Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giovanni Bianucci, Olivier Lambert, Mario Urbina, Marco Merella, Alberto Collareta, Rebecca Bennion, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Aldo Benites-Palomino, Klaas Post, Christian de Muizon, Giulia Bosio, Claudio Di Celma, Elisa Malinverno, Pietro Paolo Pierantoni, Igor Maria Villa, Eli Amson
Summary: The fossil record shows how terrestrial animals transitioned to a fully aquatic lifestyle, with whales undergoing significant increases in maximum body size. Perucetus colossus, a basilosaurid whale from the middle Eocene epoch, displays the highest degree of bone mass increase known to date, showing an adaptation associated with shallow diving. Its estimated skeletal mass exceeds that of any known mammal or aquatic vertebrate, making it a contender for the heaviest animal on record. The peak body mass of cetaceans was reached around 30 million years earlier than previously assumed, in a coastal environment with high primary productivity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jorge Urban R, Esther Jimenez-Lopez, Hector M. Guzman, Lorena Viloria-Gomora
Summary: Based on the tracked whale's data, eastern gray whales followed a migration route from Mexico to the Bering Sea at high speeds, providing comprehensive support for the northbound migration of eastern gray whales.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alison Damick, Arlene Rosen, Scott Ortman
Summary: Phytolith analysis in this study provides new evidence for the presence of an allochthonous plant, Sabal sp., around Tesuque Creek in northern New Mexico during the early part of the Late Holocene. The changing landscape from succulent dominated to shrubby, along with the introduction of palmetto phytoliths associated with marshy deposits and burn levels, suggests a more diverse resource landscape available to local hunter-gatherer groups than previously understood. This evidence demonstrates the value of phytolith analysis from alluvial sections for understanding human land and plant use practices over time.
Article
Geography, Physical
Manja Zebre, M. Akif Sarikaya, Uros Stepisnik, Renato R. Colucci, Cengiz Yildirim, Attila Ciner, Adem Candas, Igor Vlahovic, Bruno Tomljenovic, Bojan Matos, Klaus M. Wilcken
Summary: This study reconstructs the extent and timing of past glaciations in the northern Velebit Mt. in Croatia using geomorphological and sedimentological evidence, as well as cosmogenic 36Cl surface exposure dating. The empirical reconstruction suggests that the glaciers likely reached their maximum extent before the global Last Glacial Maximum, correlating with Marine Isotope Stage 5-4. The best-fit simulation indicates a cooling of 8 degrees C and a 10% reduction in precipitation for glaciers of this size to form, although uniform changes in climatological parameters do not completely match all ice margins mapped.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Gabriela Resendiz-Colorado, Ernesto Garcia-Mendoza, Antonio Almazan-Becerril, Jennifer Medina-Elizalde, Jushiro A. Cepeda-Morales, Juan P. Rivera-Caicedo
Summary: The study applied the maximum-likelihood classification (MLC) method to evaluate the effectiveness of MODIS and Sentinel-3 satellite images in detecting the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum in the northern Gulf of California. The results showed that Sentinel-3 full resolution images accurately detected the presence of the species, making them suitable for early detection in the region.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Colin Chupik, Richard Koehler, Amanda Keen-Zebert
Summary: This study evaluates the Holocene slip history of the Warm Spring Valley fault in the northern Walker Lane. The research reveals evidence for multiple surface-rupturing events and suggests that the fault ruptures are complex, similar to historical earthquakes in the region.
BULLETIN OF THE SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah E. Freidline, Kira E. Westaway, Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Philippe Duringer, Jean-Luc Ponche, Mike W. Morley, Vito C. Hernandez, Meghan S. McAllister-Hayward, Hugh McColl, Clement Zanolli, Philipp Gunz, Inga Bergmann, Phonephanh Sichanthongtip, Daovee Sihanam, Souliphane Boualaphane, Thonglith Luangkhoth, Viengkeo Souksavatdy, Anthony Dosseto, Quentin Boesch, Elise Patole-Edoumba, Francoise Aubaile, Francoise Crozier, Eric Suzzoni, Sebastien Frangeul, Nicolas Bourgon, Alexandra Zachwieja, Tyler E. Dunn, Anne-Marie Bacon, Jean-Jacques Hublin, Laura Shackelford, Fabrice Demeter
Summary: This study reveals evidence of the early dispersal of Homo sapiens into Southeast Asia, based on the discovery of skeletal remains in Tam Pa Ling cave. The findings suggest that these skeletal remains may belong to a graceful immigrant population, rather than being derived from or mixed with local archaic populations.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Andrea Zazzera, Angela Girone, Rafael La Perna, Maria Marino, Patrizia Maiorano, Raffaele Sardella, Vincenza Montenegro, Ruggero Francescangeli, Giovanni Bianucci
Summary: This study describes an almost complete and partially articulated skeleton of an Early Pleistocene baleen whale, possibly a new species of Balaenoptera. The discovery provides important insights into the diversity and geologic conditions of Pleistocene whale fauna in the Mediterranean.
Article
Geography, Physical
Haowen Tong, Bei Zhang, Xi Chen, Qigao Jiangzuo, Jinyi Liu, Xiaoming Wang
Summary: The Shanshenmiaozui fauna in Nihewan Basin contains various species such as Canis chihliensis, Nyctereutes sp., Homotherium sp., Acinonyx sp., Lynx shansius, and Pachycrocuta licenti. Among them, C. chihliensis is the dominant species with the most well-preserved fossil materials, including crania, mandibles, and postcranials. Acinonyx sp. is represented by postcranial skeletons, while Nyctereutes sp. is only represented by a partial cranium and humerus. The carnivoran guild of SSMZ fauna resembles those of CNF and Dmanisi fauna, suggesting similar geologic age and habitat.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Toshiyuki Kimura, Yoshikazu Hasegawa, Tadashi Suzuki
Summary: The Isanacetus-group is an enigmatic group of cetaceans with controversial phylogeny. The discovery of the new fossil specimen Jobancetus pacificus expands our knowledge of this group.
PALEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Paul C. Selmants, Caelan R. Conrad, Tamara S. Wilson, Miguel L. Villarreal
Summary: Drought and land use change can affect riparian vegetation, but the response varies depending on the biophysical setting and land use gradients. Our study found that riparian areas located in the lower elevation Coast Range in central California experienced long-term declines in vegetation productivity, while those along rivers draining the higher elevation Sierra Nevada range showed an increase. River systems with a high proportion of snowmelt water may be less prone to long-term drought-driven declines in productivity. The long-term increase in riparian vegetation productivity may also be influenced by rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jorge Campos-Medina, German Montoya-Sanhueza, Karen Moreno, Enrique Bostelmann Torrealba, Marcelo Garcia
Summary: The Miocene Caragua fossil fauna in northern Chile contains articulated partial skeletons of Caraguatypotherium munozi with significant body size difference. The comprehensive study of the appendicular system in Notoungulata revealed that the fossil specimens can be classified as subadults and adults based on bone tissues characteristics. The study also showed marked cyclical growth and inter-skeletal variation on bone growth rates, suggesting influences from ecological and environmental factors.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antonella Pedergnana, Emanuela Cristiani, Natalie Munro, Francesco Valletta, Gonen Sharon
Summary: The study on fishing technology from the Jordan River Dureijat site in Israel reveals significant innovations in fishing technology during the late Epipaleolithic period, indicating a deep understanding of fish behavior and ecology at that time. This advanced fishing technology reflects larger patterns in subsistence evolution and marks the transition to agriculture in the region.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kelly C. Young-Wolff, Varada Sarovar, Lue-Yen Tucker, Deborah Ansley, Nancy Goler, Amy Conway, Allison Ettenger, Tara R. Foti, Qiana L. Brown, Ellen T. Kurtzman, Sara R. Adams, Stacey E. Alexeeff
Summary: This study examined trends in cannabis polysubstance use during pregnancy and compared the use of cannabis over time between pregnant individuals who use only cannabis and those who use cannabis and other substances.
Article
Geography, Physical
Martin Kehl, Stefan Vlaminck, Tina Koehler, Christian Laag, Christian Rolf, Sumiko Tsukamoto, Manfred Frechen, Mari Sumita, Hans-Ulrich Schmincke, Farhad Khormali
Summary: The southern Caspian Lowland is a key area for studying Pleistocene climate change and landscape evolution in Southern Eurasia. Loess-paleosol sequences in the northern foothills of Alborz Mountains provide detailed records of climate-induced changes, facilitating regional pedostratigraphic correlation. Analyses of various parameters and luminescence dating reveal a complex history of dust accumulation, soil formation, and climate dynamics in the region.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Robert W. Boessenecker
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, R. Ewan Fordyce
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, James G. Mead
ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS
(2018)
Article
Zoology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Chun-Hsiang Chang
ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Ornithology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Gerald Mayr
Summary: This study reports the first fossil bird specimen from Taiwan, shedding new light on the evolution of avifauna on the island. The Pleistocene fossil belongs to a phasianid bird, estimated to have lived in Taiwan around 400,000-800,000 years ago. Although the specific species could not be identified, the fossil has the potential to provide valuable insights into the past avian ecology of Taiwan.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Paleontology
Alberto Collareta, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Giovanni Coletti, Mark Bosselaers
Summary: Thatchtelithichnus traces are commonly found on the outside surface of plastral bones of Eocene geoemydid turtles and freshwater turtles, but have also been discovered on a partial grey whale mandible from the Belgian Pliocene. These traces, possibly attachment scars of aquatic ectoparasites, penetrate into the cancellous bone with a maximum depth of about 2 mm. Recent studies suggest that similar structures may be produced by barnacles attaching to mammal bones exposed on the seafloor, contributing to a better understanding of trace formation processes.
NEUES JAHRBUCH FUR GEOLOGIE UND PALAONTOLOGIE-ABHANDLUNGEN
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Yi-Lu Liaw, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: Proper taxonomic identification is crucial for understanding biodiversity and evolution. This study reexamines a replica of a turtle specimen from the Pleistocene of Taiwan and provides evidence to identify it as Mauremys reevesii instead of Chinemys pani. The study also confirms the presence of polymorphic characters in Mauremys reevesii and offers insights into the origin of modern biodiversity in Taiwan.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Steffen Kiel, James L. Goedert, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: The study investigates the decline of nautiloids during the Cenozoic period and its correlation with the appearance of pinnipeds and cetaceans. The results show that nautiloids became extinct in areas where pinnipeds appeared, except for the agile nautiloid Aturia. The decline of nautiloids in the American Pacific coasts coincided with the development of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) in the region. It is hypothesized that the spread of pinnipeds played a major role in driving nautiloids into their present-day refuge in the central Indo-West Pacific Ocean.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Zhijie Jack Tseng
Summary: Machairodontinae, including the famous Smilodon and Homotherium, had a significant impact on the structure of ice-age ecosystems. Recent studies suggest the presence of Homotherium in Taiwan, expanding its known distribution in Eurasia.
PAPERS IN PALAEONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Roberto Rozzi, Mark Lomolino, Alexandra A. E. van der Geer, Daniele Silvestro, S. Kathleen Lyons, Pere Bover, Josep A. Alcover, Ana Benitez-Lopez, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Masaki Fujita, Mugino O. Kubo, Janine Ochoa, Matthew E. Scarborough, Samuel T. Turvey, Alexander Zizka, Jonathan M. Chase
Summary: Islands have long been recognized as unique environments for evolutionary divergence, resulting in variations in body size, such as dwarfs and giants. Incorporating data from 1231 extant and 350 extinct species, our study spanning 23 million years reveals that island mammals with extreme body sizes are most vulnerable to extinction. Moreover, the arrival of modern humans has significantly accelerated extinction rates, leading to the near complete eradication of these iconic examples of island evolution.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: Recent research on Late Eocene and Oligocene mysticete fossils has provided new insights into the diversity and evolution of early baleen whales. This review focuses on the origin of crown mysticetes, which is crucial for understanding the evolution of baleen whales. The phylogenetic positions of Oligocene genera from New Zealand remain unresolved, but they show a close relationship with crown mysticetes.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
(2023)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
James L. Goedert, Steffen Kiel, Cheng-Hsiu Tsai
Summary: The fossil record of the cephalopod genus Nautilus was incorrectly classified as other genera in the 20th Century by influential taxonomists. However, recent recognition and correction have revealed that these fossils actually belong to the Nautilus genus. Fossils from Taiwan and Indonesia represent the northernmost and southernmost Neogene records, respectively, for Nautilus in the Indo-Pacific region. It is important to gather more specimens to determine the variability within these Neogene taxa.
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Alberto Collareta, Erich M. G. Fitzgerald, Felix G. Marx, Naoki Kohno, Mark Bosselaers, Gianni Insacco, Agatino Reitano, Rita Catanzariti, Masayuki Oishi, Giovanni Bianucci
Article
Geology
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai, Alberto Collareta, Mark Bosselaers
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2020)