Biogeography of coastal and anchialine amphipods of Ascension Island,South Atlantic Ocean

Over 8000 amphipods were examined from coastal (primarily intertidal) and anchialine pool habitats of Ascension Is. Twenty-seven species, of which 14 are undescribed, were identified. Comparison of species from Ascension with amphipods found in possible source areas suggests that most colonization of the island by these animals has been via the Benguela Current. Possible western Atlantic faunal contributions are significantly lower than for other marine taxa that have been studied at Ascension, all of which are generally characterized by having dispersive larval stages. The high proportion of apparently endemic species, which exceeds that described for amphipods of other oceanic islands, is probably due to both the island's isolation and incomplete faunal surveys in possible source areas. Amphipod species diversity is low, a probable consequence of the size, isolation, youth and low habitat variability of Ascension Is. Consistent with other Atlantic islands that have been studied, nestlers predominate (56% of the species), with tubicolous species (33%) of secondary importance and inquilines (11%) making only a minor contribution. Three species occur in the anchialine pool habitat. Rather unexpectedly, caprellid amphipods are absent.     

The identity of Yoldia micrometrica Seguenza, 1877 and three new deep-sea protobranchs from the Mediterranean (Bivalvia)

Three new species are described from the relatively well-known deep Mediterranean protobranch fauna. Yoldiella wareni n. sp. is a miniaturized species so far misidentified as Yoldiella micrometrica (Seguenza, 1877), which is a Pleistocene species (neotype here designated). Yoldiella ovulum n. sp. is similar to Y. micrometrica, of which it may represent a descendant species. Ledella marisnostri n. sp. is the second species known for the genus in the Mediterranean. These three species are thought to be endemic to the Mediterranean, where they may represent either persisting Plio-Pleistocene species which survived the changes from psychrospheric to homeothermic conditions, or newly adapted species, evolved from Plio-Pleistocene ancestors. In the second case, they seem to be the result of an ongoing differentiation of the deep Mediterranean protobranch fauna from the North-East Atlantic one, due to the physical isolation of the Mediterranean basin.     

3D virtual reconstruction of the Pleistocene cheetah skull from the Tangshan, Nanjing, China

The development of computer tomography and image processing has made it possible to establish virtual 3D reconstruction and non-invasive dissection of fossil specimens. We used these methods to reconstruct a virtual 3D skull of a Pleistocene cheetah skull from the Tuozi cave, Tangshan, Nanjing, and virtually dissected it for anatomic studies, and measured the volumes of different parts of the endocranium. The endocranium of the cheetah skull has showed that its frontal sinus is beehive-like, the frontal lobe of cerebra is relatively large but the temporal lobe is relatively small, its cerebral sulcus and gyrus are more complicated than those of the domestic cat, similar to those of the domestic dog, but simpler than those of giant panda, pig, cattle and horse. The technology of virtual 3D reconstruction and non-invasive dissection of fossil specimens can extend the morphological study from the exterior to the interior, and it can also help to study fragile specimens and virtually backup rare and precious specimens.     

长江三峡阶地的年代对比法及其意义

长江三峡的成因是一悬而未决的难题,而阶地的划分对比又是解决三峡贯通问题的切入点.作者在详细研究的基础上提出在阶地对比中的年代对比法.利用对比结果,结合在三峡出口处记录水系演化历史的宜昌地区第四纪早期沉积特征、物源分析及ESR测年等方面的研究结果,认为贯通三峡的长江在宜昌地区出现的时间晚于湖相沉积结束的时间(0.75±0.08) Ma,而长江三峡段的阶地最多可以划分为5级,其中最老一级阶地的年龄为0.7～0.73 Ma.由此证实了长江三峡是形成于中更新世早期的相对年轻的河谷.     

Late Pleistocene glaciation of the Changbai Mountains in northeastern China

The Changbai Mountains （2749 m a.s.l.） in northeastern China are one of the typical mountain regions with glaciation since late Pleistocene as evidenced by well-preserved erosive and accumulative landforms at elevations above 2000 m a.s.l, formed by glaciers around the crater lake, Tianchi Lake. Cirque glaciers developed on both the inner and outer sides of the volcanic cone. Well-preserved cirques, glacial trough valleys, glacial threholds, polished surfaces of the glacial erratics and the moraine ridges indicate that several glaciation processes took place during the last glacial period in this region. Resuits of optically stimulated luminescence （OSL） dating on the moraine sediments, and the K/Ar, thermal ionization mass spectrometry （TIMS）, electronic spinning resonance （ESR） dating on the volcanic rocks suggest two periods of glacier advances. One is named the Black Wind Mouth glacier advance taking place on the west and north slopes of the volcanic cone at an elevation of 2000-2100 m a.s.l., which is dated to about 20 ka, being the result of the Last Glacial Maximum （LGM）. The other is named the Meteorological Station glacier advance at the elevation of 2400-2600 m a.s.l., dated to 11 ka during the late glacial period, and is tentatively correlated to the Younger Dryas stage. The scope of the former glacier advance is larger than that of the latter. Regional comparisons showed that the glacial sequences in the Changbai Mountains are similar to other glaciated areas in eastern Asia during the later part of the last glacial cycle.     

3D virtual reconstruction of the Pleistocene cheetah skull from the Tangshan, Nanjing, China

The development of computer tomography and image processing has made it possible to establish virtual 3D reconstruction and non-invasive dissection of fossil specimens. We used these methods to reconstruct a virtual 3D skull of a Pleistocene cheetah skull from the Tuozi cave, Tangshan, Nanjing, and virtually dissected it for anatomic studies, and measured the volumes of different parts of the endocranium. The endocranium of the cheetah skull has showed that its frontal sinus is beehive-like, the frontal lobe of cerebra is relatively large but the temporal lobe is relatively small, its cerebral sulcus and gyrus are more complicated than those of the domestic cat, similar to those of the domestic dog, but simpler than those of giant panda, pig, cattle and horse. The technology of virtual 3D reconstruction and non-invasive dissection of fossil specimens can extend the morphological study from the exterior to the interior, and it can also help to study fragile specimens and virtually backup rare and precious specimens.     

西藏阿里地区夏康坚雪山构造地貌特征及其形成机制

简述了冈底斯构造带夏康坚地垒断块山的组成及基本构造特征.根据该地垒两侧冰碛阶地的发育特征及ESR测年结果,可推断该地垒的主要形成期是中更新世.夏康坚地垒断块山的成因是在白垩纪早期的古隆起基础上,东西向断层的右行剪切走滑和隆升活动的联合作用下而形成.     

大熊猫生存地域史的变迁与人为影响

很多科研工作者认为大熊猫的衰落是在冰期的杰作 ,然而事实并非完全如此 ,根据近来的大量科研成果及历史事实的记载 ,它们从人类诞生到近代 ,一直生活在我国东南诸省区的土地上 ,大熊猫生存地的急缩减 ,是因为人类数量在全新世以来的迅速增长和人类生活地盘的不断扩大所造成     

Two coldhumid climatic events record in the early Pleistocene deposits of the Linxia Basin

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