Paleoclimates in Southwestern Tasmania during the Last 13,000 Years

Plant-sociological and climatic classification of the Australian Nothofagus cunninghamii rain forest provides the basis for a new, semiquantitative approach to interpretations of late-Quaternary paleoclimates from four pollen sequences in southwestern Tasmania. Varying proportions of rain-forest pollen types in the records were related to different modern rain-forest alliances and their specifc climatic regimes, such as Eastern Rain Forest, Leatherwood Rain Forest, and sclerophyllous, Subalpine Rain Forest. According to this interpretation, early Holocene climates were characterized by 1,600 mm annual precipitation and 10°C annual temperature, conditions substantially warmer and drier than previously thought. Maximum precipitation levels of 2,500 mm annually were not reached until 8,000 years B.P. A short-term cooling episode between 6,000 and 5,000 years B.P. led to the establishment of modern rain-forest distribution in western Tasmania, characterized either by a precipitation gradient steeper than before, or by greater climatic variability. To interpret paleoclimates from before 12,000 years B. P., when non-arboreal environments dominated in western Tasmanian bollen records, various modern treeless environments were studied in search for analogs. Contrary to earlier interpretations, late-glacial environments were not alpine tundra with a treeline at modern sea level, but steppe, with marshes or shallow lakes instead of the modern lakes. Climate was characterized by 50% less precipitation than today, resulting in substantial summer droughts. To explain such drastic precipitation decrease, the westerlies that dominate Tasmanian climate today must have been shifted polewards. This suggestion is supported by climate models that take Milankovitch-type insolation differences into account as well as sea-surface temperatures. Paleolimnological information based on diatom analyses support the general paleoclimatic reassessment

Multivariate climate reconstruction for the last 14,000 years in southernmost South America

Comparison between past changes in pollen assemblages and stable isotope ratios (deuterium and carbon) analyzed in the same peat core from Tierra del Fuego at latitude 55°S permitted identification of the relative contribution of precipitation versus temperature responsible for the respective change. Major steps in the sequence of paleoenvironmental changes, such as at 12700, 9000, 5000, and 4000 years ago are apparently related only to increase in precipitation, reflecting the latitudinal location and intensity of the westerly storm tracks. On the other hand, high paleoenvironmental variability, which is characteristic for the late-glacial and the latest Holocene, is related to temperature variability, which affects the relative moisture content. Comparison with other paleoenvironmental records suggests that the late-glacial temperature variability is probably related to variability in the extent of Antarctic sea-ice, which in turn appears to be related to the intensity of Atlantic deep-water circulation. Temperature variability during the latest Holocene, on the other hand, is probably related to the dynamics of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation

Characterizing ecoregions in Argentinian patagonia using extant continental ostracods

In order to characterize Patagonian (Argentina) ecoregions using non-marine ostracods, their associations in 69 environments were assessed. Twenty eight taxa were recorded, including 12 endemic of the Neotropical region. Our results indicate that Patagonian ostracods are mainly influenced by electrical conductivity (EC), altitude, pH, and temperature; and shows a correlation with Argentinian ecoregions. Assemblage I is composed of sites located at high altitude in the Andean Patagonian forest ecoregion. Host waters have low temperature, EC and pH, and support as representative species Cypris pubera, Eucypris virens, Bradleystrandesia fuscata, Tonacypris lutaria and Amphicypris nobilis. Assemblage II, related to mid-altitude environments in the Patagonian Steppe ecoregion, thrived in waters with moderate to high EC, and alkaline pH values. Dominant species includes Limnocythere rionegroensis, L. patagonica, E. virgata, Riocypris whatleyi, Riocypris sarsi, Newnhamia patagonica, Kapcypridopsis megapodus, Ilyocypris ramirezi and Penthesinelula incae. Assemblage III inhabited environments within Monte and Espinal ecoregions, situated in the eastern part of the study area at low altitude, EC moderate and temperate waters, supporting Heterocypris hyalinus, Amphicypris argentinensis, Sarscypridopsis aculeata, Cypridopsis vidua, Herpetocypris intermedia and Chlamidotheca incisa. Our results indicates that Argentinian Patagonia hosts a diverse ostracod fauna and highlights their capacity as proxies in ecological and palaeoenvironmental studies.Fil: Cusminsky, Gabriela Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Coviaga, Corina Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Lorena Yésica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Patricia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Schwalb, Antje. Technische Universität Braunschweig; AlemaniaFil: Markgraf, Vera. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Ariztegui, Daniel. Universidad de Ginebra; SuizaFil: Viehberg, Finn. Universitat zu Köln; Alemania. Universität Greifswald; AlemaniaFil: Alperin, Marta Ines. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentin

Distribution and ecology of freshwater ostracods from northern patagonia: An approach

There are only a few studies about the ostracod faunal assemblages and their environmental requirements from Patagonia (e.g. CUSMINSKY et al., 2011; RAMÓN MERCAU et al., 2012). Here we present the results of a survey of thirteen water bodies (streams, springs, temporary habitats) in Northern Patagonia (39° 52’ – 41°50’ S; 70°36’ – 71°27’ W) and their comparison with those of previous studies in the earstern Patagonia. The goal of this research is to enhance our understanding of the regional Patagonian ostracoda fauna and evaluate the relationship between ostracod species and physical and chemical (depth, temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen concentration, seston and main ions) parameters of host waters along a W-E precipitation gradient (ranging from 1200 to 160mm/annually). To date, seven species were identified: Amphicypris nobilis Sars 1901, Bradleystrandesia fuscata (Jurine, 1820), Cypridopsis vidua (O. F. Müller, 1776), Cypris pubera O. F. Müller 1776, Eucypris virens (Jurine, 1820), Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808) and Tonnacypris lutaria (Koch, 1838). The more frequent species were T. lutaria and E. virens, while A. nobilis and C. vidua were only found in one site. Males of A. nobilis were found while the other species were represented only by females. The environment of this fauna is related to low conductivity and salinity in the water. Conversely, previous studies in the easternmost area of Patagonia have shown different fauna such us Penthesinelula incae (Delachaux, 1928), Potamocypris smaradigma (Vávra, 1891), Ilyocypris ramirezi Cusminsky and Whatley, 1996, Limnocythere patagonica Cusminsky and Whatley, 1996, Eucypris fontana (Graf, 1931), Kapcypridopsis megapodus Cusminsky et al. 2005 and Limnocythere rionegroensis, Cusminsky and Whatley, 1996 living in comparatively higher conductivity (CUSMINSKY et al., 2011). The latter suggest that the decreasing precipitation trend towards eastern Patagonia is reflected in the distribution of different ostracod fauna association. On the other hand, new distributions of cosmopolitan species are present, spreading out their geographical distribution to the Neotropical region (MARTENS et al., 2008). Some of the species such us C. pubera, E. virens and B. fuscata have been also described in the Neartic region, suggesting that birds could be responsible to their dispersion. However, the mode of dispersion of T. lutaria in this region is still an open question.Fil: Coviaga, Corina Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Cusminsky, Gabriela Catalina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Alejandra Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, Analia Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Schwalb, Antje. Technische Universitat Carolo Wilhelmina Zu Braunschweig. Iinstitut fur Geosysteme und Bioindikation.; AlemaniaFil: Alperin, Marta Ines. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Cátedra de Estadística; ArgentinaFil: Viehberg, Finn. University of Cologne.Institute of Geology and Mineralogy; AlemaniaFil: Whatley, Robin. University Aberystwyth.Institute of Earth Studies.Department of Geology; Reino UnidoFil: Ariztegui, Daniel. University of Geneva.Department of Earth Sciences; SuizaFil: Markgraf, Vera. University of Colorado; Estados Unidos. Northern Arizona University.; Estados Unido

Characterizing ecoregions in Argentinian Patagonia using extant continental ostracods

In order to characterize Patagonian (Argentina) ecoregions using non-marine ostracods, their associations in 69 environments were assessed. Twenty eight taxa were recorded, including 12 endemic of the Neotropical region. Our results indicate that Patagonian ostracods are mainly influenced by electrical conductivity (EC), altitude, pH, and temperature; and shows a correlation with Argentinian ecoregions. Assemblage I is composed of sites located at high altitude in the Andean Patagonian forest ecoregion. Host waters have low temperature, EC and pH, and support as representative species Cypris pubera, Eucypris virens, Bradleystrandesia fuscata, Tonacypris lutaria and Amphicypris nobilis. Assemblage II, related to mid-altitude environments in the Patagonian Steppe ecoregion, thrived in waters with moderate to high EC, and alkaline pH values. Dominant species includes Limnocythere rionegroensis, L. patagonica, E. virgata, Riocypris whatleyi, Riocypris sarsi, Newnhamia patagonica, Kapcypridopsis megapodus, Ilyocypris ramirezi and Penthesinelula incae. Assemblage III inhabited environments within Monte and Espinal ecoregions, situated in the eastern part of the study area at low altitude, EC moderate and temperate waters, supporting Heterocypris hyalinus, Amphicypris argentinensis, Sarscypridopsis aculeata, Cypridopsis vidua, Herpetocypris intermedia and Chlamidotheca incisa. Our results indicates that Argentinian Patagonia hosts a diverse ostracod fauna and highlights their capacity as proxies in ecological and palaeoenvironmental studies.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Distribution and ecology of parent taxa of pollen lodged within the Latin American Pollen Database

The cornerstone of palaeoecological research, concerned with vegetation dynamics over the recent geological past, is a good understanding of the present-day ecology and distribution of the taxa. This is particularly necessary in areas of high floral diversity such as Latin America. Vegetation reconstructions, based on numerous pollen records, now exist with respect to all major vegetation associations from Latin America. With this ever-increasing number of sedimentary records becoming available, there is a need to collate this information and to provide information concerning ecology and distribution of the taxa concerned. The existing Latin American Pollen Database (LAPD) meets the first of these needs. Information concerning the ecology and distribution of the parent taxa responsible for producing the pollen, presently lodged within the LAPD, is the focus of this paper. The 'dictionary' describes the ecology and distribution of the parent taxa responsible for producing pollen identified within sedimentary records. These descriptions are based on a wide range of literature and extensive discussions with members of the palaeoecological community working in different parts of Latin America investigating a range of different vegetation types.Fil: Marchant, Robert. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Almeida, Lucía. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Behling, Hermann. Center for Tropical Maritime Ecology; AlemaniaFil: Berrio, Juan Carlos. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Bush, Mark. West University Boulevard; Estados UnidosFil: Cleef, Antoine. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Duivenvoorden, Joost. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Kappelle, Maarten. Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio); Costa RicaFil: De Oliveira, Paulo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: de Oliveira, Ary Teixeira. Universidade Federal de Lavras; BrasilFil: Lozano García, Socorro. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Hooghiemstra, Henry. University of Amsterdam; Países BajosFil: Ledru, Marie Pierre. Instituto de Geociencias; BrasilFil: Ludlow Wiechers, Beatriz. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Markgraf, Vera. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Mancini, Maria Virginia. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología y Palinología; ArgentinaFil: Paez, Marta Mercedes. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología y Palinología; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Aldo Raul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología y Palinología; ArgentinaFil: Rangel, Olando. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Salgado Labouriau, Maria Lea. Universidade do Brasília; Brasi

Effect of Hydrocortisone on Mortality and Organ Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19: The REMAP-CAP COVID-19 Corticosteroid Domain Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Evidence regarding corticosteroid use for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. Objective: To determine whether hydrocortisone improves outcome for patients with severe COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants: An ongoing adaptive platform trial testing multiple interventions within multiple therapeutic domains, for example, antiviral agents, corticosteroids, or immunoglobulin. Between March 9 and June 17, 2020, 614 adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled and randomized within at least 1 domain following admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for respiratory or cardiovascular organ support at 121 sites in 8 countries. Of these, 403 were randomized to open-label interventions within the corticosteroid domain. The domain was halted after results from another trial were released. Follow-up ended August 12, 2020. Interventions: The corticosteroid domain randomized participants to a fixed 7-day course of intravenous hydrocortisone (50 mg or 100 mg every 6 hours) (n = 143), a shock-dependent course (50 mg every 6 hours when shock was clinically evident) (n = 152), or no hydrocortisone (n = 108). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was organ support-free days (days alive and free of ICU-based respiratory or cardiovascular support) within 21 days, where patients who died were assigned -1 day. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model that included all patients enrolled with severe COVID-19, adjusting for age, sex, site, region, time, assignment to interventions within other domains, and domain and intervention eligibility. Superiority was defined as the posterior probability of an odds ratio greater than 1 (threshold for trial conclusion of superiority >99%). Results: After excluding 19 participants who withdrew consent, there were 384 patients (mean age, 60 years; 29% female) randomized to the fixed-dose (n = 137), shock-dependent (n = 146), and no (n = 101) hydrocortisone groups; 379 (99%) completed the study and were included in the analysis. The mean age for the 3 groups ranged between 59.5 and 60.4 years; most patients were male (range, 70.6%-71.5%); mean body mass index ranged between 29.7 and 30.9; and patients receiving mechanical ventilation ranged between 50.0% and 63.5%. For the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively, the median organ support-free days were 0 (IQR, -1 to 15), 0 (IQR, -1 to 13), and 0 (-1 to 11) days (composed of 30%, 26%, and 33% mortality rates and 11.5, 9.5, and 6 median organ support-free days among survivors). The median adjusted odds ratio and bayesian probability of superiority were 1.43 (95% credible interval, 0.91-2.27) and 93% for fixed-dose hydrocortisone, respectively, and were 1.22 (95% credible interval, 0.76-1.94) and 80% for shock-dependent hydrocortisone compared with no hydrocortisone. Serious adverse events were reported in 4 (3%), 5 (3%), and 1 (1%) patients in the fixed-dose, shock-dependent, and no hydrocortisone groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with severe COVID-19, treatment with a 7-day fixed-dose course of hydrocortisone or shock-dependent dosing of hydrocortisone, compared with no hydrocortisone, resulted in 93% and 80% probabilities of superiority with regard to the odds of improvement in organ support-free days within 21 days. However, the trial was stopped early and no treatment strategy met prespecified criteria for statistical superiority, precluding definitive conclusions. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02735707

Chapitre II - PEP I : La transversale des Amériques

Markgraf Vera. Chapitre II - PEP I : La transversale des Amériques. In: Documents des Laboratoires de Géologie, Lyon, n°146, 1997. Paléoclimats des hémisphères Nord et Sud : le projet PANASH. Les transversales Pôle-Équateur-Pôle. pp. 35-56