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Endocranial morphology of Palaeocene Plesiadapis tricuspidens and evolution of the early primate brain
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Expansion of the brain is a key feature of primate evolution. The fossil record, although incomplete, allows a partial reconstruction of changes in primate brain size and morphology through time. Palaeogene plesiadapoids, closest relatives of Euprimates (or crown-group primates), are crucial for understanding early evolution of the primate brain. However, brain morphology of this group remains poorly documented, and major questions remain regarding the initial phase of euprimate brain evolution. Micro-CT investigation of the endocranial morphology of Plesiadapis tricuspidens from the Late Palaeocene of Europe—the most complete plesiadapoid cranium known—shows that plesiadapoids retained a very small and simple brain. Plesiadapis has midbrain exposure, and minimal encephalization and neocorticalization, making it comparable with that of stem rodents and lagomorphs. However, Plesiadapis shares a domed neocortex and downwardly shifted olfactory-bulb axis with Euprimates. If accepted phylogenetic relationships are correct, then this implies that the euprimate brain underwent drastic reorganization during the Palaeocene, and some changes in brain structure preceded brain size increase and neocortex expansion during evolution of the primate brain.
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First Clarkforkian Equivalent Land Mammal Age in the Latest Paleocene Basal Sparnacian Facies of Europe: Fauna, Flora, Paleoenvironment and (Bio)stratigraphy
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The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is correlated with the first occurrences of earliest modern mammals in the Northern Hemisphere. The latest Paleocene Clarkforkian North American Land Mammal Age, that has yielded rodents and carnivorans, is the only exception to this rule. However, until now no pre-PETM localities have yielded modern mammals in Europe or Asia. We report the first Clarkforkian equivalent Land Mammal Age in the latest Paleocene deposits of the basal Sparnacian facies at Rivecourt, in the north-central part of the Paris Basin. The new terrestrial vertebrate and macroflora assemblages are analyzed through a multidisciplinary study including sedimentologic, stratigraphic, isotopic, and palynological aspects in order to reconstruct the paleoenvironment and to evaluate biochronologic and paleogeographic implications. The mammals are moderately diverse and not abundant, contrary to turtles and champsosaurs. The macroflora is exceptional in preservation and diversity with numerous angiosperms represented by flowers, fruits, seeds and wood preserved as lignite material, revealing an abundance of Arecaceae, Betulaceae, Icacinaceae, Menispermaceae, Vitaceae and probably Cornaceae. Results indicate a Late Paleocene age based on carbon isotope data, palynology and vertebrate occurrences such as the choristoderan Champsosaurus, the arctocyonid Arctocyon, and the plesiadapid Plesiadapis tricuspidens. However, several mammal species compare better with the earliest Eocene. Among these, the particular louisinid Teilhardimys musculus, also recorded from the latest Paleocene of the Spanish Pyrenees, suggests a younger age than the typical MP6 reference level. Nevertheless, the most important aspect of the Rivecourt fauna is the presence of dental remains of a rodent and a ‘‘miacid’’ carnivoran, attesting to the presence of two modern mammalian orders in the latest Paleocene of Europe. Interestingly, these two groups are also the only modern groups recorded from the latest Paleocene of North America, making Rivecourt the first direct equivalent to the Clarkforkian Land Mammal Age outside of North America.
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Changes in Species Richness and Spatial Distribution of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) Inferred From Museum Specimen Records and a Recent Inventory: A Case Study From Belgium Suggests Recent Expanded Distribution of Arbovirus and Malaria Vectors
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Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) distribution data from a recent inventory of native and invading mosquito species in Belgium were compared with historical data from the period 1900-1960 that were retrieved from a revision of the Belgian Culicidae collection at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Both data sets were used to investigate trends in mosquito species richness in several regions in Belgium. The relative change in distribution area of mosquito species was particularly important for species that use waste waters and used tires as larval habitats and species that recently shifted their larval habitat to artificial larval habitats. More importantly, several of these species are known as vectors of arboviruses and Plasmodium sp. and the apparent habitat shift of some of them brought these species in proximity to humans. Similar studies comparing current mosquito richness with former distribution data retrieved from voucher specimens from collections is therefore encouraged because they can generate important information concerning health risk assessment at both regional and national scale.
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Nationwide inventory of mosquito biodiversity (Diptera: Culicidae) in Belgium, Europe
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To advance our restricted knowledge on mosquito biodiversity and distribution in Belgium, a national inventory started in 2007 (MODIRISK) based on a random selection of 936 collection points in three main environmental types: urban, rural and natural areas. Additionally, 64 sites were selected because of the risk of importing a vector or pathogen in these sites. Each site was sampled once between May and October 2007 and once in 2008 using Mosquito Magnet Liberty Plus traps. Diversity in pre-defined habitat types was calculated using three indices. The association between species and environmental types was assessed using a correspondence analysis. Twenty-three mosquito species belonging to traditionally recognized genera were found, including 21 indigenous and two exotic species. Highest species diversity (Simpson 0.765) and species richness (20 species) was observed in natural areas, although urban sites scored also well (Simpson 0.476, 16 species). Four clusters could be distinguished based on the correspondence analysis. The first one is related to human modified landscapes (such as urban, rural and industrial sites). A second is composed of species not associated with a specific habitat type, including the now widely distributed Anopheles plumbeus. A third group includes species commonly found in restored natural or bird migration areas, and a fourth cluster is composed of forest species. Outcomes of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed sampling scheme and support the choice of the trap type. Obtained results of this first country-wide inventory of the Culicidae in Belgium may serve as a basis for risk assessment of emerging mosquito-borne diseases.
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Summary of our present knowledge of the spider communities of the Galápagos archipelago. First analysis of the spider communities of the islands Santa Cruz and Isabela
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High resolution miospore stratigraphy of the Upper Famennian of eastern Belgium, and correlation with the conodont zonation.
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The Ourthe valley in eastern Belgium provides the most complete exposures of the upper Famennian Condroz Group. A detailed miospore stratigraphy has been established for this succession. The lower three miospore biozones of the Upper Famennian (GF, VCo and VH Oppel Zones) are re-defined and subdivided into five new interval zones. The GF Oppel Zone which spans the Middle and Upper Famennian boundary was previously subdivided into three interval zones is now reduced to two. The highest Retispora macroreticulata (Mac) Interval Zone is now removed (due to its very sporadic occurrence) which results in the Grandispora microseta (Mic) Interval Zone of the GF Oppel Zone now being the lowest miospore interval zone of the Upper Famennian. The overlying VCo Oppel zone is subdivided into two new interval zones, the Rugospora radiata (Rad) and overlying Grandispora cornuta (Cor) interval Zones. A detailed study based on new and published material of the two nominal zonal taxa of the VCo Zone has clarified their morphology and resolved identification problems with other closely related Upper Devonian taxa. Furthermore, a biometric comparison of Grandispora cornuta with Grandispora tamarae has resulted in the specific diagnosis of G. cornuta being emended to increase its minimal spine length to 8 µm. The biostratigraphic implications for intercontinental correlations with the Upper Famennian of North America are discussed. The overlying VH Oppel Zone is subdivided into two new interval zones, the Apiculiretusispora verrucosa (Ver) Interval Zone and the overlying Vallatisporites hystricosus (Hys) Interval Zone. All of the new miospore interval zones are closely correlated with the well established conodont zones occurring in five sections of the Ourthe Valley. The new integrated data sets provide a high resolution biostratigraphy for the Upper Famennian stratigraphic interval in eastern Belgium.
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Leydetite, Fe(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)11, a new uranyl sulfate mineral from Mas d’Alary, Lodève, France.
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The macro- and megabenthic fauna on the continental shelf of the eastern Amundsen Sea, Antarctica
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2.7 First occurrence of Menoethius monoceros Latreille, 1825 in the Gulf of Tunis (Northern Tunisia) [pp. 243-244 in Siokou, I. et al. "New Mediterranean marine biodiversity records (June 2013)"]
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First occurrence of Menoethius monoceros Latreille, 1825 in the Gulf of Tunis (Northern Tunisia), pp. 243-244. In: Siokou I. et al., New Mediterranean Marine biodiversity records (June 2013).
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