First fossil finds of some Australian Bryozoa (Cheilostomata)

The abundant fossil record of well-preserved Bryozoa in samples from the Tertiary of Victoria and South Australia includes some 'first fossil finds' which are recorded here. Several are of species known from the Recent of the Australian or Indo-West-Pacific regions, but some represent genera with a much wider temporal and geographical range. Of the 11 species illustrated, six are known, or may be inferred, to have inhabited 'sand fauna' environments. Specimens of one species are complete enough to allow its formal description as Chlidoniopsis inopina sp. nov.

Solar versus fossil fuels : A net energy analysis of domestic solar hot water systems in Australia

It is commonly assumed that solar hot water systems save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional electric and gas hot water systems. Very rarely has the life-cycle energy requirements (including the embodied energy of manufacture) of solar hot water systems been analysed. The extent to which solar hot water systems can save energy compared to conventional electric or gas hot water systems can be shown through a comparative net energy analysis. This method determines the ‘energy payback period’, including consideration of the difference in operational energy savings and energy embodied in the devices relative to a base case. Dr Robert Crawford, Deakin University, Australia presents the results of a net energy analysis that compared solar and conventional hot water systems for a southern (Melbourne) and a northern (Brisbane) Australian climate.

First report of a phytogeographically mixed (transitional) Middle-Late Permian fossil wood assemblage from the Hami area, northwest China, and implications for Permian phytogeographical, paleogeographical and paleoclimatic evolution in central Asia

A diverse and well-preserved fossil wood assemblage is described, for the first time, from the Middle Permian Taerlang Formation and the Upper Permian Quanzijie Formation in the vicinity of the Tianshan Town, Hami City of northwestern China. On the basis of wood microstructure, the fossil woods are classified into three genera and five species, including one new genus: Prototianshanoxylon gen. nov. and two new species: Prototianshanoxylon erdaogouense sp. nov., Prototianshanoxylon hamiense sp. nov. The new genus is characterized by window-like cross-field pitting and mixed tracheid radial wall pitting that suggest a transitional type between araucarioid-type and protopinoid-type pittings.Phytogeographically, the fossil wood assemblage is characterized by an admixture of elements of both temperate Angaran (represented by wood specimens with moderately to well defined growth rings in their secondary xylem) and tropical-subtropical north subregion of the Cathaysian floras (with wood specimens lacking well-defined growth rings). Such a phytogeographically mixed fossil wood assemblage is interpreted to represent a transitional and complex climate condition between a cool temperate and tropical to subtropical zones, showing both seasonal variation and unstable climate conditions. Previously, similarly mixed floras have already been found to exist widely in northern China ranging in age from Early to Late Permian, but the mechanisms thought to be responsible for their formation were varied and remain controversial. In this study, the formation of these mixed Permian floras of North China is linked to the closure of the Tianshan-Hingan seaway coupled with the collision and amalgamation of Siberia with North China and the Tarim block, in a manner much like closing a pair of scissors with the closure of the seaway proceeding gradually and progressively from west to the east.

Diesel engine performance and emission study using soybean biodiesel blends with fossil diesel

Biodiesel is an ecofriendly and renewable source of energy which can be used as a sustainable alternative fuel fordiesel engine. The study investigated engine performance and emission using soybean biodiesel blends with fossildiesel. The physio-chemical fuel properties of the biodiesel were determined using ASTM and EN standards. Thebiodiesel was blended in different proportions like 5% biodiesel and 95% diesel (by volume) denoted as B5, similarlyB10, B20 and B50. The biodiesel blends were tested in a multicylinder, diesel engine coupled with electromagneticdynamometer, under ISO 8178-4 test procedure. The study found that the biodiesel blends produces less brakepower, brake torque and relatively higher brake specific fuel consumption compared with diesel fuel. However, thesefules significantly reduces exhaust gases namely, CO, CO2 and HC but emits a bit more NOx compared with diesel.The reduction in emissions were different for each biodiesel blends. The study concluded that both B5 and B10blends are the optimum blends that produce more consistant and expected results compared with other blends.

Taphonomy and palaeobiology of early Middle Triassic coprolites from the Luoping biota, southwest China: implications for reconstruction of fossil food webs

Abundant, exceptionally preserved coprolites are documented from the Luoping biota (Anisian, Middle Triassic) of Yunnan Province, southwest China. These coprolites can be categorized into fourmorphological types: A) bead to ribbon-shaped, B) short to long cylindrical-shaped, C) flattened, disk-like, and D) segmented faeces. Detailed multi-disciplinary studies reveal that coprolite type A was likely produced by invertebrate animals,while coprolite types B to D could be faeces generated by carnivorous fishes or marine reptiles, perhaps from different taxonomicgroups. When compared with coprolites reported from the Lower Triassic, the Luoping forms indicate more complicated predation-prey food web networks. These evidences, combined with body fossil discoveries fromLuoping, suggest the emergence of complex trophic ecosystems in the Anisian,marking the full biotic recovery following the Permian–Triassic Mass Extinction.

Ecosystem evolution in deep time : evidence from the rich Paleozoic fossil records of China

Preface for the special issue Ecosystem evolution in deep time: evidence from the rich Palaeozoic fossil records of China.