Eco-ethics as the foundation of conservation

SummaryEnvironmental ethics must be distinguished from ecological ethics. While the former concerns itself with the appropriate management of natural resources and is often guided by cost-benefit analysis, the latter (ecological ethics) is much broader as it spells out the relationships between man and nature; and also analyses those attributes of man which can make him an ecological animal. Eco-values are based on the recognition of intrinsic values of which reverence for life is one, and perhaps the most important one. Without recognizing some intrinsic values we do not have a basis which is sufficiently universal and comprehensive to talk either of environmental ethics or eco-ethics. The values of eco-ethics are an inherent part of ecological thinking.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24952/1/0000379.pd

Re-Evaluation of Sinocastor (Rodentia: Castoridae) with Implications on the Origin of Modern Beavers

The extant beaver, Castor, has played an important role shaping landscapes and ecosystems in Eurasia and North America, yet the origins and early evolution of this lineage remain poorly understood. Here we use a geometric morphometric approach to help re-evaluate the phylogenetic affinities of a fossil skull from the Late Miocene of China. This specimen was originally considered Sinocastor, and later transferred to Castor. The aim of this study was to determine whether this form is an early member of Castor, or if it represents a lineage outside of Castor. The specimen was compared to 38 specimens of modern Castor (both C. canadensis and C. fiber) as well as fossil specimens of C. fiber (Pleistocene), C. californicus (Pliocene) and the early castorids Steneofiber eseri (early Miocene). The results show that the specimen falls outside the Castor morphospace and that compared to Castor, Sinocastor possesses a: 1) narrower post-orbital constriction, 2) anteroposteriorly shortened basioccipital depression, 3) shortened incisive foramen, 4) more posteriorly located palatine foramen, 5) longer rostrum, and 6) longer braincase. Also the specimen shows a much shallower basiocciptal depression than what is seen in living Castor, as well as prominently rooted molars. We conclude that Sinocastor is a valid genus. Given the prevalence of apparently primitive traits, Sinocastor might be a near relative of the lineage that gave rise to Castor, implying a possible Asiatic origin for Castor

Evolutionary Patterns in the Dentition of Duplicidentata (Mammalia) and a Novel Trend in the Molarization of Premolars

The cusp homology of Lagomorpha has long been problematic largely because their teeth are highly derived relative to their more typically tribosphenic ancestors. Within this context, the lagomorph central cusp has been particularly difficult to homologize with other tribosphenic cusps; authors have previously considered it the paracone, protocone, metacone, amphicone, or an entirely new cusp.Here we present newly described fossil duplicidentates (Lagomorpha and Mimotonidae) in the context of a well-constrained phylogeny to establish a nomenclatural system for cusps based on the tribosphenic pattern. We show that the central cusp of lagomorphs is homologous with the metaconule of other mammals. We also show that the buccal acquisition of a second cusp on the premolars (molarization) within duplicidentates is atypical with respect to other mammalian lineages; within the earliest lagomorphs, a second buccal cusp is added mesially to an isolated buccal cusp.The distal shift of the ‘ancestral’ paracone within early duplicidentates amounts to the changing of a paracone into a metacone in these lineages. For this reason, we support a strictly topological approach to cusp names, and suggest a discontinuity in nomenclature to capture the complexity of the interplay between evolutionary history and the developmental process that have produced cusp patterns in duplicidentates

A New Omomyid Primate from the Earliest Eocene of Southern England: First Phase of Microchoerine Evolution

Hooker, J.J. 2012. A new omomyid primate from the earliest Eocene of southern England: First phase of microchoerin

Les cycles sédimentaires (pliocènes et plus récents) dans la Chine du Nord

Teilhard de Chardin P. Les cycles sédimentaires (pliocènes et plus récents) dans la Chine du Nord. In: Bulletin de l'Association de géographes français, N°65, 10e année, janvier 1933. pp. 3-7

Les origines de l'humanité

Teilhard de Chardin Pierre. Les origines de l'humanité. In: Annales de Géographie, t. 30, n°164, 1921. pp. 133-137

Les origines de l'humanité

Teilhard de Chardin Pierre. Les origines de l'humanité. In: Annales de Géographie, t. 30, n°164, 1921. pp. 133-137