Adocus Kohaku, A New Species of Aquatic Turtle (Testudines: Cryptodira: Adocidae) from the Late Cretaceous of Kuji, Iwate Prefecture, Northeast Japan, with Special References to the Geological Age of the Tamagawa Formation (Kuji Group) LSID urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:61376EEE-A386-416E-98AE-FF64FE2597A2

A nearly complete shell of the genus Adocus (Adocidae; Pan-Trionychia; Cryptodira; Testudines) was collected from the late Cretaceous (Turonian) Tamagawa Formation of Kuji Group at Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, northeast Japan. This turtle shows unique features such as the loss of cervical scute, extreme expansion of marginal scutes overlying costal plates, and exclusion of the humeral- pectoral sulcus from entoplastron. Thus, A. kohaku is erected as a new species. As A. kohaku shows most derived position of A. kohaku within this genus, morphological diversity of the genus Adocus seems to have occurred rather early in its evolution in Eastern Asia.

Becoming a Vertebrate Palaeontologist

The roads to becoming a palaeontologist or contributing to the discipline are many and varied and for women, often tortuous. Concentrating on early to mid 20th century women in Europe brings to light some of the ways in which women survived in the field of vertebrate palaeontology (VP) studying from the earliest fish to our own human relatives. Only are few are known: e.g., in Britain (Pearson, Steen, Rayner), France (Friant, Dechaseaux), Germany (Edinger, von Huene), Hungary (Mottl), The Netherlands (Schreuder, Sanders,), Romania (von Nopsca), and Sweden (Carlsson, Christie-Lind). It is not always easy to unravel the whys and hows of their scientific contributions or even the basic details of their lives but new historical research has brought to light over 1200 women in VP. Their paths to contributing to VP and the difficulties overcome add to the history of women in science and may inspire others to choose a life in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Sizes of Genomes of Paleoproterozoic Microfossil Eukaryotes

We studied siliceous rocks (microquartzites) enriched with light isotope 12С of biogenic origin (δ13С up to –29.5‰), found within the volcanogenic-sedimentary strata of the Paleoproterozoic (1640 Ma) of Hogland Island in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). In these siliceous rocks we found silificated and ferruginizated microfossils of planktonic eukaryotes: amoebas, diatoms,foraminifers, flagellates, virus-like and multicellular organisms. In mineralized cytoplasm and nuclei of microfossils we found grains of apatite, which could be crystallized from phosphoric acid residue of decayed nucleotides. This allowed as to estimate the size of genomes of ancient eukaryotes and virus-like structures, which were tens of thousands of times greater than those of genomes of modern single-cell organisms. Additionally, we estimated the weights of genomes of ancient eukaryotes using the principle of genomic-nuclear proportionality: that the molecular weights of genomes are proportional to the size of the nuclei. The weights of genomes of microfossil eukaryotes: flagellates, foraminifers, and virus-like structures, estimated by the inclusions of apatite grains and by the size of the nuclei, averaged tens of thousands picogram and, consequently, could contain tens of thousands billion pairs of nucleotides. Presumably, the giant genomes of ancient eukaryotes consisted predominantly of non-coding sequences, that served as a reserve that ensures the vital activity of cells when exposed to streams of mutagens from the environment. One of the mutagenic factors could be significant radioactivity, both background and intracellular, caused by high concentrations of radioactive 40K isotope in seawater. The favorable ecological and geochemical environment and the abundance of biophilic elements (especially phosphates) in the waters of the inland basin could play the role of an evolutionary springboard in the history of biosphere evolution.

Convergent and Parallel Evolutionary Traits in Early Cretaceous Rudist Bivalves (Hippuritidina)

Early Cretaceous Hippuritida clades, requieniide (family Requieniidae) and hippuritide (families Radiolitidae, Polyconitidae,Caprinidae, “Caprinulidae” and Caprinuloideidae), show distinctive myophoral arrangements and shell structures. Nevertheless they share some characters, such as the transverse shell thickening of the myophores of the attached valve which are convergent traits in Lovetchenia (Requieniidae) and Homopleura (Monopleuridae). The bent posterior myophore of the right valve of Pseudotoucasia (Requieniidae) closely resemble the posterior myophore of the left valve of Horiopleura and Polyconites (Polyconitidae). The shell cellular structure is one of the key attributes of the family Radiolitidae (e.g.Eoradiolites) but this structure is also present in some advanced Requieniidae (“Toucasia-Apricardia “group). Canaliculate shell structures are convergent evolutionary traits which are common in the Caprinidae and Caprinuloideidae and also exist in the Polyconitidae and “Caprinulidae”. In most of the foregoing canaliculated groups, two trends are well expressed, reflecting parallel evolution: expansion of canals into the entire shell and increasing complexity of canal architecture. Convergent taxa took some advantages by using former innovations. An Albian peak of convergence coincided with the emergence of new clades, which suggests a reset following the mid-Aptian extinction event.

Upper Cretaceous Benthic Foraminifera Thriving in Intertidal Areas of the Apennine Carbonate Platform

The intertidal area of carbonate platform hosts a complex array of ecological networks in which microbials, algae, cyanobacteria and benthic foraminifera coexist. Being influenced by the amplitude of tides, intertidal areas frequently experience episodes of extreme conditions, including hypersaline waters and elevate daily temperatures. An interesting record of Upper Cretaceous fossil benthic foraminifera found within the intertidal facies of Apennine Carbonate Platform is presented and discussed. Two local gatherings of juvenile Scandonea and adult Rotalispira maxima suggest that the intertidal area was frequently colonized by benthic foraminifera. The results show that these populations of foraminifera were able to tolerate periods of extreme salinity and temperature for reproduction or feeding purposes.

Palynostratigraphy of Upper Mesozoic Outcrops near Anjiajia (Mahajanga Basin), and Manamana (Morondava Basin), and It’s Bearing on the Development of Cretaceous Angiosperm Floras in Madagascar

The two outcrops were investigated palynologically. One outcrop is approximately a 17meter section near Anjiajia in the Mahajanga Basin and the second outcrop is approximately a 5meter section located in the Manamana massif-South Ankazoabo in the Morondava Basin. The section from Anjiajia was dominated by Cryptogrames (56%), Gymnosperms (29.5%) and a minor component of angiosperms (19%). Based on the sedimentology, composition of the palynoflora, the low percentage of angiosperms, and the occurrence of the dinoflagellate Litosphaeridium arundum at the Anjiajia sample is estimated to be Albian to Cenomanian in age. The section from Manamana is dominated by Cryptogrames (47%), Angiosperm (30.5%) and Gymnosperms (17.5 %). Based on the sedimentology, floral composition, the higher percentage of angiosperms relative to the Anjiajia sample, the occurrence of the Dinoflagellates Leberidocysta chlamydata and Odontochitina operculata and the location of the section beneath the Coniacian basalts in the Morondava basin, these data suggest a Turonian-Coniacian age for this sample. Based on these two Cretaceous palynofloras and a megafossil fossil flora from the Maevarano Formation (Santonian to Maastrichtian), which has only a few species of gymnosperms and is dominated by the Lower Cretaceous angiosperm Sapindopsis, it appears the southern hemisphere floras are lagging behind the northern hemisphere angiosperm floras in diversity and abundance.

Mid Holocene Sea-Level Changes in and around Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Bengal basin, the largest fluvio-deltaic sedimentary system on Earth, is located in Bangladesh and three eastern states of India. Sediment accumulates in the basin from the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna (GBM) river systems and is dispersed into the Bay of Bengal, forming the largest submarine fan in the world. The present-day geomorphology is dominated by the extensive Holocene GBM floodplain and delta. The initiation of the modern GBM delta at the onset of the Pleistocene glacial maximum and its evolution to the present configuration are intricately related to Holocene fluvio-dynamic processes, eustatic sea-level changes, and tectonic movements. Quaternary System in Bengal basin has varieties of depositional environment. Sediment characteristics of different geomorphic units are different. Late Quaternary monsoon climatic episodes played the vital role in creating the present morphology of the Madhupur surfaces. During the Holocene, the central part of the basin experienced cyclic transgression and regression phase in several times. This was the evidence by mangrove pollens. The presence of mangrove pollen specially Phoenix paludosa, Avicennia sp, Phoenix sylvestris, Prosopis grandis, Sonneratiopollis sp found in Chatbari, Dubadia and Mirertek area of Dhaka city along with radiocarbon dating indicated that marine influence occurred during Mid Holocene time. Two phases of transgression and regression have been recorded during mid Holocene time. First transgression was noticed around 6500 cal BP and then a subsequent regression of the bay had been observed around 5500-3500 cal BP. This was again followed by another transgression episode around 3500-1500 cal BP. and then a regression during between 1500 cal BP onwards.

Contribution to the Eco-Palynological Studies of Wadi El Natron, Egypt

Palynological study of three soil profiles has been carried out from the Wadi El-Natrun area, Western Desert of Egypt for their pollen content dating Late Pliocene to present. Results revealed predominance of Mangroves vegetation Avicennia marina during Late Pliocene, and, Early Pleistocene. A warm humid climate with intermittent dry periods is indicated from the Late Pliocene recorded fossils. Fossil remains of Juncus and Salsola pollen types. Lycopodium spores, Pinus and Concentricystes spores were recorded during Late Pliocene and Holocene, Early Pleistocene which suggest a humid and warm climate at this period. The climate was warm arid alternating with warm humid and sometimes cool-temperate rainy periods as indicated by the presence of grasess (Poaceae) and (conifer, Pinus). Swamp elements, Typha and phragmites pollen types were recorded with high percentage indicating a swampy habitat during Holocene period. The present vegetation cover of the studied area represented by 27 species belonging to 12 families, 4 annuals and 23 perennial plants and a few individuals of Acacia, Tamarix type the most dominant shrubs, followed by associate types e.g halophytes Salsola, Zygophyllum, Cornulaca and few of annuals Senecio and Sonchus which represent mesophytic species, while the differences in vegetation of present and old may due to the environmental and climatic changes. In the present, the rising salinity and high nutrient loading due to human activities has allowed for the growth of the halophytic community. So, Palynological investigations may be used to detect the effects of climatic changes on terrestrial plant vegetation and as additional tool to predict the past climatic changes.