Article
Geology
Luis-Andres Guerrero-Murcia, Javier Helenes, Mercedes di Pasquo, James Martin
Summary: This study presents the results of a quantitative and qualitative analysis of dinoflagellate cysts in outcrop samples from the Snow Hill Island Formation in James Ross Island, Antarctica. The assemblages of dinoflagellate cysts were abundant and mainly composed of gonyaulacoid taxa. Based on the presence and absence of certain species, the age of the lower and upper strata was estimated to be late Campanian and early Maastrichtian, respectively.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Geovane A. De Souza, Bruno A. Bulak, Marina B. Soares, Juliana M. Sayao, Luiz Carlos Weinschuetz, Alessandro Batezelli, Alexander W. A. Kellner
Summary: This article reports two new neornithine specimens found on Vega Island, which share features with modern birds. The discovery of these new specimens expands the distribution range of Cretaceous bird fossils on the Antarctic Peninsula.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexis M. Aranciaga Rolando, Matias J. Motta, Federico L. Agnolin, Makoto Manabe, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Fernando E. Novas
Summary: This study describes a partial skeleton of a megaraptorid from the Maastrichtian beds in Argentina, which is the most informative megaraptoran known from this time period and is identified as a new taxon. Phylogenetic analysis shows that South American megaraptorans form a monophyletic clade, while Australian and Asian members are stem groups. South American megaraptorans differ from more basal forms in several anatomical features and are larger and more robustly built.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Liang Gao, Junling Pei, Yue Zhao, Zhenyu Yang, Teal R. Riley, Xiaochun Liu, Shuan-Hong Zhang, Jian-Min Liu
Summary: This study presents paleomagnetic data from the South Shetland Islands, providing valuable constraints on the paleoposition of the Western domain of the Antarctic Peninsula. The data suggests that the South Shetland Islands experienced southward translation and rotation during 100-90 Ma, with a direct affinity to the southern Patagonia-Fuegian Andes. The consistent Cretaceous paleomagnetic declination in the Antarctic Peninsula supports an autochthonous continental subduction model, indicating a near-synchronous tectonic-magmatic history between the Antarctic Peninsula and the southern Patagonia-Fuegian Andes.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Joseline Manfroi, Cristine Trevisan, Tania Lindner Dutra, Andre Jasper, Marcelo De Araujo Carvalho, Francisco Eliseu Aquino, Marcelo Leppe
Summary: This study demonstrates the occurrence of paleo-wildfire events during the Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous in deposits from King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Through the analysis of charcoal samples collected during expeditions, morphoanatomical structures with potential taxonomic affinity with Podocarpaceae were identified. The analysis also reveals that southern paleofloras experienced more frequent paleo-wildfires than previously thought, suggesting the significant impact of fire and active volcanism on the ecological niches of austral floras.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geology
Claudio Labita, David M. Martill
Summary: By analyzing the skeletal features of the pterosaur wing, the specimen's classification was determined, and important questions were raised about its classification in the geographical environment. This discovery is significant for understanding the ecological habits of the Azhdarchidae family.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alessandra Santos, Enelise Katia Piovesan, Juliana Guzman, Cristian D. Usma, Luiz Carlos Weinschutz, Radarany Jasmine M. Dos Santos, Gustavo R. Oliveira, Rodrigo G. Figueiredo, Joao Henrique Z. Ricetti, Everton Wilner, Juliana M. Sayao, Alexander W. A. Kellner
Summary: A study of the non-marine Cerro Negro Formation in President Head Peninsula, Snow Island, northwest of the Antarctic Peninsula, revealed two palynofacies assemblages representing a fluvial-lacustrine environment, with the presence of specific spore species suggesting an Aptian age for the deposits. Increasing volcanic activity at the top of the section is likely responsible for the collapse of the palynoflora.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Joaquin Bastias, Richard Spikings, Teal Riley, David Chew, Anne Grunow, Alexey Ulianov, Massimo Chiaradia, Alex Burton-Johnson
Summary: The Cretaceous igneous rocks of the Antarctic Peninsula were formed during the interval c. 140-79 Ma, with the main peak of magmatism occurring during c. 118-110 Ma. These rocks have geochemical signatures consistent with a continental arc setting and were formed within a prevailing extensional setting that was punctuated by periods of compression, likely triggered by the westward migration of South America.
JOURNAL OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Geology
Ana Andruchow-Colombo, Maria A. Gandolfo, Nestor R. Cuneo, Ignacio H. Escapa
Summary: The ginkgophyte lineage has a rich fossil record dating back to the Paleozoic era and is now represented by Ginkgo biloba. A new species, Ginkgoites villardeseoanii, was discovered in uppermost Cretaceous deposits in Patagonia, Argentina, and shows evidence of insect damage, marking the first Cretaceous record of interaction between ginkgophytes and insects in the Southern Hemisphere.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geology
Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, Jose P. OGorman, Karen M. Panzeri
Summary: A fossil of a left ulna found in the southeastern margin of the Somun Cura Plateau, Chubut Province (Argentina) is suggested to belong to a possible new species of neornithine bird. This could be the first report of a neornithine bird from the La Colonia Formation if correctly identified.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geology
Hans-Dieter Sues, David C. Evans, Peter M. Galton, Caleb M. Brown
Summary: This article provides a detailed anatomical description of the holotype of Parksosaurus warreni, including photographs of the skeleton. It highlights the functional role of the tail and its stabilizing function during locomotion. The new anatomical information allows for more detailed comparisons to closely related taxa and further discussions on the interrelationships of neornithischian dinosaurs.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geology
Stavros Triantafyllidis, Stylianos F. Tombros, Degao Zhai, Sotirios Kokkalas
Summary: The study explores the age, type, and geotectonic setting of Ermioni VMS, revealing genetic and spatial relationships with hydrothermally altered volcaniclastic rocks and turbidites. The VMS deposits are concentrated at Karakasi, Roro, and Cambrorosso mine sites. The findings suggest a partly sediment-covered, upper Cretaceous back-arc spreading center above a retreating subduction zone setting within the Adheres Melange unit.
ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ricardo S. Matias, Hugo R. Guimaro, Paco Bustamante, Jose Seco, Nesho Chipev, Joana Fragao, Silvia Tavares, Filipe R. Ceia, Maria E. Pereira, Andres Barbosa, Jose C. Xavier
Summary: Under the context of climate change, warming Southern Ocean waters may lead to increased bioavailability of mercury (Hg) in the Antarctic marine food web. This study examined the biomagnification of Hg in the food web of the Antarctic Peninsula and found that Hg concentrations increased with trophic levels. These results suggest that trophic interaction is the major pathway for Hg biomagnification in Southern Ocean ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauriane L. J. Quelever, Lubna Dada, Eija Asmi, Janne Lampilahti, Tommy Chan, Jonathan E. Ferrara, Gustavo E. Copes, German Perez-Fogwill, Luis Barreira, Minna Aurela, Douglas R. Worsnop, Tuija Jokinen, Mikko Sipila
Summary: Understanding the chemical processes behind atmospheric aerosol particle formation is crucial for predicting future climate. However, these mechanisms are still not well characterized, especially in polar regions. In this study, observations were made at the Marambio research station in Antarctica to analyze the composition of aerosol precursor molecules and chemical clusters, as well as air ions and aerosol particle concentrations. It was found that aerosol formation mainly occurred on days with high solar radiation, below-freezing temperatures, and low relative humidity. Sulfuric acid was identified as a key contributor to the particle formation process, while iodic acid and methane sulfonic acid likely played a role in particle growth. Additionally, anion clusters containing ammonia and/or dimethylamine and sulfuric acid were detected, suggesting their contribution to aerosol formation.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Nahidul Hoque Samrat, Matt A. King, Christopher Watson, Andrea Hay, Valentina R. Barletta, Andrea Bordoni
Summary: Through GPS observations and digital elevation models, the study demonstrates that the rheology and ice-mass change in the northern Marguerite Bay region of the Antarctic Peninsula are influenced by viscoelasticity, and the non-linear uplift phenomenon can be explained by a layered viscoelastic model.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geology
Jimmy de Rooij, Sybrand A. N. Lucassen, Charlotte Furer, Anne S. Schulp, P. Martin Sander
Summary: This study presents a detailed osteohistological analysis on Triceratops horridus and Triceratops cf. prorsus specimens, aiming to understand the growth and development of ceratopsids. The analysis reveals a distinct pattern of bone tissue growth in Triceratops limb elements, but also suggests that taxonomic ambiguity between Torosaurus and Triceratops cannot be solely resolved based on histological data.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Review
Geology
J. R. Ovando-Figueroa, J. A. Moreno-Bedmar, M. Company, J. A. Jacobo-Delgado
Summary: This article presents a review of ammonoid specimens from the Berriasian and Valanginian age in Zacatecas, Mexico. The study includes updated museographic information, new images, and 3D models of the specimens. Taxonomic identification has revealed six species and two genera. Stratigraphic range data suggests that the specimens belong to the uppermost upper Berriasian to lower Valanginian interval, with several biozones identified. Additionally, a paleobiogeographic analysis indicates a clear affinity with contemporaneous ammonoid assemblages from the Mediterranean region.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Jake Kotevski, Ruairidh J. Duncan, Adele H. Pentland, James P. Rule, Patricia Vickers-Rich, Thomas H. Rich, Erich M. G. Fitzgerald, Alistair R. Evans, Stephen F. Poropat
Summary: The cranial remains of non-avian theropod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period in Australia are poorly understood. This study presents new evidence of non-mandibular cranial material, possibly belonging to the Megaraptoridae family, and contributes to the limited knowledge of Australian Cretaceous theropod cranial remains.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Josh Jenkins Shaw, Alexey Solodovnikov, Evgeny E. Perkovsky
Summary: A fossil of the monogeneric rove beetle subfamily Trichophyinae (genus Trichophya) has been discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Taimyr amber from northern Siberia. This finding indicates the morphological differences between ancient and modern Trichophya species groups. By comparing the morphology, distribution, and habitat requirements of extant species, the taxonomy, biogeography, and paleoecology of the Trichophya in Taimyr amber can be better understood.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
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
Gustavo Santiago, Marcelo de Araujo Carvalho, Renato Rodriguez Cabral Ramos, Sandro Marcelo Scheffler
Summary: The Santa Marta Formation in the Antarctic Peninsula is an important sedimentary sequence that provides insights into paleoenvironmental changes. The distribution of sedimentary organic matter reveals three distinct palynofacies associations and shows a progressive transgression from terrestrial to marine environments.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
B. J. Vazquez, D. Castanera, B. Vila
Summary: In Europe, the fossil record of sauropods in the uppermost Cretaceous is mainly found in Spain, France, and Romania. Recently, a significant discovery of titanosaurs' teeth was made in Els Nerets, Spain, which contains the largest tooth sample from the Late Cretaceous in Europe. The teeth show distinct characteristics but cannot be attributed to any known European species. Based on tooth morphology and wear facets distribution, a new taxon is proposed.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Youssef S. Bazeen, Walid G. Kassab, El Sayed M. Moneer, Gebely A. Abu El-Kheir, Mohamed K. Abdelgawad, Haitham M. Ayyad
Summary: This study investigates the Maastrichtian-Danian succession in the Abu Minqar section of the Western Desert of Egypt, using an integrated analysis of biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy. The results suggest that regional tectonics played a substantial role in the depositional history and paleoenvironmental circumstances of the southern Tethys margin.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Fernando R. Rios, Ana M. P. Mizusaki, Rualdo Menegat, Isaque C. Rodrigues
Summary: This study examines the temporal and spatial relationships between fluvio-aeolian, aeolian, and volcanic systems in the southernmost part of the Parana Basin during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. By analyzing facies and architectural elements, the evolution of the volcano-sedimentary record is reconstructed.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Antonio M. Casas, Arsenio Munoz, Alberto Tella, Carlos L. Liesa
Summary: This work proposes the application of magnetic surveying to study the cyclicity in sedimentary basins. Through measuring the total magnetic field and vertical magnetic gradient, the short-wavelength magnetic anomalies associated with the sedimentary sequence can be analyzed, providing information about the magnetic susceptibility and magnetic remanence of different sedimentary units. The cyclostratigraphic analysis reveals the existence of various cycles and enables the dating of the basin fill, offering new constraints for basin evolution.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Ottilia Szives, Josep A. Moreno-Bedmar, Beatriz Aguirre-Urreta, Miguel Company, Camille Frau, Mikel Lopez-Horgue, Antoine Pictet, Izabela Ploch, Christian Salazar, Ricardo Barragan, Jean -Louis Latil, Jens Lehmann, Stephane Reboulet, Emmanuel Robert
Summary: The 7th meeting of the IUGS Lower Cretaceous Ammonite Working Group discussed important changes in the geological age classification, including adjustments and improvements to the upper Tithonian-Berriasian, upper Aptian, and Albian stages. The meeting also discussed the Valanginian and Hauterivian stages, and provided discussions on zonal indices and units, emphasizing the use of interval zones and subzones.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Felix Schlagintweit, David Gercar, Bostjan Rozic
Summary: A mixed assemblage of planktonic and benthonic foraminifera has been found in the Lower Flyschoid Formation in the western part of the Slovenian Basin. These findings provide valuable insights into the biostratigraphy and paleogeographic configuration of the region during the Early to Middle Cretaceous.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Arkaprava Mukhopadhyay, Debarati Chattopadhyay, Arghya Poddar, Ranita Saha, Sachin Patil, Tushar Sonkar, Sujoy Das, Rudranil Basak, Shubhabrata Paul, Arindam Roy
Summary: Predator-prey interaction exerts significant selection pressure on the evolutionary pathways of both parties. This research presents a new dataset of gastropod drilling predation on molluscan prey from the Upper Cretaceous, highlighting the influence of drilling predation during this period. The study utilizes a hybrid method of surface sampling without physically breaking the host rock. Findings suggest that drilling predation was an established form of predation during the Late Cretaceous, yet remains understudied.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Dany Azar, Andre Nel
Summary: Lebanoaktassia curiosa is a new genus and species of strange dragonfly, representing the first Gondwanan species of the family Aktassiidae. It was found in Hjoula, Lebanon, along with two endemic dragonfly families, suggesting a possible connection to an island insular system in the Early Cretaceous.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Geology
Pablo M. Villegas, A. Martin Umazano, Marcelo Krause, Mariana Brea
Summary: Conifer fossil woods from the Campanian Puntudo Chico Formation were studied, confirming the presence of Brachyoxylon currumillii and the introduction of Cupressinoxylon sp. cf. C. artabeae in the formation. The new specimens of Podocarpoxylon mazzonii suggest that this taxon is common in the Cretaceous to Eocene floristic assemblages. The growth-ring analysis of these fossil trees indicates their development under temperate and humid conditions, with slight sensitivity from year to year and a terminal event representing a cessation or retardation of cambial activity. Other paleoclimatic proxies suggest a temperate-warm and humid depositional environment with some semi-arid events in the Puntudo Chico Formation.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2024)
