Sicana

Abstract: Results of high-resolution integrated stratigraphic studies (calcareous plankton and magnetostratigraphy) of three Medi- terranean sections (La Vedova in Central Italy, Contrada Pesciarello in Sicily and St. Peter's Pool in Malta) and one deep-sea core from the mid-latitude North Atlantic (DSDP Hole 608) are here synthesized. They are compared with those of previously studied deep ma- rine sections in the Mediterranean including the historical stratotype, with the aim to select the most suitable section and criterion to de- fine the Langhian GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point). This study significantly improves the existing magnetobiostratigraphic framework for the upper Burdigalian-lower Langhian and opens new perspectives for defining the Langhian GSSP. An extensive review of the first stages of the Globigerinoides-Praeorbulina evolutionary lineage pointed out that the Prae- orbulina datum, historically used (and/or suggested) to approximate the base of the Langhian, coincides with the First Occurrence (FO) of P. glomerosa curva instead of P. sicana which is here included in the genus Globigerinoides. The FO of P. glomerosa curva occurs close to the C5Br/C5Bn.2n reversal boundary. As a consequence, the two recommended guiding criteria to recognize the base of the Langhian, i.e. the Praeorbulina datum and the top of Chron C5Cn.1n, can not be applied together, as these two events differ in age by ~740 kyr. The selection of either of these two criteria will imply a different duration for the Langhian: relatively short, in case the FO of P. glomerosa curva is selected, or longer and probably more acceptable, in case the top of Chron C5Cn.1n is selected. The primary calcareous plankton biohorizons which, according to our data, appoximate the top of Chron C5Cn.1n, are the Last Common Occurrence (LCO) of the calcareous nannofossil Helicosphaera ampliaperta and the LCO of the planktonic foraminifer Paragloborotalia bella. Other calcareous plankton events have been recorded close to the same magnetic reversal, such as a short influx of H. ampliaperta (Ia1) and the Paragloborotalia siakensis Acme0. The P. siakensis Acmea End (AaE) and the Sphenolithus hetero- morphus Paracme End (PE) represent the primary plankton biohorizons associated with the P. glomerosa curva FO. Two of the three studied Mediterranean sections (La Vedova and St. Peter's Pool), each from different point of view, are potentially suitable to be proposed as candidates for the definition of the Langhian GSSP. Yet, further studies on stable isotope stratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy, including astronomical tuning are necessary before the most suitable section and guiding criterion can be selected.

Abstract: The Old World genus Trichosanthes has flowers with strikingly fringed petals, and Linnaeus therefore placed a species from Hispaniola that he only knew from an illustration (showing such fringed petals) in that genus. The species remained hidden from the attention of subsequent workers until acquiring new relevance in the context of molecular-biogeographic work on Cucurbitaceae. Based on molecular data, it is the sister to all Sicyeae, a New World clade of about 125 species in 16 genera. We here place this species in a new genus, Linnaeosicyos, describe and illustrate it, and discuss its phylogenetic context using molecular and morphological data. Judging from Dominican amber, elements of the flora of Hispaniola date back 15–20 my, and the occurrence on the island of at least five endemic species of Cucurbitaceae (Linnaeosicyos amara, Melothria domingensis, Sicana fragrans, and the sister species Anacaona sphaerica and Penelopeia suburceolata) points to its long occupation by Cucurbitaceae.

Abstract: The succession of bioevents in planktonic foraminifer and calcareous nannoplankton communities is reviewed and summarized for the Carpathian Foredeep and northern Pannonian Basin in the time interval between ~16 and 13.5 Ma. This succession can be subdivided into three principal intervals: (1) an interval with rare Praeorbulina sicana and P. glomerosa . It was characterized by a limited immigration of index taxa linked to the lack of a warm surface water layer in the Central Paratethys. This interval can be correlated with the first Badenian transgression near the Burdigalian/Langhian boundary. The rare occurrence of biostratigraphical markers does not allow its precise dating and interregional correlation; (2) a brief interval of the first occurrences of Praeorbulina circularis , Orbulina suturalis and Helicosphaera waltrans . This can be related to the formation of a warm surface water layer suitable for the survival of orbulinas and praeorbulinas and a change from estuarine to anti-estuarine circulation. This interval can be correlated with the second Badenian transgression, which, however, was not isochronous over the area as inferred from different successions of these first occurrences; (3) a limited appearance of new index taxa in the Central Paratethys prior to the Wielician Salinity Crisis. This time interval was characterized by increased seasonality and salinity oscillations followed by climate cooling. A “reverse” migration of the stress-tolerant species Helicosphaera walbersdorfensis from the Central Paratethys to the Mediterranean is suggested. Several local bioevents with limited stratigraphic correlation potential have been recognized in this interval.