Bollettino SPI Vol. 48 - Issues 1, 2, 3
Issue 1
Published in June 2009
- Bartiromo A. & Barone Lumaga M.R. (2009)
Taxonomical revision of the Collection of Jurassic plants from Roverè di Velo (Veneto, northern Italy) stored in the Palaeontological Museum of the University of Naples “Federico II”
pp. 1-13
This paper presents a revision of the Jurassic fossil plants collection from Roverè di Velo (Verona Province) housed in the Palaeontological Museum of the “Federico II” University of Naples. It was extremely difficult to review the entries of the Roverè di Velo plant fossils stored in the Museum. Indeed, only by finding ancient purchase inventories of the former Museum of Geology pre-dating the foundation of the Palaeontological Museum, we got enough information to pursue our purposes. Using these inventories, it is now possible to know the Museum of Geology purchased the Roverè di Velo fossil plants in 1874. Yet, only partial cataloguing of this collection was carried out, since. In the course of this study the provisional classification carried out in the second half of the XIX century was completely revised, and a number of additional specimens have been identified and catalogued, accordingly. Owing to the lack of cuticle, we had ascertained taxonomic affiliations relying on macroscopic features, only. At present, the collection includes 69 slabs with plant remain content. During the taxonomical revision, the following fossil plant genera have been identified: Cycadopteris De Zigno, 1853; Dichopteris De Zigno, 1864; Sagenopteris Presl, 1838; Otozamites Braun, 1843; Ptilophyllum Morris, 1840; Pagiophyllum Heer, 1881; Brachyphyllum Brongniart, 1828; Desmiophyllum Lesquereux, 1878.
- Bertolaso L. & Garilli V. (2009)
Description of Aclis aurisparva n. sp. (Gastropoda, Aclididae) from the Pliocene of Emilia Romagna (N Italy)
pp. 15-19
A new species of the family Aclididae is described from the Pliocene of Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy) as Aclis aurisparva n. sp. This species was formerly reported as Chileutomia (?) sp. (family Eulimidae) but the finding of new, well preserved material has allowed a correct systematic placement. This new species and other similar Mio-Pliocene congeners, with apparently-polished-shells (Italian and Turkish material, under study) close to the A. attenuans – A. walleri group, allow us to hypothesis that the Aclis species with smooth shells (or with a spiral microsculpture) from the Mediterranean Upper Neogene are more numerous than expected
- Billia E.M.E. & Petronio C. (2009)
Selected records of Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis (Jäger, 1839) (Mammalia, Rhinocerotidae) in Italy
pp. 21-32
- Garilli V. (2009)
Two morphologically close new species of Gibbula (Archeogastropoda: Trochidae) from the Pleistocene of Sicily and Peloponnesus
pp. 33-40
Two gastropod species of the genus Gibbula Risso, 1826, G. mariaeangelae n. sp. and G. marialuisae n. sp., are described from the Middle-Upper Pleistocene of Kyllini (NW Peloponnesus) and the Lower Pleistocene of Cartiera Mulino (SE Sicily) respectively. These species are morphologically similar to each other and well distinguishable from congeners, being characterized by a widely umbilicated, quite depressed shell with an almost keeled periphery. They mainly differ in having different patterns of sculpture and preserved coloration: G. marialuisae n. sp., which also has a more depressed shell shape, shows a more delicate spiral sculpture and a color pattern consisting of pale reddish lines and spots on a whitish background, whereas G. mariaeangelae is characterized by whitish-cream spiral cords on a reddish background. This further description of two new Gibbula species, after that of G. olympica Garilli, Crisci & Messina, 2005 (from Kyllini), significantly contributes to a more detailed knowledge of the genus Gibbula in the Mediterranean Pleistocene. Both the described species lived in a palaeoenvironment linked to the present Posidonia oceanica biocoenosis.
- Negri M.P. (2009)
An experimental mapping method by means of fossil mollusk faunas: the Holocene Thai paleogulf
pp. 41-50
In the present work, mollusk associations are used as a tool for the reconstruction of sea level changes in the Gulf of Thailand during the Holocene transgression event (Flandrian event). The study area comprises the Lower Central Plain of Bangkok and the Petchaburi coastal plain, where mollusk assemblages were sampled in several localities exposing the Holocene sedimentary successions. The detailed study of recovered material, described in a previous work currently in press, led to the identification of molluscan associations, biofacies and single assemblages; each of these was attributed a restricted depth range consistent with the development of its mollusks. The 14C dating of shells allowed the separation of sampled sections into six intervals (timelines respectively at 9,000, 8,000, 6,000, 5,500, 5,000, and 4,000 years BP); each intersection between a timeline and a section was given a depth value within the range of the mollusk fauna sampled in that position. This resulted in a dataset of paleodepths for each time level and, subsequently, in the creation of six isobathymetric maps by interpolation. The maps, showing the evolution of Thai paleogulf from the first arrival of the sea near the present shoreline to the beginning of the regression, have a small scale validity only and are subject to uncertainties due to the approximations of the method; nevertheless, the reconstruction appears consistent with both paleogulf maps based on different data (Pleistocene-Holocene contact isopachs, pollen content analyses) and recent Quaternary geological surveys conducted on the Lower Central Plain.
- Zunino M. & Pavia G. (2009)
Two new species of Rissoina (Gastropoda: Rissoidae) in the Lower Miocene of Valle Ceppi (Torino, NW Italy)
pp. 51-57
Two new species of Rissoina from the Miocene of Torino Hills, Rissoina (R.) giuntellii and Rissoina (R.) sturanii, are described in this paper. Rissoina (R.) giuntellii n. sp. is frequent in the Lower Miocene deposits of Valle Ceppi and in coeval and more recent layers of Torino Hills; it is characterized by a small shell with convex whorls, the sculpture is composed by prominent axial ribs and cords visible at the base of the last whorl. Rissoina (R.) sturanii n. sp. is only known from the Valle Ceppi section; it is characterized by medium-sized shells with flat whorls and very fine axial and spiral ornamentation. Because of the reduced number of specimens and their state of conservation, scanning electron microscope photographs were used to study shell micro-architecture where possible. Comparison with the coeval Rissoininae known from the deposits of Paratethys, Aquitaine Basin and Loire Basin confirmed the election of Rissoina (R.) giuntellii n. sp. and Rissoina (R.) sturanii n. sp., currently known only in the Miocene deposits of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin.
- Argenti P. & Kotsakis T. (2009)
The fossil remains of Soricidae and Leporidae (Mammalia) in the Lower Pleistocene of Pietrafitta (Perugia, Central Italy)
pp. 59-62
A rich mammalian assemblage, referred to the Early Pleistocene (late Villafranchian, Farneta Faunal Unit), was recovered in the lignite of Pietrafitta (Perugia, Central Italy). This fossil assemblage includes some remains of an insectivore of the family Soricidae and a lagomorph of the family Leporidae. The morphological and morphometrical analysis of these teeth allowed to refer the remains to Sorex cfr. S. minutus Linnaeus, 1758 and Oryctolagus cfr. O. lacosti (Pomel, 1853) respectively.
- Bonfiglio L. (2009)
Notes and Discussions on the paper: Marra A.C. & Bellomo E. (2008). Equus hydruntinus from the Upper Pleistocene (MIS 4) of Calabria, Southern Italy. Bollettino della Società Paleontologica Italiana, 47 (1), 2008: 1-6
pp. 63
- Marra A.C. (2009)
Correct dating of Equus hydruntinus from the Upper Pleistocene of Le Castella (Calabria, Southern Italy)
pp. 65-66
The age of 62 ky B.P. previously attributed to Equus hydruntinus from Le Castella (Calabria, Southern Italy) results incongruent and is here revised to 104±1.2 ky B.P. The recovered teeth (a third lower molar of Equus hydruntinus; an upper premolar and an upper molar of bovid) come from a marine terrace, considered of 3rd rank in the Crotone peninsula and related to MIS 5c. The first finding of Equus hydruntinus in Calabria can confidently be attributed to MIS 5c and dated 104±1.2 ky B.P.
Issue 2
Published in September 2009
- Rook L. (2009)
The Italian fossil primate record: an update and perspectives for future research
pp. 67-77
The fossil catarrhines of the Italian record provide important documentation for the study of primate populations in Europe during the Neogene. Compared with the overall distribution of the European fossil primates only four genera are documented in Italy representing two superfamilies: Hominoidea and Cercopithecoidea. The first one is represented by the endemic Late Miocene Oreopithecus, while the second one is represented by three genera, the colobine Mesopithecus, and the cercopitecines Macaca and Theropithecus. The last decade has recorded a huge increase in our knowledge of the Italian fossil primate record, its geological and palaeobiological context, as well as taxonomy, anatomy and functional morphology. An overview of these discoveries and results are offered here.
- Ragaini L. & Di Celma C. (2009)
Shell structure, taphonomy and mode of life of a Pleistocene ostreid from Ecuador
pp. 79-87
Crassostrea specimens recognized in the Pleistocene sediments of Ecuador represent the first fossil thick-shelled species of this genus in the Pacific South America. The specimens come from the Pleistocene Jama Formation exposed along the coastal cliffs of central Ecuador in the Esmeraldas-Caraquez Basin. The middle stratigraphic unit of this formation (the Punta Ballena Member) is about 100 m thick and composed of eight superposed, unconformity-bounded depositional sequences (PB1/PB8) with a highfrequency cyclicity (40 ky). The Crassostrea specimens collected in the middle of the PB5 fining-upward sequence may belong to a new species of this genus. The oyster concentration is a lens-shaped bank up to 60-70 cm thick and a few meters long where thick-shelled, large-sized, and elongated individuals in general good state of preservation are embedded in a soft, muddy to fine-grained sandy matrix. They display a high degree of packing and locally a bioclast-supported biofabric. Some specimens consist of disarticulated valves oriented both convex-up and convex-down whereas conjoined shells are predominant in number and arranged with different orientations from nearly horizontal to oblique. A few complete shells show a vertical position with the commissural plane more or less perpendicular to the bottom and the ligamental area pointing downwards. Fragmentation and abrasion are scarce, signs of encrustation and bioerosion are rare and occur only on the external surface of few valves. SEM investigation on the shell microstructure points out a thin outer prismatic layer composed of compact, closely joined calcitic prisms, irregularly polygonal in section and obliquely or nearly perpendicular oriented to the outer surface (regular simply prismatic, RSP). The underlying shell shows alternating thin and thick layers. The thin layers consist of continued sheets oriented nearly parallel or oblique to the valve surface and arranged as “tiles of a roof” (regularly foliated, RF) whereas the thick layers display a severely re-crystallized structure originally composed of parallel/subparallel calcitic blades interconnected by smaller calcitic leaflets. The large amount of void spaces interlocked between blades and leaflets accounts for the original “chalky” appearance of the porous structure (crossed lamellar, CL). The elongated and flat shape of the valves along with the elongate and triangular shape of the ligamental area are typical morphological attributes of the “secondary soft-bottom dwellers” with vertical life posture. Porous chalky deposits have been interpreted as an adaptive strategy to prevent the sinking in the soft bottom, but they may have been also used as a mechanism to increase shell thickness deterring predation by fully marine organisms. We infer that individuals lived as seminfaunal with a vertical posture of life within a soft bottom of shallow-water environments (lower shoreface to inner shelf) and interested by dislodging, before or after death, due to storm-induced wave/current action.
- Petrucci M. & Sardella R. (2009)
Ursus etruscus Cuvier, 1823 from the Early Pleistocene of Monte Argentario (Southern Tuscany, Central Italy)
pp. 89-94
Ursus etruscus fossils have been recovered in the Monte Argentario site (late Villafranchian, Early Pleistocene, Tuscany). Teeth and bones show the typical morphology of the Etruscan bear. The occurrence of this species in the Early Pleistocene Monte Argentario faunal assemblage and other coeval sites (i.e. Pirro Nord) is very important in the framework of the Early Pleistocene biochronology. The occurrence of Etruscan bear at Monte Argentario and Pirro Nord confirms that Ursus etruscus persists in the Early Pleistocene assemblages, representing therefore an European carnivore coexisting with new taxa dispersing from Africa and Asia.
- Rossi V. (2009)
Ostracod assemblages from Holocene subsurface deposits of modern Po Delta: a palaeoenvironmental proxy record
pp. 95-103
Benthic ostracod analyses performed on a 40 m long core (Core 1) enabled a detailed facies characterization and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits buried beneath the modern Po Delta. On the basis of relative abundance categories and hierarchical cluster analyses carried out on a presence-absence matrix composed of 23 samples and 22 ostracod species, four ostracod assemblages were identified. Assemblages 1 (Palmoconcha turbida), 2 (Pontocythere turbida and Semicytherura acuticostata) and 3 (Semicytherura incongruens and Leptocythere ramosa) correspond to three different shallow marine subenvironments, whereas assemblage 4 (Pseudocandona albicans) is indicative of a freshwater-oligohaline setting. Core 1 ostracod distribution patterns pointed out that several palaeoenvironmental oscillations occurred during the last glacial-interglacial period in the study area. Above an alluvial plain succession completely barren in microfossils and assigned to the last glacial interval, a transgressive-regressive sequence of Holocene age was deposited. Organic-rich paludal deposits containing assemblage 4 developed during the first phase of transgression. Following the sea-level rising trend, marine sedimentation reached the core site around 6,000 cal. yr BP, as documented by the deposition of washover and transgressive barrier sands containing few valves of transported ostracods. A highly diversified shallow marine ostracod fauna (assemblage 2) was found within the overlying inner shelf deposits formed during the last transgressive-early regressive interval. Upwards, an abrupt change of ostracod fauna occurred at the transition to prodelta deposits. The lower prodelta succession is characterized by an alternate record of two marine fluvial-influenced assemblages (assemblages 1 and 3), suggesting the development of an unstable prodelta environment subject to frequent river discharge oscillations during the first phases of deltaic progradation. On the contrary, a very scarce ostracod fauna is found within the upper prodelta succession probably due to the outstanding rates of sedimentation that affected the study area after the Ficarolo avulsion (last ca. 600 cal. yr BP).
- Briguglio A. & Hohenneger J. (2009)
Nummulitids hydrodynamics: an example using Nummulites globulus Leymerie, 1846
pp. 105-111
The main physical variables influencing the hydrodynamic behavior of nummulitid tests are size, density and shape. After measuring these variables, further parameters must be calculated to obtain an approximation to the hydrodynamic behavior of the test. These parameters are volume, nominal diameter, critical shear velocity, critical shear stress, shape entropy, shape-independent settling velocity, settling velocity of a non spherical form, Reynolds number, and drag coefficient. Some of these data were calculated by combining shell measurements with physical properties of the seawater. The aim of this paper is to explain numerical calculations for qualifying and quantifying the hydrodynamic parameters of nummulitids. Every single step or formula is important to evaluate the hydrodynamics of a particle or test respectively, especially in shallow water environments where energy strongly varies depending on different physical factors induced by the climate and the topography of the platform. Several methods to calculate the same parameters are also presented and compared to show the best-suited one for nummulitids. In the fossil record, the faunal composition and the distribution of tests mainly depend on the two groups of cause-event effects: in vita and post mortem. Inferences about a fossil shallow benthic fauna must consider beside biological and ecological features further physical parameters like transport and deposition leading to distinct distribution patterns.
- Marra A.C. (2009)
Pleistocene mammal faunas of Calabria (Southern Italy): biochronology and palaeobiogeography
pp. 113-122
In this paper, current knowledge about Pleistocene mammals of Calabria has been updated, critically discussed, and conformed to the biochronological framework of Italy. Since the palaeogeography obviously influenced the mammal distribution, Pleistocene maps have been included and discussed. In Calabria, the Pleistocene fossil record of mammals is discontinuous in time and space. 15 Local Faunal Assemblages (LFAs) have been selected and located in the biochronological chart of Italy. The most representative LFAs of Calabria, attributed to the Late Pleistocene, seem to be impoverished if compared to those of the rest of Italy. They are made by ubiquitous species of warm-temperate climate. The possible insular phase of Southern Calabria at the beginning of Late Pleistocene (MIS 5) is discussed and rejected on the basis of the palaeogeographical reconstructions and the absence of well documented endemic mammals. The role of Calabria as a dispersal way to Sicily has a consistent relevance in the discussion about evolutionary patterns in island environment. It seems that Calabria acted as a first filter to faunal spreading to Sicily and that the Strait of Messina was a weak sea-barrier in the late Middle Pleistocene and Late Pleistocene.
- Salari L. & Sardella R. (2009)
The Pleistocene porcupine Hystrix vinogradovi Argyropulo, 1941 in Italy
pp. 123-127
Hystrix vinogradovi remains have been identified within the Late Pleistocene vertebrate assemblage from Avetrana (Taranto, Southern Italy). These data provide new information about the palaeobiogeography and ecology of this Pleistocene porcupine in Italy and Europe. The dental morphology of this species is quite conservative (a characteristic of the entire genus Hystrix) and simple, its size is smaller than the living Hystrix cristata and than other extinct species such as H. refossa, distributed in the Plio-Pleistocene sites of Europe. Despite some Authors claimed the synonymy between H. vinogradovi and H. brachyura, in this paper we maintain a separate specific name. At present, H. vinogradovi from Avetrana can be considered as the latest occurrence in Italy and, together with the fossils from Bolomor (Valencia, Spain), the southernmost presence in Europe.
- Mazzei R., Margiotta S., Foresi L.M., Riforgiato F. & Salvatorini G. (2009)
Biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy of the Miocene Pietra Leccese in the type area of Lecce (Apulia, southern Italy)
pp. 129-145
The Miocene Pietra Leccese formation characterizes the Salentine Peninsula in the southern Italian Apulia Region, where it crops out extensively from north of the city of Lecce to Lèuca. A biostratigraphical (planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils) and chronostratigraphical study of the Pietra Leccese formation in the Lecce type area is reported. The work is based on 186 samples collected from 19 sections and 5 boreholes. As elsewhere in the Salento area, the sedimentation of the Pietra Leccese spans about 11 Ma, from the late Burdigalian (Globigerinoides trilobus Zone of the planktonic foraminifera, Helicosphaera ampliaperta Zone of the calcareous nannofossils) to the early Messinian (Globorotalia miotumida Zone and Amaurolithus delicatus–A. amplificus Zone of the two groups of organisms respectively). The deposition was interrupted by the repeated action of marine currents, which inhibited the accommodation of the sediments and/or eroded those previously formed, resulting in hiatuses (generally testified to by the occurrence of glauconite mineralization) of different durations even in successions that are located very close each other. The Lecce area was studied by considering four geographical sectors (north-western, north-eastern, south-western, and south-eastern) and three hiatuses were recognized, which in stratigraphical order are:
– first hiatus, between the typical Pietra Leccese and the overlying weakly glauconitic Pietra Leccese. This hiatus separates the upper Burdigalian sediments of the G. trilobus Zone and H. ampliaperta Zone (Sphenolithus heteromorphus–Helicosphaera ampliaperta Subzone) from the Langhian ones of the Orbulina suturalis–Globorotalia peripheroronda Zone (O. suturalis Subzone) and S. heteromorphus Zone (S. heteromorphus–Helicosphaera waltrans Subzone). The gap is shorter in the succession of the Seminario Borehole (south-eastern sector). In fact, the first sediments above the hiatus pertain to the upper part of the Praeorbulina glomerosa s.l. Zone (Paragloborotalia siakensis, Praeorbulina glomerosa circularis Subzone) and the lower part of the S. heteromorphus Zone (S. heteromorphus–H. waltrans Subzone);
– second hiatus, between the weakly glauconitic and the intensely glauconitic Pietra Leccese. This hiatus separates the upper Langhian sediments of the Orbulina universa (O. suturalis–G. peripheroronda Zone) and the Helicosphaera walbersdorfensis-S. heteromorphus (S. heteromorphus Zone) subzones from the lower Tortonian ones of the Paragloborotalia siakensis and Discoaster bollii (lower part) zones. The gap is shorter in the north-eastern sector (succession of the Morello Borehole) as the sedimentation restarts in the Paragloborotalia partimlabiata (P. mayeri Subzone) and Calcidiscus macintyrei zones. In this sector, further hiatus cannot be ruled out, and it should embrace the interval P. mayeri Subzone (pars) – P. siakensis Zone (pars) of the foraminifera and C. macintyrei Zone (pars) – D. bollii Zone (pars) of nannofossils.
– third hiatus, at the top of the glauconite-rich interval. This hiatus occurs between the lowermost Tortonian sediments and the middle Tortonian ones of the Neogloboquadrina acostaensis Zone (lower part) and the Discoaster bellus Zone. The gap is longer in the north-eastern sector since the deposits immediately above the intensely glauconitic interval pertain to the Globigerinoides obliquus extremus and Discoaster surculus zones.
A fourth hiatus was also recognized, but only in the area north of Lecce. In the north-western sector, the uppermost Tortonian sediments of Globorotalia suterae and Amaurolithus primus zones directly overlie the middle Tortonian deposits of N. acostaensis and D. bellus zones. The gap is shorter in the north-eastern sector because the lowermost Messinian deposits of G. miotumida and A. delicatus–A. amplificus zones lie on those of the upper Tortonian belonging to the G. obliquus extremus and D. surculus zones. In the south-eastern sector, the deposition was continuous from the lower Tortonian (N. acostaensis and D. bellus zones) to the lower Messinian (G. miotumida and A. delicatus–A amplificus zones). This resulted in a greater thickness of the formation (about 90 m). However, it should be noted that in this interval the Pietra Leccese formation presents lithological features that differ from the typical ones. These features are the result of a progressive bathymetric decrease in the marine environment. The decreasing depth and lithological change led to the deposition of the Calcareniti di Andrano formation, the final Miocene unit on the Salentine Peninsula.
- Bisconti M. (2009)
Taxonomy and evolution of the Italian Pliocene Mysticeti (Mammalia, Cetacea): a state of the art
pp. 147-156
A review of the recent progresses about Italian baleen whale taxonomy and phylogeny is presented together with a summary of the principal studies carried out on this subject in the past 150 years in Italy. A discussion of the chronospecies Balaenoptera acutorostrata cuvieri is presented here which dismisses such taxon in the light of a thorough morphological analysis based upon the examination of a number of mysticete skeletons in the collections of many institutions all over the world. An overview of new mysticete taxa established from the Italian fossil record is also presented together with reconstructions of their skulls. The analysis of the Italian record shows that the Mediterranean basin played a role in the preservation of archaic biodiversity especially concerning the Balaenopteridae. The presence of Eschrichtiidae is also confirmed based on the newly discovered taxon Eschrichtioides gastaldi. The study of the Italian record is, thus, of great help in the reconstruction of the past mysticete biodiversity evolution and in the analysis of the phylogeny of this marine mammal group.
- Koufos G.D. (2009)
The genus Mesopithecus (Primates, Cercopithecidae) in the late Miocene of Greece
pp. 157-166
The genus Mesopithecus is quite common in the late Miocene of Greece being recognized in various localities. After its first discovery in Pikermi, near Athens, it was found in Axios Valley, Serres Basin, Thessaly and Chalkidiki Peninsula. In the present article the Greek sample of Mesopithecus is compared and analyzed by multivariate methods. The following taxa can be recognized. The type species M. pentelicus was recorded in Pikermi and Chomateres both dated to the uppermost middle Turolian (MN 12). A largesized species named M. delsoni was recognized in the locality Ravin des Zouaves-5 of Axios Valley, dated to early Turolian (MN 11) at ~8.2 Ma. A form intermediate between the above mentioned species, named M. delsoni/pentelicus was found in the localities Vathylakkos-2, 3 of Axios Valley and in the locality of Perivolaki in Thessaly; both localities are dated to middle Turolian (MN 12) at ~7.5 Ma and 7.3-7.1 Ma respectively. Two forms similar to M. pentelicus but with some minor differences are known from the late Turolian (MN 13) localities Dytiko-1, 2, 3 of Axios Valley; they are referred to as M. cf. or aff. M. pentelicus. A small-sized form is also known from the late Turolian locality Dytiko-2 of Axios Valley, which is similar to M. monspessulanus and it is referred to as M. cf. M. monspessulanus. The Mesopithecus from the localities Maramena (Serres Basin) and Kryopigi (Chalkidiki Peninsula) cannot be certainly determined and they are referred to as Mesopithecus sp.
Issue 3
Published in December 2009
- Violanti D., Trenkwalder S., Lozar F. & Gallo L.M. (2009)
Micropalaeontological analyses of the Narzole core: biostratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the late Messinian and early Zanclean of Piedmont (Northwestern Italy)
pp. 167-181
Integrated biostratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental analyses of foraminiferal, ostracod and calcareous nannofossil assemblages are here presented for the late Messinian/early Zanclean succession of the Narzole borehole (Albese area, Piedmont, Northwestern Italy). The Narzole core is made out of about 20 m of marine sediments and is stored in the collections of the Torino University, deposited at the Torino Regional Museum of Natural Sciences and until now represents the only documentation of the Messinian/Zanclean boundary (M/Z) in the Albese subsurface. The uppermost Messinian “Lago-Mare” deposits yield reworked marine microfossils and a brackish ostracod assemblage representative of the Loxocorniculina djafarovi Zone, indicating their deposition in oligo-mesohaline shallow waters and the influx of Paratethyan faunas. The boundary between the post-evaporitic Messinian sediments and the overlying early Zanclean Argille Azzurre Fm. (AA) is marked by a 0.50 m thick barren arenitic layer, dark brown to black in its middle part, well correlatable to the black level recognized at the M/Z boundary in the nearby Moncucco quarry outcrop (Torino Hill). The Early Zanclean succession yields abundant microfossils, which document the MPl1 (Sphaeroidinellopsis acme) and the MPl2 foraminiferal zones, and the MNN12 calcareous nannofossil zone. Many bioevents recognized at Moncucco and at the Mediterranean scale are recorded in the studied succession: one sinistral coiling shift of Neogloboquadrina acostaensis, the Globorotalia scitula common occurrence (CO), the reimmigration of Siphonina reticulata, the Globorotalia margaritae first common occurrence (FCO), the first influx of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) forms as Cibicidoides robertsonianus. Henryhowella asperrima and Oblitacythereis mediterranea firstly occurred in the MPl1 zone, like in the Moncucco section, while in southern Italy and Mediterranean Pliocene sections they occurred at the base of MPl 2 biozone. Foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages document an epibathyal basin just from the early Zanclean. Fluctuations in water temperature and productivity are suggested by quantitative changes of warm water, oligotrophic surficial taxa (Globigerinoides) versus intermediate water, eutrophic and phytoplankton grazers (N. acostaensis). A deepening of the basin during the MPl1 is suggested by the increasing diversity of benthic foraminifers and of deep bathyal ostracods. All palaeobiological data suggest open marine circulation patterns in this sector of the Northwestern Italy during the MPl1-MPl2 Early Pliocene zones. This palaeoenvironmental interpretation is corroborated by the very high P/(P+B) ratio, the presence of mesopelagic planktonic foraminifers as Sphaeroidinellopsis spp., common to frequent deep cosmopolitan benthic foraminifers (Cibicidoides pseudoungerianus, Sphaeroidina bulloides, Uvigerina peregrina etc.), common bathyal ostracods (Argilloecia acuminata, A. kissamovensis, O. mediterranea, Paijenborchella iocosa, P. dimorpha, Xestoleberis prognata etc.), the rare discoasterids and ceratholiths (Ceratholithus acutus, Amaurolithus primus, A. delicatus), typical tropical open marine taxa, usually very rare in the Mediterranean Zanclean.
- Sciuto F. (2009)
Bythocythere mylaensis n. sp. (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from the Early Pleistocene of Capo Milazzo (NE Sicily)
pp. 183-188
A new fossil species of Ostracoda of the genus Bythocythere Sars, 1866, Bythocythere mylaensis n. sp. is described. The specimens have been discovered in locality “Punta Messinese” (Cape Milazzo Peninsula, NE Sicily) in Early Pleistocene sandy-silty sediments (Globorotalia truncatulinoides excelsa Zone) cropping out in unconformity on Messinian limestones. Moreover, other fossil specimens coming from post glacial taphocoenoses off Santa Maria di Leuca (northern Ionian Sea) can be assigned to Bythocythere mylaensis n. sp.
- Rinaldi P.M. & Masini F. (2009)
New data on the taxonomy of the endemic Myomiminae (Gliridae, Rodentia) from the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene of Gargano (southern Italy) with the description of the new species Stertomys degiulii
pp. 189-233
The Late Miocene-Early Pliocene “Terre Rosse” vertebrate assemblages, found in the palaeokarst fissure fillings of the Apricena-Poggio Imperiale limestone quarries (North-Western side of the Gargano promontory, southern Italy), document a very long and complex history of endemic populations of a palaeoarchipelago. That history developed in at least four populating phases, which are characterised by changes in faunal diversity and include taxa with different degree of endemism. They have been subject of several studies since the beginning of the 1970s and deserve a particular attention for their evolutionary and palaeogeographical implications. The sampling of the “Terre Rosse” fissure fillings was carried on during successive field surveys from the Leiden Museum (1969-74) and from the Florence University (1980s). Until now, however, the two resulting collections have always been studied separately by different authors: this work is the first partial attempt to integrate the information derived from the two collections. A biochronological framework is proposed integrating the chronological succession of samples by Freudenthal in the scheme elaborated by De Giuli et al. However, some uncertainty remains in the details of the position of some fissure, in particular Rinascita 1. After the pioneering description of the gigantic dormouse Stertomys laticrestatus Daams & Freudenthal 1985, the interest in the systematic of the Neogene Gargano glirids renewed just in the very last years. Four species have been recently described: Stertomys daunius Freudenthal & Martín-Suárez 2006, Stertomys daamsi Freudenthal & Martín-Suárez 2006, Stertomys lyrifer Martín-Suárez & Freudenthal 2007, and Stertomys simplex Martín-Suárez & Freudenthal 2007. In the present work the description of Stertomys from eleven further fissure fillings, documenting most of the whole succession of endemic population phases, is presented and discussed. The samples, for a total amount of 1696 dental elements, have been described by basic statistical parameter of measurements and frequency distribution of Daams’ and Rinaldi’s morphotypes. Where necessary, the differences among samples have been statistically tested (t-test and chi-square test).
Seven taxa have been identified: S. daunius, S. laticrestatus, S. aff. laticrestatus, S. ex gr. daamsi, Stertomys degiulii nov. sp., S. cf. degiulii and S. aff. degiulii. In the fissure F15 S. ex gr. daamsi has the same size as S. daamsi from its type-locality Biancone 1, but a slightly more complex morphology in the upper molars. In Trefossi 1, F21b, Cantatore 3A and Fina D, S. ex gr. daamsi shows a rather similar morphology as in F15, but it is clearly smaller in size. S. degiulii, from F1, F9 (type-locality) and San Giovannino is distinctly smaller than S. gr. daamsi and presents a higher frequency of the connection of the trigon crests with the metaloph in the upper molars. S. aff. degiulii from F32 is slightly larger in size and shows a higher frequency of connection of the anterolophid with the protoconid in the lower molars. S. cf. degiulii from Pirro 11A is intermediate in morphology between S. degiulii and S. aff. degiulii. The results of the analysis of the Stertomys species occurring in each fissure filling confirm the outline of the proposed biochronological framework and permit some improvement of the definition of the populating phases of the Gargano palaeoisland. Besides, they confirm the presence of some problems in arranging the details of the fissure succession of the oldest phase. Such uncertainties are possibly due to the frequent faunal exchanges among the islands of the palaeoarchipelago and with the mainland during the time documented by this early phase. The results of the present contribution also suggest that an early radiation occurred in the palaeoarchipelago, producing at least five lineages. These lineages can be arranged in two main branches characterised by different size and morphology. Large-sized Stertomys species, although closely related, cannot be considered as belonging to the same phyletic lineage. Among the small-sized taxa, S. daamsi and S. degiulii might be arranged in a single phyletic lineage where a trend in reduction in size and an increase of the complexity of the pattern of connection among crests occur. S. simplex may be considered as a species with primitive morphology, very close to the ancestor of S. daamsi. Most of the evolutionary divergence is observed among the different lineages, while phyletic gradualistic changes are documented to a lesser extent.
- Dieni I. (2009)
Amphidonte (Amphidonte) pyrenaica (Leymerie, 1851) (Bivalvia, Ostreoidea) in the Maastrichtian of Sardinia
pp. 235-237
The finding of the oyster Amphidonte (A.) pyrenaica within a Lower Maastrichtian sandstone clast of the Lutetian Cuccuru ’e Flores Conglomerate in the territory of Oliena (eastern Sardinia) is recorded. This clast constitutes another example of Maastrichtian shallow water facies contrasting with the coeval in situ rocks of the nearby Lanaittu valley, represented by blackish hemipelagic marls with turbidites interbeds. This striking difference in lithology and facies between Maastrichtian clasts of the Cuccuru ’e Flores Conglomerate and nearby outcropping coeval formations suggests the existence in eastern Sardinia during Late Cretaceous times of a complex palaeogeography, possibly induced by significant synsedimentary tectonics.