Article
Biology
Damien Charabidze, Stephen Trumbo, Andrzej Grzywacz, James T. Costa, Mark E. Benbow, Philip S. Barton, Szymon Matuszewski
Summary: Carrion, a highly ephemeral and nutrient rich resource, has driven the evolution of social behaviors in necrophagous insects. Group living aids in survival in the competitive environment, while developmental niche construction helps larvae efficiently utilize resources. Different social behavior strategies respond to competition on carrion.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dayong Yang, Honglun Chang, Xiao Liu, Peng Wan, Liming Shen
Summary: This study explores the development environment and ecological characteristics of Late Visean-Serpukhovian coral reefs in Langping, Tianlin. The research suggests that the sedimentary environment in Langping during this time period was suitable for the development of benthic communities. The current appearance and form of the reefs are determined by a combination of coral population characteristics and the reef-building environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Caroline C. Ennis, Nariah N. Haeffner, Cameron D. Keyser, Shannon T. Leonard, Austin C. Macdonald-Shedd, Avery M. Savoie, Timothy J. Cronin, Werner P. Veldsman, Phillip Barden, Solomon T. C. Chak, J. Antonio Baeza
Summary: The genus Synalpheus is a cosmopolitan clade of marine shrimps found in most tropical regions, exhibiting different social organizations. This study shows that there are no major differences in nucleotide composition and codon usage profiles of mitochondrial genomes between eusocial and non-eusocial species within the genus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carrie Tyler, Michal Kowalewski
Summary: Despite the focus on molluscs, which have high fossilization potential, the study found that the fossil record is likely to be reliable for relative comparisons of composition and diversity in shallow marine paleocommunities. The differences in community composition between live and dead assemblages were predictable, with an overabundance of more preservable groups. Dead molluscs were found to be a good proxy for all taxa when tracking spatio-temporal patterns and shifts in community structure using various ecological metrics.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guizai Gao, Maolin Wang, Dehui Li, Nannan Li, Jiangyong Wang, Honghao Niu, Meng Meng, Ying Liu, Guihua Zhang, Dongmei Jie
Summary: By analyzing stratigraphic records from a peat profile in the Songnen region of Northeast China, it was found that this region has been occupied by grassland since the mid-Holocene. C3 grasses were always dominant, but C4 grasses have been increasing over time. The decrease in species richness and plant cover over the past 1,000 years was mainly influenced by climate changes, human activities, and local habitat factors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yue Wang, Silvia Pineda-Munoz, Jenny L. McGuire
Summary: This study examines the responses of plant taxa to changing climates over the past 18,000 years and finds that 75% of plant taxa consistently exhibit climate fidelity. However, there are also four plant taxa that do not consistently exhibit climate fidelity. The study also suggests that plant populations that migrate longer distances better maintain consistent climatic niches during times of extreme climate change.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Gildas Merceron, Thomas Tuetken, Robert Scott
Summary: Vertebrate teeth, composed mainly of bioapatite, are highly mineralized dermal tissues that are resistant to physical and chemical alteration over long periods of time. They provide valuable information about taxonomic classification, phylogenetic relationships, feeding ecology, and climate conditions of fossil species. This special issue includes 21 papers that explore the use of dental proxies in understanding diet and ecological habits, covering experimental studies, real-world observations, and fossil case studies.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yinqiang Li, Kefu Yu, Lizeng Bian, Yeman Qin, Weihua Liao, Yang Yang, Yifang Ma
Summary: The study examines the Miocene coralline algal compositions in the South China Sea to understand their role in recording sea level changes. The research reveals that early and late Miocene had higher diversity and abundance of coralline algae compared to the middle Miocene, indicating fluctuations in coral reef development and sea level during different time periods.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Brendon E. Boudinot, Adrian Richter, Julian Katzke, Julio C. M. Chaul, Roberto A. Keller, Evan P. Economo, Rolf Georg Beutel, Shuhei Yamamoto
Summary: This study provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that wingless females of stem ants in the Cretaceous period were cooperators. The research also suggests that the presence of winged and wingless forms may have been an ancestral trait in the entire clade of ants, and highly specialized worker-specific phenotypes evolved independently in stem ants and crown ants. Additionally, the use of high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) scans allowed for the analysis of the internal anatomy of the stem ants.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michel Schmidt, Roland R. Melzer, Roy E. Plotnick, Russell D. C. Bicknell
Summary: The 3D model-based kinematic analysis reveals that the appendages of early Palaeozoic sea scorpions were used for hunting, including capturing, immobilizing, and consuming prey. This research method provides a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of these ancient creatures and highlights their important role in past ecosystems.
Article
Geography, Physical
Attila J. Trajer
Summary: This study provides a detailed characterization of the ecological niche occupied by Neanderthals and their ancestors in Western Eurasia, including the biomes, climatic zones, and other environmental factors. It reveals that these hominins adapted to a wide range of climates, from semi-arid to subarctic, and made conscious choices of shelters based on local microclimatic factors. The expansion of temperate-subpolar karst regions during glacial periods possibly affected their overwintering chances. Additionally, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases was more prominent in southern Europe, while tick-borne diseases were a concern in northern and central populations.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
H. Gregory McDonald
Summary: Late Pleistocene sloths had a wide distribution and inhabited various habitats in South, Central, and North America and some Caribbean Islands. They were classified into 27 genera in four families, but the number of valid species remains uncertain. The paleoecology and natural history of sloths vary greatly depending on their relative abundance, resulting in different sloth faunas with distinct taxonomic compositions in different geographic regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valenti Rull
Summary: Mangrove forests are essential ecosystems for biodiversity and carbon mitigation, but they are highly threatened. The CARMA database has analyzed past environmental shifts and the response of mangroves in the Caribbean region. The diversity and composition of Caribbean mangroves were shaped by evolutionary and climate changes, and human activities have led to significant deforestation. Urgent conservation actions are needed to prevent the disappearance of these ancient ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Economics
Marek Louzek
Summary: This paper outlines an economic approach to marriage, introducing concepts such as family economics, marriage market analysis, division of household chores, and marriage as a cooperative or non-cooperative game. It also examines the dilemma between monogamy and polygamy on marriage markets, and compares the economics of marriage with the findings of sociobiology.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Enrique Penalver, David Peris, Sergio Alvarez-Parra, David A. Grimaldi, Antonio Arillo, Luis Chiappe, Xavier Delclos, Luis Alcala, Jose Luis Sanz, Monica M. Solorzano-Kraemer, Ricardo Perez-de la Fuente
Summary: Extant terrestrial vertebrates, including birds, have symbiotic relationships with insects and arachnids, but arthropod-vertebrate symbioses in the fossil record are rarely found. In this study, direct and indirect evidence of beetles feeding on feather remains from an undetermined theropod host 105 million years ago is presented. An exceptional amber assemblage was found, including beetle larval exuviae associated with feathers, along with additional amber pieces containing isolated larval exuviae. The morphological and taphonomic data suggest that these beetle larval exuviae belonged to a keratophagous species, indicating a symbiotic relationship between beetles and their Early Cretaceous relatives similar to current ecosystems.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Michael S. Engel, Lien Thi Phuong Nguyen, Ngat Thi Tran, Tuan Anh Truong, Andres F. Herrera Motta
Summary: A new genus of minute stingless bees, Ebaiotrigona, is described from Southeast Asia. It is distinct from Lisotrigona and shares some similarities with Austroplebeia. Phylogenetic analyses are needed to confirm its relationship with Austroplebeia.
Article
Zoology
Sergio Alvarez-Parra, Enrique Penalver, Xavier Delclos, Michael S. Engel
Summary: This study describes a new species of braconid parasitoid wasp, Utrillabracon electropteron, from the Lower Cretaceous amber. Although the holotype specimen is incomplete, the wing venation is well preserved. The new taxon is closely related to braconid species from Upper Cretaceous ambers in North America. The paper also discusses the taxonomy of Cretaceous braconids and provides a checklist of known braconids from Cretaceous ambers.
Article
Biology
Qian-Qi Zhang, Da-Ran Zheng, Edmund A. Jarzembowski, Xue-Heng Wang, Jia-Hao Li, Michael S. Engel
Summary: This study reports a new genus and species, Jurassephemera zhangi, discovered in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. This extinct genus belongs to the family Sharephemeridae and is characterized by its moderate size and unique wing venation structure. The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the diversity and paleogeographic distribution of Sharephemeridae in China.
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Ricardo Ayala, Victor H. Gonzalez, Michael S. Engel
Summary: A new species of orchid bee has been discovered on Islas Marias in Mexico. Named Eufriesea insularis sp. nov., this bee is part of the coerulescens species group and is found exclusively on the islands. It is characterized by its dark blue integument with purple iridescence, black pubescence, dark wings, and green clypeus with purple hues along a prominent elevated ridge. Only female specimens have been identified so far.
JOURNAL OF HYMENOPTERA RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Corentin Jouault, Michael S. Engel, Frederic Legendre, Diying Huang, Philippe Grandcolas, Andre Nel
Summary: This study reports on the diversity of early-diverging Isoptera during the 'Mid'-Cretaceous period in Myanmar, based on fossil records trapped in amber. The findings provide significant morphological evidence for discussing classification and evolutionary history, as well as insights into the evolution of the Cretaceous ecosystem.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Jakub Prokop, Andre Nel, Michael S. Engel
Summary: The Paleozoic insect fauna provides unique insights into key innovations in insect evolution, such as the origin of wings and modifications of postembryonic development. Most contemporary insect orders originated in the Late Paleozoic, but these estimates reflect divergences between stem groups rather than the appearance of crown groups. Fossil record shows the initial radiations of extant hyperdiverse clades during the Early Permian, as well as the specialized fauna before the End Permian mass extinction.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
David Sillam-Dusses, Vojtech Jandak, Petr Stiblik, Olivier Delattre, Thomas Chouvenc, Ondrej Balvin, Josef Cvacka, Delphine Soulet, Jiri Synek, Marek Brothanek, Ondrej Jiricek, Michael S. Engel, Thomas Bourguignon, Jan Sobotnik
Summary: The study reveals that vibration and chemical signals are the main means of alarm communication in termites and wood roaches. Vibration signals are a shared characteristic of both termites and wood roaches, while chemical signals have independently evolved in multiple cockroach groups and at least two termite species. The complexity of vibration and chemical alarm signaling patterns is correlated with phylogenetic position, food type, foraging area size, and nesting habits.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaoxuan Long, Yuan Peng, Qi Feng, Michael S. Engel, Chao Shi, Shuo Wang
Summary: This article reports a new genus of Dryopteridaceae based on a well-preserved fertile specimen frond in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, representing the first fossil record of Dryopteridaceae from the Mesozoic. The age of this fossil is consistent with molecular-based estimates of divergence time, and it expands our understanding of polypod fern diversity in Mesozoic forests.
PALAEOBIODIVERSITY AND PALAEOENVIRONMENTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Ya-Ni Tang, An-Cheng Peng, Zi-Ying Wu, Michael S. Engel, Zi-Zhong Yang, Yu Liu
Summary: Although there is a diverse spider fauna in Kachin amber, species of the family Macrothelidae have been scarce. This study reports the first fossil occurrence of Macrothelidae, represented by a well-preserved adult female specimen of a new genus and species. The discovery refines existing calibration points for phylogenetic work on mygalomorph diversification and contributes to our understanding of Cretaceous spider diversity in southern Asia.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Yuqing Yin, Chungkun Shih, Michael S. Engel, Dong Ren
Summary: Two new genera and species of Dermaptera are described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Applanatiforceps angustus belongs to the archidermapteran family Protodiplatyidae, and Ekpagloderma gracilentum belongs to the eodermapteran family Semenoviolidae. The discovery of these two new species enriches the fossil record of Dermaptera and highlights the diversity within this group.
Article
Entomology
Andre Nel, Romain Garrouste, Michael S. Engel
Summary: Eornithoica grimaldii gen. et sp. nov., the earliest known Pupipara, was discovered in the lower Eocene of the Green River Formation. This fossil, dating back to around 52 Ma, suggests that epizooic ectoparasitic flies may have originated during the Paleocene or late Cretaceous, preceding the first bats. E. grimaldii likely parasitized birds or terrestrial mammals, exhibiting plesiomorphic characteristics. This study highlights the significance of examining fossil insects under UV light for obtaining new information.
Article
Entomology
Chen-yang Cai, Erik Tihelka, Xing-yue Liu, Michael S. Engel
Summary: The exponential growth of large-scale data for Neuropterida has greatly improved our understanding of the origin and evolution of lacewings and their allies. Recent phylogenomic studies based on various data sources have provided a well-resolved and congruent phylogeny, although some interfamilial relationships remain inconsistent.
Article
Entomology
Jan Batelka, Michael S. Engel
Summary: This article provides a correction regarding the misidentification of a fossil larva as a tumbling flower beetle, when it is actually a hymenopteran larva of the family Pamphiliidae. Evidence for the revised identification is summarized.
ACTA ENTOMOLOGICA MUSEI NATIONALIS PRAGAE
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Viktor Baranov, Ricardo Perez-de La Fuente, Michael S. Engel, Jorg U. Hammel, Christine Kiesmuller, Marie K. Hornig, Paula G. Pazinato, Corleone Stahlecker, Carolin Haug, Joachim T. Haug
Summary: This study presents the first adult mantispid specimen described from Baltic amber, and the oldest preserved adult mantispid in amber to date. The changes in the ecological morphospace within mantis lacewings are discussed based on the morphological diversity of the raptorial legs.
Article
Plant Sciences
Chao Shi, Shuo Wang, Hao-Hong Cai, Hong-Rui Zhang, Xiao-Xuan Long, Erik Tihelka, Wei-cai Song, Qi Feng, Ri-xin Jiang, Chen-Yang Cai, Natasha Lombard, Xiong Li, Ji Yuan, Jian-ping Zhu, Hui-yu Yang, Xiao-fan Liu, Qiao-ping Xiang, Zun-tian Zhao, Chun-lin Long, Harald Schneider, Xian-chun Zhang, Hua Peng, De-Zhu Li, Yong Fan, Michael S. Engel, Yong-Dong Wang, Robert A. Spicer
Summary: The rapid diversification of flowering plants during the Cretaceous period remains a mystery. The frequent wildfires during this time resulted in fossilized flower fragments that are difficult to compare with modern forms. Additionally, the lack of information about early angiosperm ecology makes it challenging to understand the drivers of their diversification. However, the discovery of well-preserved fossil flowers in Cretaceous amber from Myanmar provides evidence of fire adaptation in angiosperms.