Fossil beetle based palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions are presented from the Westport region, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand for the last glacial cycle. They include the longest continuous fossil beetle record from New Zealand, covering 16,000 years over the OIS 3/OIS 2 transition. Early last glacial (OIS 4) and mid- Holocene (OIS 1) reconstructions are also presented. The assumptions underlying fossil beetle research in New Zealand are tested indicating beetles are suitable proxies for reconstructing palaeotemperature and palaeoprecipitation. This thesis provides the first quantitative estimates of temperature and precipitation from the Westport region for the last glacial. Reconstructed temperatures indicate stadial cooling was seasonal. Maximum cooling was ca. 5℃ in winter and ca. 2-3℃ in summer. Winter cooling is consistent with previous quantitative estimates from New Zealand. Mean annual precipitation decreased a maximum 35-40% during stadials. Temperatures and precipitation varied during OIS 3/2 indicating multiple possible drivers for glaciation. A glacial advance ca. 34-28ka BP correlates with ca. 5℃ winter cooling and ca. 40% less precipitation, which supports temperature driven glaciation whereas a glacial advance ca. 24-22ka BP correlates with ca. 3℃ winter cooling and precipitation similar to present, which supports precipitation forced glaciation. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions of stadial vegetation from the Westport region indicate lowland Nothofagus fusca-type forest during OIS 4 and a forest-grassland mosaic during OIS 3/2. These records contrast with pollen-based reconstructions of a treeless landscape in Westport during stadials but are consistent with quantitative estimates of stadial cooling. A shift of reproductive strategy in arboreal vegetation may explain the lack of tree pollen in stadial pollen records. This is significant for our understanding of glacial palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology as pollen records may not accurately represent stadial vegetation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Originally issued in print. "Publications [by Jih-Pai Lin]": p. ix-x. Includes bibliographical references (p. 342-392). Full text release at OhioLINK's ETD Center delayed at author's request

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 2001. / Bibliography: leaves [206]-244.

The nature of the Ediacaran macrobiota (c. 580-541 Ma) remains puzzling. These first assemblages of large, complex fossils may have included early animals; giant microbial forms; and organisms representing radically different body plans that went extinct. Discoidal impressions – some forming the base of Ediacaran fronds but most found as isolated discs – dominate the Ediacaran macrobiota. However round markings may also be formed in a variety of abiogenic ways. This study investigates the nature and biogenicity of discoidal impressions from two Ediacaran successions: the c. 560-Ma upper Burway Formation, Longmyndian Supergroup, Shropshire, UK; and several sites on the Bonavista and Avalon Peninsulas, Newfoundland, Canada, ranging in age from 565–c. 560 Ma. The investigation involved fieldwork, photography, serial grinding through cross-sections, and optical and scanning electron microscopy. It concludes that several Longmyndian discoidal forms are pseudofossils formed by sediment injection resulting from small-scale fluid escape inferred to be driven by microbial mat sealing. Turning to clearly biogenic impressions, comparison of the varied morphologies of holdfast discs associated with fronds preserved under ash and sand from several Newfoundland sites leads to a generic model of their architecture as consisting of enclosed chambers, a complex construction perhaps for strength or possibly symbiosis. Detailed observations of the rayed disc Hiemalora suggest that it may have had an amoeboid lifestyle. Finally, the key Ediacaran taxon Aspidella is separated from the discs Ediacaria and Spriggia, with which it has been synonymized, and interpreted as a possible polyp-like animal capable of limited movement. This thesis thus demonstrates that the earliest reported Ediacaran discoidal impressions are abiogenic, produced by mat-influenced processes particularly relevant to the Precambrian, and proposes models and interpretations for several key Ediacaran forms that have important implications for both the nature and diversity of the Ediacaran macrobiota, and early animal evolution.

The purpose of this study is to document and describe newly observed marine fossils from the upper part of the Degonia Sandstone and to infer the depositional setting of this horizon. Previous studies have shown that the Degonia Sandstone (Elviran Stage, Chesterian Series, Mississippian Subsystem) contains sedimentological evidence of several depositional environments (i.e. terrestrial, fluvial, nearshore deltaic, tidal, and possible marine zones); however, no body fossils had been observed. The only fossils identified in the Degonia are non-diagnostic trace fossils and Carboniferous plant remains such as Lepidodendron trunks and Stigmaria casts, suggesting a terrestrial environment. In 2010, Mary Seid and Joseph Devera of the Illinois State Geological Survey found marine fossils in the upper Degonia Sandstone in a stream bed located within the Wolf Creek Fault Zone. They associated these fossils with a marine environment, contradicting earlier assessments. Four study localities were found throughout the study, one each in the Gorham, Cobden, Glendale, and Raddle Quadrangles of southern Illinois. Sampling localities were found using geologic maps to locate the Degonia-Kinkaid contact, specifically areas where large stream valleys cut through the Kinkaid Formation and into the Degonia Sandstone throughout southern Illinois. The boundaries between the Degonia Sandstone and the overlying Kinkaid Formation were walked in order to find indicators of the marine zone (i.e. the presence of the shaly layer of the upper Degonia Sandstone). The reference section (the Gorham locality) contains the largest diversity of fossils and represents a storm deposit. The Cobden locality appears to contain a zone of dwarfed specimens and a zone of normal sized specimens, and represents a storm deposit. The Glendale locality is dominated by a single bivalve and represents brackish water conditions. The Raddle locality is non-fossiliferous, but was within the intertidal zone. The fauna identified by this study consists of four Phyla: Arthropoda, Brachiopoda, Bryozoa, and Mollusca. The only Arthropoda observed was a burrowing barnacle (Acrothoracica). The Brachiopoda observed consist of Diaphragmus nivosus, Orthotetes kaskaskiensis, Anthracospirifer occiduus, and Composita sp. The Bryozoa observed include Fenestrate and Trepostome. The Mollusca are the most diverse phyla observed, consisting of bivalves (Wilkingia walkeri, ?Edmondia sp., Aviculopecten winchelli, Promytilus illinoisensis, Myalina sp., ?Septimyalina sp., Myalinella meeki, ?Sphenotus monroensis, and four species of unknown bivalves), cephalopods (Reticycloceras sp., Endolobus sp., Liroceras sp., Metacoceras sp., and Domatoceras sp.), and gastropods (Euconospira sturgeoni, ?Eotrochus cf. marigoldensis, and an unknown gastropod). Other fossils observed were crinoid stem molds and plant material. The characterization of invertebrate fossils occurring in the upper Degonia supports the previous suggested marine sedimentological features of the Degonia Sandstone.

Anomalodesmatans comprise a large, ancient and ecologically diverse group of marine bivalves, but are nonetheless inconspicuous in most extant shallow water communities. For various reasons, which include their present scarcity and a bewildering array of disparate morphologies, representatives of the group have always proved difficult to interpret, and their systematics lagged behind those of most other major bivalve taxa. Most of this dissertation reports the results of a comparative investigation on the shell morphology and anatomy of extant anomalodesmatans, which formed the basis for a reassessment of hypotheses of primary homology established by previous investigators and identification of novel characters for phylogenetic inference. Due to the chief role played by the hinge ligament in authoritative discussions of anomalodesmatan evolution, this organ was chosen as the focus of a more detailed treatment. Discontinuous ontogeny of fibrous ligament is shown to characterise several members of the group, with the implication that, in contrast to the prevailing model,not all anomalodesmatan adult ligaments may be considered homologous. Likewise, a system of multicellular glands concerned with sediment agglutination was studied with particular emphasis because it is both exclusive to and widespread within Anomalodesmata. Evidence of preserved glandular secretion is recorded for the first time in fossil material and the glands themselves found in extant laternulids and pholadomyids, thus considerably expanding their known taxonomic distribution. Finally, this volume also documents the largest cladistic analysis of extant anomalodesmatans performed to date, including morphological data compiled from both original observations and literature accounts. Among traditionally recognised superfamilies, Pholadomyoidea, Clavagelloidea and Septibranchia were found monophyletic. Taxa commonly referred to Pandoroidea and Thracioidea were recovered as part of two new clades, which are also supported by recent molecular studies. Interpreted in the light of the fossil record, reconstructed phylogenetic relationships favour the iterative evolution of shallow infaunal and epifaunal anomalodesmatans from deep-burrowing ancestors over previously advanced patterns for the history of the clade, namely ventral migration of the ligament and irreversible radiations into a deep infaunal life habit.

Submitted by Caroline Falcao (caroline.rfalcao@ufpe.br) on 2017-06-08T17:38:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) 2012-dissertacao-PetriusBelo.pdf.pdf: 20883190 bytes, checksum: 0734db46fd439e33d9a5bb0a64199f0a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T17:38:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) 2012-dissertacao-PetriusBelo.pdf.pdf: 20883190 bytes, checksum: 0734db46fd439e33d9a5bb0a64199f0a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-31 / Sítios com interação homem-megafauna no Brasil são raros, bem como no restante da América do Sul. Muitos estudos publicados até hoje têm focalizado e discutido evidências de sítios do extremo sul do continente como, Monte Verde, no Chile e Los Toldos, na Argentina ou do extremo norte, no caso do sítio Taima-Taima, na Venezuela. Um dos mais importantes sítios escavados no Brasil está situado na Área arqueológica do Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara-PI, a “Toca da Janela da Barra do Antonião” –um abrigo sob-rocha com significativo registro da megafauna em associação estratigráfica com artefatos líticos. Vale ressaltar que nele foram encontrados fósseis com determinados padrões de fraturas e marcasde corte. Embora tenha sido escavado entre as décadas de 1980 e 1990 do século passado, alguns de seus resultados ainda são inéditos. Este trabalho objetiva estudar as marcas em ossos da megafauna em uma perspectiva de corroborar ou falsear a interferência humana na história tafonômica desses espécimes. Os fósseis com marcas de corte foram coletados em associação espacial com artefatos líticos, em um depósito cárstico utilizado como abrigo.Os táxons aqui estudados incluem: Eremotheriun, Catonyx, Notiomastodon, Hippidion, c.f Macrauchenia, Paleolama eToxodon–alguns destes apresentam marcas do tipo sulcos com secções em “V” com microestrias internas, localizadas próximas às zonas de articulações; além disso, são registrados padrões de fraturas do tipo espiral e irregular. A metodologia do trabalho consistiu em análise tafonômica em escala microscópica por meio de lupa binocular, microscópio eletrônico de varredura, fotografia digital e software específico, com o intuito de encontrar assinaturas tafonômicasque possam indicar que as marcas encontradas são de natureza antrópica, resultante da atividade de abate destes animais. Em análise preliminar foram identificadas marcas de corte paralelas encontradas em um úmero do gênero Hippidion, escavado no setor A, Nível IV. Estas marcas apresentam coloração e morfologia que indicam uma origem anterior ao processo de fossilização. Este espécime apresenta um padrão de fratura que sugere que ele foi fraturado antes dos processos diagenéticos, enquanto o osso ainda preservava sua elasticidade. A discussão sobre este tipo de vestígio está relacionada à validade das associações estratigráficas entre artefatos e fósseis, ao agente causador das marcas e se, de fato, ocorreu interferência antrópica na formação da assembleia. Sendo assim, com base no estudo tafonômico microscópico dos vestígios encontrados, pode-se afirmar que as alterações nos ossos foram elaboradas por populações pré-históricas que ocuparam este abrigo durante o final do Pleistoceno e início do Holoceno. / Sites with human-megafauna interaction are rare in Brazil and in the rest of South America. Many studies have been published which are focused on sites and discussed evidences of the extreme south of the continent as Monte Verde in Chile and Los Toldos, Argentina or the far north, where Taima-Taima site in Venezuela. One of the most important sites excavated in Brazil is located in the archaeological area of the National Park of Sierra Capybara-IP, "Toca da Janela da Barra do Antonião." –a shelter-in rock with significant record of megafauna in stratigraphic association with lithic artefacts. Besides, there were found fossils with certain patterns of fractures andcut marks. Although it was excavated between the 1980s and 1990s of the last century, some of their results are still unpublished. This paper aims to study the marks on bones of megafauna in order to corroborate or misrepresent human interference in the taphonomic history of these specimens. Fossils with cut marks were collected in spatial association with lithic artifacts in a warehouse karst used as shelter. The taxa studied here include: Eremotheriun, Catonyx, Notiomastodon, Hippidion, cf Macrauchenia, and Palaeolama Toxodon –some of these brands have the type grooves with sections on "V" with microestrias internal, situated near the joint areas; in addition, are recorded patterns of fractures type spiral and irregular. The methodology of the study consisted on taphonomic analysis on a microscopic scale through binocular microscope, scanning electron microscope, digital photography and specific software, in order to find taphonomic signatures which may indicate that the markings are anthropogenic in nature, resulting from the slaughter activity of such animals. In preliminary analysis were identified parallel cut marks found in the genre Hippidion a humerus, dug in sector A, Level IV. These brands have staining and morphology that indicate a prior origin to fossilization process. This specimen exhibits a pattern of fracture which suggests that it was fractured before the diagenetic processes, while the bone still preserved its elasticity. The discussion about this type of trace is related to the validity of stratigraphic associations between artifacts and fossils, the causative agent of brands and if, indeed, have occurred anthropogenic interference in the formation of the assembly. Therefore, based on the study of microscopic taphonomic traces found, it can be stated that the changes in the bones were prepared by prehistoric populations that occupied this shelter during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene.

The ecologically sensitive, but relatively simple sub-Antarctic mouse-colonised Marion and mouse-free Prince Edward Islands represent ideal ecosystems for addressing questions relating to the partitioning of potential influences of anthropogenic changes, such as climate change and alien species on ecosystem functioning. Consequently, weevil species were used in the present investigation to address questions of morphological change over time with reference to climate change and mouse predation. As a prelude to the assessment of morphological changes over time, the six currently recognised weevil species, namely, Bothrometopus randi, B. parvulus, B. elongatus, Ectemnorhinus similis, E. marioni and Palirhoeus eatoni from both Marion and Prince Edward Islands were confirmed by morphometric analyses. However, the taxonomic status of Ectemnorhinus weevil species on both islands is much more complex than previously considered. A multi-faceted approach based on both morphometric and molecular (COI gene) data suggest the presence of a single species, comprising diverse, genetically discrete populations on Marion Island and two genetically distinct species on Prince Edward Island. The assessment of morphological changes over time included the four remaining weevil species (B. elongatus, B. randi, B. parvulus and P. eatoni) occurring on both Marion and Prince Edward Islands, collected non-consecutively over five decades. These analyses suggest morphometric size differences between samples from both Marion and Prince Edward Islands collected in the mid-1960s and 1970s and those collected recently. Similarly, samples from both islands collected in the early- to mid-1980s also showed morphometric shape differences with those collected recently for both Prince Edward and Marion Islands, respectively. Generalized Linear Models (GLZ) suggested year of sampling to contribute more, to both, morphometric size and shape in all species sampled on both islands, while temperature contributed more to shape for species collected on Marion Island. Given the consistent pattern of morphological change over time for both the mouse-infested Marion Island and the mousefree Prince Edward Island, it is possible that climate change rather than mouse predation may primarily influence weevil morphological changes on the two islands. Subsequent analyses extended the question of weevil morphological changes over time with reference to climate change and mouse-predation, and included sub-fossil weevil elytra and head capsule remains collected on Marion Island mire habitats. As a prelude to these analyses, an attempt was made to first identify the sub-fossil samples (using head capsules) with reference to recent samples of the currently recognised weevil species on both islands. While species-level identifications were not possible, morphometric analyses suggest that the sub-fossil remains belong to the Ectemnorhinus group of weevils. Sub-fossil weevil remains recovered in mire sediments from 2 m and 2.5 m depths, considered to represent different dimensions in space and time, were dated at 789 BC and 2331 BC, respectively. Subsequent analyses showed no significant morphometric changes in sub-fossil material between the various depths, predating the effects of climate change on both islands and the introduction of the house mouse (Mus musculus) on Marion Island in the early 1800s. However, a comparison between the sub-fossil remains and recently collected material considered to represent a period characterised by climate change and mouse-predation showed significant morphometric differences over time. However, the questions investigated in this study need to be investigated further because the potential ecological influences driving ecosystem functioning on the islands may be much more complex than currently understood. / Thesis (PhD (Entomology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Aim: Mammals on islands often undergo remarkable evolutionary changes. The acquisition of ‘low gear’ locomotion, namely short and robust limb elements, has been typically associated with the island syndrome in large mammals and, especially, ruminants. Here we provide an investigative framework to examine biotic and abiotic selective factors hypothesized to influence evolution of this peculiar type of gait. Location: Islands worldwide. Taxon: Bovidae. Methods: We calculated response variables associated with ‘low gear’ locomotion in 21 extinct and extant insular bovids. We assembled data on the physiography of 11 islands and on life history and ecological traits of the focal taxa. We estimated 10 predictors (island area and four topographic indices, body mass, body size divergence, number of predators and competitors, large mammal richness) and used multiple regressions, regression trees, and random forests to assess their contextual importance. Results: The acquisition of ‘low gear’ locomotion generally happens on islands with a small number of competitors. However, the roughness of the island terrain appears to be also important, without being a main driver. Finally, although the most extreme cases of ‘low gear’ locomotion occurred on islands with no mammalian predators, our models show a non-significant relationship with this factor. Main conclusions: The evolution of ‘low gear’ locomotion in insular ruminants does not simply result from phyletic dwarfing and predatory release. Variation in morphological responses within Bovidae to ecological and topographic traits suggests, instead, a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors. Current understanding on the main drivers of species evolutionary pathways and biogeographic patterns are disproportionally based on few taxa, mainly vertebrates, and in some extreme cases (like this one) even on few species. Here we show how adding more data, even within the same taxonomic group, can challenge historically accepted macroevolutionary and macroecological concepts.

Proxy-based quantitative estimates of Eocene climates can be made from marine isotope records for ocean conditions or fossil plants for terrestrial environment. However, our understanding about Eocene terrestrial climates is derived mainly from North America and Europe, and little is known about East Asia. Previous qualitative paleoclimate studies briefly revealed three climatic regimes across China during the Eocene with a planetary wind-dominated subtropical to tropical arid zone in the central part (i.e., the subtropical highs), which was flanked by the subtropical climate zone in the north and tropical climate zone in the south. But such a pattern of paleoclimatic zonation still requires a test from quantitative study. Based on analyses of 66 plant assemblages, carefully selected from 37 fossil sites throughout China, we here report the first large-scale quantitative climatic results and discuss the Eocene climatic patterns in China. Our results demonstrate that the Eocene monsoonal climate must have been more or less developed over China, judging from the presence of apparent seasonality of both temperature and precipitation revealed by our quantitative estimation. This appears not to support the previously claimed Eocene planetary wind-dominated climate system, at least in the region of eastern China. In addition, the research indicates that, with a slight declining trend of MAT during the Eocene, the winter temperature substantially dropped in tropical southern China during the middle to late Eocene interval. This might be related to the development of a weak Eocene Kuroshio Current in the southwestern Pacific, and/or a significantly enhanced paleo-winter monsoon from Siberia.