Alectorioid morphologies in Paleogene lichens : New evidence and re-evaluation of the fossil Alectoria succini Mägdefrau

One of the most important issues in molecular dating studies concerns the incorporation of reliable fossil taxa into the phylogenies reconstructed from DNA sequence variation in extant taxa. Lichens are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria. Several lichen fossils have been used as minimum age constraints in recent studies concerning the diversification of the Ascomycota. Recent evolutionary studies of Lecanoromycetes, an almost exclusively lichen-forming class in the Ascomycota, have utilized the Eocene amber inclusion Alectoria succinic as a minimum age constraint. However, a re-investigation of the type material revealed that this inclusion in fact represents poorly preserved plant remains, most probably of a root. Consequently, this fossil cannot be used as evidence of the presence of the genus Alectoria (Parmeliaceae, Lecanorales) or any other lichens in the Paleogene. However, newly discovered inclusions from Paleogene Baltic and Bitterfeld amber verify that alectorioid morphologies in lichens were in existence by the Paleogene. The new fossils represent either a lineage within the alectorioid group or belong to the genus Oropogon.Peer reviewe

Ticks parasitised feathered dinosaurs as revealed by Cretaceous amber assemblages

Ticks are currently among the most prevalent blood-feeding ectoparasites, but their feeding habits and hosts in deep time have long remained speculative. Here, we report direct and indirect evidence in 99 million-year-old Cretaceous amber showing that hard ticks and ticks of the extinct new family Deinocrotonidae fed on blood from feathered dinosaurs, non-avialan or avialan excluding crown-group birds. A †Cornupalpatum burmanicum hard tick is entangled in a pennaceous feather. Two deinocrotonids described as †Deinocroton draculi gen. et sp. nov. have specialised setae from dermestid beetle larvae (hastisetae) attached to their bodies, likely indicating cohabitation in a feathered dinosaur nest. A third conspecific specimen is blood-engorged, its anatomical features suggesting that deinocrotonids fed rapidly to engorgement and had multiple gonotrophic cycles. These findings provide insight into early tick evolution and ecology, and shed light on poorly known arthropod–vertebrate interactions and potential disease transmission during the Mesozoic

Threats and Conservation Strategies for Overlooked Organisms: The Case of Epiphytic Lichens

none5noIn this chapter, the main ecological factors that characterize the epiphyte environ- 7 ment and which determine the composition of epiphyte communities have been 8 described. In particular, emphasis has been made to focus on epiphytic lichens 9 which, due to their ecophysiological characteristics, represent a set of highly 10 specialized organisms that live in a delicate balance in this habitat. The main 11 threats that threaten their survival have been analysed along with the conservation 12 actions that have been undertaken to ensure the maintenance of the populations of 13 the most endangered species have been reviewed. Furthermore, some good 14 practices are suggested that can guarantee greater success of future protection 15 actions.nonePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri NascimbenePaolo Giordani, Renato Benesperi, Elisabetta Bianchi, Paola Malaspina, Juri Nascimben