Search

Ancient biomolecule analyses are proving increasingly useful in the study of evolutionary patterns, including extinct organisms. Proteomic sequencing techniques complement genomic approaches, having the potential to examine lineages further back in time than achievable using ancient DNA, given the less stringent preservation requirements. In this study, we demonstrate the ability to use collagen sequence analyses via proteomics to assist species delimitation as a foundation for informing evolutionary patterns. We uncover biogeographic information of an enigmatic and recently extinct lineage of Nesophontes across their range on the Caribbean islands. First, evolutionary relationships reconstructed from collagen sequences reaffirm the affinity of Nesophontes and Solenodon as sister taxa within Solenodonota. This relationship helps lay the foundation for testing geographical isolation hypotheses across islands within the Greater Antilles, including movement from Cuba toward Hispaniola. Second, our results are consistent with Cuba having just two species of Nesophontes (N. micrus and N. major) that exhibit intrapopulation morphological variation. Finally, analysis of the recently described species from the Cayman Islands (N. hemicingulus) indicates that it is a closer relative to N. major rather than N. micrus as previously speculated. This proteomic sequencing improves our understanding of the origin, evolution, and distribution of this extinct mammal lineage, particularly with respect to the approximate timing of speciation. Such knowledge is vital for this biodiversity hotspot, where the magnitude of recent extinctions may obscure true estimates of species richness in the past.

· Within the Antilles, Cuba has a peculiarly diverse fossil avifauna. However, information on this avifauna is scattered among the specialized literature. Here I provide an updated annotated taxonomic list of the fossil birds from Cuba. This list includes 35 taxa, of which 17 are endemic, 12 actually extirpated, and 6 are undefined species identified only to genus level. The list is richly diverse in raptors with varied adaptations, including giant owls with limited flight and four large barn-owls, all with anatomical adaptations that suggest pronounced ground-dwelling. The raptor list includes five hawks, five falcons, and three vultures. There are also records of an egret, a stork, a crane, a snipe, and a nighthawk. Most species seem to have become extinct in Cuba, probably during the Late Holocene.Resumen · Lista de la avifauna fósil de Cuba Cuba tiene una avifauna fósil peculiarmente diversa. No obstante, la información taxonómica al respecto se encuentra dispersa en la literatura especializada. Se presenta aquí una lista actualizada sobre la taxonomía de la avifauna fósil de Cuba, reconociéndose 35 taxones extintos, incluyendo 17 endémicos y 12 taxones localmente extinguidos o extirpados y 6 taxones identificados solo al nivel de género. Entre la fauna extinguida conocida prevalecen las aves rapaces, incluyendo búhos gigantes, lechuzas y, un teratornítido con adaptaciones que indican capacidades nulas o limitadas de vuelo. Además, hay cinco gavilanes, cinco halcones y tres buitres. También se registran una grulla, una cigüeña, una garza, un alcaraván y otras aves que se han extinguido localmente, posiblemente durante el Holoceno tardío o periodo colonial.

Herein we provide the first report of the cardiid bivalve Schedocardia from Cuba. The single, partial, valve external mold was derived from the Madruga Formation which is characterized by a richly diverse marine fauna including echinoderms, brachiopods, benthic and planktonic foraminiferans, but from which bivalves were not previously reported. The unit is considered late Paleocene in age (Thanetian), but the presence of Schedocardia supports a possible age extension of the formation into the early Eocene (Ypresian). Moreover, we provide a reconsideration of the historical factors that affected the accepted type locality of the outcrop, which allows for an alternative interpretation of the fauna found therein.RESUMENSe reporta por primera vez el género bivalvo Schedocardia de la Formación Madruga, para el registro fósil de Cuba. De esta formación se ha reportado una rica fauna de invertebrados incluyendo equinodermos, braquiópodos y, especialmente de foraminíferos, pero no moluscos bivalvos. Se ha considerado que la Formación Madruga se depositó durante el Paleoceno tardío (Thanetiano), no obstante, la presencia de Schedocardia apoya la extensión de edad de la formación hasta el Eoceno temprano (Ypresiano). Además, se consideran factores antropogénicos que han afectado la localidad tipo de la formación.

The Caribbean archipelago is a hotspot of biodiversity characterized by a high rate of extinction. Recent studies have examined these losses, but the causes of the Antillean Late Quaternary vertebrate extinctions, and especially the role of humans, are still unclear. Current results provide support for climate-related and human-induced extinctions, but often downplaying other complex bio-ecological factors that are difficult to model or to detect from the fossil and archaeological record. Here, we discuss Caribbean vertebrate extinctions and the potential role of humans derived from new and existing fossil and archaeological data from Cuba. Our results indicate that losses of Cuba’s native fauna occurred in three waves: one during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, a second during the middle Holocene, and a third one during the last 2 ka, coinciding with the arrival of agroceramists and the early Europeans. The coexistence of now-extinct species with multiple cultural groups in Cuba for over 4 ka implies that Cuban indigenous non-ceramic cultures exerted far fewer extinction pressures to native fauna than the later agroceramists and Europeans that followed. This suggests a determinant value to increased technological sophistication and demographics as the most plausible effective extinction drivers.

Here we report a Late Holocene fossil-rich cave deposit from Cueva de los Nesofontes, Mayabeque Province, Cuba. The deposit’s formation and its fauna were studied through a multidisciplinary approach that included stable isotope analyses, radiocarbon chronology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, and taphonomy. Thousands of microvertebrate skeletal remains were recovered, representing a diverse land vertebrate fauna that included threatened and extinct species. The deposit is characterized by profuseNesophontesremains due to raptor predation. Previously unreported last appearance dates are provided for the extinct island-shrewNesophontes major, the batsArtibeus anthonyiandPhyllops vetus. Radiocarbon (14C AMS) age estimates between ∼1960 rcyr BP and the present were recovered. The presence of locally extinct species, including the endemic parakeetPsittacara eups, the flickerColaptescf.auratus/fernandinae, and the lipotyphlanSolenodon cubanussuggests that these species had broader distributions in the near past. Isotope analyses and faunal composition indicate the previous presence of diverse habitats, including palm grove savannas and mixed woodlands. Isotopes also provide insight into the habitat and coexistence of the extinct batArtibeus anthonyiand extantA. jamaicensis, the diet ofNesophontes major, and local paleoenvironmental conditions. Oxygen isotopes reveal an excursion suggestive of drier/colder local conditions between 660 and 770 AD. Our research further expands the understanding of Cuban Quaternary extinction episodes and provides data on the distribution and paleoecology of extinct taxa. It supports the conclusion that many Cuban extinct species survived well into the pre-Columbian late Holocene and retained wide distribution ranges until human colonization.

This article provides a detailed study of clay tobacco pipes excavated from a refuse deposit at Fort San Severino, Matanzas city, Cuba. The pipes date to the late eighteenth through the nineteenth century and are dominated by reed-stem typology. The collection includes Dutch, British, Spanish, and Balkan specimens. The study of these pipes contribute to the archaeology of clay pipes in Cuba and provide insight into the socioeconomics of pipe culture at fort San Severino. Moreover, it brings special attention to the occurrence of western Mediterranean reed-stem tobacco pipes, yet to be studied from other Spanish sites in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean archipelago is a hotspot of biodiversity characterized by a high rate of extinction. Recent studies have examined these losses, but the causes of the Antillean Late Quaternary vertebrate extinctions, and especially the role of humans, are still unclear. Previous results provide support for climate-related and human-induced extinctions, but often downplaying other complex bio-ecological factors that are difficult to model or to detect from the fossil and archaeological record. Here, we discuss Caribbean vertebrate extinctions and the potential role of humans derived from new and existing fossil and archaeological data from Cuba. Our results indicate that losses of Cuba’s native fauna occurred in waves: one during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, a second during the middle Holocene, and a third one during the last 2 ka, combining the arrival of agroceramists and later of Europeans. The coexistence of now-extinct species with multiple cultural groups in Cuba for over 4 ka implies that Cuban indigenous non-ceramic cultures exerted far fewer extinction pressures to native fauna than the later agroceramists and Europeans that followed. This suggests a determinant value to increased technological sophistication and demographics as plausible effective extinction drivers. Beyond looking at dates of first human arrival alone, future studies should also consider cultural diversity with attention to different bio-ecological factors that influence these biodiversity changes.

We report and describe the first sirenian endocranial casts from the West Indies based on three specimens collected from two quarries of the upper Oligocene–lower Miocene Colon Formation, in the pr...

Here we report a right dentary of Peter's ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla from an archeological site in northern Matanzas province, western Cuba. The specimen was excavated from a pre-Columbian archeological cave deposit in association with stone tools, bivalve shells, snake and fish vertebrae, and capromyid (rodent) postcranial elements. Although the deposit is not directly dated, the relationship of the assemblage to the time of Amerindian occupation in this cave suggests an age between 1600 and 850 years BP Therefore, this report may constitute a probable ‘last occurrence’ date for M. megalophylla in Cuba. This bat is believed to have gone extirpated in the West Indies because of a combination of habitat-area loss due to climatic turnover during the late Pleistocene and human disturbance later in the Holocene. Based on new evidence, we add that climate-related bat extirpations could lag for several thousands of years after the onset of new environmental conditions, and that these can be easily ac...

En este artículo se identifican procesos erosivos mayormente antrópicos en el sitio arqueológico El Morrillo, localizado en el litoral sur de la bahía de Matanzas, Cuba. A través de un estudio generalizado utilizando la interpretación de fotos satelitales y observaciones in situ se señala la pérdida sistemática de evidencia arqueológica por alteraciones al suelo y su cobertura vegetal, la cual facilita la erosión de los sedimentos superficiales del mismo. La evidencia que se pierde comprende un amplio renglón cronológico queenmarca las épocas aborígenes agroalfarera, conquista y colonial. El sitio está considerado uno de los depósitos de aborígenes más importante del occidente cubano debido a la relevancia cronológica de la cultura agroalfarera en el área y por sus entierros. Aquí estimulamos su protección e intervención de rescate ante la pérdida de más evidencias y mayor deterioro del área. Un estudio sistemático en este sitio promete ampliar el conocimiento acerca la vida aborigen y colonial en Matanzas.

Here I report a fossil microvertebrate fauna from a late Holocene cave deposit in northwestern Cuba. This study provides new chronological data for the understanding of the post-Pleistocene survival of some of Cuba's rarest extinct bats, and a post-Columbian record of Desmodus rotundus. Remains were excavated from a superficial, mound-like deposit with no dicernible stratigraphy. The bones of 13 bat species, one owl, one rail, a small colubrid snake, one frog, a nesophontid shrew, a rat, a mouse, and two capromyid rodents were extracted from the assemblage. The chiropterans were the most abundant and included the extinct taxa Desmodus rotundus and Artibeus anthonyi, the rare Lasiurus insularis,and the endangered Natalus primus. The mixed assemblage originated from accumulated owl pellets and carcasses of roosting bats. Three Artibeus jamaicensis scapulae from the same level and bone coloration as the Desmodus material yielded a modern radiocarbon content indicative of post-thermonuclear testing ...