PERMIAN NON-MARINE BIVALVES FROM THE COLLIO AND GUNCINA FORMATIONS (SOUTHERN ALPS, ITALY): REVISED BIOSTRATIGRAPHY AND PALAEOBIOGEOGRAPHY

Non-marine bivalves are key fossils in Permian continental stratigraphy and palaeogeography. Although known since the end of 19th century, the occurrences from the continental basins of the Southern Alps have never been extensively studied. The non-marine bivalves from the Lower Permian Collio Formation (Brescian pre-Alps) are herein revised, and those from the Guncina Formation (Athesian District) are described for the first time. These two units yielded non-marine bivalves belonging to the genus Palaeomutela sensu lato, which is widespread in the Permian continental successions of eastern Euramerica. Three Palaeomutela morphotypes have been herein described: oval-subtriangular, subtrapezoidal and elongated. The latter includes several specimens herein assigned to Palaeomutela (Palaeanodonta) berrutii sp. nov. and dominates the Collio Formation association. The Guncina Formation yielded also the genus Redikorella, for the first time co-occurring on the same stratigraphic horizon of Palaeomutela, herein assigned to Palaeomutela (Palaeanodonta) guncinaensis sp. nov. To-date, it was generally accepted that the first members of the genera Palaeomutela and Redikorella occurred during the Ufimian (late Kungurian of the global scale) in the non-marine basins of the Cis-Ural Foredeep and of Angara, respectively. Such new finds in the early-middle Kungurian of southwestern Europe, well constrained by radioisotopic dating, suggest new global first appearance (First Appearance Datum) and a possible new center of origin of these genera. This fact raises new questions on biostratigraphy, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology, which will require further research. If we assume that the genera Palaeomutela and Redikorella had only one center of origin, we need to hypothesise possible migration routes from SW Europe to the continental basins of Eastern Europe and Angara. Apparently, such migration could be better supported by a Pangaea B palaeogeographic configuration.

An Analysis of the Possible Migration Routes of Oedaleus decorus asiaticus Bey-Bienko (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Mongolia to China

Oedaleus decorus asiaticus (Bey-Bienko) is a destructive pest in grasslands and adjacent farmland in northern China, Mongolia, and other countries in Asia. It has been supposed that this insect pest can migrate a long distance and then induce huge damages, however, the migration mechanism is still unrevealed. The current study uses insect light trap data from Yanqing (Beijing), together with regional meteorological data to determine how air flow contributes to the long-distance migration of O. decorus asiaticus. Our results indicate that sinking airflow is the main factor leading to the insects’ forced landing, and the prevailing northwest wind was associated with O. decorus asiaticus taking off in the northwest and moving southward with the airflow from July to September. Meanwhile, the insects have a strong migratory ability, flying along the airflow for several nights. Thus, when the airflow from the northwest met the northward-moving warm current from the southwest, a large number of insects were dropped due to sinking airflow, resulting in a large outbreak. Our simulations suggest that the source of the grasshoppers involved in these outbreaks during early 2000s in northern China probably is in Mongolia, and all evidence indicates that there are two important immigrant routes for O. decorus asiaticus migration from Mongolia to Beijing. These findings improves our understanding of the factors guiding O. decorus asiaticus migration, providing valuable information to reduce outbreaks in China that have origins from outside the country.

Mapping silver eel migration routes in the North Sea

Recent developments in tracking technology resulted in the mapping of various marine spawning migration routes of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). However, migration routes in the North Sea have rarely been studied, despite many large European rivers and hence potential eel growing habitat discharge into the North Sea. In this study, we present the most comprehensive map to date with migration routes by silver European eels in the North Sea and document for the first time successful eel migration through the English Channel. Migration tracks were reconstructed for 42 eels tagged in Belgium and 12 in Germany. Additionally, some eels moved up north to exit the North Sea over the British Isles, confirming the existence of two different routes, even for eels exiting from a single river catchment. Furthermore, we observed a wide range in migration speeds (6.8–45.2 km day−1). We hypothesize that these are likely attributed to water currents, with eels migrating through the English Channel being significantly faster than eels migrating northward.

Differentiation of Mediterranean species of Juniperus from the Sabina section as a result of their migrations

The Sabina section is one of the three groups in the Juniperus genus and the most diverse. The variability of Mediterranean junipers from the Sabina section is related to their Tertiary and Pleistocene migrations and long-term isolations. Their contemporary taxonomic and geographic diversity was influenced by important events such as the migration of continents, the disappearance of Tethys, orogenic movements or the Messinian salinity crisis. The results of morphological measurements of seed cones, seeds and branchlets with leaves of 19 populations of Juniperus phoenicea complex, J. excelsa s.s., J. thurifera subsp. thurifera and subs. africana, J. foetidissima and J. sabina var. sabina and var. balkanensis were statistically compiled using univariate statistics and multivariate analysis. The most important characters differentiating the populations within the taxa were the thickness of the branchlet and the cone diameter, while between the taxa the ratio of cone diameter to the width of the seeds and the number of seeds per cone were used for speciation. J. phoenicea complex is distinguished from the other studied taxa by the greatest number of characters. J. foetidissima, J. sabina var. sabina and J. canariensis are characterized by the highest variability of morphological characters, while J. excelsa and J. sabina var. balkanensis – the lowest. The studies confirmed the ancient nature of the J. phoenicea complex in relation to other taxa from the Sabina section, as a result of an earlier detachment from the ancestor, and no loss of variability due to the effects of colonization and isolation in J. canariensis. In addition, the similarity of J. sabina and J. thurifera was demonstrated, which would confirm the descent from a common ancestor and similar migration routes from the center of Europe towards the Iberian Peninsula, as well as further differentiation of J. thurifera into subspecies caused by isolation due to the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar. The distinctiveness of J. foetidissima from all the other analyzed taxa was also confirmed, and some morphological similarity was shown, proving the original character of J. excelsa s.s. and its similarity to the J. phoenicea complex in this respect.

The annual cycle for whimbrel populations using the Western Atlantic Flyway

Many long-distance migratory birds use habitats that are scattered across continents and confront hazards throughout the annual cycle that may be population-limiting. Identifying where and when populations spend their time is fundamental to effective management. We tracked 34 adult whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) from two breeding populations (Mackenzie Delta and Hudson Bay) with satellite transmitters to document the structure of their annual cycles. The two populations differed in their use of migratory pathways and their seasonal schedules. Mackenzie Delta whimbrels made long (22,800 km) loop migrations with different autumn and spring routes. Hudson Bay whimbrels made shorter (17,500 km) and more direct migrations along the same route during autumn and spring. The two populations overlap on the winter grounds and within one spring staging area. Mackenzie Delta whimbrels left the breeding ground, arrived on winter grounds, left winter grounds and arrived on spring staging areas earlier compared to whimbrels from Hudson Bay. For both populations, migration speed was significantly higher during spring compared to autumn migration. Faster migration was achieved by having fewer and shorter stopovers en route. We identified five migratory staging areas including four that were used during autumn and two that were used during spring. Whimbrels tracked for multiple years had high (98%) fidelity to staging areas. We documented dozens of locations where birds stopped for short periods along nearly all migration routes. The consistent use of very few staging areas suggests that these areas are integral to the annual cycle of both populations and have high conservation value.

Subsistence Strategy of Here Sorot Entapa Cave in Kisar Island, Maluku: Dwelling Site in Island with Limited Terrestrial Resources

Penelitian di wilayah Wallacea selalu menghasilkan informasi yang menarik, salah satunya adalah mengenai peran pulau-pulau yang berada di wilayah ini dalam jalur migrasi manusia. Beberapa pulau kecil yang ada di wilayah ini merupakan pulau dengan sumber daya alam yang terbatas. Gua Here Sorot Entapa merupakan salah satu situs yang terletak di Kawasan Wallacea bagian Tenggara, yaitu di Pulau Kisar. Hasil ekskavasi yang dilakukan telah menemukan akumulasi artefak, ekofak dan fitur. Lalu bagaimana adaptasi yang dilakukan oleh manusia pada masa itu terhadap lingkungan dengan sumberdaya alam yang terbatas, merupakan hal yang akan dibahas dalam tulisan ini. Metode yang digunakan dalam tulisan ini adalah analisis hasil ekskavasi yang dilakukan oleh Tim Penelitian gabungan UGM dan ANU serta Balai Arkeologi Maluku. Untuk mengetahui perubahan lingkungan dan pemanfaatannya akan digunakan data botani yang diperoleh secara langsung maupun studi pustaka. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa Gua Here Sorot Entapa dihuni sejak sekitar 16.000 BP. Pemanfaatan sumberdaya laut merupakan subsistensi utama di samping pemanfaatan beberapa jenis tumbuhan yang secara kuantitas berbanding lurus dengan pemanfaatan sumberdaya laut. Research in the Wallacea area always produces exciting information, including the role of the islands in this region in human migration routes. Several small islands in this region are islands with limited terrestrial resources. Here Sorot Entapa cave is one of the sites located on Kisar Island, Southeast Wallacea region. The occupation of small islands presents particular challenges for human communities related to limited terrestrial resources and susceptibility to natural disasters. Then how the adaptation made by humans at that time in an environment with limited terrestrial resources is discussed in this study. This study used excavation methods to obtain data accumulation of artifacts, ecofacts, and features. Literature study and botanical data analysis were used to determine environmental changes and resource utilization. The results of this study indicate that the Here Sorot Entapa Cave has been occupied since around 16,000 BP. Marine resources were the primary subsistence along with several types of plants food in the same quantity. The function of the Here Sorot Entapa Cave may also be related to the existence of rock art that spread on Kisar Island. Eventually, Kisar Island was the main purpose of a prehistoric human in carrying out religious and artistic activities, and the Here Sorot Entapa Cave served as a temporary shelter for these activities.

Arctic Shelf Oil and Gas Prospects from Lower-Middle Paleozoic Sediments of the Timan–Pechora Oil and Gas Province Based on the Results of a Regional Study

The Timan–Pechora oil and gas province (TPP), despite the good geological and geophysical knowledge of its central and southern regions, remains poorly studied in the extreme northwestern part within the north of the Izhma–Pechora depression and the Malozemelsk–Kolguev monocline, and in the extreme northeast within the Predpaikhoisky depression. Assessing the oil and gas potential of the Lower Paleozoic part of the section is urgently required in the northwestern part of the TPP, the productivity of which has been proven at the border and in the more eastern regions of the province (Pechora–Kolva, Khoreyverskaya, Varandei–Adzva regions), that have been evaluated ambiguously. A comprehensive interpretation of the seismic exploration of regional works was carried out, with the wells significantly clarifying the structural basis and the boundaries of the distribution of the main seismic facies’ complexes. The capabilities of potentially oil- and gas-producing strata in the Silurian–Lower Devonian were studied. An analysis of migration routes in transit strata used for basin modeling in order to reconstruct the conditions of oil and gas formation that are common in the land and water areas of the Arctic zone of the TPP was carried out. Modeling allowed us to reach an understanding of the formation of large zones with possible accumulations of hydrocarbons, including the time at which the formation occurred and under what conditions, to establish space–time links with possible centers of generation to identify migration directions and, based on a comparison with periods of intensive generation of hydrocarbons both directly located within the work area and beyond (noting the possible migration), to identify zones of the paleoaccumulation of hydrocarbons. The body of existing literature on the subject made it possible to outline promising oil and gas accumulation zones, with the allocation of target objects for further exploration in the Lower Paleozoic part of the section.

Reindeer Tracking Technologies in the Russian Federation

Currently, reindeer husbandry actively uses tracking technologies to identify animals. They allow solving the problems of breeding and zootechnical accounting, tracking the movement of animals between herds, and carrying out antiepizootic measures. The electronic databases with individual characteristics of reindeer formed in this process allow speeding up the breeding process, organising breeding work in rein-deer breeding, improving the breed and regulating the herd. Keeping an electronic “registration” of calves to their mothers gives the possibility of system functioning of cross-breeding estimation of animals that will undoubtedly increase both productivity and economic efficiency of reindeer breeding as a whole. This article addresses an issue related to reindeer tracking technologies. Attention is paid to radio tracking and satellite tracking techniques. The use of modern methods of chipping animals is considered on the example of various territories of the Russian Federation: the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Trans-Baikal Krai, the Murmansk Oblast, the Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Karelia, the Arkhangelsk Oblast. The work carried out on deer chipping is considered for various time periods, during which monitoring, programs, projects and other large-scale studies of animal movement paths were carried out. The resulting data can then be processed using mathematical tools, after which conclusions can be drawn about the impact of the environment on reindeer migration routes.

Preliminary study on otolith chemistry and otolith morphology of two demersal fish species, European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) and striped red mullet (Mullus surmuletus, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sea of Marmara

Otoliths are calcium carbonate (CaCO3) accumulations. Under the influence of different ecosystems morphological and chemical composition change. In this study, economically important two demersal fish species; European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) and Stripet red mullet (Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758) was examined. Otoliths (Sagitta) belonging to these two species have been studied both chemically and morphologicall. Morphometric measurements of otoliths (length, mm; width, mm; area, mm2; perimeter, mm) in the sagittal of each species was made by the Leica M125 tri-ocular microscope. In the chemical analysis of otoliths, strontium (Sr), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) trace element amounts, the ratios of Sr and Mg trace elements to Ca element (Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca) were determined. For the micro-chemical analysis of otoliths ICP-MS was used. The highest magnesium (24.92±9.57 mmol/mol) and strontium (26.17±1.81 mmol/mol) element values were found in the otolith of red mullet. The difference between strontium (Sr) and magnesium (Mg) amounts for two fish species was found to be significant (P<0.05). In addition to it was found that the difference between them in the amount of calcium is significant (P<0.001). The shape indexes of otoliths are significantly different between the two fish species. Especially in terms of roundness (RD) and aspect ratio (AR) (P<0.001). The results of this study provide information about the habitats of two economic importance demersal fish species. Since such studies can give information about the habitat areas of fish species, they are important for tracking stocks, migration routes and sustainable fisheries.

Migration of the Oirats in the first quarter of the 17th century on the eve of returning to Dzungaria

In 1541 the Oirats managed to form the Middle Confederation, which was led by the Khoshuts as the most powerful people. In the second half of the same XVI century the Oirats, suffering from attacks of their neighbors - the Turkic peoples from the west and south and the eastern Mongols from the east, began to move towards southern Siberia. Earlier they used to roam along the Black Irtysh river and north of the lake Zaysan, but now they began to move below the lake Yamysh. Opinions on the migration routes of the Oirats, existing in the literature, need clarification. The author offers his vision based on the archival materials and the Mongolian sources: the Hoyt Oirats, driven out of Kharakhoto by the Tumat Altan Khan, were the first to go towards the Altai Mountains. The next were the Torgut Oirats, who crossed the Altai, and then, together with the Derbets, they moved down the Irtysh river. The Elelets, the future Dzungars, left Western Mongolia for the Yenisei river sources. Already in the second decade of the 17th century the Oirats wandered along Om, Kamyshlov, Tobol and Ishim rivers, that is, they were roaming along the middle reaches of the Irtysh river. In 1623, at lake Yamysh, they defeated the troops of the Hotogoit Altyn Khan Sholoi Ubashi-Khuntaiji, but this victory did not exclude an internal struggle in the ruling house of the Khoshuts, which resulted in weakening of this people. Further civil strife forced the Torguts to move towards west, and in the early 1630s they reached the Volga river. Migrations over such long distances were possible only if there was an effective management apparatus, while maintaining traditions and identity.