Article
Zoology
Kazim Halaclar, Ayla Sevim Erol, Tolga Koroglu, Paul Rummy, Tao Deng, Serdar Mayda
Summary: The corakyerler fossil locality in Anatolia reveals unique faunal elements. This study introduces Hystrix kayae sp. nov., a new Late Miocene porcupine initially classified as Hystrix sp. Yavuz et al., 2018. This finding expands our knowledge of Late Miocene Anatolian porcupines, bringing the total number of known species to three.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boyang Sun, Yan Liu, Shanqin Chen, Tao Deng
Summary: This study reports well-preserved skulls and postcranial specimens of the genus Hippotherium from the Linxia Basin in Gansu, China, suggesting that Hippotherium weihoense and Hippotherium chiai should be classified as the same species. Analysis indicates that H. weihoense likely lived in an open habitat, while other species may have lived in closed habitats. The results reveal a paleoecological pattern in the early Late Miocene in Eurasia influenced by geological events and differing environmental conditions in different regions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vera Tosetto, Piero Damarco, Riccardo Daniello, Marco Pavia, Giorgio Carnevale, Michelangelo Bisconti
Summary: We conducted a new study on previously published eurhinodelphinid materials from the early Miocene of Piedmont, Italy. Through the new preparation and analysis of fossil specimens, we provided new anatomical data on the skull and ear bones of these eurhinodelphinids. We also reclassified a skull previously assigned to Tursiops miocaenus as Ziphiodelphis sigmoideus based on new comparisons of the squamosal bone.
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qing Wang, Yan Li, David K. Ferguson, Wen-Bo Mo, Nan Yang
Summary: Studies have shown that the climate in China diversified during the Miocene, with a subtropical climate prevailing without any arid regions. The Tibetan Plateau did not experience abrupt uplift to its present altitude during this period.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Irene Cornacchia, Marco Brandano, Samuele Agostini, Axel Munnecke
Summary: This study analyzed the ε(Nd) records of central Mediterranean hardgrounds to identify the origin of phosphate-rich waters and understand the paleoceanographic evolution of the Mediterranean during the Miocene. The results reveal that eastern Mediterranean deep waters were influenced by runoff, unlike Atlantic and Indian Ocean waters. This record confirms the weakened Mediterranean circulation during the Miocene due to the closure of the Indian Gateway and indicates the importance of upwelling in phosphate hardground formation.
Article
Ecology
Guillermo Garcia-Costoya, Claire E. E. Williams, Trevor M. M. Faske, Jacob D. D. Moorman, Michael L. L. Logan
Summary: Mounting evidence suggests that rapid evolutionary adaptation can rescue organisms from climate change impacts, but evolutionary constraints may hinder this process. Genetic correlations underlying thermal physiology can influence population dynamics under climate change, with declines in population size varying depending on the type of correlation present. Surprisingly, populations constrained by genetic correlations may decline less rapidly than unconstrained populations. Understanding the genetic architecture of selected traits is crucial for accurate forecasts of climate change impact on ectotherms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam Woodhouse, Anshuman Swain, William F. F. Fagan, Andrew J. J. Fraass, Christopher M. M. Lowery
Summary: Anthropogenic climate change has caused the geographic ranges of marine organisms to shift polewards. However, it is uncertain to what extent species will move and whether these range shifts will lead to extinction. Understanding the evolution of marine biodiversity patterns and the factors influencing them is crucial in interpreting these current trends.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Megumi Nishino, Kazuo Terada, Kazuhiko Uemura, Yuki Ito, Toshihiro Yamada
Summary: This study reports an exceptional fossil locality in Japan where a monodominant forest of Wataria parvipora flourished in the lower Miocene. The forest floor was covered by a bed consisting almost exclusively of Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium. Observations suggest a biological connection between B. tiliifolium and W. parvipora, and indicate that Byttneriophyllum-bearing plants started to inhabit swamps no later than the end of the early Miocene.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Tianqi Sun, Zhaokai Xu, Fengming Chang, Tiegang Li
Summary: This study reconstructs the Miocene climate evolution and continental weathering and erosion history of southwest Australia based on comprehensive analysis of sedimentary data. The results show that precipitation and river runoff increased significantly at 12.7-8 million years ago, possibly due to the northward movement or intensification of the westerlies and increased sea ice in the Southern Ocean. Additionally, the study finds that the South Asian monsoon and the westerly belt were synchronized in the Miocene, suggesting that the South Asian monsoon system may have been influenced by high-latitude signals of the Southern Hemisphere during that time.
SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Vicente Daniel Crespo, Plini Montoya, Rafael Marquina-Blasco, Francisco Javier Ruiz-Sanchez
Summary: The study of Parasorex ibericus from Venta del Moro reveals unexpected variability, leading to the need for a new review of the tribe. It is suggested that Parasorex and Schizogalerix may have originated in Asia, while Galerix and Tetracus likely have a European-Anatolian origin.
PALAEONTOGRAPHICA ABTEILUNG A-PALAOZOOLOGIE-STRATIGRAPHIE
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Chun-Peng Xu, Andre Nel, Johan Millet
Summary: Amphinemura himberii n. sp., the first known fossil species of the nemourid subfamily Amphinemurinae, is described from Miocene Zhangpu amber in southeastern China. It is mainly characterized by distinctive male genital features and shares similarities with the extant genus Amphinemura, which is diverse in China.
Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Carina Hoorn, Lucia G. Lohmann, Lydian M. Boschman, Fabien L. Condamine
Summary: The Amazon is one of the largest and richest rainforests in the world, but its origins are still debated. Geological factors and history appear to have played a crucial role in shaping its flora. Fossil records and phylogenies of Amazonian plant clades indicate changes in composition and diversity over time, possibly influenced by environmental and climatic changes. The Amazon forest represents a significant biodiversity hotspot, and further multidisciplinary studies are needed to fully understand its evolution.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zixuan Guo, Naoki Kohno
Summary: The article describes a new extinct dolphin-like species called "kentriodontids" and confirms their monophyly as the superfamily Kentriodontoidea. The new superfamily is divided into two families. The article also suggests that the common ancestor of Kentriodontoidea emerged in the North Pacific Ocean and spread across the Northern Hemisphere.
Article
Biology
Gianpiero Fiorentino, John Lattke, Adrian Troya, Christine Sosiak, Minsoo Dong, Phillip Barden
Summary: This article reports the discovery of a fossil worker ant, Neoponera vejestoria, in Miocene-age Dominican amber. It represents the first fossil member of this predatory ant lineage and provides insights into the ecological community structure on the island since the Miocene.
Article
Geography, Physical
Yan Zhao, Fuli Wu, Xiaomin Fang, Qingquan Meng, Dihua Cai
Summary: In this paper, the organic carbon isotope records from continental sediments in the Lanzhou Basin are analyzed to investigate the response of terrestrial ecosystems to global climate change. The study reveals a close relationship between the delta C-13 values and global temperature changes, suggesting that the regional climate in the Lanzhou Basin is mainly controlled by global temperature.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Leila Siciliano-Martina, Jessica E. Light, A. Michelle Lawing
Summary: Captive facilities like zoos play a vital role in conservation efforts, but there are significant differences in cranial morphology between captive and wild populations. Carnivorous species with limited dietary breadth show more consistent skull widening changes. Therefore, a critical evaluation of current captive husbandry practices is needed to prevent unnecessary morphological changes.
FRONTIERS IN ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
L. Siciliano-Martina, J. E. Light, D. G. Riley, A. M. Lawing
Summary: Maintaining animal populations in captivity can be an effective method for conserving endangered species, but may lead to morphological changes, with captive populations showing significant differences in skull morphology compared to wild populations. These changes could be related to genetic drift or relaxed selection.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Zoology
A. Michelle Lawing, Michael McCoy, Beth A. Reinke, Susanta K. Sarkar, Felisa A. Smith, Derek Wright
Summary: The complexity of life hampers the search for unified rules. However, recent advances offer new possibilities. We introduce the zone of influence framework to help researchers identify which levels to study and shift the focus from finding a unified rule to understanding how different rules operate.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Jesse M. Meik, Jessica A. Watson, A. Michelle Lawing, Jeffrey W. Streicher
Summary: The study presents a model to explain the parapatric distributions between ecologically similar species. By using species distribution models, tests of niche overlap, and phylogeographical data, the researchers evaluated the accuracy of the model in describing the distribution boundaries among rock-dwelling rattlesnake species.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Danielle K. Walkup, Anna Michelle Lawing, Toby J. Hibbitts, Wade A. Ryberg
Summary: The western massasauga faces threats from habitat destruction, vehicle collisions, and climate change, with its potential geographic distribution influenced by past, present, and future climate changes, showing a clear northward trend.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Jill Zarestky, Lauren Vilen, Rachel A. Short, Rhonda Struminger, A. Michelle Lawing
Summary: Biological field stations play a significant role in adult science education by offering a wide range of science learning programs focused on experiential learning. These programs facilitate interactions with the natural environment, leading to increased knowledge and skills among participants. This study highlights the importance of supporting the professional development of science educators at BFSs for enriching public science education.
ADULT EDUCATION QUARTERLY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jessica Mo, P. David Polly
Summary: The study used modeling to investigate the factors contributing to species resilience to climate change. It found that high dispersal rates, combined with moderate plasticity and weak selective regimes, facilitated the occupation of novel habitats. However, high dispersal rates alone were insufficient for species to adapt to these new environments.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Whitney C. Preisser, Adrian A. Castellanos, John M. Kinsella, Ronald Vargas, Eugenio Gonzalez, Jesus A. Fernandez, Norman O. Dronen, A. Michelle Lawing, Jessica E. Light
Summary: The study reveals complex associations between parasite diversity and latitude, climate, and host traits, with community organization and taxonomic grouping influencing the observed relationships.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leila Siciliano-Martina, Margot Michaud, Brian P. Tanis, Emily L. Scicluna, A. Michelle Lawing
Summary: Research has found that endangered animals in captivity may have reduced brain sizes. However, across captive generations, there is an increase in endocranial volume, possibly due to the high-quality nutrition provided in captivity. The study also found no relationship between endocranial volume and inbreeding or cranial musculature in the captive population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Beth A. Reinke, Hugo Cayuela, Fredric J. Janzen, Jean-Francois Lemaitre, Jean-Michel Gaillard, A. Michelle Lawing, John B. Iverson, Ditte G. Christiansen, Inigo Martinez-Solano, Gregorio Sanchez-Montes, Jorge Gutierrez-Rodriguez, Francis L. Rose, Nicola Nelson, Susan Keall, Alain J. Crivelli, Theodoros Nazirides, Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth, Klaus Henle, Emiliano Mori, Gaetan Guiller, Rebecca Homan, Anthony Olivier, Erin Muths, Blake R. Hossack, Xavier Bonnet, David S. Pilliod, Marieke Lettink, Tony Whitaker, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Michael G. Gardner, Marc Cheylan, Francoise Poitevin, Ana Golubovic, Ljiljana Tomovic, Dragan Arsovski, Richard A. Griffiths, Jan W. Arntzen, Jean-Pierre Baron, Jean-Francois Le Galliard, Thomas Tully, Luca Luiselli, Massimo Capula, Lorenzo Rugiero, Rebecca McCaffery, Lisa A. Eby, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Frank Mazzotti, David Pearson, Brad A. Lambert, David M. Green, Nathalie Jreidini, Claudio Angelini, Graham Pyke, Jean-Marc Thirion, Pierre Joly, Jean-Paul Lena, Anton D. Tucker, Col Limpus, Pauline Priol, Aurelien Besnard, Pauline Bernard, Kristin Stanford, Richard King, Justin Garwood, Jaime Bosch, Franco L. Souza, Jaime Bertoluci, Shirley Famelli, Kurt Grossenbacher, Omar Lenzi, Kathleen Matthews, Sylvain Boitaud, Deanna H. Olson, Tim S. Jessop, Graeme R. Gillespie, Jean Clobert, Murielle Richard, Andres Valenzuela-Sanchez, Gary M. Fellers, Patrick M. Kleeman, Brian J. Halstead, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Phillip G. Byrne, Thierry Fretey, Bernard Le Garff, Pauline Levionnois, John C. Maerz, Julian Pichenot, Kurtulus Olgun, Nazan Uzum, Aziz Avci, Claude Miaud, Johan Elmberg, Gregory P. Brown, Richard Shine, Nathan F. Bendik, Lisa O'Donnell, Courtney L. Davis, Michael J. Lannoo, Rochelle M. Stiles, Robert M. Cox, Aaron M. Reedy, Daniel A. Warner, Eric Bonnaire, Kristine Grayson, Roberto Ramos-Targarona, Eyup Baskale, David Munoz, John Measey, F. Andre de Villiers, Will Selman, Victor Ronget, Anne M. Bronikowski, David A. W. Miller
Summary: This study investigates the aging rates and longevity of wild ectothermic tetrapods, showing that they exhibit higher diversity of aging rates compared to endotherms and provide evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies explain the macroevolutionary patterns of aging.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Meghan A. Balk, John Deck, Kitty F. Emery, Ramona L. Walls, Dana Reuter, Raphael LaFrance, Joaquin Arroyo-Cabrales, Paul Barrett, Jessica Blois, Arianne Boileau, Laura Brenskelle, Nicole R. Cannarozzi, J. Alberto Cruz, Liliana M. Davalos, Noe U. de la Sancha, Prasiddhi Gyawali, Maggie M. Hantak, Samantha Hopkins, Brooks Kohli, Jessica N. King, Michelle S. Koo, A. Michelle Lawing, Helena Machado, Samantha M. McCrane, Bryan McLean, Michele E. Morgan, Suzanne Pilaar Birch, Denne Reed, Elizabeth J. Reitz, Neeka Sewnath, Nathan S. Upham, Amelia Villasenor, Laurel Yohe, Edward B. Davis, Robert P. Guralnick
Summary: Understanding the variation of traits within and among species is crucial in biology. However, the data and metadata underlying trait measurements are often not reported. This article introduces FuTRES, an online resource for individual-level trait reporting, which already stores millions of trait measurements for various specimens. The article highlights potential issues with simply reporting a single mean estimate and shows that individual-level data improve estimates of body mass for zooarchaeological specimens. FuTRES facilitates trait data integration and discoverability and accelerates new research agendas.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jenny L. McGuire, A. Michelle Lawing, Sandra Diaz, Nils Chr. Stenseth
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel A. Short, Jenny L. McGuire, P. David Polly, A. Michelle Lawing
Summary: We are currently experiencing a modern biodiversity crisis that will reshape global community compositions and ecological functions. This study examines the relationship between vegetation cover and locomotor traits for artiodactyl and carnivoran communities using ecometrics. The results show that combining the locomotor traits of primary consumers (artiodactyls) and secondary consumers (carnivorans) into one trophically integrated ecometric model strengthens the ability to detect a functional relationship. Furthermore, applying this integrated model to paleontological sites reveals mismatches in the past and today, demonstrating the utility of the model for understanding community traits and their associated vegetations over time.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Islam Gunduz, Sadik Demirtas, Metin Silsupur, Medine Ozmen, P. David Polly, David T. Bilton
Summary: Subterranean life is characterized by morphological cryptic lineages, and this is also true for moles. In this study, the systematics and evolution of the Talpa davidiana group in Eastern Anatolia/Iran were explored using genetic and morphometric data. Four taxa were identified, including two newly described species. Molecular species delimitation analyses supported taxonomic hypotheses and revealed additional cryptic lineages. The study also recognized T. transcaucasica as a distinct species from T. levantis, increasing the number of known extant taxa in Eurasian Talpa to 18.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)