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Article Reference Bistability in the redox chemistry of sediments and oceans
For most of Earth’s history, the ocean’s interior was pervasively anoxic and showed occasional shifts in ocean redox chemistry between iron-buffered and sulfide-buffered states. These redox transitions are most often explained by large changes in external inputs, such as a strongly altered delivery of iron and sulfate to the ocean, or major shifts in marine productivity. Here, we propose that redox shifts can also arise from small perturbations that are amplified by nonlinear positive feedbacks within the internal iron and sulfur cycling of the ocean. Combining observational evidence with biogeochemical modeling, we show that both sedimentary and aquatic systems display intrinsic iron–sulfur bistability, which is tightly linked to the formation of reduced iron–sulfide minerals. The possibility of tipping points in the redox state of sediments and oceans, which allow large and nonreversible geochemical shifts to arise from relatively small changes in organic carbon input, has important implications for the interpretation of the geological rock record and the causes and consequences of major evolutionary transitions in the history of Earth’s biosphere
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Cryptophyllium, the hidden leaf insects – descriptions of a new leaf insect genus and thirteen species from the former celebicum species group (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2021
Article Reference Are petrous bones just a repository of ancient biomolecules? Investigating biosystematic signals in sheep petrous bones using 3D geometric morphometrics
Over the last decade, the petrous bone (petrosum) has become the ultimate repository of ancient biomolecules, leading to a plea for a more ethical curation preventing the systematic destruction of this bioarchaeological archive. Here, we propose to explore the biosystematic signal encompassed in the biological form of 152 petrosa from modern populations of wild and domestic sheep landraces/breeds across Western Europe, South-Western Asia and Africa, using high resolution geometric morphometrics (GMM) and the latest development in 3D virtual morphology. We assessed the taxonomic signals among wild and domestic caprine species and sheep landraces. We also explored the effect of sexual dimorphism and ageing at the population scale. Finally, we assessed the influence of climatic factors across the geographic distribution of our dataset using Köppen-Geiger climate categories. We found that the 3D form of petrous bones can accurately separate wild and domestic caprine taxa and that it is not influenced by sexual dimorphism, post-natal ageing or horn bearing. Recent selective breeding has not induced sufficient diversification to allow accurate identification of the different landraces/breeds in sheep; however, both genetic distance and climatic differences across the current distribution in sheep landraces/breeds strongly contribute to petrosum intraspecific variation. Finally, human mediated dispersal of domestic sheep outside their Near Eastern cradle, especially towards Africa, have greatly contributed to the diversification of sheep petrous bone form and shape. We therefore highly recommend systematic 3D surface modelling of archaeological petrosa with preliminary GMM studies to help target and reduce destructive biomolecular studies.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022
Article Reference Mitogenomic characterization and systematic placement of the Congo blind barb Caecobarbus geertsii (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)
This study presents the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Caecobarbus geertsii, the Congo blind barb, a cave-dwelling, CITES-protected, cyprinid fish endemic to the Lower Congo basin (DRC). The length of the circular mitogenome is 16,565 base pairs. The 13 protein coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 22 transfer RNA genes are similar in position and direction to those of other members of the family Cyprinidae. Phylogenetic analyses including 28 complete mitogenomes from representatives of the subfamily Smiliogastrinae (Cyprinidae), showed that Caecobarbus was nested within a clade including representatives of the genus Enteromius. The data presented in this study provide information on the molecular identification and classification of this threatened species. The results further suggest the need for a taxonomic revision of the genus Enteromius.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference The introduction of the European fallow deer to the northern provinces of the Roman Empire: a multi-proxy approach to the Herstal skeleton (Belgium)
Many exotic animal species were introduced to Northern Europe during the Roman period, including fallow deer (Dama dama). To date, however, finds of fallow deer bones at archaeological sites in this region have been sporadic and disarticulated, leaving uncertainty over their origins. This article presents the first known articulated fallow deer skeleton from Roman North-western Europe. Osteological, ancient DNA, radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analyses confirm that the species was established in this region by the Roman period, probably originating from translocated, rather than native, Mediterranean populations. Clarifying the origins of fallow deer in North-western Europe is critical for understanding the dynamics of species exchange around the Roman Empire.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Pascal source code Benchtop μXRF as a tool for speleothem trace elemental analysis: Validation, limitations and application on an Eemian to early Weichselian (125–97 ka) stalagmite from Belgium
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Reconstructing seasonality through stable-isotope and trace-element analyses of the Proserpine stalagmite, Han-sur-Lesse cave, Belgium: indications for climate-driven changes during the last 400 years
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Earthquake-related speleothem damages: observations from the 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan, China
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference text/texmacs Comments on'U-Pb dated flowstones restrict South African early hominin record to dry climate phases'(Pickering et al. Nature 2018; 565: 226-229)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference Modélisation 3D par imagerie lidar et analyse structurale de la Salle du Dôme des Grottes de Han-sur-Lesse (Belgique, Ardenne)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020