New insights on Anthracotherium monsvialense De Zigno, 1888 (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla) from the lower Oligocene of Monteviale (Vicenza, northeastern Italy)

In Italy, anthracotheres are represented by a few fossils, most of them described during the XIX century and without a standardized scientific method. Anthracotherium monsvialense De Zigno, 1888 was originally erected from a fossil discovered in the site of Monteviale (Vicenza, northeastern Italy), whose Rupelian (MP21) lignitic beds yielded the richest lower Oligocene evidence of the genus Anthracotherium in Europe. A. monsvialense ranges from MP21 to MP23 and its small size has been interpreted as a consequence of the insular environment, at least at Monteviale. In this study, we summarize the long history of Italian findings providing new descriptions of dental and postcranial morphological features of A. monsvialense, and comparing such small anthracothere with its Asian and European relatives. Morphometric analyses are also performed on teeth, in order to verify the presence of evolutionary trends of the genus Anthracotherium

Multispectral satellite imaging improves detection of large individual fossils

Palaeontological field surveys in remote regions are a challenge, because of uncertainty in finding new specimens, high transportation costs, risks for the crew and a long time commitment. The effort can be facilitated by using high-resolution satellite imagery. Here we present a new opportunity to investigate remote fossil localities in detail, mapping the optical signature of individual fossils. We explain a practical workflow for detecting fossils using remote-sensing platforms and cluster algorithms. We tested the method within the Petrified Forest National Park, where fossil logs are sparse in a large area with mixed lithologies. We ran both unsupervised and supervised classifications, obtaining the best estimations for the presence of fossil logs using the likelihood and spectral angle mapper algorithms. We recognized general constraints and described logical and physical pros and cons of each estimated map. We also explained how the outcomes should be critically evaluated with consistent accuracy tests. Instead of searching for fossiliferous outcrops, our method targets single fossil specimens (or highly condensed accumulations), obtaining a significant increase in potential efficiency and effectiveness of field surveys. When repeatedly applied to the same region over time, it could also be useful for monitoring palaeontological heritage localities. Most importantly, the method here described is feasible, easily applicable to both fossil logs and bones, and represents a step towards standard best practices for applying remote sensing in the palaeontological field

A shift from distal to proximal neoplasia in the colon: a decade of polyps and CRC in Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the last years a trend towards proximalization of colorectal carcinomas (CRC) has been reported. This study aims to evaluate the distribution of CRC and adenomatous polyps (ADP) to establish the presence of proximalization and to assess the potential predictors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We retrieved histology reports of colonic specimens excised during colonoscopy, considering the exams performed between 1997 and 2006 at Cuneo Hospital, Italy. We compared the proportion of proximal lesions in the period 1997-2001 and in the period 2002-2006.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Neoplastic lesions were detected in 3087 people. Proximal CRC moved from 25.9% (1997-2001) to 30.0% (2002-2006). Adjusting for sex and age, the difference was not significant (OR 1.23; 95% CI: 0,95-1,58). The proximal ADP proportion increased from 19.2% (1997-2001) to 26.0% (2002-2006) (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17-1.89). The corresponding figures for advanced proximal ADP were 6.6% and 9.5% (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.02-2.17). Adjusting for gender, age, diagnostic period, symptoms and number of polyps the prevalence of proximal advanced ADP was increased among people ≥ 70 years compared to those aged 55-69 years (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.032.16). The main predictor of proximal advanced neoplasia was the number of polyps detected per exam (> 1 polyp versus 1 polyp: considering all ADP: OR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.59-2.93; considering advanced ADP OR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.08-2.46). Adjusting for these factors, the difference between the two periods was no longer significant.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CRC do not proximalize while a trend towards a proximal shift in adenomas was observed among people ≥ 70 years.</p

Historical biogeography of the leopard (Panthera pardus) and its extinct Eurasian populations

Background: Resolving the historical biogeography of the leopard (Panthera pardus) is a complex issue, because patterns inferred from fossils and from molecular data lack congruence. Fossil evidence supports an African origin, and suggests that leopards were already present in Eurasia during the Early Pleistocene. Analysis of DNA sequences however, suggests a more recent, Middle Pleistocene shared ancestry of Asian and African leopards. These contrasting patterns led researchers to propose a two-stage hypothesis of leopard dispersal out of Africa: an initial Early Pleistocene colonisation of Asia and a subsequent replacement by a second colonisation wave during the Middle Pleistocene. The status of Late Pleistocene European leopards within this scenario is unclear: were these populations remnants of the first dispersal, or do the last surviving European leopards share more recent ancestry with their African counterparts? Results: In this study, we generate and analyse mitogenome sequences from historical samples that span the entire modern leopard distribution, as well as from Late Pleistocene remains. We find a deep bifurcation between African and Eurasian mitochondrial lineages (~ 710 Ka), with the European ancient samples as sister to all Asian lineages (~ 483 Ka). The modern and historical mainland Asian lineages share a relatively recent common ancestor (~ 122 Ka), and we find one Javan sample nested within these. Conclusions: The phylogenetic placement of the ancient European leopard as sister group to Asian leopards suggests that these populations originate from the same out-of-Africa dispersal which founded the Asian lineages. The coalescence time found for the mitochondrial lineages aligns well with the earliest undisputed fossils in Eurasia, and thus encourages a re-evaluation of the identification of the much older putative leopard fossils from the region. The relatively recent ancestry of all mainland Asian leopard lineages suggests that these populations underwent a severe population bottleneck during the Pleistocene. Finally, although only based on a single sample, the unexpected phylogenetic placement of the Javan leopard could be interpreted as evidence for exchange of mitochondrial lineages between Java and mainland Asia, calling for further investigation into the evolutionary history of this subspecies

Bringing together ecology and paleontology to assess multi-temporal Ecosystem Services: a new opportunity for young researchers?

The evaluation of ecosystem services (ESs) usually refers to the capability of the ecosystems to offer benefits for humankind, and to the benefits that flow to the people, in terms of biophysical units or intangible values. The latter has great importance when assessing the attractiveness of a study area for cultural ESs, such as tourism and educational activities, usually resulting in attractiveness maps that depend on the features of the current landscape. Nevertheless, in some places, the presence of geomorphological peculiarities, fossils, and paleontological or paleoanthropological records enhances the attractiveness of the area, allowing the visitors to couple outdoor activities with cultural benefits. In such cases, the capacity for recreational ESs that is due to the presence of the contemporary ecosystem benefits from an “additional layer” of attractiveness, which depends on the ecosystems of the deep past. Moreover, the additional layer has a higher value the more interesting the records are, considering the mind-blowing uniqueness of the unlikely conditions through which the traces of the past ecosystem came to us, and the fascination exerted by different kinds of animals on human curiosity. In this talk, we propose a new “multi-temporal approach” to assess the attractiveness for cultural ESs. We present the first application in Northern Italy, achieved thanks to the collaboration between ecologists and paleontologists. The resulting GIS-based map might represent a tool that drives decision-makers when focusing on priorities for preservation, development, or promotion of a locality. Indeed, the improved map highlights where and why the contemporary presence of more than one factor of attractiveness occurs, adding criteria for thematic pathways and guided tours that offer both the restorativeness of a natural landscape and the knowledge of the history of the Earth. We discuss how, from an early researcher perspective, this novel multidisciplinary approach offers networking opportunities between ecologists and paleontologists, providing improvement in local ESs assessment and natural capital quantification

La fauna tardo-pleistocenica a macromammiferi del sito di ex Cava a Filo (indagini 2006-2011): tassonomia e quadro cronologico-paleoambientale

Dal sito di ex Cava a Filo provengono centinaia di reperti fossili risalenti all’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale (UMG) e al Dryas Antichissimo, all’inizio del Tardoglaciale. Le associazioni faunistiche rinvenute documentano la presenza di condizioni climatiche fredde sui rilievi dei Gessi Bolognesi durante il Pleistocene Superiore. I caratteri stratigrafici dei depositi di cavità indagati, insieme alle datazioni 14C, hanno permesso di differenziare tre principali associazioni faunistiche (Cava Filo-1, Cava Filo-2 e Cava Filo-3) che coprono un intervallo di tempo compreso tra 24500 e 17500 cal BP. Queste associazioni faunistiche, separate da discontinuità cronologiche, corrispondono a varie condizioni climatiche fredde, prevalentemente dominate da un ambiente di steppa. Alla fine dell’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale (all’incirca 19000 anni fa) si è verificato un improvviso miglioramento climatico (Optimum Tardo Pleniglaciale) evidenziato da una considerevole ri-forestazione e dalla diffusione di habitat diversi che comprendevano anche aree forestate con boschi di pino (Pinus mugo e Pinus sylvestris). Tra i macromammiferi rinvenuti negli ultimi scavi geo-paleontologici (2006-2011), Bison priscus è la specie più rappresentata per numero di resti ossei, seguita da Canis lupus, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus timidus, Megaloceros giganteus e Marmota marmota. Oltre alla descrizione delle varie parti anatomiche, sono fornite le immagini dei resti osteologici più rappresentativi di ognuna di queste specie.Hundreds of fossils were discovered at ex Cava a Filo (Bologna, Italy), dating back to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to the initial stage of the Oldest Dryas, at the beginning of the Tardiglacial period. Such faunal assemblage testifies to cold climatic conditions during the Late Pleistocene on the Gessi Bolognesi hills near Bologna. Stratigraphical features of the excavated cave deposits, together with 14C dating, allow us to distinguish three main faunal associations (Cava Filo-1, Cava Filo-2 and Cava Filo-3) covering a time interval ranging from about 24500 to 17500 cal BP. These faunal associations, separated by temporal gaps, correspond to various climatic cold conditions, prevalently dominated by a steppe environment. At the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (about 19000 years ago) occurred an abrupt climate amelioration (Late Pleniglacial Optimum) evidenced by a considerable re-forestation and by the spread of different habitats, including pinewood areas (Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris). Among the identified large mammals discovered during last palaeontological excavations (2006-2011), the best represented specie is Bison priscus, followed by Canis lupus, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus timidus, Megaloceros giganteus, and Marmota marmota. Here, we provide the anatomical description of the specimens and photos of the most representative for each species

La fauna tardo-pleistocenica a macromammiferi del sito di ex Cava a Filo (indagini 2006-2011): tassonomia e quadro cronologico-paleoambientale

Dal sito di ex Cava a Filo provengono centinaia di reperti fossili risalenti all’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale (UMG) e al Dryas Antichissimo, all’inizio del Tardoglaciale. Le associazioni faunistiche rinvenute documentano la presenza di condizioni climatiche fredde sui rilievi dei Gessi Bolognesi durante il Pleistocene Superiore. I caratteri stratigrafici dei depositi di cavità indagati, insieme alle datazioni 14C, hanno permesso di differenziare tre principali associazioni faunistiche (Cava Filo-1, Cava Filo-2 e Cava Filo-3) che coprono un intervallo di tempo compreso tra 24500 e 17500 cal BP. Queste associazioni faunistiche, separate da discontinuità cronologiche, corrispondono a varie condizioni climatiche fredde, prevalentemente dominate da un ambiente di steppa. Alla fine dell’Ultimo Massimo Glaciale (all’incirca 19000 anni fa) si è verificato un improvviso miglioramento climatico (Optimum Tardo Pleniglaciale) evidenziato da una considerevole ri-forestazione e dalla diffusione di habitat diversi che comprendevano anche aree forestate con boschi di pino (Pinus mugo e Pinus sylvestris). Tra i macromammiferi rinvenuti negli ultimi scavi geo-paleontologici (2006-2011), Bison priscus è la specie più rappresentata per numero di resti ossei, seguita da Canis lupus, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus timidus, Megaloceros giganteus e Marmota marmota. Oltre alla descrizione delle varie parti anatomiche, sono fornite le immagini dei resti osteologici più rappresentativi di ognuna di queste specie.Hundreds of fossils were discovered at ex Cava a Filo (Bologna, Italy), dating back to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and to the initial stage of the Oldest Dryas, at the beginning of the Tardiglacial period. Such faunal assemblage testifies to cold climatic conditions during the Late Pleistocene on the Gessi Bolognesi hills near Bologna. Stratigraphical features of the excavated cave deposits, together with 14C dating, allow us to distinguish three main faunal associations (Cava Filo-1, Cava Filo-2 and Cava Filo-3) covering a time interval ranging from about 24500 to 17500 cal BP. These faunal associations, separated by temporal gaps, correspond to various climatic cold conditions, prevalently dominated by a steppe environment. At the end of the Last Glacial Maximum (about 19000 years ago) occurred an abrupt climate amelioration (Late Pleniglacial Optimum) evidenced by a considerable re-forestation and by the spread of different habitats, including pinewood areas (Pinus mugo and Pinus sylvestris). Among the identified large mammals discovered during last palaeontological excavations (2006-2011), the best represented specie is Bison priscus, followed by Canis lupus, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus timidus, Megaloceros giganteus, and Marmota marmota. Here, we provide the anatomical description of the specimens and photos of the most representative for each species