Comparative Actualistic Study Hints at Origins of Intriguing Miocene “Coprolites” of Poland

Excrement-shaped siderite masses have been the subject of much controversy. They have been variously interpreted either as being coprolites, cololites or pseudofossils created by mechanical deformation of plastic sediment. Here we report excrement-shaped ferruginous masses recovered from the Miocene of the Turów mine in south-western Poland. Mineralogical, geochemical, petrographic and microtomographical analyses indicate that these masses consist of siderite and iron oxide rather than phosphate, and rarely contain recognizable food residues, which may suggest abiotic origins of these structures. On the other hand, evidence in support of a faecal origin include: (i) the presence of two distinct morphotypes differing in size and shape, (ii) the limited quantity of specimens, (iii) the presence of rare hair-like structures or coalified inclusions and (iv) the presence of fine striations on the surface. Importantly, comparative actualistic studies of Recent vertebrate feces show overall resemblance of the first morphotype (sausage-shaped with rare coalified debris) to excrements of testudinoid turtles (Testudinoidea), whose shell fragment was found in the investigated locality. The second morphotype (rounded to oval-shaped with hair-like structures), in turn, is similar to the feces of some snakes (Serpentes), the remains of which were noted in the Miocene of the neighborhood areas.

Kimmeridgian and early Tithonian cephalopods from the Kisújbánya Limestone Formation, Zengővárkony (Mecsek Mountains, southern Hungary), their faunal composition, palaeobiogeographic affinities, and taphonomic character

A new collection at Zengővárkony (Mecsek Mountains, Hungary) provided a rich and diverse but poorly preserved cephalopod-dominated fossil assemblage representing the Kimmeridgian and the lower Tithonian. The material came from mixed scree, soil, and amongst roots affected by weathering processes having been exposed to the elements for a long time. The nautiloid Pseudaganides strambergensis is the first record from the Mecsek Mountains. Due to the weathering, the ammonite fauna consists of mainly fragmentary and dissolved individuals that comprises 528 specimens belonging to 34 species and 30 genera out of which 20 species and 15 genera are reported for the first time from the Mecsek Mountains. The fauna includes specimens of known taxa. No new taxa are introduced. Based on the comparison with other faunas, this assemblage most closely resembles the fauna of the Venetian Alps (Italy). Additional faunal elements include aptychi (Laevaptychus latus, Lamellaptychus murocostatus), belemnites (Hibolithes semisulcatus), and an indetermined brachiopod. The first record of Spiraserpula spirolinites, an encrusting fossil polychaete preserved on the internal mould of a Taramelliceras shell fragment indicates favourable bottom conditions for the epifauna. The presence of Aspidoceras caletanum, Gravesia aff. gigas, and Pseudowaagenia inerme indicates faunal connections with the Submediterranean Province of the Tethys, which is in line with the tectonic and palaeogeographical position of the Mecsek Zone during the Late Jurassic. The ammonite assemblage represents elements of five Tethysian ammonite zones of the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian. The lower Kimmeridgian Herbichi Zone is indicated by Streblites tenuilobatus and Praesimoceras herbichi. The upper Kimmeridgian Acanthicum Zone is indicated by Aspidoceras acanthicum, and the Cavouri Zone by Mesosimoceras cavouri and Aspidoceras caletanum. The upper Kimmeridgian Beckeri Zone is suggested by Hybonoticeras pressulum and Pseudowaagenia inerme. Whereas Gravesia aff. gigas, Lithacoceras aff. siliceum, and Malagasites? denseplicatus are faunal elements characterising the Early Tithonian Hybonotum Zone. Phylloceratid and lytoceratid specimens account only for 12% of the fauna, while the majority of the specimens belong to the Oppeliidae and Ataxioceratidae (60%).

SOLVING THE PUZZLE OF THE BIVALVE SHELL FRAGMENT: INFERRING THE ORIGINAL ABUNDANCE AND SIZE FREQUENCY FROM THE FRAGMENTED RECORD

ABSTRACT Much of the contribution of bivalves to paleoecology is based on the fraction preserved whole. The use of fragments has been limited by the inability to reconstruct the whole shell. For this study, shells of selected species were broken, metrics obtained for shell reconstruction, and a stepwise model developed and tested to evaluate the potential of reconstructing whole shells from fragments. The model is based on the facts that shell thickness is well correlated with shell length, width, and weight, that fragments can be assigned to shell areas, and that each shell area can be matched to a potential donor shell by combinations of length, width, and weight. Simulations using the model show that shell reconstructions are feasible and that the size frequency can be reconstructed more accurately than the number of shells. If all fragments are preserved, shell number tends to be modestly overestimated. Assuming fragment loss, the shell number estimated will be a conservative estimate of original abundance. Reconstructed size frequencies did not differ significantly from the original size frequencies of the whole shells even if 40% of the fragments were not preserved. Biovolume, consequently, may also be estimable. Standardly, bivalve fragments are enumerated by counting intact umbos. If all fragments are preserved, this approach is preferable, as shell model reconstructions overestimate abundance under that circumstance. However, the expectation that fragments with intact umbos are uniquely well preserved is unrealistic and if fragment loss has occurred, relying on all fragments may provide an improved estimate of the original abundance and, in addition, an estimate of the size frequency and the latter proves to be robust even with 40% of the fragments lost.

Treatment of secondary hip arthritis from shell fragment and gunshot injury in the Syrian civil war

Background In gunshot and shell fragment injuries to the hip joint, orthopedic intervention includes wound assessment and care, osteosynthesis of fractures, and avoiding of infection and osteoarthritis. Individuals injured in the Syrian civil war were frequently transferred to the authors’ institution in neighboring city. Orthopedic trauma exposures were determined in approximately 30% of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the patients with secondary hip arthritis due to prior gunshot and shell fragment (shrapnel) injuries who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods This retrospective study reviewed 26 patients (24 males, 2 females) who underwent hip arthroplasty due to prior gunshot and shell fragment injuries from November 2013 to January 2019. For all patients, the Harris Hip Score (HHS) was evaluated preoperatively and after surgery. Results Mean age was 31.5 (range, 19–48) years. The mean preoperative HHS was 52.95 points, and the mean postoperative HHS was 79.92 points at the final follow-up after surgery. Patients with shell fragment injuries to the hip joint had higher infection rates, but it is not statistically significant. Conclusions An anatomic reduction of the fracture may not be possible in these cases as a result of significant bone and/or cartilage loss. Total hip arthroplasty can be done after gunshot- and shell fragment-related posttraumatic arthritis. It is an effective treatment choice to reduce pain and improve function, but the surgeon must be very careful because of high rate of infection.

Treatment of Secondary Hip Arthritis from Shell Fragment and Gunshot Injury in the Syrian Civil War

Background: In gunshot and shell fragment injuries to the hip joint, orthopaedic intervention includes wound assessment and care, osteosynthesis of fractures, and avoiding of infection and osteoarthritis. Individuals injured in the syrian civil war were frequently transferred to the author's institution in neighboring city. Orthopaedic trauma exposures were determined in approximately 30% of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the patients with secondary hip arthritis due to prior gunshot and shell fragment (shrapnel) injuries who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 26 patients (24 males, 2 females) who underwent hip arthroplasty due to prior gunshot and shell fragment injuries from November 2013 to January 2019. For all patients Harris Hip Score (HHS) were evaluated preoperatively and after surgery. Results: Mean age was 31,5 (range, 19-48) years. The mean preoperative HHS was 52.95 points and the mean postoperative HHS was 79.92 points at the final follow-up after surgery. Patients with shell fragment injuries to the hip joint, had higher infection rates but it is not statistically significant.Conclusions: An anatomic reduction of the fracture may not be possible in these cases as a result of significant bone and/or cartilage loss. Total hip arthroplasty can be done after gunshot and shell fragment related posttraumatic arthritis. It is efective treatment choice to reduce pain and improve function but the surgeon must be very carefull because of high rate of infection.

Treatment of Secondary Hip Arthritis from Shell Fragment and Gunshot Injury in the Syrian Civil War

Background: In gunshot and shell fragment injuries to the hip joint, orthopaedic intervention includes wound assessment and care, osteosynthesis of fractures, and avoiding of infection and osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the patients with secondary hip arthritis due to prior gunshot and shell fragment (shrapnel) injuries who underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 26 patients (24 males, 2 females) who underwent hip arthroplasty due to prior gunshot and shell fragment injuries from November 2013 to January 2019. For all patients Harris Hip Score (HHS) were evaluated preoperatively and after surgery. Results: Mean age was 31,5 (range, 19-48) years. The mean preoperative HHS was 52.95 points and the mean postoperative HHS was 79.92 points at the final follow-up after surgery. Patients with shell fragment injuries to the hip joint, had higher infection rates but it is not statistically significant.Conclusions: An anatomic reduction of the fracture may not be possible in these cases as a result of significant bone and/or cartilage loss. Total hip arthroplasty can be done after gunshot and shell fragment related posttraumatic arthritis. It is efective treatment choice to reduce pain and improve function but the surgeon must be very carefull because of high rate of infection.

Some Cheilostomata (Bryozoa) from the Java Sea, central Indonesian Archipelago, with a description of Pleurocodonellina jeparaensis n. sp. (Smittinidae)

The Java Sea region has a high diversity of marine organisms of interest to scientists and tourists alike. Neglected among this diversity are intertidal bryozoans, relatively few of which have been reported from this area. Here we describe six species, one of which is new to science. These were collected from three shallow-water localities—Karimunjawa Marine National Park, Awur Bay and Panjang Island—in the south-central part of the sea. The five known species belong to the families Candidae, Poricellariidae, Onychocellidae, Lepraliellidae, and Phidoloporidae. The new species, Pleurocodonellina jeparaensis n. sp. (Smittinidae), is found at Awur Bay, attached to a bivalve shell fragment. Biogeographically, the suite of species is predominantly tropical Indo-West Pacific in distribution, representing a small fraction of the additional hundreds of species that are anticipated for the Java Sea region.

Faunal Remains from Torre Velha 12 (Serpa, Beja, Southwest of Portugal): Relationship between Animals and Bronze Age Communities

Torre Velha 12 is located in Serpa (Beja) and was excavated and directed by two of the authors (LB and SG), during an emergency intervention within the Alqueva Project. This site is characterized by negative structures filled with pottery sherds and other materials dating to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. The aim of this paper is to publish the study of the faunal remains dated from Bronze Age (2nd millennium BCE). The faunal assemblage is small and comes from non-funerary pits and from funerary hypogea. Other than a bone artefact and an undetermined shell fragment, all of the remains integrated in the pits were classified as mammals. Sheep/goat is was frequently found while other species such as cattle and swines had lower frequencies. Fragments of cattle limbs are the only faunal remains associated with human burials and reveal a clear taxonomical and anatomical pattern that may be an indicator of a careful and structured anthropogenic behavior. The aim of this paper is to understand the social relationship between animals and the Bronze Age communities.

BIODIVERSITAS ECHINODERMATA BERDASARKAN TIPE HABITATNYA DI PANTAI INDRAYANTI, GUNUNGKIDUL, YOGYAKARTA (BIODIVERSITY ECHINODERMS BASED ON HABITAT TYPE IN INDRAYANTI BEACH, GUNUNG KIDUL, YOGYAKARTA)

Pantai Indrayanti merupakan salah satu pantai berbatu yang ada di kabupaten Gunungkidul. Pantai Indrayanti memiliki biodiversitas flora dan fauna yang cukup tinggi, hal ini dilihat dari banyaknya makhluk hidup khas pantai berbatu yang menghuni wilayah ini. Kebanyakan Echinodermata ditemukan pada tempat-tempat tertentu atau mempunyai zonasi. Hal tersebut diduga berhubungan dengan vegetasi atau rumput laut yang telah tumbuh di daerah tersebut. Adanya pasang surut yang jelas juga diduga menjadi penyebab lain terjadinya zonasi tersebut. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menjawab pertanyaan bagaimana zonasi Echinodermata pada zona intertidal di Pantai Indrayanti. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada Maret 2017 di kawasan perairan Pantai Indrayanti. Lokasi penelitian sendiri berada di Pantai Indrayanti yang kemudian dibagi menjadi tiga stasiun antara lain stasiun 1 sebagai daerah dengan tipe habitat karang mati , stasiun 2 sebagai daerah dengan tipe habitat pecahan karang dan pasir kemudian stasiun 3 sebagai daerah dengan tipe habitat karang mati, lamun dan pasir. Masing-masing stasiun yang telah dipilih kemudian dibagi menjadi tiga titik sampling yang nantinya digunakan sebagai titik pengambilan sampel. Pada lokasi penelitian di temukan sebanyak 2 jenis Echinodermata yaitu bulu babi dan bintang mengular. Spesies bulu babi yang ditemukan ada 3 jenis yaitu Stomopneustes sp, Echinometra sp, dan Echinometra mathaei. Spesies bintang mengular yang ditemukan ada 2 jenis yaitu Ophiocoma erinaceus dan Ophiocoma scolopendrina. Stasiun 1 dan 2 dengan daerah tipe habitat karang mati dan pecahan kerang beserta pasir paling banyak ditemukan Echinodermata dibandingkan dengan stasiun 3 dengan tipe habitat pecahan karang mati, lamun, dan pasir. Indrayanti Beach is one of the rocky beaches in Gunungkidul district. Indrayanti beach has a biodiversity of flora and fauna is quite high, it is seen from the number of living creatures typical of rocky beaches that inhabit this region. Most Echinoderms are found in certain places or have zoning. It is thought to be related to vegetation or seaweed that has grown in the area. The presence of a clear tidal is also suspected to be another cause of the occurrence of the zonation. This study aims to answer the question of how the zonation of Echinodermata in the intertidal zone at Indrayanti Beach. The research was conducted in March 2017 in Indrayanti Beach waters area. The research location itself is located at Indrayanti Beach which is then divided into three stations such as station 1 as area with dead coral habitat type, station 2 as area with habitat type of broken coral and sand then station 3 as area with dead coral habitat type, seagrass and sand . Each selected station is then divided into three sampling points which will be used as sampling points. At the location of the study found as many as two types of echinoderms, which are sea urchins and snake stars. Species of pigs found there are 3 types of Stomopneustes sp, Echinometra sp, and Echinometra mathaei. Infectious star species found there are 2 types of Ophiocoma erinaceus and Ophiocoma scolopendrina. Station 1 and 2 with dead coral habitat type and shell fragment with sand found most Echinodermata compared with station 3 with habitat type of dead corals, seagrass, and sand.

Portable art and personal ornaments from Txina-Txina: a new Later Stone Age site in the Limpopo River Valley, southern Mozambique

This paper reports on preliminary fieldwork at the Later Stone Age site of Txina-Txina in Mozambique. Excavation yielded a long stratigraphic sequence, a large lithic assemblage, a unique decorated gastropod shell fragment and two ostrich eggshell beads—the first of their type recovered from a Stone Age context in Mozambique.