Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paul K. Strother, Clinton Foster
Summary: The discovery of an assemblage containing elements from the early Ordovician period sheds light on the evolutionary continuity between embryophytes and their algal ancestors, providing new insights into the origins and changes of terrestrial plants.
Article
Paleontology
Damian Voglino, Jorge D. Carrillo-Briceno, Heinz Furrer, Ana Balcarcel, Gizeh Rangel-de Lazaro, Gabriel Aguirre Fernandez, Analia M. Forasiepi
Summary: Santiago Roth, a Swiss fossil finder, naturalist, and paleontologist, emigrated to Argentina and greatly influenced the discipline in the country. His collections of Pampean fossils were sold to museums and private collectors in Europe, with elaborated catalogues. Some of these fossils are now housed in the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Department of Paleontology, Zurich University.
SWISS JOURNAL OF PALAEONTOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Giuseppa Forte, Francesca Valle, Evelyn Kustatscher
Summary: The end of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age led to a distinct vegetation turnover, replacing wetland forests with drought tolerant plants. The Kungurian plant fossil and sporomorph assemblages of the Southern Alps provide a rich and well-dated dataset. The study reveals new aspects of the flora's evolution during the Kungurian, including the earliest occurrences of certain plant groups, co-occurrences of conifers, an increase in diversity and abundance of certain plants, presence of endemic taxa, and the establishment of a stable and diverse gymnosperm-dominated flora.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Luca Giacomo Costamagna
Summary: This study presents the field investigations on the sedimentary evolution of the Mulargia-Escalaplano late- to post-Variscan basin in Sardinia, which provides detailed information on the relationships between sedimentary cycles from Late Pennsylvanian to Middle Triassic. The findings reveal the interplay between tectonics and sedimentation, and suggest that the sedimentary response in the basin matches the evolution of the southern Variscan chain branch. The basin preserves continental deposits organized in cycles, with weak unconformities and influenced by drying climates, indicating a progressive widening of the basin and migration of the depocentre to the southeast.
GEOLOGICAL MAGAZINE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Richard Pokorny, Paulo A. V. Borges
Summary: The fossil record of the Azores still lacks evidence of terrestrial invertebrates. However, a recent study on Quaternary fossil plant imprints from the Azores revealed several samples of fossil leaves with traces of plant-animal interactions, including marginal feeding and anophionome mine. The study also suggests possible originators of these trace fossils, such as butterfly caterpillars and wood-destroying beetles.
JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Erwin L. Zodrow, Jose A. D'Angelo
Summary: This study reports well-preserved Late Pennsylvanian plant fossils from the Southern Anthracite Field in the USA. The fossils are physically associated with an assumed anthracitic axis and demonstrate two preservation modes of plant material in a metamorphic environment. The hypothesis of an organometallic process provides potential for novel research in plant-fossil preservation in anthracitic terrain.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Angel Galobart, Javier Parraga, Alejandro Gil-Delgado
Summary: The Origens Geopark in Lleida, Catalonia, is home to a rich paleontological heritage from the Early Cretaceous period. The Meia quarry in Vilanova de Meia village is particularly notable for its fossil collection, which includes a wide range of vertebrates, non-vertebrates, plants, and coprolites preserved in lithographic limestone slabs. The site has yielded numerous significant fossils, including the most primitive angiosperm plant and a primitive bird species. However, the site remains largely unknown to the general public due to the dispersal of the fossils across multiple collections. Efforts have been made to protect and showcase these fossils, including the establishment of an exhibition in Vilanova de Meia and the development of a European database for virtual dissemination.
Article
Plant Sciences
Elena Eustacchio, Marco Bonelli, Mario Beretta, Irene Monti, Mauro Gobbi, Morena Casartelli, Marco Caccianiga
Summary: Androsace brevis is a narrow endemic plant in the Southern Central European Alps that blooms shortly after snowmelt and depends on insect-mediated pollination for successful reproduction. This study provides a detailed description of its pollen and floral morphology, indicating a generalist pollination strategy that allows high-altitude flower-visiting insects to reach both nectar and pollen. Understanding these traits is important for addressing potential threats, such as increasing temperature and mismatched pollinators, that this vulnerable species faces.
Article
Plant Sciences
Emanuele Fanfarillo, Tiberio Fiaschi, Paolo Castagnini, Leopoldo de Simone, Claudia Angiolini
Summary: Using vegetation as a bioindicator in urban and degraded areas is an effective way to assess the environment. Our study focused on a suburban river and its surroundings in southern Tuscany, where we identified multiple plant communities and habitats, including those of regional and community interest. The study revealed that while riparian vegetation is well-preserved, other vegetation types not directly linked to the river dynamic are in poor conservation status. The findings provide valuable knowledge for future restoration efforts in the area.
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rafel Matamales-Andreu, Eudald Mujal, Jaume Dinar Turell, Evelyn Kustatscher, Guido Roghi, Oriol Oms, Angel Galobart, Josep Fortuny
Summary: This study provides a detailed interpretation of the Permian ecosystems in Mallorca and improves the characterization of the Permian-Triassic tectonosedimentary cycle in the Balearic Islands. The findings contribute to the understanding of the evolution of western peri-Tethys ecosystems.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hendrik Nowak, Evelyn Kustatscher, Guido Roghi, Johanna H. A. Van Konijnenburg-van Cittert
Summary: The study reveals significant variation in morphology and size of in situ spores from the same species, with aborted spores being rare but occurring more frequently in certain specimens, which can help identify systemic defects in plants.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lorenzo Marchetti, Giuseppa Forte, Evelyn Kustatscher, William A. DiMichele, Spencer G. Lucas, Guido Roghi, Manuel A. Juncal, Christoph Hartkopf-Froder, Karl Krainer, Corrado Morelli, Ausonio Ronchi
Summary: This study comprehensively revised the late Cisuralian central Pangaea and found a significant increase in drought-tolerant forms during the Artinskian period, possibly due to a global climatic event caused by volcanic eruptions that led to the final melting of the Gondwanan ice sheets.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Morris Mendelin, Elke Schneebeli-Hermann, Evelyn Kustatscher, Hendrik Nowak, Christian Verard, Hugo Bucher
Summary: This study describes a reproductive organ of a lycopsid plant found in the Koipato Group in the southern Humboldt Range, Nevada. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the global distribution and evolution of this genus during the Early Triassic, as well as filling a major paleogeographic gap in North America.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Guido Roghi, Piero Gianolla, Evelyn Kustatscher, Alexander R. Schmidt, Leyla J. Seyfullah
Summary: The Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) is a period of plant radiations and originations, which is believed to be caused by the increasing humidity resulting from massive volcanic activities. By studying well-preserved floras, we can understand the impact of the CPE on the plant realm.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Giuseppa Forte, Evelyn Kustatscher, Hendrik Nowak, Johanna H. A. Van Konijnenburg-van Cittert
Summary: The reproductive organs of the conifers from Kuhwiesenkopf/Monte Pra della Vacca exhibit a mixture of characters typical of early Permian to Late Triassic Voltziales, providing important insights into the reproductive biology of Anisian conifers and confirming the transitional role of Triassic Voltziales in the evolution of modern conifer groups.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Johanna H. A. van Konijnenburg-van Cittert, Stefan Schmeissner, Gunter Duetsch, Evelyn Kustatscher, Christian Pott
Summary: A diverse assemblage of cycadophyte and ginkgophyte remains was found in Rhaetian strata in Germany. The macromorphology and epidermal anatomy of these remains were described. Regional differences in the cycadalean, bennettitalean, and ginkgoalean portions of the flora were observed between Einberg and adjacent localities, possibly due to ecological disparities. Brief comparisons with Rhaetian floras from other European areas were also made.
NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR GEOLOGIE UND PALAONTOLOGIE-ABHANDLUNGEN
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Giuseppa Forte, Evelyn Kustatscher, Nereo Preto
Summary: This study reports carbon (δ13C) isotope records from the Kuhwiesenkopf/Monte Pra della Vacca succession in the Dolomites of northeast Italy, which provide insights into palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironmental changes during the Middle Triassic. The results show significant positive excursions in the carbon isotope records, some of which may be attributed to local conditions while others correspond to climate shifts in the Tethys Realm. Plant-specific isotopic analyses reveal a correspondence between isotopic values and inferred habitats, highlighting the value of organic carbon isotopic analyses in understanding the paleoecology of plants and improving paleoenvironmental reconstructions.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuanyuan Xu, Mihai Emilian Popa, Xiaoqing Zhang, Evelyn Kustatscher, Ning Lu, Liqin Li, Jianli Zeng, Tingshan Zhang, Yongdong Wang
Summary: Ptilozamites chinensis is a paleogeographic and biostratigraphic marker for the Late Triassic Southern Floristic Province in China. A detailed study of its morphology and anatomy confirms its classification in the genus Ptilozamites, and an emended diagnosis is proposed. Comparison with previously documented specimens reveals different overall morphology during the plant's development.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hendrik Nowak, Evelyn Kustatscher, Guido Roghi, Johanna H. A. Van Konijnenburg-van Cittert
Summary: This study describes the morphology and variability of in situ spores of marattialean ferns from the Middle to Upper Triassic of Europe, and observes abnormally small, dense, and often dark spores, potentially related to pathological conditions or natural hybridization.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hendrik Nowak, Evelyn Kustatscher, Guido Roghi, Johanna H. A. Van Konijnenburg-van Cittert
Summary: A study on the palaeoflora of the Anisian Dont Formation in the Dolomites has identified four lycophyte species, with variations in spore morphology indicating the presence of different species.
Article
Geology
F. R. A. N. C. E. S. C. A. Valle, H. E. N. D. R. I. K. Nowak, E. V. E. L. Y. N. Kustatscher, S. A. L. L. Y. Erkens, G. U. I. D. O. Roghi, C. O. R. R. A. D. O. Morelli, K. A. R. L. Krainer, N. E. R. E. O. Preto, C. H. R. I. S. T. O. P. H. Hartkopf-froeder
Summary: This study investigates the climate change during the Kungurian period, indicating a transition from icehouse to greenhouse conditions. Sedimentological analysis and palynofacies studies were used to reconstruct the depositional environments. The plant community was dominated by xeromorphic-hygromorphic taxa, and stable organic carbon isotopes suggested semiarid to arid climate conditions.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yuangao Qu, Zongjun Yin, Evelyn Kustatscher, Alexander Nuetzel, Joern Peckmann, Vivi Vajda, Magnus Ivarsson
Summary: Based on the study of iron-mineralized microstructures in Italy, this article provides evidence of possible rock-dwelling subsurface life on Mars or icy moons. In situ analyses, including Raman spectroscopy, were used to investigate the morphological, elemental, mineralogical, and bond-vibrational modes of the microstructures. The results suggest a correlation between the crystallinity of iron minerals and precursor microbial activities.
Article
Paleontology
Giuseppa Forte, Barbara Lanthaler, Corrado Morelli, Karl Krainer, Steffen Truemper, Evelyn Kustatscher
Summary: The Sinich/Sinigo Basin sedimentary succession is one of the oldest sedimentary deposits in the Cisuralian Athesian Volcanic Group. It contains well-preserved middle Kungurian plant remains that represent a diverse range of plant groups. The presence of both walchian and voltzian Voltziales in this basin suggests the early co-occurrence and adaptation to aridity.
BOLLETTINO DELLA SOCIETA PALEONTOLOGICA ITALIANA
(2023)
Article
Geology
Giuseppa Forte, Evelyn Kustatscher, Eugenio Ragazzi, Guido Roghi
Summary: The discovery of Anisian amber from the Recoaro area fills a gap in the fossil record and provides insight into Triassic amber. The presence of amber droplets connected to plant fragments suggests resin production during the Anisian. This finding also highlights the potential of amber to preserve evidence of past life.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2022)