Abstract

This complete list of publications of Professor RNDr. Zlatko Kvaček, DrSc. (1937 – 2020) is an addition and supplementary continuation of the memorial volumes of Fossil Imprint (2021/2 and 2022/1) devoted to his work and life. The present list is compiled from three published sources: (1) in Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae, Ser. B – Historia Naturalis in 2007 (Kvaček, J.: Bibliography of Prof. RNDr. Zlatko Kvaček, DrSc. – Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae, Ser. B – Historia Naturalis, 63(2-4): 75–83), (2) in Fossil Imprint in 2018 (Sakala, J.: Bibliography of Prof. RNDr. Zlatko Kvaček, DrSc. (2007 – 2017). – Fossil Imprint, 74(1-2): 4–7) and (3) in Fossil Imprint in 2020 (Sakala, J.: Bibliography of Prof. RNDr. Zlatko Kvaček, DrSc. (2017 – 2020). – Fossil Imprint, 76(2): viii).

Abstract

Angiosperm mesofossils are described from the Lower Cretaceous Almargem Formation exposed near the village of Catefica, Portugal, and are thought to be of Aptian-early Albian age. The mesofossil assemblage from Catefica is diverse and, in addition to the angiosperms described here, also contains a rich assemblage of non-angiosperm fossils, including leafy axes of bryophytes and lycopsids, lycopsid and salvinialean megaspores, and sporangia, sori and leaf fragments of ferns. There are also twigs, cones, cone scales, seeds and sporangia of several kinds of conifers. Other seed plants include 11 species of chlamydospermous seeds and vegetative axes related to the BEG group (Bennettiales-Erdtmanithecales-Gnetales). In terms of the number of plant fragments identified, angiosperms are most abundant in the Catefica assemblage and account for more than half of all specimens. Angiosperms also dominate in number of species, but because the non-angiosperm fossils have not been studied in detail the total number of species in the flora is not yet established. Sixty-seven species of angiosperms are recognized. Angiosperm diversity is mainly at the level of non-eudicots, including ANA-grade angiosperms, Chloranthaceae and magnoliids. Remains of chloranthoid angiosperms are especially common, both in the number of specimens and in number of species recognized. About 40 % of the specimens, and more than 25 % of the species are chloranthoids. Remains of magnoliid angiosperms (Magnoliales, Laurales, Canellales, Piperales) are also prominent among the angiosperms. Eudicots are subordinate: only 3–4 % of all angiosperm specimens can be assigned confidently to eudicot angiosperms. Five new genera and six new species of angiosperms are established (Canrightia foveolata sp. nov., Elasmostemon paisii gen. et sp. nov., Endressistemon cateficensis gen. et sp. nov., Ibericarpus cuneiformis gen. et sp. nov., Proencistemon portugallicus gen. et sp. nov., Valvidistemon globiferus gen. et sp. nov.). Several other new taxa are also described, but not formally named.

Key words

Almargem Formation, angiosperms, Early Cretaceous, fossil flowers, mesofossils, pollen, SRXTM, synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy

Abstract

Zamites pateri J.Kvaček is described as a new member of the Bennettitales from the Cenomanian of the Peruc-Korycany Formation, Bohemian Cretaceous Basin in the Czech Republic. It comes from fluvial sediments exposed in the Pecínov quarry. It is compared to Zamites bayeri J.Kvaček from the Peruc-Korycany Formation, from which it differs in having pinnae attached to the dorsal part of the rachis and in cuticular details, particularly in having costal zones narrower than intercostal zones, stomata orientated always perpendicularly to the leaf margins and a thinner adaxial cuticle. Epidermal characters, particularly sunken stomata and numerous papillae underpin the mesophytic/xerophytic nature of the plant fossil.

Key words

Bennettitales, Zamites, Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian

Abstract

New genus and species Taimyria triassica Naugolnykh et Mogutcheva gen. et sp. nov. of peltaspermalean affinity is described on the basis of material collected from the Keshinskian Formation (Induan stage, Lower Triassic), outcropped in the Tsvetkov Cape section (eastern part of the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia, Russia). This new plant is characterized by both macromorphological and some microstructural features. Taimyria triassica has long racemose aggregations (cones or megastrobili) consisting of an axis with peltate seed-bearing discs (which also can be interpreted as seed-bearing semi-closed capsules), with margins curved adaxially. The seed-bearing discs are round to ovoid, with short stalk connected at central area of the adaxial part, and attached to the cone axis nearly perpendicularly, in a dense spiral pattern. Six to eight seeds are concentrically displayed around the stalk on the adaxial surface of the discs. The seeds preserved in seed-bearing discs were extracted from macerated reproductive organs and described as well. The seeds are platyspermic, ovoid, narrower at their apical micropylar end orientated toward the disc stipe. Problems of systematics and general evolutionary trends of the order Peltaspermales are briefly discussed.

Key words

gymnosperms, peltasperms, Triassic, Siberia, new taxa, morphology, evolution

Abstract

Cuticular analysis has long been used by palaeobotanists for the identification of fossil leaves, and a variety of chemical procedures has been developed to extract and prepare fossil cuticles. However, even commonly used solutions may be too harsh for the preparation of extremely delicate cuticles. Here we offer a step-by-step protocol for the preparation of fragile conifer cuticles using sodium hypochlorite, otherwise known as household bleach. Conifer needles from the Miocene lignites of the Adendorf and Hambach open-mine pits in western Germany were prepared using a mild solution of this oxidizing agent. The cuticles had proven to be too fragile for most maceration chemicals, including Schulze’s reagent, which even disintegrated the cuticles that were given a protective coating. However, it was discovered that trimming the leaf margins and damaged areas prior to a short exposure to 5–10% sodium hypochlorite solution resulted in the good preparation of the cuticle. Furthermore, this modified method allowed for the preparation of large areas of leaf. While this procedure may not be suitable for all cuticles, it is offered here as an easy and gentle method for preparing extremely delicate conifer cuticles that are destroyed by other chemicals and protocols.

Key words

conifer cuticle, cuticle preparation, cuticular analysis, fossil cuticle, palaeobotanical method, sodium hypochlorite

Abstract

During field surveys between 2005 and 2011 in the Tugen Hills by the Franco-Kenyan Kenya Palaeontology Expedition, several hominid specimens were discovered in the Pliocene Mabaget Formation. One mandible fragment, three isolated teeth and a pedal phalanx collected from the Pelion Member (base of the formation aged 5.0–4.5 Ma) are compatible in dimensions with Orrorin tugenensis and Ardipithecus ramidus whilst a mandible from the Sinibo Member, a younger level in the formation (ca. 3.4–3.0 Ma) represents an appreciably larger species, as big as, or bigger than, Praeanthropus afarensis (ex-Australopithecus afarensis) from locality AL 333, Ethiopia. The small hominid mandible and an isolated p/3 were found in the type section of the Mabaget Formation at localities 2/211 and 2/210 respectively, in deposits aged ca. 5.0–4.5 Ma. An isolated upper milk molar, a lower third molar and a pedal phalanx are from Sagatia, near Rondinin, also aged between 5.0 and 4.5 Ma. The large mandible was collected at Sinibo, near Kipcherere, from sediments above the local occurrence of the Tulu Bor Tuff (= Sidi Hakoma Tuff) which is dated at 3.446 Ma. The aim of this paper is to describe and interpret these hominid fossils and to place them within their geological, stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental contexts.

Key words

Pliocene, East Africa, Kenya, Hominidae, dento-gnathic, phalanx

Abstract

Eleven late Bashkirian ammonoid taxa (Anthracoceratites sp., Cymoceras sp., Melvilloceras rotaii (Librovitch in Popov, 1979), Gastrioceras angustum Patteisky, 1964, G. lupinum Popov, 1979, G. kutejnikovense Popov, 1979, ?Agastrioceras sp., Bisatoceras sp., ?Owenoceras sp., Branneroceras sp. A, and Branneroceras sp. B), are described from the Mospyne Formation of the Donets Basin, eastern Ukraine. Representatives of the genera Cymoceras, Agastrioceras, Bisatoceras are first recorded from the Carboniferous of the Donets Basin. Early Westphalian (G2 ammonoid zone, Langsettian) ammonoids Gastrioceras listeri, G. angustum and Branneroceras spp. indicate the attribution of the Mospyne Formation to the Gastrioceras-Branneroceras Genozone.

Key words

ammonoids, Donets Basin, Ukraine, Mospyne Formation, late Bashkirian

Abstract

A new specimen of the fossil puffer fish Archaeotetraodon winterbottomi (Tetraodontidae) is described from the lower Oligocene deposits of the Sheshory locality, Ukraine. The specimen reveals a number of characters, some of which are diagnostic and others which were recognized herein for first time, such as the possession of a relatively narrow neurocranium in the supraorbital region, smooth frontals, eight abdominal and nine caudal vertebrae, and long and slender postcleithrum.

Key words

Teleostei, Tetraodontiformes, Tetraodontidae, Menilite Series, fossil fish

Abstract

New material of fish fossils from the west part of Most Basin is described here. Disarticulated and articulated fish remains were discovered in several layers in the Holešice and Libkovice members. Fossil fish occurrence, their taxonomic structure and taphonomy were evaluated in the context of the sediments. The data indicate that conditions in the lake, which formed when the coal swamp was flooded, were variable. Most of the time, the water was well oxygenated; occasionally the oxygen saturation was reduced to hypoxia and even anoxia. Conditions subsequently changed, and the lake became well oxygenated. Especially in the Libkovice Member, the fish-containing layers appear to be characterized by relatively quick sedimentation.

Key words

teleost fishes, stratigraphy, taphonomy, palaeoecology, lake system, Neogene, Early Miocene, Most Basin

Abstract

Baja California’s Coastal Landscapes Revealed: excursions in geologic time and climate change, by Markes E. Johnson, 2021, The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 264 pages. ISBN-13: 9780816542529 (paperback).