Search

A fish fauna originating from a limestone level of the Palaeogene sedimentary succession exposed on the northwestern side of the Transylvanian Basin (Gilău sedimentary area), belonging to the Viștea Limestone Formation, was discovered. On this occasion, we studied a lower Priabonian fish assemblage from the Leghia-Tabără area in Cluj County. Priabonian in Romania is a stage for which there are few data concerning fossil fish. Herein, it documented the occurrence of two orders of elasmobranchs (Lamniformes and Carcharhiniformes), one order of batoids (Myliobatiformes), and three other orders of actinopterygians (Istiophoriformes, Perciformes and Tetraodontiformes). Striatolamia tchelkarnurensis, a species formerly described solely from the Turgai Strait, is firstly reported outside of the region of its original description. Furthermore, noteworthy is the first record of the species Physogaleus alabamensis from Europe. This Palaeogene fish fauna from Leghia completes the regional and continental distributions, resulting in a more accurate understanding of palaeogeography and paleoenvironments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Findings of frilled sharks (both fossil and modern) are very rare, primarily due to their deep-sea lifestyle. A tooth of frilled shark Chlamydoselachus kamchaticus sp. nov. has been found in the Upper Eocene sediments of the Peresheek Mountain Formation on Karaginsky Island (Bering Sea, off northeastern Kamchatka). The large size of the tooth suggests a fish size close to the maximum for the genus, more than twice the size of modern Chlamydoselachus. This find is northernmost for fossil frilled sharks and located 20° north of the modern northern limit of the genus' distribution in the Pacific Ocean. This may indicate a warmer climate in the Late Eocene than the current climate conditions in the region of Eastern Kamchatka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new tribe Twangsteini trib. nov. (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) including a new genus Twangste gen. nov. with a new species T. belokobylskiji sp. nov. is described from Late Eocene Baltic amber. The tribe Twangsteini is interpreted as an extinct, basal and at the same time strongly advanced phylogenetic lineage of Pimplinae. This inference is based on a number of characters in which it resembles the Mesozoic subfamily Labenopimplinae and a number of apomorphies and plesiomorphies. Morphological similarity with the extant "Polysphincta" group of genera is the basis for the assumption that Twangste developed as a parasitoid on adult spiders (Arachnida, Araneida) or in their egg cocoons, supposedly the primary biology for the Polysphincta genus group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynological investigation was conducted to reconstruct the palaeodepositional and palaeoclimatic conditions of the late Eocene Kopili Shale of Assam-Arakan Basin (AAB), India. The palynoassemblage (PA) comprises particulate organic matters (POMs), dinoflagellate cysts (DCs), pteridophytic spores (PSs), angiospermous pollen (APs), acritarchs, fungal remains (FRs) and foraminiferal linings (FLs). Amorphous organic matter (AOM), making up 55 to 97 % of the PA, is the predominant form of organic matter (OM) among the POMs. The palynoflora is dominated by DCs comprising 5 genera (Cordosphaeridium, Hystrichosphaeridium, Heteraulacacysta, Glaphyrocysta and Thalassiphora) and 22 referable species. The PSs are assigned to 3 families (Polypodiaceae, Matoniaceae and Osmundaceae) and 8 referable species. The APs are characterised by 3 families (Arecaceae, Fabaceae and Gunneraceae) and 9 pollen species. The palynological data reveal that the Kopili Shale was deposited in a marginal-marine to shallow marine environment under suboxic-anoxic basin condition having influx of coastal elements into the depositional basin. The palaeoclimatic condition during the deposition of the Kopili Shale was tropical-subtropical and warm-humid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ∼50° post-Eocene clockwise rotation occurred in Mangkang of the eastern Qiangtang. • Discordant rotations in Gonjo-Mangkang imply oroclinal bending after Late Eocene. • Extensive Eocene crustal shortening occurred between Eurasian and eastern Qiangtang. The extrusion and clockwise rotation of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau around the Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis has been playing an important role in accommodating the Tibetan Plateau lithosphere shortening. Establishing the extrusion and rotation processes has great significance in understanding the still hotly debated deformation of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we conduct a new paleomagnetic study of the Upper Eocene (∼33.4–36.4 Ma) volcanogenic rocks from Mangkang (29.7°N, 98.6°E), which is located in the eastern Qiangtang Terrane that bent around the Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis. A total of 184 characteristic remnant magnetizations of 20 sites were identified and have a tilt-corrected site-mean direction of Ds = 62.2 ± 5.5°, Is = 47.6 ± 5.7°, K = 46.7, A 95 = 4.8°. The statistical properties of the obtained paleomagnetic directions can be straightforwardly explained by paleosecular variation, together with a positive fold test, yielding likely Late Eocene primary magnetizations. Integrated with other available paleomagnetic results and geological evidence in the adjacent areas, we speculate that there existed a ∼ 50° clockwise rotation of the Mangkang area with respect to the Eurasian Plate after the Late Eocene, due to the oroclinal bending around the Eastern Himalaya Syntaxis. The paleolatitudes estimated from paleomagnetic results indicate that the area between Eurasian and eastern Qiangtang has experienced significant latitudinal crustal shortening during the Eocene, which is consistent with geological evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n., are described from the Late Eocene Baltic amber, each based on the holotype worker. Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. differs from previously described species from the Late Eocene European ambers by a distinctly narrowed posteriorly head without pronounced occipital corners and a longer antennal scape, and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n. differs by a more slender mesosoma. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva of Berothidae or Rhachiberothidae (Neuroptera) is described from the late Eocene Rovno amber; it is the first record of either family from this amber. The larva is in particular characteristic with a four-segmented antenna, at least five stemmata, and lateral sutures on the head capsule connecting the coronal suture and lateral margins of the head. Based on these characters, the larva probably may belong to one of basal taxa of Berothidae, possibly to a suprageneric taxon which includes an undescribed small species from Baltic amber which is closely related to the mid-Cretaceous Haploberotha, or to Rhachiberothidae. This larva was most likely free living, possibly occurring under/on tree bark. In addition, the genus Protomenocria Emeljanov and Shcherbakov 2009 (Hemiptera: Achilidae) is recorded from Rovno amber for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n., are described from the Late Eocene Baltic amber, each based on the holotype worker. Aphaenogaster groehni Radchenko, sp. n. differs from previously described species from the Late Eocene European ambers by a distinctly narrowed posteriorly head without pronounced occipital corners and a longer antennal scape, and A. ribbeckei Radchenko, sp. n. differs by a more slender mesosoma. The taxonomic position of the new species is discussed.

Two new genera, Baltanchonidium gen. nov. (type species—Baltanchonidium eocenicum sp. nov.) from the subtribe Typoderina, tribe Plinthini and Parvacalles gen. nov. (type species—Parvacalleskotthoffi sp. nov.) from the subtribe Tylodina, tribe Cryptorhynchini, one new subgenus, Falsorhamphus subgen. nov. (type species—Palaeorhamphus (Falsorhamphus) alekseevi sp. nov.) genus Palaeorhamphus Legalov, 2016, subtribe Palaeorhamphina of the tribe Rhamphini, and ten new species, Leiosoma (Palaeoleiosoma) michalski sp. nov. and L. (P.) shevnini sp. nov., subtribe Leiosomatina of the tribe Plinthini, Baltanchonidium eocenicum sp. nov., subtribe Typoderina, Succinacalles silvestris sp. nov., subtribe Cryptorhynchina of the tribe Cryptorhynchini, Parvacalleskotthoffi sp. nov., subtribe Tylodina, Succinostyphlus squamosus sp. nov. and S. katarzynae sp. nov., subtribe Styphlina, tribe Ellescini, Palaeorhamphus (Falsorhamphus) alekseevi sp. nov., subtribe Palaeorhamphina, Arostropsis kirejtshuki sp. nov., tribe Naupactini, Polydrusus (Palaeodrosus) andrushchenkoi sp. nov., tribe Polydrusini, are described from Eocene Baltic amber. A key to species of the genus Succinostyphlus Kuska, 1996 is compiled. The article presents the first fossil record of the subtribe Typoderina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Eduardoxenus rasnitsyni n. sp., of the fungus weevil tribe Valenfriesiini (Coleoptera: Anthribidae: Choraginae), is described from Eocene Baltic amber. This new species is similar to E. unicus Legalov, Nazarenko and Perkovsky, 2018 from Rovno amber but differs in the rounded, more convex eyes, wide antennal club, and the lateral carina reaching the middle of the pronotum. This is the first record of the subfamily Choraginae from Baltic amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on workers from the Late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine), Damzenomyrmex gen. n. (Dlichoderinae) is established to include Damzenomyrmex ribbeckei sp. n., which is described here. I consider Damzenomyrmex to be a relative of Dolichoderus s. l. and assign it to the tribe Dolichoderini. Damzenomyrmex differs well from representatives of the previously established subgenera (genera) of Dolichoderus s. l., such as Dolichoderus s. str., Karawajewella, Acanthoclinea, Monoceratoclinea and Diceratoclinea by the nature of the mesosomal armature. It differs from the species of Hypoclinea in the presence of horn-like projections on the anterolateral corners of the pronotum. Regarding the last character, Damzenomyrmex reminds the species of Monacis, but readily differs from them by the non-concave posterior propodeal margin, a different shape of the petiolar scale, a not laterally marginated mesonotum, and some other characters. Furthermore, Damzenomyrmex differs from all Dolichoderus s. l. species in the cuticular structure and in the serration pattern of the mandibles, with the masticatory margin having 6–7 minor sharp teeth and a much longer apical one, the basal angle distinct and the basal margin lacking teeth or denticles. The comparative composition of Dolichoderinae and representatives of other ant subfamilies in late Eocene European ambers is considered.

Xenophagus simutniki sp. n. is described from a late Eocene Rovno amber specimen. The new species is similar to the fossil Xenophagus popovi Lyubarsky et Perkovsky, 2017 from the late Eocene Baltic amber (W Russia), differing in the medially notched anterior margin of the pronotum. The Rovno xenosceline fauna is the richest among both extant and extinct faunas. This fauna includes the extinct genera Xenophagus Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2017 and Xenohimatium Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2012, which are closest to the extant Mediterranean Xenoscelis Wollaston 1864 and the representative of the extant boreal genus Zavaljus Reitter, 1880. A key to extinct species of the subfamily Xenoscelinae is presented. The possible reasons of xenoscelines abundance in European amber forests are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new tribe Electrocoryssopini trib. nov., with a new genus Electrocoryssopus gen. nov. and a new species E. andrushchenkoi sp. nov., is described from Eocene Baltic amber. The new tribe is similar to the Recent tribes Coryssopodini and Sphadasmini but differs in the prosternum not having a rostral channel, slightly convex coarsely faceted eyes, femora without teeth, and tibiae lacking uncus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The family Cydnidae (so-called burrower bugs) contains 76 fossil species primarily assigned to two subfamilies, Amnestinae and Cydninae. Only five fossil species were undoubtedly classified within the subfamily Sehirinae. Eocenocydnus lisi, described from the Late Eocene of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, was also tentatively placed in this subfamily. All other burrower bug subfamilies have no described fossil species to date. To verify the systematic position of E. lisi within the family Cydnidae, a parallel, cross-eyed viewing method was used. It is the first case incorporating this method into insect fossil morphological studies. It allows the recognition of many more morphological details than directly viewing a two-dimensional flat image. The fossil burrower bug Eocenocydnus lisi described from the Late Eocene of the Isle of Wight, UK, is analysed using a parallel, cross-eyed viewing method. The species, tentatively placed in the subfamily Sehirinae, is redescribed and its systematic position is discussed. Newly recovered morphological characteristics allow it to be placed in the tribe Cydnini of the subfamily Cydninae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the kinematics of the coupled Helminthoid Flysch–Marguareis Unit outcropping in the High Tanaro Valley in order to constraint the tectonic evolution of the Western Ligurian Alps. Field mapping highlights a tectonic pile composed of, from top to bottom: the Marguareis Unit (Briançonnais Domain); the Helminthoid Flysch Unit (Ligurian Domain) and several continental-derived tectonic slices (Chambeuil Slices) showing affinity to the Briançonnais Domain. Each unit recorded different deformation histories represented by pre-, syn- and post-stacking structures. The syn-stacking structures are represented by thrusts and folds, both responsible for the coupling of the units and for their current structural relationships. In other sectors of the Alpine chain previous authors have highlighted similar structural architectures. We maintain that syn-stacking deformation events played a key role in the tectonic evolution of the Western Ligurian Alps.

Knowledge of the climate of the Late Eocene is important for understanding the global climatic shift from a global Warmhouse to a Coolhouse. We obtained a climatic record for the interval of 38.10–36.33 Ma based on sedimentary facies analysis combined with measurements of color indices (CI) and magnetic susceptibility (MS) of the lower Huoshaogou Formation in the westernmost Hexi Corridor, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Our results reveal the following temporal sequence of sedimentary environments: delta plain, shore–shallow lake, deep lake, and braided river. The records of MS and CI co-vary with changes in sedimentary facies and color, respectively. The various proxy indicators indicate an overall warm and dry climate interrupted by a cold and wet interval in the middle part of the section during ∼37.67–36.44 Ma, corresponding to a thick, greenish-colored lacustrine sedimentary layer with high values of lightness and low valuer of MS, frequency-dependent MS and redness. We suggest that this event was driven by the diversion of westerly winds due to the uplift of the southern Tibetan Plateau, together with the Tethys Sea retreat and the short-lived emergence or enhancement of the Asian monsoon. • Late Eocene (38.1–36.3 Ma) climatic proxies record was setup in the NE Tibet. • A cold & wet interval (37.7–36.4 Ma) interrupted Late Eocene warm & dry condition. • Climate change driven by westerly winds, Tethys retreat and short-term monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Although there is increasing evidence for wet, monsoonal conditions in Southeast Asia during the late Eocene, it has not been clear when this environment became established. Cenozoic sedimentary sequences constrained by radiometrically dated igneous rocks from the Jianchuan Basin in the southeast flank of Tibetan Plateau now provide a section whose facies and climatic proxies determine this evolution. Semi-arid conditions had dominated the region since Paleocene controlled by the northern sub-tropical high pressure system, culminating in mid Eocene when desert dunes developed. From 36 Ma, the basin began to accumulate swamp sediments with coals, together with synchronous braided river deposits and diversified pollen assemblages, indicating significant increase in precipitation. This remarkable transition from dry to wet conditions precedes the Eocene/Oligocene boundary at 34 Ma, thus excluding general global cooling as the prime driver. We propose that uplift of Tibetan Plateau might have reached a threshold elevation by that time, operating through thermal and dynamic forcing, causing the inception or significant intensification of monsoonal rains to penetrate into this downwind locality.

Records of Paleogene arctoids are scarce in Asia, but there are abundant records in Europe and North America. In this study, we report a new arctoid taxon, Lonchocyon qiui gen. et sp. nov., from the late Eocene Baron Sog Formation of the Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia, China. This is the first report of a relatively complete, large arctoid taxon from the Erlian Basin. The new taxon is characterized by its overall large size; a deep mandible with a marginal process and a rudimentary premasseteric fossa; and much-reduced premolars, including p4, sectorial carnassial m1 with basined talonid, and unreduced m2-3. Lonchocyon exhibits a combination of morphologies present in both amphicyonids and the early ursid hemicyonines. The mandibular force profiles suggest that Lonchocyon could have delivered powerful canine bites while subduing prey, like large felids do today, and it may have occupied a specialized ecological niche as a predator consuming both soft flesh and hard objects.

Fossil evidence is indispensable for studying the derivation, divergence, and dispersal of squirrels as they responded to global Cenozoic climatic and paleoenvironmental change. Among these fossil records, the earliest known definitive fossil squirrels in Eurasia occur after the Eocene/Oligocene Boundary and are slightly younger than the oldest records in North America. Here, we report the discovery of two new extinct large squirrel species from the late Eocene of the Junggar Basin in northwestern China. The dental morphologies of these new taxa represent tree and flying morphotypes, and their estimated body masses are approximately 1.2 kg and 2.6 kg, respectively. In addition, these extinct lineages push the age of the first appearance of Sciuridae in northern Asia into the late Eocene. Together with Douglassciurus and Oligospermophilus from North America, these two new squirrels from the Junggar Basin are the earliest records of sciurids, and analysis of their teeth clearly demonstrates that the three principle morphotypes of sciurids (flying, ground, and tree squirrels) had diverged from one another by the late Eocene. That proposed late Eocene divergence among the major groupings of sciurids is consistent with some molecular clock analyses and helps to document that macroevolutionary timing and pattern. Comparison with modern squirrel analogs for body masses over 1 kg points to these early Chinese species as having occupied forested habitats, and that hypothesis is congruent with published palynological studies. Furthermore, these two new squirrel taxa from Jeminay provide new data to evaluate the examination of the long-term aridification of Central Asia.

A new Paralia Heiberg species, Paralia flatoniana sp. nov., is documented from a late Eocene diatomite and mudstone deposit in east central Texas. Paralia represents up to 63% of the assemblage in the diatomite samples and 34% in the mudstone. Numerous Paralia initial valves are present adding an unusual component to this assemblage as they are infrequently reported from samples containing populations of fossil Paralia. A third valve type observed attached to Paralia chains is also illustrated and discussed. Intact chains are common and preservation of the frustules is very good with limited indication of dissolution or transport. An average valve diameter of 19.0 µm (7.1–37.7 µm range), the presence of numerous initial valves and preservation of fine morphological structures suggest an environment with often high in situ productivity rather than a transported assemblage. Morphologically similar species Paralia crenulata and Paralia thybergii share many mantle characteristics with P. flatoniana while the valve face details of Paralia fausta are similar. Paleogeography and – ecology of the Eocene Gulf of Mexico and volcanism to the west provided a temperate coastal nutrient-rich shelf environment favourable for Paralia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper describes the aquatic plants of Trapa L. and Hemitrapa Miki from the upper Eocene of Bailuyuan Formation in the Weihe Basin, central China. The discoveries represent the earliest known Trapa records in the world and the earliest Hemitrapa record in Asia. Furthermore, the new species identified in this study is the most reliable leaf fossil record of Trapa so far. These occurrences provide a new clue to investigate the origin of Trapa and its evolutionary relationships with Hemitrapa. The unexpected aquatic plant assemblage indicates that central China was warm and humid, with freshwater ponds or lakes, in the late Eocene. Both Trapa L. and the extinct Hemitrapa Miki are aquatic plants in the family Lythraceae, with abundant fossil records in Eurasia and North America in the Cenozoic. However, documented materials are mainly based on fruit and pollen grains without reliable leaf fossils. Here, we report fossil leaves, fruit, and roots of Trapa and fruit of Hemitrapa from the late Eocene of Weinan, the Weihe Basin of central China. The fossil leaves are identified as a new species, Trapa natanifolia Z. C. Han et H. Jia sp. nov., which represents the earliest known record of a Trapa leaf fossil. It is remarkably similar to extant species of Trapa, mostly due to the unique inflated petiole structures found in both of them. While displaying prominent intergeneric differences, the incomplete fossil fruits are assigned to Trapa sp. indet. and Hemitrapa sp. indet. The former is the earliest fossil fruit record of Trapa, and the latter represents the earliest fossil record of Hemitrapa found in Asia. These new fossil discoveries suggest that the divergence of Trapa and Hemitrapa occurred at least by the late Eocene. It is believed that modern Trapa most likely originated in China. Furthermore, this unexpected aquatic plant fossil assemblage indicates that central China was warm and humid, with freshwater ponds or lakes, in the late Eocene and not as arid as previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of rhynchitid beetle Pseudauletes (Eopseudauletes) balticus sp. nov. is described from Baltic amber. The new species differs from P. (E.) championi (Sharp, 1889) in the sparsely punctate pronotum, which is longer than wide, and in the antennae inserted closer to the base of the rostrum. Possible faunistic relationships between the Curculionoidea of Baltic amber and the fauna of Limalophus and Toxorhynchus in the Eocene, as well as the Recent Pseudauletes, Caulophilus, and Oxycraspedus at the generic level and Anypotactini at the tribe level are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

However the following combination of characters places the fossil in a separate entity within Cosmoscartini, as this tribe is currently understood: angulate border angulate border of frontoclypeus in dorsal view, anterior margin of pronotum protruded, posterior margin with distinct incision, long mesonotum (distinctly longer than half of the length of the pronotum in midline), more basal forking of ScP + R, long clavus, short tornus, and subtriangular shape of subgenital plates place the fossil separately within Cosmoscartini as this tribe is currently understood. MAP: Figure 7 Localities of fossil taxa ascribed to Cercopidae and the modern relatives (note that the taxonomic placement of the fossil record presented here is in need of revision). The family Cercopidae includes 178 genera and 1561 species [[7]], most closely related to the paraphyletic Aphrophoridae [[6]], which bear transverse compound eyes instead of the globose compound eyes of Cercopidae [[8]]. The oldest confirmed fossil known for the Cercopidae ( I Allocercopis punctatis i Lin, 1997) dates back to the Cretaceous-Paleocene [[11]] and two dubious cercopid fossils were recorded from the Cretaceous [[12]]. [Extracted from the article]

A new species of apionine weevil Baltoconapium vilhelmseni sp. nov. is described from Baltic amber. The new species differs from the only described member of this genus, B. anderseni (Voss, 1972), in having a narrower body, weakly convex elytra with greenish sheen, slightly convex elytral interstriae, a longer rostrum, and a smaller body size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-seven rock samples from the stratotypes of three upper Paleogene formations – Prussian, Palvé, and Kurshskaya formations – were collected from the biggest amber deposit worldwide (Primorsky quarry, Kaliningrad Oblast SE Baltic coast), and have been palynologically analyzed. The presence of age-diagnostic dinoflagellate cyst species has allowed us to refine and update the previously questionable age of regional lithostratigraphical units. Based on the presence of Rhombodinium perforatum, the 'Upper Wild Earth' and 'Upper Blue Earth' members of the Prussian Formation correspond to the early Priabonian (Late Eocene) Rhombodinium perforatum Zone. The overlying 'Upper Quicksand' and 'White Wall' members of the Prussian Formation contain the key-species Thalassiphora reticulata, and are correlated with the latest Priabonian T. reticulata Zone. The overlying Palvé Fm ('Green Wall'), comprises a dinoflagellate cyst assemblage very close to that recorded from the Prussian Formation, and also corresponds to the T. reticulata Zone, late Priabonian. The lower part of the Kurshskaya Formation – 'Chocolate clays' and lower 'Brown sands' members, contain an impoverished dinoflagellate cyst assemblages as a result of significant environmental changes. However, the common presence of Areosphaeridium diktyoplokum and Glaphyrocysta semitecta, along with an absence of early Oligocene key-species Wetzeliella gochtii or Chiropteridium galea, and pollen key-species Boehlensipollis hohli or Aglaoreidia cyclops, suggest the lower Kurshskaya Formation can be correlated with the uppermost Eocene, and very close to the Eocene/Oligocene boundary. Based on the revised stratigraphical ages presented here, we suggest an important regional marine transgression occurred during the Priabonian, which allowed the direct marine connection between the NW European Basin and Peri-Tethys via the Polish-Luthuanian Seaway. This was then followed by a regression at the end of Priabonian that culminated in a transition to continental sedimentation in the early Rupelian. A new dinoflagellate cyst species Oligokolpoma balticus sp. nov. is formally described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial fossils from the Palaeogene of Tibet could help us to better understand the past climate and environment in this area. We herein report a new late Eocene non-marine fossil site from southern Nima Basin, central Tibet, SW China, including abundant insects and fishes. These fossils are similar to those from the late Eocene (∼39.5–37 Ma) Lunpola–Nima sediment depo-centres in sharing the dominating aquatic bug Aquarius lunpolaensis and cyprinid fishes. Chalcolestes tibetensis sp. nov., the oldest representative of the modern family Lestidae, is described. Lestidae were previously only recorded in Western Europe, and the oldest records were from the uppermost Eocene of France and the UK. The present discovery demonstrates that Lestidae already had a broad distribution during the Eocene and probably originated much earlier. The recent representatives of Chalcolestes occur in the low-altitude ponds or lakes of Western Palaearctic. Together with the other freshwater fossils in this site, this new discovery indicates a humid climate and low altitude for the Nima Basin and nearby basins in the middle part of the Bangong Nujiang suture zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extant Bauhinia (Leguminosae) is a genus of 300 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas, widely distributed in pantropical areas, but its diversification history in southeastern Asia, one of its centers of highest diversity, remains unclear. We report new fossils of three Bauhinia species with cuticular preservation from the Paleogene of Puyang Basin, southwestern China. Our finding likely extends the emergence of Bauhinia in Asia to the late Eocene. Together with previously reported fossil records, we show that the diversification of Bauhina in Asia and the phenomenon of a small region harboring multiple Bauhinia species in southwestern China could be traced back to the Paleogene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is increasing evidence for wet, monsoonal conditions in Southeast Asia during the late Eocene, it has not been clear when this environment became established. Cenozoic sedimentary sequences constrained by radiometrically dated igneous rocks from the Jianchuan Basin in the southeast flank of Tibetan Plateau now provide a section whose facies and climatic proxies determine this evolution. Semi-arid conditions had dominated the region since Paleocene controlled by the northern sub-tropical high pressure system, culminating in mid Eocene when desert dunes developed. From 36 Ma, the basin began to accumulate swamp sediments with coals, together with synchronous braided river deposits and diversified pollen assemblages, indicating significant increase in precipitation. This remarkable transition from dry to wet conditions precedes the Eocene/Oligocene boundary at 34 Ma, thus excluding general global cooling as the prime driver. We propose that uplift of Tibetan Plateau might have reached a threshold elevation by that time, operating through thermal and dynamic forcing, causing the inception or significant intensification of monsoonal rains to penetrate into this downwind locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to define the palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography of the Middle‐Late Eocene rock units in the North Eastern Desert of Egypt, 121 rock samples of three representative localities, namely, Wadi Degla, Gebel Abu‐Shama, and Gebel Qattamiya sections were collected and investigated. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of ostracods associations and sedimentological data were used to identify three ostracod biozones; two acme zones (Cytherella tarabulusensis and Loxoconcha vetustopunctatella) of the Middle Eocene age and one assemblage zone (Xestoleberis subglobosa–Uromuellerina saidi) of Middle‐Late Eocene age, reflecting palaeoenvironments in the study area. The Cytherella tarabulusensis Zone, located at the bottom of all sections, is characterized by restricted shallow water, low dissolved oxygen, high salinity, and water depth below 100 m. The Loxoconcha vetustopunctatella Zone, located in Wadi Degla and Gebel Qattamiya sections, is characterized by shallow normal warm waters in the range of 20–50 m, whereas Xestoleberis subglobosa–Uromuellerina saidi Assemblage Zone, located in all studied sections, reflects restricted shallow water with a reduced dissolved oxygen condition palaeoenvironment. Palaeobiogeographically, the recorded ostracod assemblage exhibits similarities with those recorded in the Middle East and North and East Africa bioprovinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary successions in the northwestern Gulf of Suez provide important clues to the understanding of the geological evolution of NE Africa during the middle and late Eocene. This study focuses on detailed facies analyses in order to characterize the depositional environments and system tracts of the Bartonian–Priabonian succession cropping out in this area. Bartonian–Priabonian carbonate deposits in five stratigraphic sections constitute, from base to top, the Gebel Hof, Observatory, Sannur, Qurn, and Wadi Hof Formations. These formations contain four local assemblage zones of larger benthic foraminifers. Analyses of litho-, bio-, and microfacies in the succession resulted in the recognition of 12 lithofacies types. These litho-facies are represented by packages of lime-mudstones, wackestones, packstones, pack- to grainstones, grainstones, rudstones, boundstones and dolomites. These lithofacies have been grouped into four genetically-related facies associations that represent, respectively, tidal flats/shallow subtidal, restricted-shelf/lagoonal, shoal bar, and outer-shelf lagoon/reefal depositional environments in a downslope shallow-marine inner-ramp setting. The vertical transitions of these facies associations, representing facies changes through time, imply fluctuations of the regional sea level. The two peaks in the Bartonian correspond to well-known global eustatic sea-level rises; the pronounced Priabonian regression must be ascribed to the known global eustatic sea-level fall in combination with regional tectonic activity. The facies distribution suggests that the study area was located in the direct vicinity of some islands during the Bartonian–Priabonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xenophagus simutniki sp. n. is described from a late Eocene Rovno amber specimen. The new species is similar to the fossil Xenophagus popovi Lyubarsky et Perkovsky, 2017 from the late Eocene Baltic amber (W Russia), differing in the medially notched anterior margin of the pronotum. The Rovno xenosceline fauna is the richest among both extant and extinct faunas. This fauna includes the extinct genera Xenophagus Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2017 and Xenohimatium Lyubarsky & Perkovsky, 2012, which are closest to the extant Mediterranean Xenoscelis Wollaston 1864 and the representative of the extant boreal genus Zavaljus Reitter, 1880. A key to extinct species of the subfamily Xenoscelinae is presented. The possible reasons of xenoscelines abundance in European amber forests are discussed.

The Crocker Formation, Late Eocene to Middle Miocene in age, was deposited in a deep-marine environment by a turbidity current. Most of the facies identified in the field are related to the sedimentary bed-form structures belonging to Bouma sequences. These prominently include unit divisions such as Ta referring to grading sand, Tb for parallel laminae, Tc for cross laminae, Td for mud laminae, and Te referring to hemipelagic mud. Five facies have adequately been identified using Bouma sequence implications, namely Facies 1 (F1: Ta-Tb layers), Facies 2 (F2: Ta-Te layers), Facies 3 (F3: Tb-Te layers), Facies 4 (F4: Tb / Tc-Te layers), and Facies 5 (F5: Td-Te layers). Based on the Crocker Formation facies analysis, three distinct groups of facies associations were recognised: Deep-Marine Channel-Lobe Association (Type A1), Deep-Marine Channel-Levee Association (Type A2), and Distal Lobe Association. These facies associations precisely revealed that the Crocker Formation's depositional environments were likely deposited in the middle-fan with associated outer-fan settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaenothecopsis polissica V.P. Heluta et Sukhomlyn, sp. nov. (Mycocaliciales, Ascomycota) from late Eocene Rovno amber (Ukraine) is described. In the shape of fruit bodies and morphology of mycelium, the new species is similar to late Eocene C. bitterfeldensis, although ascomata of C. polissica sp. nov. are significantly smaller. Among the extant calicioid species of fungi and lichens, C. marcineae is the closest species to C. polissica, according to fruit body shape and size. The former species is reported to grow on spruce resin from boreal North America (Canada and United States) and Europe (Finland). C. polissica sp. nov. represents the smallest-fruited species of resinicolous calicioids and is the second record of fossil fungi in Rovno amber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fossil burrower bug Eocenocydnus lisi described from the Late Eocene of the Isle of Wight, UK, is analysed using a parallel, cross-eyed viewing method. The species, tentatively placed in the subfamily Sehirinae, is redescribed and its systematic position is discussed. Newly recovered morphological characteristics allow it to be placed in the tribe Cydnini of the subfamily Cydninae.

Both Trapa L. and the extinct Hemitrapa Miki are aquatic plants in the family Lythraceae, with abundant fossil records in Eurasia and North America in the Cenozoic. However, documented materials are mainly based on fruit and pollen grains without reliable leaf fossils. Here, we report fossil leaves, fruit, and roots of Trapa and fruit of Hemitrapa from the late Eocene of Weinan, the Weihe Basin of central China. The fossil leaves are identified as a new species, Trapa natanifolia Z. C. Han et H. Jia sp. nov., which represents the earliest known record of a Trapa leaf fossil. It is remarkably similar to extant species of Trapa, mostly due to the unique inflated petiole structures found in both of them. While displaying prominent intergeneric differences, the incomplete fossil fruits are assigned to Trapa sp. indet. and Hemitrapa sp. indet. The former is the earliest fossil fruit record of Trapa, and the latter represents the earliest fossil record of Hemitrapa found in Asia. These new fossil discoveries suggest that the divergence of Trapa and Hemitrapa occurred at least by the late Eocene. It is believed that modern Trapa most likely originated in China. Furthermore, this unexpected aquatic plant fossil assemblage indicates that central China was warm and humid, with freshwater ponds or lakes, in the late Eocene and not as arid as previously thought.

The rich decapod assemblage from the late Eocene of San Feliciano hill (Orgiano, Monti Berici, Vicenza, NE Italy) was partially recorded by De Angeli and Garassino (2002, 2014). Herein, two new crabs, Bericirinia bretoni n. gen., n. sp. (Epialtidae MacLeay, 1838) and Orgianocarcinus bericus n. gen., n. sp. (Dairidae Ng and Rodriguez, 1986) are reported from San Feliciano Hill, located in Monti Berici, Orgiano. Moreover, two well-preserved specimens assigned to Actaeites lobatus Müller and Collins, 1991 (Xanthoidea MacLeay, 1838, incertae sedis) allowed to add some morphological characters to the original description of the holotype, lacking the fronto-orbital margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mastixiaceae (Cornales) were more widespread and diverse in the Cenozoic than they are today. The fossil record includes fruits of both extant genera, Mastixia and Diplopanax, as well as several extinct genera. Two of the fossil genera, Eomastixia and Mastixicarpum, are prominent in the palaeobotanical literature, but concepts of their delimitation have varied with different authors. These genera, both based on species described 93 years ago by Marjorie Chandler from the late Eocene (Priabonian) Totland Bay Member of the Headon Hill Formation at Hordle, England, are nomenclaturally fundamental, because they were the first of a series of fossil mastixioid genera published from the European Cenozoic. In order to better understand the type species of Eomastixia and Mastixicarpum, we studied type specimens and topotypic material using x-ray tomography and scanning electron microscopy to supplement traditional methods of analysis, to improve our understanding of the morphology and anatomy of these fossils. Following comparisons with other fossil and modern taxa, we retain Mastixicarpum crassum Chandler rather than transferring it to the similar extant genus Diplopanax, and we retain Eomastixia bilocularis Chandler [=Eomastixia rugosa (Zenker) Chandler] and corroborate earlier conclusions that this species represents an extinct genus that is more closely related to Mastixia than to Diplopanax.

The superfamily Cercopoidea is commonly named as “spittlebugs”, as its nymphs produce a spittle mass to protect themselves. Cosmoscartini (Cercopoidea: Cercopidae) is a large and brightly colored Old World tropical tribe, including 11 genera. A new genus Nangamostethos gen. nov. (type species: Nangamostethostibetense sp. nov.) of Cosmoscartini is described from Niubao Formation, the late Eocene of central Tibetan Plateau (TP), China. Its placement is ensured by comparison with all the extant genera of the tribe Cosmoscartini. The new fossil represents one of few fossil Cercopidae species described from Asia. It is likely that Nangamostethos was extinct from the TP due to the regional aridification and an overturn of plant taxa in the late Paleogene.

A large bone from the upper Eocene Totland Bay Formation of Hordle Cliff (Hampshire), originally described by Seeley (1866) as Macrornis tanaupus and interpreted by him as belonging to a 'large Struthious bird', is redescribed and illustrated for the first time. It is not a reptile bone, as previously suggested, but the proximal part of a left avian tibiotarsus. A mass estimate of 43 kg, comparable to that of an emu, suggests that it was flightless. A precise identification is difficult because of the incompleteness of the specimen, and Macrornis tanaupus should probably be considered as a nomen dubium. We exclude Seeley's interpretation as a ratite, as well as previous attributions to gastornithids. We tentatively suggest that the specimen may belong to a phorusrhacid, which would extend the stratigraphic record of this group in Europe by a few million years. The presence of a large terrestrial bird in the upper Eocene of Europe may have a bearing on the interpretation of enigmatic footprints of very large birds from the upper Eocene Paris gypsum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on five cores in and around three of the hundreds of shallow ephemeral hypersaline lakes distributed in chains along traces of ancient drainages that dominate the southern Western Australian landscape. Cores within and on the shore of Lake Aerodrome (LA1-09, LA2-09), Prado Lake (PL1-09, PL2-09), and Gastropod Lake (GLE1-09) in the Cowan Paleodrainage were drilled as part of a multidisciplinary study to understand the evolution of the lakes. Lithological and palynomorph data provide insights into the region's the depositional history, and floristic and climate evolution of the region. The nearly 60 m deep LA2-09 core provides the most comprehensive data. The basal ∼15 m interval of this core comprises two distinct lignite units with a clay interbed that preserve a rich palynomorph assemblage of the Werillup Formation. This assemblage is characterized by the first appearance datum (FAD) and last appearance datum (LAD) of key late Eocene taxa that correlate with the Middle Nothofagidies asperus Zone, and is indicative of freshwater swamp surrounded by subtropical to temperate rainforest. Above the upper lignite (except the topmost sample), evaporitic-siliciclastic units preserve a depauperate palynomorph assemblage comprising mostly long-ranging sclerophyllic-xerophilous-halophilic taxa. The pollen Myrtaceidites lipsis constrains the age of the upper ∼23 m interval as Pliocene to Recent. This younger assemblage also preserves reworked palynomorphs from the Werillup Formation and older units, and is identified in the other four cores. The presence of the halophilic green alga Dunaliella in the younger assemblage is used as a proxy for aridity and hypersaline conditions during post-Eocene deposition in southern Western Australia. Its absence in the neutral-alkaline lake water and uppermost core samples of GLE1-09 is either due to predation by the acidophobic gastropod Coxiella residing in the lake, or the fact that the type of Dunaliella preserved in the core samples is acidophilic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new tribe, Palaeoanoplini trib. nov., with a new genus, Palaeoanoplus gen. nov., and a new species, P. horridus sp. nov., of the subfamily Curculioninae are described from the Late Eocene Baltic amber. The new tribe is close to the Recent tribe, Anoplini; however, it differs from Anoplini by its tibia without uncus, as well as by tarsal claws present, without teeth, prosternum with postocular lobes, and body covered with long erect setae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian monsoon is one of the largest climatic systems in the world, but age of its onset has been estimated differently ranging from the late Eocene to the Quaternary. We investigated the sedimentology and stable isotopic compositions of the upper Eocene Jiuziyan Formation, a terrestrial limestone unit in the Jianchuan basin, Yunnan Province in China. This limestone formation is restricted in several localities in the central part of the basin. Previously, this has been characterized as palustrine carbonate and the transition to the sublacustrine deposit of the overlying Shuanghe Formation was interpreted as the appearance of wetter climate during the late Eocene. Our observations of macro‐ and microfacies revealed sedimentary fabrics indicating rapid CaCO3 precipitation, such as dendritic calcite and calcified reed stems, which are unlikely to develop in a simple lacustrine setting. High carbonate content (mostly >90 %) and restricted distribution of the Jiuziyan limestone indicate a depositional setting spatially limited and isolated from clastic influx. These findings, together with clearly higher δ13C values (−0.7 ‰ to +6.9 ‰) and lower δ18O values (−14.6 ‰ to −10.5 ‰) than those of the Shuanghe Formation, indicate that the limestone was mainly travertine, carbonate formed from endogenic spring water. The elevated δ13C resulted from a large amount of CO2 degassing from spring water with high pCO2. In addition, the occurrence of centimeter‐scale lamination coupled with cyclic changes in δ13C and δ18O is almost identical with the modern annually‐laminated travertine reported from Baishuitai in northern Yunnan Province, implying comparable amplitude of seasonal temperature and precipitation changes to the record of the modern travertine at Baishuitai. Our results do not contradict the previous interpretation of late Eocene wetting and additionally suggest the existence of the late Eocene monsoon climate in the Jianchuan basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus Zherikhiniellus gen. nov. (type species Zh. rarus sp. nov.) and two new species, Toxorhynchus michalskii sp. nov. (Apioninae, Apionini) and Zherikhiniellus rarus sp. nov. (Nanophyinae, Nanophyini), are described from Late Eocene Baltic amber. This is the second record of the subfamily Nanophyinae in Baltic amber, and the first record of the genus Toxorhynchus in the Eocene of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen and carbon isotope data of several benthic and planktonic species of Foraminifera from a regressive sequence in northeastern Italy indicate a watermass change during the Late Eocene, In the middle of zone P 16 the Belluno Basin Was temporari/y cut off from the open ocean. This was probably provoked by 1) worldwide sea—level Iowering during the Late Eocene •and 2) tectonic activity in the relict Tethyan realm and the adjacent areas. The isolation apparently resulted in a temporary salinity increase in the relict basin. A pronounced oxygen isotope excursion at the base of P 16 could be explained by diagenetic changes. The formation of globular cement in the chambcr cavities of Foraminifera is due either to phreatic water infiltration promoted by the preceding shoaling of the sedimentary environment, or to a temporarily increased geothermal gradient resulting from the volcanic activity in the Colli Euganei. The genera and species of the superfamily Buliminacea are enriched in 16O relative to the taxa belonging to the superfamily Cassidulinacea. The δ18C of Nodosariacea are mostly intermediate. The oxygen isotope fractionation of benthic Foraminifera caused by biologica) processes (i.e. vital effect) seems to be somehow related to the wall structure (e.g. systematic classification).

Extant Bauhinia (Leguminosae) is a genus of 300 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas, widely distributed in pantropical areas, but its diversification history in southeastern Asia, one of its centers of highest diversity, remains unclear. We report new fossils of three Bauhinia species with cuticular preservation from the Paleogene of Puyang Basin, southwestern China. Our finding likely extends the emergence of Bauhinia in Asia to the late Eocene. Together with previously reported fossil records, we show that the diversification of Bauhina in Asia and the phenomenon of a small region harboring multiple Bauhinia species in southwestern China could be traced back to the Paleogene.

Paratractocerus gusakovi gen. et sp. nov. is described from Baltic amber. It is similar to species of Atractocerus Palisot de Beauvois, 1801 s.l. but differs in the relatively long elytra reaching the hind trochanters, absence of the maxillary palp organ and less modified antennae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mid-latitude westerlies are a fundamental component of the global climate system. There has been extensive research about how meridional shifts of the westerlies influenced the wet-dry paleoclimate regimes of mid-latitude Asia during the Quaternary. However, how the westerlies operated in much older geological times, such as the late Eocene, particularly on an orbital time scale, is not fully understood. Here, we conducted detailed cyclostratigraphic and palynological analyses on a late Eocene (41.2–37.8 Ma) mudstone-shale sedimentary sequence from the Fushun Basin in northeast China, which uniquely records orbitally-forced meridional shifts of the westerlies. Cyclostratigraphic analyses reveal that the mudstone-shale rhythms exhibit a prominent short eccentricity cycle, with a modest expression of obliquity cycles and a weak expression of precession cycles. The palynological results show that the vegetation experienced frequent alternations between semi-desert and swamp forest, and the climate exhibited periodic oscillations between warm-dry and cold-wet climates. We propose that a combination of eccentricity-modulated low-latitude summer insolation and obliquity-forced high-latitude incipient ice sheet and meridional temperature gradient variations drove cyclical vegetation and hydroclimate fluctuations in northeast China during the late Eocene by regulating the intensity and displacement of the westerlies and the subtropical high. Our results imply that continued poleward movement of the westerlies and the subtropical high will lead to increased aridification along the southern margin of the westerlies under a continuous global warming scenario. • Cyclostratigraphic analyses reveal a prominent short eccentricity cycle. • Climate exhibited periodic oscillations between warm-dry and cold-wet. • Vegetation experienced frequent alternations between semi-desert and swamp forest. • Orbitally forced meridional shifts of the westerlies modulate northeast China hydroclimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data for new local palaeoflora near the village of Bersin (SW Bulgaria) are presented. Eight species of fossil plants have been identified. Eotrigonobalanus furcinervis is dominant over other species. The flora-bearing layers originate from the lower part of the Nevestino Formation, which is formed by alternating sandstone and mudstone sediments. Based on the established fossil macroflora, it can be assumed that the age of the flora-bearing sediments is late Eocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of Rovno amber revealed two liverworts of the genus Frullania (Frullaniaceae, Marchantiophyta), new to the Late Eocene flora of Rovno amber. One of these liverworts is characterized by the mammillose surface of the upper part of ventral lobules. This taxon is described as F. ekaterinae Mamontov, Ignatov, and Perkovsky, sp. nov. The other is distinguished by the ventral lobules remote from the stem and tilted outwards. This taxon is interpreted as a new species, F. schmalhausenii Mamontov, Ignatov and Perkovsky, sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]