River's north bank at Cochrane, Alberta. These ungulates are Cervus canadensis (wapiti), Rangifer tarandus (caribou), Ovis canadensis (mountain sheep), Bison occidentalis (extinct western bison), and Equus conversidens (extinct Mexican ass). E. conversidens was previously known from middle and late Pleistocene beds of the southern United States and Mexico and is here reported from the post-Wisconsin Pleistocene of Alberta and possibly Saskatchewan. Radiocarbon analysis of Bison bones from the gravels yielded two dates that averaged 11 065 B.P.

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