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Inproceedings Reference Présence d'un gecko dans l'Eocène basal de Dormaal (Belgique): un élément thermophile du PETM ?
Si le registre fossile des lézards est assez bon pour l’Eocène moyen et supérieur en Europe, il n’en va pas de même pour l’Eocène inférieur. Seule la localité de Dormaal, datant de l’Eocène basal (niveau-repère MP7,Belgique) semble faire exception. Parmi les nombreux fossiles de lézards de cette localité, nous présentons ici pour la première fois quelques rares éléments appartenant à un gecko. Ce dernier vivait donc dans nos régions durant le Maximum Thermique Paléocène-Eocène (PETM), climat le plus chaud des 66 derniers millions d’années. Ce nouveau taxon, daté de 56 Ma, est le plus ancien gecko cénozoïque connu en Europe. Avec Laonogekko lefevrei de Prémontré (MP 10, Bassin de Paris), plus jeune d’environ 5 millions d’années, ces taxons forment la radiation du Paléogène inférieur de ce clade. Aujourd’hui, les geckos sont répartis dans le monde entier, principalement dans les zones tempérées chaudes à tropicales, bien que certaines espèces puissent atteindre des régions plus froides dans les hémisphères Nord et Sud. Le nouveau gecko de Dormaal représente un élément thermophile, confirmant les préférences thermiques actuelles des geckos. Par ailleurs, la distribution de ce groupe dans des latitudes aussi septentrionales (au-dessus de 50° Nord) n’est pas surprenante durant cette période particulièrement chaude. Bien que le nouveau taxon décrit ici ne soit représenté que par un frontal et des dentaires (deux des éléments les plus fréquemment préservés chez les geckos fossiles), il fournit un nouveau record de diversité des squamates à la base de l’Eocène. Avec Yantarogekko de l’ambre éocène de la Baltique (district de Kaliningrad, nord-ouest de la Russie), ces geckos documentent la distribution septentrionale des geckos en Europe pendant l’Éocène.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022 OA
Inproceedings Reference Correlating cross-border Cenozoic stratigraphy in the Belgian-Dutch border region: results from H3O – De Voorkempen
The sustainable use and management of natural resources in border regions require unambiguous geological information from neighbouring countries. However, the available data often lack compatibility and the same level of detail across borders. Aim of the Belgian-Dutch H3O projects is to produce seamless, cross-border, 3D geological and hydrogeological models of the Cenozoic deposits across the border between Belgium and The Netherlands. “H3O – De Voorkempen” is the third consecutive project, focusing on the Noorderkempen (Flanders) and the western part of Noord-Brabant (The Netherlands). The project started in 2020 and the final results will be delivered in 2023. A crucial step in any cross-border geological modelling task is to establish the correlation between lithostratigraphic units on both sides of the border. In this project, the correlation is initially based on the available knowledge of regional lithostratigraphy (including chronology, depositional environment, sedimentological characteristics) and then further fine-tuned based on the interpretation of high-quality boreholes, geophysical well logs and seismic lines that cover the main geological complexities and cross the international border. The correlations are graphically presented in a chrono-lithostratigraphic correlation chart and cross-section profiles. The established correlation scheme will be used as a base for converting or reinterpreting the available data. In the final stage, the harmonized datasets will be used to create a geometrically and stratigraphically consistent 3D model of “De Voorkempen”. The result will be a state-of-the-art reference for the subsurface structure of the project area, which can be used as a base for scientific research and cross-border management of natural resources. The Belgian-Dutch H3O projects are carried out by a partnership between TNO – Geological Survey of the Netherlands, VITO and RBINS – Geological Survey of Belgium, with support from the Flemish Bureau for Environment and Spatial Development (VPO), Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Province of Noord-Brabant and drinking water company Brabant Water. The geological models are/will be available in the public domain via the online data portals of DOV (Database of the Subsoil in Flanders) and DINOloket (Data and Information on the Dutch Subsurface). For the technical reports of previous H3O projects, see Deckers et al., 2014 and Vernes et al., 2018. References Deckers, J., Vernes, R.W., Dabekaussen, W., Den Dulk, M., Doornenbal, J.C., Dusar, M., Hummelman, H.J., Matthijs, J., Menkovic, A., Reindersma, R.N., Walstra, J., Westerhoff, W.E. & Witmans, N., 2014. Geologisch en hydrogeologisch 3D model van het Cenozoïcum van de Roerdalslenk in Zuidoost-Nederland en Vlaanderen (H3O-Roerdalslenk). VITO/TNO report, Mol/Utrecht, 208 pp. (incl. 8 appendices). Vernes, R.W., Dekkers, J., Bakker, M., Bogemans, F., De Ceukelaire, M., Doornenbal, J., den Dulk, M., Dusar M., Van Haren, T., Heyvaert, V., Kiden, P., Kruisselbrink, A., Lanckacker, T., Menkovic, A., Meyvis, B., Munsterman, D., Reindersma, R., Rombaut, B., ten Veen, J., van de Ven, T., Walstra, J. & Witmans N., 2018. Geologisch en hydrogeologisch 3D model van het Cenozoïcum van de Belgisch-Nederlandse grensstreek van Midden-Brabant / De Kempen (H3O – De Kempen). TNO/VITO/KBIN-BGD report, Utrecht/Mol/Brussel, 109 pp. (+8 appendices).
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2021
Proceedings Reference WORKSHOP TO SCOPE ASSESSMENT METHODS TO SET THRESHOLDS (WKBENTH2)
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires Member States to achieve good en- vironmental status (GES) across their marine waters. The EU have requested ICES to advise on methods for assessing adverse effects on seabed habitats, through selection of relevant indicators for the assessment of benthic habitats and seafloor integrity and associated threshold values for GES in relation to Descriptor 6 – Seabed integrity under the MFSD. Two sets of criteria were developed to evaluate indicators and thresholds respectively for eval- uation of suitability for assessing GES. 16 indicator and 12 threshold criteria were compiled and weighted by importance. The criteria were designed for evaluation at a subregional or regional level. The scoring for these criteria is meant as a guidance when choosing indicators and thresh- olds, so failure to meet one criterion will not necessarily prevent the use of the indicator or thresh- old in an assessment. The framework was evaluated for 6 indicators and for 11 methods for set- ting thresholds. The criteria were found to be useful for evaluation both indicators and thresh- olds. The process works most consistently when there are experts in the group on both the crite- ria themselves and on the indicators and thresholds. The MFSD Descriptor 6 determination of GES needs both a quality threshold (when are seabed habitats in a good state in a specific location) and an extent threshold (proportion of the assess- ment area that needs to have seabed habitats in good state). Eleven different methods for setting thresholds were identified, of which more are suitable for setting quality than for extent thresh- olds. Preferred methods identified an ecologically-motivated difference between a good and de- graded state, rather than another transition. Quality thresholds based on the lower boundary of the range of natural variation were considered most promising. This approach can be used for most, but not all, indicators. The WK collated a standardized dataset to test the specificity, sensitivity and/or responsiveness of sampling-based benthic indicators to pressure gradients for evaluation by WKBENTH3. Risk- based methods will be evaluated as maps and by scored sensitivity and impact score per MSFD habitat type and subdivision. Participants provided input into the selection of indicators for the compilation of indicators. A template was developed for documenting the characteristics of each indicator to facilitate the evaluation of the indicators.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2022
Inproceedings Reference H2020 Eurofleets+ Data Management: an integrated data stewardship approach across multidisciplinary Transnational Access cruises
In the scope of H2020 Eurofleets+ project, 28 Transnational Access cruises were funded to conduct multidisciplinary scientific research projects. In order to achieve Open data FAIRness, an integrated data management approach has been set up in synergy with the pan-European SeaDataNet infrastructure involving three NODCs as core partners. It resulted in the collection of a tremendous amount of data from which 66% had been preserved, more than 40% made Findable and 30% Interroperable. Achieving successful data management was allowed by a close collaboration and good communication between scientists and NODCs.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Proceedings Reference Occupation de la montagne et transformation des milieux dans les Alpes méridionales au cours de l’Age du Bronze : Approche croisée des données palynologiques et archéologiques en Champsaur et Argentièrois (Hautes-Alpes, France).
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Inproceedings Reference First virtual endocasts of two Paleocene arctocyonids: a glimpse into the behavior of early placental mammals after the end-Cretaceous extinction
Placentals are by far the most diverse group of mammals today, with 6,111 species. They occupy a plethora of ecological niches worldwide and display a broad range of body masses. The vacant niches left by non-avian dinosaurs and other vertebrates after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction provided a crucial opportunity for placentals to diversify; however, intrinsic factors also may have played a role. The general neurosensory organization exhibited by extant mammals has been maintained since the early Mesozoic. Much later, early members of extant placental groups from the Eocene and Oligocene including rodents, primates and artiodactyls—display neurosensory innovations such as a proportionally larger neocortex and higher encephalization quotient compared to their Mesozoic ancestors. However, between these two well-known intervals of mammalian neurosensory evolution, there is a gap: few studies have focused on the brains of the oldest placentals living during the early Paleogene, in the Paleocene. We focus on the ‘Arctocyonidae’, a likely polyphyletic group of ‘condylarths’, including species potentially implicated in the origins of some extant orders. ‘Arctocyonids’ were among the first placentals to diversify after the end-Cretaceous extinction. They have been reconstructed as small-tomedium sized, mainly omnivorous and terrestrial. We obtained cranial and bony labyrinth endocasts for Chriacus baldwini and C. pelvidens from the lower Paleocene of the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, and Arctocyon primaevus from the upper Paleocene of the Paris Basin, France, via high resolution computed tomography. Both share plesiomorphic brain features with previously described early Paleocene mammals. They have small lissencephalic brains with an EQ range of 0.12-0.43 and 0.16-0.31, respectively. The olfactory bulbs and the paraflocculi represent 6% and less than 1% of the total endocranial volume, respectively and the neocortical height ratio represents ~25% of the total endocranial height. Based on cochlear measurements, both taxa had hearing capabilities similar to those of extant wild boars. Agility scores between 2 and 3 were obtained for both taxa, similar to the modern American badger and crab-eating raccoon, suggesting that C. pelvidens and A. primaevus were ambulatory. These results support growing evidence that early placentals had lower EQs and less expanded neocortices compared to Eocene and later taxa, potentially indicating that high intelligence was not key to the placental radiation after the End-Cretaceous extinction. Grant Information: Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions: Individual Fellowship, European Research Council Starting Grant, National Science Foundation, and Belgian Science Policy Office.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Inproceedings Reference Critical analysis of the carnivoran mammal success in Europe during the Paleogene
Why are we surrounded by only one group of placental carnivorous mammals (Carnivora: the presentday lions, dogs, bears, and seals among others) today, while at least three other groups of placental mammals (Hyaenodonta, Mesonychia, Oxyaenidae) were in competition with carnivorans 50 million years ago? Since the 1990s, palaeontologists have investigated the success of carnivoraform mammals (including Carnivora) and their crucial adaptations in detail. Analysis of the taxonomic and morphological diversification of these groups in the North American fossil record clearly demonstrated that carnivoraforms outcompeted hyaenodonts and oxyaenids during the Eocene, specifically from around 50 Ma onwards. We document the evolutionary history of the taxonomic diversity as well as the evolution of the body mass of carnivorous mammals that lived in Europe during the Paleogene (66–23 Ma). The results suggest that this competition was diametrically opposed in North America and Europe. Carnivoraforms actually did not become diversified in Europe during the Eocene and thus were not as taxonomically successful in Europe as in North America during that period. Moreover, during the Eocene, European hyaenodonts varied more in body mass than carnivoraforms. The situation dramatically changed during the 'Grande Coupure' (around Eocene–Oligocene boundary; ca. 33.9 Ma). This transition corresponds to a major faunal turnover in Europe: during the earliest Oligocene global cooling event (Oi-1), the Eocene endemic carnivorous fauna was replaced by immigrant taxa (hyaenodonts and carnivorans), mainly from Asia. This abstract is a contribution to the Belspo Brain Pioneer project BR/175/PI/CARNAGES funded by the Belgian Science Policy Office.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2019
Article Reference Les tombes tardo-romaines dans le bassin moyen de la Meuse au travers des découvertes du Tienne del Baticulle à Nismes
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Book Reference 2nd international conference on biodiversity in the Congo Basin
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2023
Inproceedings Reference Brain evolution of early placental mammals: the impact of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction on the the neurosensory system of our distant relatives
The end-Cretaceous mass extinction, 66 million years ago, profoundly reshaped the biodiversity of our planet. After likely originating in the Cretaceous, placental mammals (species giving live birth to well-developed young) survived the extinction and quickly diversified in the ensuing Paleocene. Compared to Mesozoic species, extant placentals have advanced neurosensory abilities, enabled by a proportionally large brain with an expanded neocortex. This brain construction was acquired by the Eocene, but its origins, and how its evolution relates to extinction survivorship and recovery, are unclear, because little is known about the neurosensory systems of Paleocene species. We used high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning to build digital brain models in 29 extinct placentals (including 23 from the Paleocene). We added these to data from the literature to construct a database of 98 taxa, from the Jurassic to the Eocene, which we assessed in a phylogenetic context. We find that the Phylogenetic Encephalization Quotient (PEQ), a measure of relative brain size, increased in the Cretaceous along branches leading to Placentalia, but then decreased in Paleocene clades (taeniodonts, phenacodontids, pantodonts, periptychids, and arctocyonids). Later, during the Eocene, the PEQ increased independently in all crown groups (e.g., euarchontoglirans and laurasiatherians). The Paleocene decline in PEQ was driven by body mass increasing much more rapidly after the extinction than brain volume. The neocortex remained small, relative to the rest of the brain, in Paleocene taxa and expanded independently in Eocene crown groups. The relative size of the olfactory bulbs, however, remained relatively stable over time, except for a major decrease in Euarchontoglires and some Eocene artiodactyls, while the petrosal lobules (associated with eye movement coordination) decreased in size in Laurasiatheria but increased in Euarchontoglires. Our results indicate that an enlarged, modern-style brain was not instrumental to the survival of placental mammal ancestors at the end-Cretaceous, nor to their radiation in the Paleocene. Instead, opening of new ecological niches post-extinction promoted the diversification of larger body sizes, while brain and neocortex sizes lagged behind. The independent increase in PEQ in Eocene crown groups is related to the expansion of the neocortex, possibly a response to ecological specialization as environments changed, long after the extinction. Funding Sources Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, European Research Council Starting Grant, National Science Foundation, Belgian Science Policy Office, DMNS No Walls Community Initiative.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020