山黑豆属(豆科)的分类学修订

山黑豆属Dumasia DC.隶属于豆科、菜豆族、大豆亚族，广泛分布于亚洲、非洲东南部的热带、亚热带地区以及大洋洲的巴布亚新几内亚地区，其中大多数种在我国均有分布。该属形态变异复杂，命名混乱，缺乏世界性的系统分类学研究基础。基于这样的背景，本论文通过开展形态学、解剖学、细胞学及孢粉学等方面的综合研究工作，对该属进行了全面的分类修订，对属内种间关系及地理分布格局进行了分析和探讨，结果如下： 1、形态学 在研究了大量腊叶标本和进行了野外考察的基础上，对山黑豆属植物的形态性状的变异式样进行了分析。该属植物的根系形态较为多样，可以作为划分种的辅助形状，分为有主根类型 (2个种，心叶山黑豆D. cordifolia Benth. ex Baker和柔毛山黑豆D. villosa DC.) 和无主根类型 (5个种，云南山黑豆D. yunnanensis Y. T. Wei & S. K. Lee、小鸡藤D. forrestii Diels、硬毛山黑豆D. hirsuta Craib、山黑豆D. truncata Siebold & Zucc.和长圆叶山黑豆D. henryi (Hemsl.) B. Pan & X. Y. Zhu)；该属几乎全为多年生缠绕草本，只有柔毛山黑豆为半灌木，因此可能是该属中较原始的种类；该属植物的萼筒管状、筒口斜截形及花柱细长且弯曲处膨大等独特的解剖结构是区别该属其它近缘属的重要性状；花序和复叶的长度及荚果内种子数目变异幅度极大，缺乏稳定性，并非好的分类性状。 2、解剖学 应用光学显微镜，首次对山黑豆属7种植物 (心叶山黑豆、柔毛山黑豆、云南山黑豆、小鸡藤、硬毛山黑豆、山黑豆和长圆叶山黑豆) 的叶表皮进行了观察。结果表明，该属植物叶表皮细胞均呈不规则形，垂周壁为波状，气孔器类型以平列型为主。心叶山黑豆、柔毛山黑豆和云南山黑豆上表皮细胞垂周壁呈深波状；小鸡藤、长圆叶山黑豆、山黑豆和硬毛山黑豆上表皮细胞垂周壁呈浅波状。在一定程度上，上表皮细胞垂周壁的形态反映了山黑豆属种间的近缘关系。 3、细胞学 首次报道了山黑豆属3个种 (云南山黑豆、小鸡藤和硬毛山黑豆) 的染 色体数目，它们均为2n=20。在已报道染色体的植物种类中 (共计6种)，仅心叶山黑豆染色体数目为2n=22，其余5种 (柔毛山黑豆、山黑豆、云南山黑豆、小鸡藤和硬毛山黑豆) 染色体数目均为2n=20。与大豆亚族大多数属染色体数目为2n=22相比较，心叶山黑豆可能是该属中较为原始的种。 4、孢粉学 在光学显微镜下，对该属7种植物 (心叶山黑豆、柔毛山黑豆、云南山黑豆、小鸡藤、硬毛山黑豆、山黑豆和长圆叶山黑豆) 的花粉进行了观察，结果表明：该属植物为三角形6孔花粉，极轴短，每个角的萌发孔由一对小孔组成；外壁具网纹，网脊粗，网眼不规则。柔毛山黑豆和小鸡藤极面的网脊几乎不断裂；心叶山黑豆、云南山黑豆、硬毛山黑豆、山黑豆和长圆叶山黑豆极面的网脊断裂较多。外壁的纹饰在一定程度上反映了该属植物的近缘关系。 5、地理分布格局 该属植物主要分布在中国南部和西南，只有柔毛山黑豆分布到非洲和大洋洲。研究结果表明，具主根的2个种 (心叶山黑豆和柔毛山黑豆) 主要分布在中国西南部，其分布区域相互重叠；而无主根的5个种 (云南山黑豆、小鸡藤、硬毛山黑豆、山黑豆和长圆叶山黑豆) 由中国西南部向东到日本、韩国都有分布，分布区域几乎不重叠。本研究认为：有主根的心叶山黑豆和柔毛山黑豆可能代表了该属的原始类群；有主根类群衍生出其余无主根类型的各种，并由中国西南扩散到其他地区。 综合以上资料，本研究对山黑豆属进行了分类修订，认为该属含8种、1亚种及2变种，其中建立新组合1个，归并6个类群，并指定了4个后选模式。另外，本研究同时提供了该属植物的检索表、种的形态描述和插图以及地理分布图等信息。

国产十大功劳属植物的分类学修订

本文通过广泛的标本室研究结合野外实地调查，对十大功劳植物进行全面的形态学性状分析研究，据此对国产十大功劳植物进行分类学修订；还开展了叶表皮形态、孢粉学和分子系统学等方面的研究，并就这些性状在十大功劳属植物中的分类价值以及属下系统发育的关系及意义进行了讨论。结果如下： 1. 形态学特征 在对国内、外18 家标本馆1500 余份标本（包括模式标本）的查阅及40 余个县针对性的野外居群考察基础上，对十大功劳属植物形态性状（包括前人使用过的）的变异式样及其分类学意义进行了分析，并对一些数量性状进行了详细的统计分析。最后确认叶柄长度、小叶形状、小叶宽度、锯齿类型、花梗与苞片的相对长度、苞片和外萼片形状、中萼片与内萼片的相对长度、花序类型、苞片形状、外萼片形状、花瓣顶端是否裂等性状在种内变异稳定，是比较可靠的分类学性状。然后，利用这些可靠的形态学性状对国产十大功劳属下种的范围进行了界定。 2. 叶表皮形态 通过对十大功劳属植物4组12个亚组53 个种及两个其它属近缘植物（Ranzania japonica and Nandina domestrica ）叶表皮特征分别在光镜和电镜下进行观察，光镜下叶表皮细胞形状多为不规则形，少数为近多边形，垂周壁为波状或近平直；电镜下根据叶片下表皮的角质层突起及气孔特征将十大功劳属植物分为10 种类型，气孔都分布于下表皮。叶表皮性状对理解该属的属下系统关系有重要意义。 3. 孢粉学研究 通过对十大功劳属植物4组9个亚组18 个种植物的花粉特征的观察，发现花粉形态在属内变化比较一致，对于讨论属内组间、亚组间和种间的演化关系意义不大。 4. 种子形态 通过对十大功劳属植物4个组9个亚组的24个种及一个相关种Nandina domestica 种子形态特征研究，发现种子形态（特别是种皮纹饰）在十大功劳属内具有重要的系统学意义。根据种皮纹饰（网眼形状、网脊等）可将十大功劳属植物分为9 个类型。 5.分子系统学 在前人的工作基础上增加了15 个种，基于44 种十大功劳植物和6 种小檗属植物ITS 序列分析，显示该属可分成4 大支，基本上支持前人的4个组的划分。但就中国种类而言，尽管有几支能被明显的划分，但总体上组下关系仍不明确。另外，以M.polydonta、M.Longibracteata、M.paucijuga 为主的一支与美洲种类聚在一起，这说明这一支所代表的种类与美洲种类有较近的关系。 6. 分类处理 基于上述研究，我们对国产十大功劳属植物进行了全面的分类学修订。与《中国植物志》相比：发现新分类群2 个，新等级4 个，增加新异名3个，省级新分布1 个，并对4 个种进行了补充及订正描述。并对一些疑难类群进行了充分讨论，最后确认国产十大功劳属植物共包括38 个种，2个亚种。同时基于叶表皮、种子形态、分子序列等证据，对十大功劳属下系统进行了讨论。

冲绳海槽北部PC-1岩芯24 cal.kaBP 以来孢粉记录的古环境信息

东海陆架是世界上最宽阔的陆架之一，面积达770 000 km2左右。在末次冰盛期（LGM），东海海平面下降120～130 m左右，绝大部分陆架暴露出海面。而冲绳海槽是第四纪以来一直保持海洋环境的东海深海区。本文以冲绳海槽北部PC-1岩芯为材料，通过分析该孔的孢粉，加上详细的AMS 14C测年，恢复了周边地区24 cal.kaBP以来的古植被，并推测古环境和古气候变化，重点讨论了LGM时期出露大陆架上发育的植被。 PC-1孔（31°27.5′N，128°24.8′E）位于黑潮支流对马暖流东侧，水深590 m，柱长812 cm。孢粉分析按间隔8 cm取样，个别为4~6 cm，共分析了103个孢粉样品。利用9个AMS 14C数据建立年龄标尺，用Calib5.1.0软件进行年龄校正。通过相邻样品深度的线性内插获得每个样品的年龄，采用外延法得到顶部和底部的校正年龄分别为351cal aBP、24 280 cal aBP，孢粉样品的时间分辨率平均为230 a。 根据孢粉百分比和沉积率的变化，可划分出四个带：Ⅰ带（812～715 cm，24.2～21.1 cal. kaBP）、Ⅱ带（715～451 cm，21.1～15.2 cal. kaBP）、Ⅲ带（451～251 cm，15.2～10.8 cal. kaBP）、Ⅳ带（251～0 cm，10.8～0.3 cal. kaBP），分别对应MIS 3末期、末次冰盛期、冰消期和全新世。末次冰盛期草本植物花粉占优势，孢粉沉积率较高，此时草本花粉主要来源于出露的大陆架，其上发育了以蒿属为主的草地植被，气候比较寒冷干燥；冰消期海平面开始回升，松属花粉含量升高，草本植物花粉含量下降；全新世以木本植物花粉占绝对优势，栗属－栲属花粉迅速增加，蕨类孢子含量升高，草本植物花粉含量锐减，孢粉沉积率降低，由于海平面回升，大陆架被淹没，此时孢粉主要来源于日本岛，九州地区生长了以栲属、栎属为主的常绿阔叶与落叶阔叶林，气候温暖湿润。 叶枝杉属花粉在整个岩芯中零星出现。叶枝杉属植物分布于菲律宾吕宋北部至塔斯马尼亚和新西兰气候潮湿的山地林中，该属花粉在岩芯中的出现，可能暗示了黑潮的影响或者是较强的夏季风。 草本植物与松属花粉百分比变化很好的反映了海平面的升降，松属花粉含量较高指示海平面较高。对岩芯中主要类型的花粉百分比进行了频谱分析，显示存在千年尺度的准周期变化，有明显的6.8，3.8，2.2，1.6 ka的周期。 孢粉样品中的炭屑统计表明，末次冰消期炭屑含量最高，可能因为末次冰消期降雨量增加，炭屑可被降水带到沉积地点沉积下来；全新世的炭屑浓度较高，尤其在晚全新世，出现了一个峰值，究其原因可能与气候变化和人类活动有关。

新疆天山中段北坡地区现代孢粉学研究

新疆中部地区位于西北内陆干旱一半干旱区，是欧亚大陆的地理中心，是中纬度内陆干旱区代表性区域，也是全球变化敏感区域之一，基本特点是气候干旱、水资源匮乏、植被稀少、荒漠广布，生态系统脆弱。在研究区域内，天山山脉海拔高度差异5 000 m左右，随海拔梯度下降依次出现高山冰雪带、高山亚高山草甸带、森林带、草原带、荒漠带、沙漠带等明显完整的植被垂直带，是开展现代孢粉学和植被变化研究的理想地点。本报告在立足于该区前人工作的基础上，从表土花粉、空气花粉和现代植被之间的关系入手开展现代孢粉学研究，探讨了花粉与植被的关系。 在研究区内，选择新疆阜康市和吉木萨尔县为研究地点，设计了一条从天山博格达峰附近雪线开始直至古尔班通古特沙漠长约100 km、宽约20 km的样带。沿样带，从高山座垫植被和草甸带开始，经过中海拔地带的云杉林，置到低海拔的荒漠，在山地海拔每下降20～100 m采集一个表土花粉样品，平原每间隔10～20 km采集一个表土花粉样品，同时做现代植被调查，共采集80个表土花粉样品和调查了86个现代植被样方;在天山乌鲁木齐河河源区的大西沟，从一号冰川前缘开始，沿山谷向下直到谷口，按海拔100 m间隔采集了14个表土样品，对表土花粉与植被之间的关系进行了探讨。为了弄清空气花粉传播、散布与气象因子和植被的关系，沿样带从高山到沙漠分别在天池气象站、中国科学院阜康荒漠生态系统定位研究站和北沙窝草炭试验地设置了三个风标式空气花粉收集器，从2001年7月至2002年7月连续收集空气花粉雨，收集了跨2个年度1周年的1 14个空气花粉样品，依据分析结果研究了空气花粉的传播和散布规律以及与表土花粉和植被之间的关系，这在新疆地区乃至全国尚属首次。 根据表土花粉分析结果和现代植被样方资料的分析以及天山中段主要植物种类沿海拔高度的分布特征，天山中段北坡垂直植被带谱为：高山座垫植被(>3 400 m)、高山亚高山草甸(3 400-2 700 m)、山地云杉林(2 700-1 720 m)、森林草原过渡带(1 720-1 300 m)、蒿类荒漠(1 300-700 m)和典型荒漠(<700 m)。表土花粉谱基本上反映了相同海拔高度的现代植被带，特别是在云杉林带，表土中雪岭云杉(Picea schrenkiana)花粉占优势;在蒿类荒漠植被带表土中蒿属（Artemisia）植物花粉非常丰富;在典型荒漠植被带的表土中藜科(Chenopodiaceae)植物花粉占绝对优势，因此可依据这些建群种植物花粉含量峰值的位置划分植物群落。 空气花粉样品分析结果表明：空气中花粉主要是现生植物当年生长产出的花粉，盛花期的花粉数量能较好地反映当地的植被状况。空气中的乔木植物花粉主要有云杉(Picea)，其次是柳属（Salix）;灌木草本植物花粉主要是藜科和蒿属，其次是菊科(Compositae)、禾本科(Gramineae)、柽柳科(Tamaricaceae)和麻黄属(Ephedra);空气中的花粉数量与植物的花期相对应，云杉等乔木植物盛花期在夏季5月末至7月初，灌木草本植物盛花期在夏秋季节。气温、降水、风速和风向等气象条件对空气中花粉数量有很大影响，其中风速和风向影响最大。从空气花粉和表土花粉的分析结果与现生植被对比，新疆中部地区的山谷上升气流是导致花粉“爬坡”现象的主要动力，在一定条件下，上升气流搬运花粉的数量和能力是十分可观的。 空气中的花粉是现生植物当年生长产出的花粉，表土中的花粉是多年花粉落地沉积的积累，植物盖度大，该植物的花粉在空气中和表土中数量相对就大。在新疆中部地区，空气花粉能反映当地和附近周边方圆约50 km的植被状况，其花粉组合特征与表土花粉和当地现生植被分布的对比研究，可以较好地寻找花粉与植被的关系。本研究报告的研究成果不仅为新疆地区的孢粉学研究增添新的内容，而且将有助于合理解释新疆地层中、尤其是第四纪以来的地层孢粉，较客观地恢复过去的植被景观，同时可为本地区的大气环境检测提供有重要价值的参考资料。

Palaeoenvironmental changes from pollen record in deep sea core PC-1 from northern Okinawa Trough, East China Sea during the past 24 ka

A pollen record of core PC-1 from the northern Okinawa Trough, East China Sea (ECS), provides information on vegetation and climate changes since 24 cal. kaBP. A total of 103 samples were palynologically analyzed at 8 cm intervals with a time resolution of 230 a. Four pollen zones are recognized: zone I (812-715 cm, 24.2-21.1 cal. kaBP), zone II (715-451 cm, 21.1-15.2 cal. kaBP), zone III (451-251 cm, 15.2-10.8 cal. kaBP), zone IV (251-0 cm, 10.8-0.3 cal. kaBP), corresponding to Late MIS 3, Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), deglaciation and Holocene, respectively. The LGM is characterized by the dominance of herbs, mainly Artemisia, and high pollen influx, implying an open vegetation on the exposed continental shelf and a cool and dry climate. The deglaciation is a climate warming stage with Pinus percentage increased and Artemisia percentage decreased and a rapid sea-level rise. The Holocene is characterized by predominance of tree pollen with rapid increase in Castanea-Castanopsis indicating the development of mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest and a warm, humid climate. Low pollen influx during the Holocene probably implies submergence of the continental shelf and retreat of the pollen source area. The vegetation indicated by pollen assemblage found in this upper zone is consistent with the present vegetation found in Kyushu, Japan. Originating from the humid mountain area of North Luzon of the Philippines, Tasmania and New Zealand, Phyllocladus with sporadic occurrence throughout PC-1 core probably suggests the influence of Palaeo-Kuroshio Current or intense summer monsoon. The observed changes in Pinus and Herbs percentage indicate fluctuations of the sea level, and high Pinus percentage corresponds to high sea level. Spectrum analysis of the pollen percentage record reveals many millennial-scale periodicities, such as periodicities of 6.8, 3.85 2.2, 1.6 ka.

Molecular systematics and biogeography of Crawfurdia, Metagentiana and Tripterospermum (Gentianaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal and plastid DNA sequences

Background and Aims The systematic position of the genus Metagentiana and its phylogenetic relationships with Crawfurdia, Gentiana and Tripterospermum have not been explicitly addressed. These four genera belong to one of two subtribes (Gentianinae) of Gentianeae. The aim of this paper is to examine the systematic position of Crawfurdia, Metagentiana and Tripterospermum and to clarify their phylogenetic affinities more clearly using ITS and trnL intron sequences.Methods Nucleotide sequences from the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the plastid DNA trnL (UAA) intron were analysed phylogenetically. Ten of fourteen Metagentiana species were sampled, together with 40 species of other genera in the subtribe Gentianinae.Key Results The data support several previously published conclusions relating to the separation of Metagentiana from Gentiana and its closer relationships to Crawfurdia and Tripterospermum based on studies of gross morphology, floral anatomy, chromosomes, palynology, embryology and previous molecular data. The molecular clock hypothesis for the tested sequences in subtribe Gentianinae was not supported by the data (P < 0.05), so the clock-independent non-parametric rate smoothing method was used to estimate divergence time. This indicates that the separation of Crawfurdia, Metagentiana and Tripterospermum from Gentiana occurred about 11.4-21.4 Mya (million years ago), and the current species of these three genera diverged at times ranging from 0.4 to 6.2 Mya.Conclusions The molecular analyses revealed that Crawfurdia, Metagentiana and Tripterospermum do not merit status as three separate genera, because sampled species of Crawfurdia and Tripterospermum are embedded within Metagentiana. The speciation and rapid radiation of these three genera is likely to have occurred in western China as a result of upthrust of the Himalayas during the late Miocene and the Pleistocene.

Metagentiana, a new genus of Gentianaceae

The evidence from cross morphology, floral anatomy, chromosomes, palynology, and embryology all indicates that sect. Stenogyne is discordant within the genus Gentiana and is as distinct from the other sections of Gentiana as are other genera, such as Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia. In light of these characters, sect. Stenogyne is removed from Gentiana and given generic rank as the new genus Metagentiana. It is more related to Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia than to Gentiana, though it is more primitive than the first two genera. Together with Tripterospermum and Crawfurdia the new genus forms a monophyletic group, which is the sister group to the genus Gentiana. Fourteen new combinations required at specific rank are proposed.

中国北方典型生态区表土孢粉组合特征及其与现代植被和气候的关系

Surface pollen assemblages and their relationhips with the modern vegetation and climate provide a foundation for investigating palaeo-environment conditions by fossil pollen analysis. A promising trend of palynology is to link pollen data more closely with ecology. In this study, I summarized the characteristics of surface pollen assemblages and their quantitative relation with the vegetation and climate of the typical ecological regions in northern China, based on surface pollen analysis of 205 sites and investigating of modern vegetation and climate. The primary conclusions are as follows:The differences in surface pollen assemblages for different vegetation regions are obvious. In the forest communities, the arboreal pollen percentages are more than 30%, herbs less than 50% and shrubs less than 10%; total pollen concentrations are more than 106 grains/g. In the steppe communities, arboreal pollen percentages are generally less than 5%; herb pollen percentages are more than 90%, and Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae are dominant in the pollen assemblages; total pollen concentrations range from 103 to 106 grains/g. In the desert communities, arboreal pollen percentages are less than 5%. Although Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia still dominate the pollen assemblages, Ephedra, Tamaricaceae and Nitraria are also significant important in the pollen assemblages; total pollen concentrations are mostly less than 104grains/g. In the sub-alpine or high and cold meadow communities, arboreal pollen percentages are less than 30%. and Cyperaceae is one of the most significant-taxa in the pollen assemblages. In the shrub communities, the pollen assemblages are consistent with the zonal vegetation; shrub pollen percentages are mostly less than 20%, except for Artemisia and Hippophae rhamnoides communities.There are obvious trends for the pollen percentage ratios of Artemisia to Chenopodiaceae (A/C), Pinus to Artemisia (P/A) and arbor to non-arbor (AP/NAP) in the different ecological regions. In the temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest region, the P/A ratios are generally higher than 0.1, the A/C ratios higher than 2 and the AP/NAP ratios higher than 0.3. In the temperate steppe regions, the P/A ratios are generally less than 0.1, the A/C ratios higher than 1 and the AP/NAP ratios less than 0.1. In the temperate desert regions, the P/A ratios are generally less than 0.1, the A/C ratios less than 1, and the AP/NAP ratios less than 0.1.The study on the representation and indication of pollen to vegetation shows that Pinus, Artemisia, Betula, Chenopodiaceae, Ephedra, Selaginella sinensis etc. are over-representative in the pollen assemblages and can only indicate the regional vegetation. Some pollen types, such as Quercus, Carpinus, Picea, Abies, Elaeagus, Larix, Salix, Pterocelis, Juglans, Ulmus, Gleditsia, Cotinus, Oleaceae, Spiraea, Corylus, Ostryopsis, Vites, Tetraena, Caragana, Tamaricaceae, Zygophyllum, Nitraria, Cyperaceae, Sanguisorba etc. are under-representative in the pollen assemblages, and can indicate the plant communities well. Populus, Rosaceae, Saxifranaceae, Gramineae, Leguminosae, Compositae, Caprifoliaceae etc. can not be used as significant indicators to the plants.The study on the relation of pollen percentages with plant covers shows that Pinus pollen percentages are more than 30% where pine trees exist in the surrounding region. The Picea+Abies pollen percentages are higher than 20% where the Picea+Abies trees are dominant in the communities, but less than 5% where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Larix pollen percentages vary from 5% to 20% where the Larix trees are dominant in the communities, but less than 5% where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Betula pollen percentages are higher than 40% where the Betula trees are dominant in the communities" but less than 5% where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Quercus pollen percentages are higher than 10% where the Quercus trees are dominant in the communities, but less than 1% where the parent plants sparse or absent. Carpinus pollen percentages vary from 5% to 15% where the Carpinus trees are dominant in the communities, but less than 1% where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Populus pollen percentages are about 0-5% at pure Populus communities, but cannot be recorded easily where the Populus plants mixed with other trees in the communities. Juglans pollen accounts for 25% to 35% in the forest of Juglans mandshurica, but less than 1% where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Pterocelis pollen percentages are less than 15% where the Pterocelis trees are dominant in the communities, but cannot be recorded easily where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Ulmus pollen percentages are more than 8% at Ulmus communities, but less than 1% where the Ulmus plants mixed with other trees in the communities. Vitex pollen percentages increase along with increasing of parent plant covers, but the maximum values are less than 10 %. Caragana pollen percentages are less than 20 % where the Caragana plant are dominant in the communities, and cannot be recorded easily where the parent plants are sparse or absent. Spiraea pollen percentages are less than 16 % where the Spiraea plant are dominant in the communities, and cannot be recorded easily where the parent plants are sparse or absent.The study on the relation of surface pollen assemblages with the modern climate shows that, in the axis 1 of DCA, surface samples scores have significant correlation with the average annual precipitations, and the highest determination coefficient (R2) is 0.8 for the fitting result of the third degree polynomial functions. In the axis 2 of DCA, the samples scores have significant correlation with the average annual temperatures, average July temperatures and average January temperatures, and the determination coefficient falls in 0.13-0.29 for the fitting result of the third degree polynomial functions with the highest determination coefficient for the average July temperature.The sensitivity of the different pollen taxa to climate change shows that some pollen taxa such as Pinus, Quercus, Carpinus, Juglans, Spiraea, Oleaceae, Gramineae, Tamariaceae and Ephedra are only sensitive to the change in precipitation.

Early-Holocene environments in the Wadi Faynan, Jordan

Hunt, C. Elrishi, H. Gilbertson, D. Grattan, J. McLaren, S. Pyatt, B. Rushworth, G. Barker, G. Early-Holocene environments in the Wadi Faynan, Jordan. The Holocene. 2004. 14,6 pp 921-930

A Possible Relationship Between Chitinozoa And Tintinnids

The biological affinity of the extinct microfossil order chitinozoa has been the source of much discussion in the fifty years since they were first discovered. Within this period these flask-shaped, organic-walled organisms have been variously attributed to rhizopods, flagellates, tintinnids, chrysomonads, metazoan eggs, dinoflagellates, and fungi. Most of these suggested relationships were made before it was recognised that chitinozoans were encapsulated and must therefore be resting cysts or eggs and not active individuals. There are no living organisms which combine all the characteristics of the chitinozoa. Of all the possibilities, a grouping of flask-shaped cysts which have been found in present-day marine plankton and sediment comes closest to characterising the morphology of chitinozoa. This grouping of flask-shaped cysts includes forms which have been found within tintinnid loricae. Another modern cyst type Pacillina arctica, which is believed to be a ciliate cyst, comes close to replicating the morphology of the chitinozoan genus Hoegisphaera. This paper discusses the structure of tintinnid, other flask-shaped cysts and Pacillina arctica in relation to chitinozoan morphology, drawing attention to similarities and differences. The occurrence and distribution of these cyst forms in present-day plankton is also described and interpreted.

Comments On The Pseudo-Microfossil Linotolypen

Hollow, black reticulate ‘microfossils’ of unknown affinity found in Ordovician to late Cretaceous sediments from North America, Europe and Australia were given the name Linotolypa by Eisenack in 1962. In 1978, he recognised that they were pseudo-microfossils consisting of asphalt, and noted that their structure resembled that of soap bubbles formed in agitated suspensions. These objects are well known as a component of the particles caught from the air by pollen and spore traps at the present day. They are correctly termed ‘cenospheres’ and are formed from coal and possibly pitch and fuel oil by incomplete combustion. If their presence were to be confirmed in Palaeozoic sediments, this would provide important new evidence for the occurrence of fire in the geological record and of the history of levels of O2 in the atmosphere.