Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Lukeneder, Petra Lukeneder
Summary: This study provides a detailed description of the rich assemblage of marine taxa from the Polzberg Konservat-Lagerstatte near Lunz am See in Lower Austria, highlighting the diverse fauna and excellent preservation of specimens from the Upper Triassic period. The discovery of various marine organisms and occasional freshwater influences during the Carnian Pluvial Episode sheds light on the environmental conditions and biodiversity of the early Mesozoic era.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Peixin Zhang, Minfang Yang, Jing Lu, Zhongfeng Jiang, Kai Zhou, Xiaotao Xu, Ye Wang, Li Wu, Huijuan Chen, Xuran Zhu, Yanghang Guo, Huajun Ye, Longyi Shao, Jason Hilton
Summary: The Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) was a globally significant event characterized by increased temperature and humidity, leading to changes in terrestrial vegetation and freshwater algae abundance. This event ended a long period of arid climate and is associated with volcanic activities of the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province (LIP) that released greenhouse gases. The volcanic emissions enhanced atmospheric circulation and hydrological cycle, resulting in a shift from arid to humid conditions that affected floral composition. The increased terrestrial carbon burial counteracted the warming effects of volcanic emissions, ultimately leading to a return to a stable climate state.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Jacopo Dal Corso, Nereo Preto, Claudia Agnini, Sonke Hohn, Agostino Merico, Helmut Willems, Piero Gianolla
Summary: During the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE), significant pelagic calcification began with the appearance of Orthopithonella calcispheres in deep-water successions of the Western Tethys, constituting up to 8% of hemipelagic limestones. This change in carbonate sedimentation may indicate a profound modification in ocean biogeochemistry during the CPE.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing Lu, Peixin Zhang, Jacopo Dal Corso, Minfang Yang, Paul B. Wignall, Sarah E. Greene, Longyi Shao, Dan Lyu, Jason Hilton
Summary: The Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode saw a significant increase in global humidity and temperature, linked to the large-scale volcanism of the Wrangellia large igneous province. New research shows that volcanic eruptions during this period occurred in multiple discrete pulses, each associated with climatic changes and ecological turnover.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mina Mazaheri-Johari, Piero Gianolla, Tamsin A. Mather, Joost Frieling, Daoliang Chu, Jacopo Dal Corso
Summary: Research indicates that during the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, volcanic activity may be linked to multiple carbon inputs into the atmosphere-ocean system and enhanced hydrological cycle. New data suggests that volcanic Hg inputs into basins may be associated with CPE global negative C-isotope excursions and humid phases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuki Tomimatsu, Tatsuo Nozaki, Tetsuji Onoue, Hironao Matsumoto, Honami Sato, Yutaro Takaya, Jun-Ichi Kimura, Qing Chang, Manuel Rigo
Summary: The Carnian Pluvial Episode was a short interval of extreme rainfall in the Late Triassic that caused significant changes in marine ecosystems. This study examined an equatorial record of oceanic conditions during this episode and found that global warming induced by volcanism led to oceanic anoxia, resulting in a turnover in marine taxa and an increase in radiolarian diversity after the recovery from anoxia.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yuki Tomimatsu, Tatsuo Nozaki, Honami Sato, Yutaro Takaya, Jun-Ichi Kimura, Qing Chang, Hiroshi Naraoka, Manuel Rigo, Tetsuji Onoue
Summary: The Carnian Pluvial Episode was a global environmental change and biotic crisis that occurred during the Carnian period, with evidence linking it to the eruption of Wrangellia Flood Basalt volcanism. High-resolution microfossil biostratigraphy and paleo-seawater Os isotope data were used to study the temporal relationship between the eruption and CPE, revealing a decline in Os isotope ratios during the Julian period and evidence of reducing conditions during the CPE in the Panthalassa Ocean.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Liqin Li, Wolfram M. Kurschner, Ning Lu, Hongyu Chen, Pengcheng An, Yongdong Wang
Summary: This study conducted a palynological study in the northwestern Sichuan Basin, Southwest China, and revealed the impact of a humid Carnian Pluvial Episode on vegetation changes in the region during the Late Triassic period. The results correlate well with observations from North China and the western Tethys, supporting the worldwide impact of a humid climate.
REVIEW OF PALAEOBOTANY AND PALYNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Michael J. Benton, Feixiang Wu
Summary: The Triassic period witnessed significant changes in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The recovery from the Permian-Triassic mass extinction was followed by a period of renewal and novelty, which was enhanced by the effects of the Carnian Pluvial Episode. The oceans experienced changes in the carbonate factory and the Mesozoic Marine Revolution during the Middle and Late Triassic, contradicting the previous belief that these occurred in the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous. On land, there was a competition between synapsids and archosauromorphs, leading to a shift in posture and physiology, including the development of warm-bloodedness. This shift in ecosystems and adaptations was triggered by the mass extinction event and further accelerated by the Carnian Pluvial Episode.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Peng Chen, Benzhong Xian, Meijun Li, Linhao Fang, Naveed Ur Rahman, Jianping Liu, Sirui Chen, Rongheng Tian, Qianran Wu
Summary: In a giant lacustrine turbidite system in the Ordos Basin in northern China, it has been found that the rainfall intensity during the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) greatly influenced the lacustrine turbidite deposition. Despite a temporal lag, the intensified turbidite deposition is a response to the three humid periods during the CPE. Compared to marine environments, continental depositional settings are more sensitive to humid climate changes and can provide detailed and long-term records of carbon fluctuations. This study highlights the impact of extremely humid events on turbidite deposition and contributes to the understanding of the CPE in terrestrial environments.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Zhiheng Ma, Tingshan Zhang, Jingwen Chen, Mihai Emilian Popa, Hongjiao Li, Shixin Li, Jianli Zeng, Xi Zhang
Summary: This study describes Sinobelemnites from the Upper Triassic of Luxi County in Yunnan Province, Southwest China, including a new species called Sichuanobelus luxiensis sp. nov. The presence of belemnites during the Carnian, particularly during the Carnian Pluvial Episode, suggests that this event played a role in the flourishing and preservation of belemnites.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Matteo Pecorari, Marcello Caggiati, Jacopo Dal Corso, Giuseppe Cruciani, Fabio Tateo, Daoliang Chu, Piero Gianolla
Summary: During the Early Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, there was an increase in precipitation, evidenced by thick siliciclastic deposits, C-cycle perturbations, and global warming. The mechanisms driving higher siliciclastic deposition are still not fully understood and could be related to the effects of climate change on depositional environments.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xin Jin, Yuki Tomimatsu, Runsheng Yin, Tetsuji Onoue, Marco Franceschi, Stephen E. Grasby, Yixing Du, Manuel Rigo
Summary: The Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) was characterized by various changes in carbon isotope, biota, and climate. The possible link between the CPE and the Wrangellia Large Igneous Province (Wrangellia LIP) activity remains unclear. The study presents evidence of excess mercury loading in sediments and suggests that variations in Wrangellia LIP volcanism may have driven biotic and climate changes during the CPE.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Juan Hu, Xiaochun Liu, Mengmeng Xia, Longyao Chen, Jianen Han, Daogong Hu
Summary: This study presents a petrological and geochronological analysis of the Mulantou Metamorphic Complex in Hainan Island, China, which provides evidence for Permian-Triassic tectono-thermal events. The results indicate a peak metamorphic condition of 720-770°C and 4.4-5.8 kbar, with metamorphism occurring at 250-235 Ma. Integration of published data suggests that the Triassic metamorphism of the Mulantou Metamorphic Complex resulted from the collision between the South China and Indochina blocks after closure of the Paleo-Tethys.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN EARTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Geology
Zisang Huang, Zhongquan Li, Yiqing Zhu, Wenrui Shi, Yong Li, Yue Li, Yuanjie Huang, Steven Young
Summary: In this study, the origin of the Ma'antang shales in the Upper Triassic Ma'antang Formation was determined by reconstructing the provenance, tectonic setting, chemical weathering, environment, and productivity. The study found that the shale formed in a marine environment influenced by terrestrial influx.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Micha Horacek, Leopold Krystyn, Aymon Baud
Summary: Joachimski et al. conducted geochemical investigations on seawater temperature changes across the Permian-Triassic Boundary (PTB). However, due to an incorrect biochronology, their reported temperature changes showed discrepancies compared to the global stratotype section and point.
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BULLETIN
(2022)
Editorial Material
Geography, Physical
Y. D. Sun, S. Richoz, W. M. Kurschner
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Thomas A. Neubauer, Torsten Hauffe, Daniele Silvestro, Christopher R. Scotese, Bjorn Stelbrink, Christian Albrecht, Diana Delicado, Mathias Harzhauser, Thomas Wilke
Summary: Understanding the drivers of species diversification over geological time is crucial for our knowledge of long-term evolutionary processes. This study used a large fossil dataset, a multivariate birth-death model, and a comprehensive set of biotic and abiotic predictors to estimate the drivers of diversification for European freshwater gastropods over the past 100 million years. The results showed temporal heterogeneity in the factors influencing diversification rates, with diversity-dependence and topography consistently playing important roles.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Petra Lukeneder, Alexander Lukeneder
Summary: This study examines fossil material from Austria and Italy, revealing the presence of cartilage structures similar to those seen in recent animals. These structures are identified as cephalic cartilage belonging to the belemnoid Phragmoteuthis bisinuata, and show similarities to the cephalic cartilage of modern coleoids.
Article
Geology
Martin DakoviC, Leopold Krystyn, Milan Sudar
Summary: A rich Early Triassic ammonoid fauna was discovered near Gomji Brceli in Montenegro, which is unique for the Early Massie of the western Tethys. The fossil assemblage consists of 15 species belonging to various genera and shows similarities with faunas from India, China, and the USA. The dominance of specific morphologies suggests specific paleoecological conditions. This study adds one more new species to the previously described three species from this locality and revises the status of two previously considered synonyms.
RIVISTA ITALIANA DI PALEONTOLOGIA E STRATIGRAFIA
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Mathias Harzhauser, Bernard Landau, Ronald Janssen
Summary: This study presents a revision of Clavatulidae gastropods from the Neogene of the Central and Eastern Paratethys seas. A total of 83 species and 17 genus-level groups were documented after revision. The presence of certain Clavatulidae genera in the Paratethys Sea suggests a biogeographic relationship with extant Clavatulidae faunas from the tropical eastern Atlantic. The high biodiversity and endemicity observed in Paratethyan assemblages indicate that the Central Paratethys was a major center of radiation for clavatulid gastropods. Clavatulidae diversity was found to be low in the Eastern Paratethys, restricted to the early Miocene Sakaraulian.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexander Lukeneder, Petra Lukeneder
Summary: The taphonomic mechanisms of a mono- to pauci-specific ammonoid fauna from Polzberg Konservat-Lagerstatte in Austria were studied. Abundant nektic ammonoids, bivalves, coleoids, and actinopterygian fish were found in the fossiliferous layers. The presence of vertically oriented ammonoid shell fragments suggests deposition after lethal fish or coleoid attacks. The Polzberg ammonoids were deposited under calm and dysoxic conditions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gerhard W. Weber, Alexander Lukeneder, Mathias Harzhauser, Philipp Mitteroecker, Lisa Wurm, Lisa-Maria Hollaus, Sarah Kainz, Fabian Haack, Walpurga Antl-Weiser, Anton Kern
Summary: The origin and key details of the 30,000 year old Venus from Willendorf have been revealed through new scanning technology. The study also suggests the possibility of long-distance artifact transportation by the Gravettian people before the Last Glacial Maximum.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Geology
Alexander Lukeneder, Nikolay Zverkov, Christina Kaurin, Valentin Blueml
Summary: This article reports the first discoveries of ichthyosaurs from the Valanginian and Hauterivian periods in Austria. Based on their tooth morphology, these fossils represent two distinct taxa with different feeding ecologies. The findings suggest that two ichthyosaurian taxa inhabited the seas of Austria during the Valanginian and Hauterivian. However, the evolutionary history of ichthyosaurs during this period is still poorly understood, hindering a comprehensive assessment of the timing and severity of events.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomasz Brachaniec, Dorota Srodek, Dawid Surmik, Robert Niedzwiedzki, Georgios L. Georgalis, Bartosz J. Plachno, Piotr Duda, Alexander Lukeneder, Przemyslaw Gorzelak, Mariusz A. Salamon
Summary: Excrement-shaped ferruginous masses, possibly derived from feces of testudinoid turtles and snakes, have been discovered in the Miocene deposits of Turow mine in Poland. The mineralogical and microtomographical analyses suggest that these masses are composed of siderite and iron oxide, indicating a possible biological origin.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mathias Harzhauser, Matthias Kranner, Oleg Mandic, Stjepan Coric, Wolfgang Siedl
Summary: This study presents the first detailed intra-basin correlation of Upper Miocene deposits in the Austrian part of the Vienna Basin, integrating the most important hydrocarbon fields. It uses a high resolution dataset to calculate regional differences in sedimentation rates over a time span of approximately 1.6 million years. The study reveals high lateral variability in thicknesses during the early Pannonian, which gradually decreases. The shift of high subsidence rates from the southern to the northern Vienna Basin during the middle Pannonian is documented. The still high sedimentation rates during the late Pannonian indicate persisting extensional tectonics in the Vienna Basin throughout the Late Miocene.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geology
I Feichtinger, J. Pollerspoeck, M. Harzhauser, G. Auer, S. Coric, M. Kranner, G. Guinot
Summary: Extensive bulk sampling of a continuous succession in an outer neritic environment of the latest Maastrichtian reveals a deep-water fauna dominated by small squaliform sharks. The sampling provides rare evidence of diversity fluctuations before the mass extinction event, and a correlation suggests clade competition for ecological niches. The study also introduces new genus and species of squaliform sharks, highlighting the importance of bulk sampling in reconstructing elasmobranch diversity.
CRETACEOUS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Paleontology
Isaline Demangel, Zsofia Kovacs, Silvia Gardin, Leopold Krystyn, Werner E. Piller, Andre Baldermann, Sylvain Richoz
Summary: Calcareous nannofossils evolved in the global ocean from the Carnian and have contributed to the accumulation of biogenic calcium carbonate in marine sediments since then. The Rhaetian period is crucial for understanding calcareous nannofossil evolution, with significant changes in bio-diversification and bio-productivity. A study conducted in the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria, examined the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the calcareous nannofossil content of the Zlambach Formation. The dominant species in most samples was Prinsiosphaera triassica triassica, which increased in abundance during the lower and middle Rhaetian, eventually reaching rock-forming abundance in the upper Rhaetian. A systematic size decrease was observed, possibly indicating changes in the paleo-environment. The occurrence of other species such as Eoconusphaera hallstattensis and E. zlambachensis also influenced the abundance of P. triassica triassica, with E. hallstattensis disappearing after the appearance of E. zlambachensis. Coccolithophorids were present in low abundance, showing a slow diversification over time.
Article
Zoology
Mathias Harzhauser, Aleksandr Guzhov, Bernard Landau
Summary: This paper provides an in-depth revision of Batillariidae and Potamididae from the Oligocene to the Pliocene of the Paratethys Sea. It focuses on rare literature and evaluates the whereabouts of type material. After critical revision, only 28 out of 236 proposed names are accepted as valid species.
Article
Zoology
Mathias Harzhauser, Bernard Landau
Summary: The Architectonicidae and Mathildidae of the Miocene in the Central Paratethys Sea reached their peak diversity during the early Middle Miocene but experienced a significant decrease in species richness during the Miocene Climatic Transition. This turnover is likely driven by climate change, specifically a cooling period that led to a decline in food sources.
