Review
Biology
Maria-Eleni Parakatselaki, Emmanuel D. Ladoukakis
Summary: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is predominantly uniparentally transmitted, leading to homoplasmy in organisms. However, heteroplasmy, with two or more mtDNA haplotypes, has been observed in low frequency. Recent advancements in sequencing techniques have improved the detection and quantification of heteroplasmy, shedding light on its evolutionary consequences and potential inheritance patterns.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iwona Kania-Klosok, Wieslaw Krzeminski, Antonio Arillo
Summary: This study documents the first record of a new species of Helius cranefly from the Maestrazgo Basin in eastern Spain. The specific body morphology of Helius representatives in Spanish amber is discussed in relation to the environmental conditions of the Cretaceous period in the Maestrazgo Basin and Basque-Cantabrian Basin.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Harshita Bhatia, Gaurav Srivastava, R. C. Mehrotra
Summary: During the early Paleogene, warm global climates caused by greenhouse gases reshaped the habitat of marine and terrestrial biota. Insight into the behavior of biotas under extremely warm climates is crucial for understanding their responses to future climate warming. This study reports two new legume fossils from the late Paleocene sediments in Meghalaya, northeast India, suggesting that legumes most likely migrated from Africa to India via the Ladakh-Kohistan Arc during the early Paleogene. These legumes were well adapted to a warm seasonal climate with monsoon rains, as indicated by previously reconstructed climate data.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Fan Wei, Yang Zhao, Ailin Chen, Xianguang Hou, Peiyun Cong
Summary: The article describes new species of Vauxia sponges from the early Cambrian Chengjiang Biota, indicating diversification of aspiculate sponges during this time period. The study confirms partial silicification of the fibres of aspiculate Vauxia from the Chengjiang Biota.
JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ilya A. Kanaev
Summary: This review combines advancements in anthropology and neuroscience to study the adaptive value of human consciousness. It takes an interdisciplinary perspective on the origin of consciousness and refutes common misconceptions, emphasizing the neural correlates and the connection between neuroscience and behavioral sciences. Various explanations of consciousness are presented, along with a theoretical explanation on subjective experience as an overlap between neural dynamics and stimulation. The framework proposed lays the foundation for quantitatively describing subjective feelings and a naturalistic science of consciousness.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Seiji Wada, Emi Kawano-Yamashita, Tomohiro Sugihara, Satoshi Tamotsu, Mitsumasa Koyanagi, Akihisa Terakita
Summary: The study reveals that in lamprey pineal organ, UV-sensitive parapinopsin and green-sensitive parietopsin are expressed in separate photoreceptor cells, forming a two-cell system that generates color opponency. This contrasts with the single-cell system described in other vertebrates.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Abdalla Shahin, Sherif M. El Baz
Summary: The study focuses on the paleoecology and paleobiogeography of Paleocene ostracods from Sinai, Egypt. A total of 49 species and subspecies were identified in the Paleocene rocks from four sections in Sinai. The ostracod fauna suggested a middle-outer neritic depositional environment, and the identified species have a wide geographic range extending from West Africa to the Middle East. Multivariate analyses revealed three distinct provinces in the paleobiogeographic framework: North Africa, West Africa, and the Middle East.
JOURNAL OF AFRICAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Shanjin Yang, Mingzhong Zhou, Jack Longman, Li Zhou, Enlin Yang, Guiyun Wang, Di Zhang, Zongling Zhang, Hongwei Zhang
Summary: This study focuses on the K-bentonite beds in the upper part of the Ediacaran system in South China and investigates their primary magmas, tectonic setting, geochemical correlation, and potential implications to the evolution of late Ediacaran life. Through geochemical analysis of whole-rock and zircon samples, it is determined that the K-bentonites have trachyandesitic primary magmas and were formed in a convergent environment. The geochemical correlation of the K-bentonites suggests that the age of a specific K-bentonite may not be accurate as the end time of a carbon isotope excursion event. The widespread volcanism in the late Ediacaran may have contributed to enhanced oceanic productivity and played a role in the evolution of life at that time.
PRECAMBRIAN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew W. Lo, Ruixun Zhang
Summary: Bayes' rule is a fundamental principle that can help humans make adaptive decisions in stochastic environments, which emerges purely through the forces of evolution rather than conscious individual actions. The emergence of finite memory is influenced by specific environmental factors, providing a reasonable explanation for certain phenomena in human cognition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kazuhide Miyamoto, Koichi Kawakami, Koji Tamura, Gembu Abe
Summary: The discrete forms of median fins in modern fish evolved from a continuous fin fold structure, but the cellular and molecular developmental processes are still unclear. Reduction does not play a role in the emergence of dorsal fin primordium, instead, it occurs along with body growth after primordium formation. Specific mesenchymal cells and their proliferation also contribute to the formation of dorsal fin primordium.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giulia Mori, Danila Delfino, Paola Pibiri, Claudio Rivetti, Riccardo Percudani
Summary: This study used genomics and transcriptomics data to infer the evolutionary history of DNase genes and investigate their biological significance. The results showed that both the DNase1 and DNase2 families have expanded in vertebrates since around 650 million years ago. Various adaptations of DNase genes have occurred in different vertebrate groups to meet the diversified demand for DNA debris removal in complex multicellular organisms.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tatsuya Arai, Akari Yamauchi, Ai Miura, Hidemasa Kondo, Yoshiyuki Nishimiya, Yuji C. Sasaki, Sakae Tsuda
Summary: The study found that the popular stag beetle synthesizes multiple isoforms of hyperactive antifreeze protein, which helps the beetle survive extreme freezing conditions. The DNA sequences of the beetle are highly similar to those of other hyperactive antifreeze proteins, suggesting a potential unrevealed gene transfer mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ahmed A. Ismail, Adel El Shahawy
Summary: The taxonomic revision of several species from the genera Marginulina and Marginulinopsis revealed new species belonging to the genus Percultazonaria. These new species, Percultazonaria nodosa, P. seminodosa, and P. unnodosa, were discovered in the El Hasana area of central Sinai, Egypt, in the Esna Shale and Egma Limestone during the Paleocene-early Eocene interval.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Longjun Wu, J. David Lambert
Summary: Clade-specific genes are common and can arise through gene duplication, de novo evolution, or rapid sequence evolution. They have received less attention but play important roles in traits. Attention to these genes is necessary to complement the focus on conserved regulatory toolkit, and their evolution can be further explored.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Max E. Schon, Joran Martijn, Julian Vosseberg, Stephan Kostlbacher, Thijs J. G. Ettema
Summary: Phylogenomic analysis reveals new environmental clades of Rickettsiales, providing insights into their evolution from free-living to host-associated lifestyle.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Floreal Sole, Valentin Fischer, Kevin Le Verger, Bastien Mennecart, Robert P. Speijer, Stephane Peigne, Thierry Smith
Summary: The rise of Carnivora is an important evolutionary event that occurred 56 million years ago in the dawn of the Eocene, changing the structure of terrestrial ecosystems. However, the evolution of carnivorous mammal diversity in Europe has been poorly studied. By reviewing the evolution of terrestrial carnivorous mammal diversity in Europe, we identified four episodes of intense faunal turnovers and two periods of general endemism. European Palaeogene carnivorous mammal fauna was in a constant transient state influenced by dispersals. The dominance of carnivoramorphans over hyaenodonts only occurred after the 'Grande Coupure' at 33 million years ago.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Alexander J. Clark, Johan Vellekoop, Robert P. Speijer
Summary: This study compares mollusk delta O-18 records from the Lutetian period in the Paris Basin and Hampshire Basin to investigate the seasonal hydrological conditions in northwest Europe during the Eocene greenhouse. The results show a regional difference in delta O-18(sw) between the basins, suggesting a greater influence of fluvial discharge in the Hampshire Basin compared to the Paris Basin.
BSGF-EARTH SCIENCES BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lise Martens, Peter Stassen, Etienne Steurbaut, Robert P. Speijer
Summary: This study focuses on the reconstruction of paleotemperature changes during the early Eocene period using Nummulites as a proxy. By assessing the test geochemistry of Nummulites in Ypresian marine sediments in Belgium, the researchers were able to reconstruct a long-term temperature increase from the pre-EECO period to the EECO period. The findings support the use of Nummulites geochemistry as a reliable proxy for studying long-term climate change in the southern North Sea Basin.
JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tali L. Babila, Donald E. Penman, Christopher D. Standish, Monika Doubrawa, Timothy J. Bralower, Marci M. Robinson, Jean M. Self-Trail, Robert P. Speijer, Peter Stassen, Gavin L. Foster, James C. Zachos
Summary: A negative δC-13 anomaly, accompanied by increased sea surface temperature and decreased ocean pH, was identified prior to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) using foraminiferal records. This suggests a rapid carbon release event before PETM, followed by recovery driven by deep-sea mixing. The carbon released during this event is more similar to ongoing anthropogenic emissions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Geist, Katarina Holcova, Lucie Vankova, Martin Mazuch, Martin Kostak
Summary: Based on a systematic revision of older collections, new sediment sampling and analyzing data, the stratigraphic range of Jurassic sedimentation in the northern part of the Bohemian Massif has been extended, at least from the Bajocian until the Tithonian.
PALAEOBIODIVERSITY AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Barbora Krizova, Miroslav Radon, Jan Sklenar, Martin Mazuch, Martin Kostak
Summary: This study partially refines the stratigraphic ranges of rudist genera and species in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and identifies additional rudist and coral species. These findings are important for stratigraphy and paleoecological reconstructions in the Cretaceous ecosystems.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Sophie A. Boerman, Gwendal Perrichon, Jian Yang, Cheng-Sen Li, Jeremy E. Martin, Robert P. Speijer, Thierry Smith
Summary: This study describes a new fossil crocodyloid species, Qianshanosuchus youngi, from the lower Palaeocene of Qianshan Basin, China. The fossil exhibits juvenile crocodylian characteristics and a unique combination of features. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that Q. youngi occupies a basal crocodyloid position. These findings extend the presence of Crocodyloidea in Asia to the early Palaeocene and support previous hypotheses of Palaeocene dispersal of Asiatosuchus-like crocodyloids from Asia to Europe.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Courtney L. Wagner, Peter Stassen, Ellen Thomas, Peter C. Lippert, Ioan Lascu
Summary: The sedimentary deposits on the northeast continental margin of North America contain magnetofossil-rich layers formed during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). These magnetofossils were produced by magnetotactic bacteria and iron-biomineralizing organisms. By comparing the variability of magnetofossils and benthic foraminifera in these sediments, it is found that changes in the type of magnetofossils correspond to changes in benthic foraminiferal assemblages, reflecting changes in environmental conditions. This study suggests the use of FORC-PCA on magnetofossil-rich sediments to understand changes in ocean and early sediment chemistry during episodes of climate change.
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY AND PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Martin Kostak, Daniela Rehakova, Lucie Vankova, Martin Mazuch, Jakub Trubac, Rastislav Milovsky
Summary: Stable isotope data from bulk rock in the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition show stable values in many Tethyan carbonate sections, particularly those deposited in deeper-water marine conditions. The 813Ccarb curve at the J/K boundary interval does not provide significant value expressions for interregional correlation. However, a slight negative carbon isotopic excursion at the J/K boundary has been observed in well-calibrated sections, indicating a potential geochemical marker for stratigraphic correlation.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Radek Mikulas, Miroslav Bubik, Tiiu Elbra, Martin Kostak, Petr Pruner, Petr Schnabl, Kristyna Sifnerova
Summary: The paleoenvironmental conditions around the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in the Kurovice Quarry were studied using various evidence, including geochemical, magnetic, macrofaunal, microfaunal, and ichnologic data. Four recognizable ichnologic assemblages were identified, showing changes in both geochemistry and bioturbation activity. The geochemical variations indicate shifts in nutrient availability in the open ocean.
ICHNOS-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL TRACES
(2023)
Article
Geology
Nikolay G. Zverkov, Mikhail A. Rogov, Viktor A. Zakharov, Igor G. Danilov, Dmitry Grigoriev, Martin Kostak
Summary: This study reports the first reptile remains found in the Upper Cretaceous marine strata of Siberia, including plesiosaurians, mosasaurids and turtles. These findings represent the northernmost occurrences of these reptile groups in the Cretaceous of Eurasia. The discovery of plesiosaurians suggests that the Arctic Polar Circle may have served as a birth and nursery area for these reptiles during the polar summer.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geology
Martin Kostak, Frank Wiese, Zuzana Kozlova, Adam Culka, Martin Mazuch, Martin Soucek
Summary: A well-preserved fossil of an upper Cretaceous acanthoceratoid ammonite has been discovered in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, providing important insights into the jaw anatomy of these extinct organisms.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Lucie Kunstmullerova, Martin Kostak
Summary: This study provides a paleoecological, systematical, and statistical evaluation of bivalve assemblages from the Pecinov Member in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, revealing the impact of the Ocean Anoxic Event (OAE2) at the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary on benthic organisms. The results show that prior to the positive shift of the 313Corg, the bivalve association is dominated by infaunal and semi-infaunal suspension feeders, with a near-absence of free-living epifaunal bivalves. In contrast, after the positive shift of the 313Corg, the assemblage suggests shallower depths and higher energy levels.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Iris Vancoppenolle, Johan Vellekoop, Monika Doubrawa, Pim Kaskes, Matthias Sinnesael, John W. M. Jagt, Philippe Claeys, Robert P. Speijer
Summary: This study investigates the carbon isotope event and inoceramid bivalve assemblage changes in the shallow-marine environment of the Maastrichtian type area. The results show that unlike deep-sea records, there are no significant changes in benthic foraminiferal assemblages and accumulation rates in the epicontinental shelf sea during the MME. The study also reveals an increase in food supply to the seafloor after the MME.
NETHERLANDS JOURNAL OF GEOSCIENCES-GEOLOGIE EN MIJNBOUW
(2022)