Revisiting Early Jurassic Biscutaceae: Similiscutum giganteum sp. nov.

A large, broadly elliptical coccolith of the genus Similiscutum (Biscutaceae) was observed in sediments dated from the Lower Jurassic (upper Pliensbachian to Toarcian) coming from different localities of western Tethys, namely Portugal (Lusitanian Basin), France (Causses and Paris basins) and Spain (Subbetic area). This form is quite easy to find in the Toarcian GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) of Peniche (Portugal), where the holotype has been described. More than 100 specimens of Similiscutum were digitally captured using a CCD camera, including this large form and two other related species, Similiscutum finchii and Similiscutum novum. The length and width of the coccoliths and the length and width of their central area were measured, and biometric analyses were performed. Results show that this large morphotype of Similiscutum is well characterized and easily differentiable by its size and morphology from the species S. finchii and S. novum, which are characterized by a similar extinction pattern in optical-microscope crossed polars . On the basis of combined differences in size and in central-area shape and structure, Similiscutum giganteum sp. nov. is introduced here. (Plant Fossil Names Registry no.: PFN003067; Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:3067).</p

Duration of the Early Toarcian carbon isotope excursion deduced from spectral analysis: Consequence for its possible causes

The marked 3-8[per mille sign] negative carbon isotope excursion associated with the Early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (OAE; ~ 183 myr ago) in the Early Jurassic period is thought to represent one of the most important perturbations of the C-cycle in the last 200 myr. However, the origin of this excursion remains strongly debated, primarily due to uncertainties in the estimation of its duration, which ranges from ~ 200 kyr to 1 myr. Here we present a new orbital calibration of the Early Toarcian carbon isotope excursion, based on spectral analyses of two independent datasets generated from the sedimentary record of two hemipelagic sections from Portugal (Peniche) and SW Germany (Dotternhausen), in order to better constrain the timescale and hence the origin of this excursion. These analyses reveal that orbital cycles exert a strong influence on both the calcium carbonate content in Portugal and on the greyscale of black shales in Germany, which allow us to propose a duration of >= 1.9 myr for the Early Toarcian and of ~ 900 kyr for the entire carbon isotope excursion. The shift towards lower carbon isotope values lasted ~ 150 kyr, and carbon isotope values remained low for ~ 450 kyr; the subsequent increase of carbon isotope values lasted ~ 300 kyr. This calibration suggests that the sustained input of isotopically light carbon at the origin of the excursion occurred over ~ 600 kyr and thus dismisses causal mechanisms implying relatively small source reservoirs such as the massive dissociation of methane hydrates. In the light of our new cyclostratigraphic timescale, the massive input of isotopically light carbon associated with the emplacement of the Karoo-Ferrar basaltic province appears as the most likely cause of the Toarcian global carbon isotope excursion. We also show that the C-isotope perturbation coincided with a transition from precession-eccentricity-dominated cycles to obliquity-eccentricity-dominated cycles, suggesting that the OAE was marked by a fundamental change in the response of the climate system, which allowed the obliquity signal, normally better recorded at high latitudes, to be a dominant forcing factor of short-term sedimentary cycles at tropical latitudes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V61-4RH3804-1/1/17ee81135d9f74cb2a4915f2f1adfbc

Calcareous nannoplankton changes across the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event in the western Tethys

International audienceCalcareous nannoplankton were profoundly affected by environmental perturbations coincident with the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event (T-OAE). We quantify the abundance of nannofossils across the T-OAE at three locations in Western Europe, where the event is marked by a prominent negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Data were treated by statistical analysis, and the Shannon diversity index was applied in order to describe nannofossil assemblage changes related to paleoenvironmental evolution. In the basal Toarcian, before the T-OAE, high proportions of taxa with an affinity for low temperature (e.g., P. liasicus, T. patulus, Bussonius) occurred. This observation is consistent with interpretations of published oxygen isotope records. During the T-OAE, the lowest abundance of nannofossils is observed, but there is a peak of a coccolith (Calyculus) from an organism that probably thrived in low-saline surface waters depleted of nitrate. At the end of the perturbation, the lowest diversities of nannofossils occurred, and assemblages are dominated by Crepidolithus crassus, a deep dweller. This interval corresponded to progressive reoxygenation of deep water and the reoccupation of the deep photic zone by nannoplankton. The highest abundance of nannofossils is recorded above the CIE and testifies to the recovery of the entire nannoplankton community. The T-OAE was widespread (perhaps global) and probably linked to major changes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere. However, the record of this event varies in the basins surrounding the western Tethys, suggesting regional imprints on the global signal. The regional variability may attest to establishment of effective connections between the Arctic and Tethys oceans, which allowed cool, low-saline water formed at high latitudes to stream toward the western Tethys

Evidence for major environmental perturbation prior to and during the Toarcian (Early Jurassic) Oceanic Anoxic Event from the Lusitanian Basin, Portugal

International audienc

Unconventional RNA-binding proteins step into the virus-host battlefront

The crucial participation of cellular RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) in virtually all steps of virus infection has been known for decades. However, most of the studies characterizing this phenomenon have focused on well‐established RBPs harboring classical RNA‐binding domains (RBDs). Recent proteome‐wide approaches have greatly expanded the census of RBPs, discovering hundreds of proteins that interact with RNA through unconventional RBDs. These domains include protein–protein interaction platforms, enzymatic cores, and intrinsically disordered regions. Here, we compared the experimentally determined census of RBPs to gene ontology terms and literature, finding that 472 proteins have previous links with viruses. We discuss what these proteins are and what their roles in infection might be. We also review some of the pioneering examples of unorthodox RBPs whose RNA‐binding activity has been shown to be critical for virus infection. Finally, we highlight the potential of these proteins for host‐based therapies against viruses