Palaeontological remains from the Manga Larga Cave

O Algar da Manga Larga tem-se revelado uma das mais importantes cavidades verticais em Portugal e, apesar de ser já conhecido pelos espeleólogos desde há mais de trinta anos, continua a fornecer dados com relevante significado científico. No decurso de uma acção de pesquisa espeleológica promovida pela AESDA no referido Algar foi fotografado um conjunto de ossos de carnívoro, jacentes numa galeria a cerca de 95 metros abaixo da entrada da cavidade. As respectivas características morfológicas e biométricas indicavam tratar-se de um grande felídeo, remetendo para espécie actualmente extinta na Europa, nomeadamente o leopardo, Panthera pardus (L., 1758). A evidente importância paleontológica dos testemunhos ósseos levou a que se desencadeasse um conjunto de procedimentos com o objectivo de os salvaguardar adequadamente e de promover o seu estudo. Para esse efeito, realizaram-se os contactos necessários e procedeu-se ao registo e à recolha das peças em apreço atribuindo especial atenção à sua integridade e conservação. Seguiram-se as tarefas ligadas ao estudo biométrico comparativo dos restos osteológicos. A presença deste e outros vestígios faunísticos, nomeadamente de gato-bravo, em zonas profundas e de difícil acesso desta gruta, indiciam a existência de condutas que estão ou estiveram em contacto com o meio exterior, as quais não foram ainda referenciadas. Deste modo, para além do evidente interesse paleontológico da descoberta, é possível serem extrapoladas interpretações com aplicação no âmbito da exegese da própria cavidade, situação que levou já à descoberta de uma galeria não registada. Este trabalho tem vindo a ser amplamente divulgado junto da comunidade espeleológica nacional e internacional, inclusivamente no 14º Congresso Internacional de Espeleologia que se realizou em 2005 na Grécia. O estudo paleontológico está concluído e a aguardar publicação em revista da especialidade (CARDOSO & REGALA, no prelo)

O património espeleo-arqueológico do Algarve: inventariação, caracterização e salvaguarda de cavidades cársicas com potencial arqueológico

No presente trabalho procedeu-se à compilação, tanto quanto possível exaustiva, da informação existente sobre as grutas rochosas naturais do Algarve e à caracterização patrimonial de um conjunto de 135 cavidades. É proposto um modelo para a avaliação das mesmas quanto à sua importância arqueológica, cultural (lato sensu) e natural, com base em 14 descritores e dois sistemas alternativos de equacionamento. Essa valoração patrimonial deu alicerces a uma padronização, também aqui proposta, das medidas de salvaguarda a adoptar, sendo detalhadas as vias de aplicação dessas medidas no presente quadro legal de protecção do património cultural, dos Instrumentos de Gestão Territorial e dos procedimentos de Avaliação de Impacte Ambiental. É sugerida a classificação de 15 grutas no grau de Interesse Municipal, 4 grutas no grau de Interesse Público e, como Monumento Nacional do património cultural, o complexo de grutas de Ibn Ammar. Embora a metodologia desenvolvida seja particularmente dirigida ao contexto do barrocal algarvio e ao quadro legal português, houve a preocupação de a tornar tão universal quanto possível, tentativamente adaptável a quaisquer outros contextos cársicos. O cruzamento metódico dos dados recolhidos em campo com os constantes da documentação coligida possibilitou a criação de um documento - Anexo I - que é, simultaneamente, um inventário das grutas do Algarve e um tratado do conhecimento técnico e científico sobre as mesmas produzido ao longo do tempo. Foram identificadas no terreno 195 cavidades, às quais acrescem as referências documentais a 42 grutas não confirmadas in situ. Sendo actualmente reconhecidas as virtudes da inter e pluridisciplinaridade das ciências, a arqueologia, o património cultural e o património natural foram aqui conjugados, numa abordagem eminentemente espeleológica. A investigação realizada conduziu à identificação de vestígios e contextos arqueológicos relevantes em meio endocársico, dos quais não existia registo, aumentando o conhecimento sobre esse recurso patrimonial no Algarve, com 24 novos sítios a integrar no Sistema de Informação e Gestão Arqueológica.In this research work we present a compilation, as exhaustive as possible, of the documented information related to natural rock cavities in the Algarve and a characterization of 135 caves. A model for the assessment of their archaeological, cultural (lato sensu) and natural importance is here proposed, based on 14 classification indicators and two alternative reckoning systems. This evaluation provides the ground for a standardization, also proposed, of the protective measures to be promoted. The conveying administrative resources are specified, within the current legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage, the Territorial Management Instruments and the Environmental Impact Assessment procedures. We suggest the classification of 15 caves within the Municipal Interest degree, 4 caves graded to the National Public Interest and the cave complex of Ibn Ammar as a National Monument of our cultural heritage. Although the endorsed methodology is mainly directed to the Algarvian “barrocal” context and the portuguese legal framework, concern was taken to make it as universal as possible, tentatively adaptable to any other karst areas. Data collected in the field was methodically cross-checked with the gathered documented information, on a case-by-case basis, allowing the production of a document - Appendix I - that is, simultaneously, an inventory of caves in the Algarve and a treatise of the scientific and technical knowledge for this matter produced over time. A total of 195 caves was referenced in the field and 42 additional caves were referred to in documents but not confirmed in situ. Presently, the virtues of inter and pluridisciplinary sciences are recognized, therefore, archeology, cultural and natural heritage were combined here, in an eminently speleological approach. The conducted investigation led to the identification of relevant archaeological vestiges and contexts, of which there was no previous record, increasing the knowledge about this resource in the Algarve, summing up 24 new sites to the Portuguese archaeological data-base

Os adornos do Paleolítico Superior de Vale Boi (Vila do Bispo - Algarve)

Dissertação de mest., Arqueologia, Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Univ. do Algarve, 2011Na jazida arqueológica de Vale Boi (Vila do Bispo - Algarve) surgiu um significativo conjunto de peças de adorno fabricadas a partir de conchas de gastrópodes marinhos e fluviais (Littorina obtusata / fabalis, Trivia monacha / arctica e Theodoxus fluviatilis), de escafópodes (Dentalium sp.) e de dente de cervídeo, em contextos do Paleolítico Superior, desde o Gravetense ao Magdalenense. Apresenta-se o inventário e a descrição dos materiais, e são analisadas as características subjacentes às técnicas utilizadas para a modificação das matrizes naturais, recorrendo a métodos experimentais. Estabelecem-se comparações biométricas para uma caracterização paleobiológica de algumas das espécies presentes. Do mesmo modo, estes artefactos são comparados com outros congéneres quanto aos aspectos tecno-tipológicos. Com base nas características dos materiais em foco procura-se determinar relações de afinidade tipológica e estilística com peças análogas, sobretudo as recolhidas em território ibérico mas relacionando, também, com peças provenientes de outras jazidas do ocidente europeu

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

The first Miocene fossils from coastal woodlands in the southern East African Rift

The Miocene is a key time in the evolution of African mammals and their ecosystems witnessing the origin of the African apes and the isolation of eastern coastal forests through an expanding biogeographic arid corridor. Until recently, however, Miocene sites from the southeastern regions of the continent were unknown. Here we report discovery of the first Miocene fossil teeth from the shoulders of the Urema Rift in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, at the southern East African Rift System. We provide the first 1) radiometric age determinations of the fossiliferous Mazamba Formation, 2) reconstructions of past vegetation in the region based on pedogenic carbonates and fossil wood, and 3) description of fossil teeth from the southern rift. Gorongosa is unique in the East African Rift System in combining marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates, terrestrial mammals, and fossil woods in coastal paleoenvironments. The Gorongosa fossil sites offer the first evidence of persistent woodlands and forests on the coastal margins of southeastern Africa during the Miocene, and an exceptional assemblage of fossil vertebrates including new species. Further work will allow the testing of hypotheses positing the formation of a northeast-southwest arid corridor isolating species on the eastern coastal forests from those elsewhere in Africa. Brief The Miocene is a key time in the evolution of African mammals and their ecosystems encompassing hominine origins and the establishment of an arid corridor that isolated eastern Africa’s coastal forests. Until now, however, Miocene sites from southeastern Africa have been unknown. We report the discovery of the first Miocene fossil sites from Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, and show that these sites formed in coastal settings. We provide radiometric ages for the fossiliferous sediments, reconstructions of past vegetation based on stable isotopes and fossil wood, and a description of the first fossil teeth from the region. Gorongosa is the only paleontological site in the East African Rift that combines fossil woods, marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates, and terrestrial mammals. Gorongosa offers the first evidence of persistent woodlands and forests on the coastal margins of southeastern Africa during the Miocene

The first Miocene fossils from coastal woodlands in the southern East African Rift

The Miocene was a key time in the evolution of African ecosystems witnessing the origin of the African apes and the isolation of eastern coastal forests through an expanding arid corridor. Until recently, however, Miocene sites from the southeastern regions of the continent were unknown. Here, we report the first Miocene fossil teeth from the shoulders of the Urema Rift in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. We provide the first 1) radiometric ages of the Mazamba Formation, 2) reconstructions of paleovegetation in the region based on pedogenic carbonates and fossil wood, and 3) descriptions of fossil teeth. Gorongosa is unique in the East African Rift in combining marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates, reptiles, terrestrial mammals, and fossil woods in coastal paleoenvironments. The Gorongosa fossil sites offer the first evidence of woodlands and forests on the coastal margins of southeastern Africa during the Miocene, and an exceptional assemblage of fossils including new species

The first Miocene fossils from coastal woodlands in the southern East African Rift

Summary: The Miocene was a key time in the evolution of African ecosystems witnessing the origin of the African apes and the isolation of eastern coastal forests through an expanding arid corridor. Until recently, however, Miocene sites from the southeastern regions of the continent were unknown. Here, we report the first Miocene fossil teeth from the shoulders of the Urema Rift in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. We provide the first 1) radiometric ages of the Mazamba Formation, 2) reconstructions of paleovegetation in the region based on pedogenic carbonates and fossil wood, and 3) descriptions of fossil teeth. Gorongosa is unique in the East African Rift in combining marine invertebrates, marine vertebrates, reptiles, terrestrial mammals, and fossil woods in coastal paleoenvironments. The Gorongosa fossil sites offer the first evidence of woodlands and forests on the coastal margins of southeastern Africa during the Miocene, and an exceptional assemblage of fossils including new species