Microfauna

SUMMARY: Chapter 7, in Renfrew & Bahn's textbook (Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice), covers how to assess past subsistence and diet, including plant food (e.g., macro- and microbotanical remains; plant residues; seasonality; domestication), animal resources (e.g., macro-faunal remains; age, sex, and seasonality; domestication; small fauna; types of exploitation), and assessing diet from human remains (e.g., stomach contents; feces; teeth; isotopic methods; bone collagen).  A small case study is placed at the end of this ppt. lecture, emphasizing some aspects of subsistence.  In my view, this is one of the best college textbooks available, and is invaluable for students, archaeologists, and the public in general, to obtain a top notch overview of approaching and interpreting the archaeological record. UPDATED May 2023.

SUMMARY: Chapter 6, in Renfrew & Bahn's textbook (Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice), covers past environments, including looking at past global environment (e.g., winds; coastlines), past landscapes (e.g., glaciers; rivers; buried/submerged landscapes), past plant environments, past animal environments, and past human environments.  In my view, this is one of the best college textbooks available, and is invaluable for students, archaeologists, and the public in general, to obtain a top notch overview of approaching and interpreting the archaeological record. REVISED: May 2023.

The effect of a topoclimatic gradient on soil nematode communities was investigated in the Israeli Judean Desert. Four locations along a 35 km gradient, from an elevation of 650 m above sea level with 620 mm rainfall to a –60 m relative to sea level with a rainfall below 110 m, were studied: Givat Yearim, Maale Adumim, Mishor Adumim and Kalia. Monthly soil samples were collected between January 1994 and December 1995. Thirteen nematode families and 17 genera were observed. Cephalobus, Heterocephalobus, Aphelenchoides, Tylenchus, Dorylaimus and Eudorylaimus were found to be the dominant genera. Ecological measurements of soil nematode community structure, diversity, and maturity indices were assessed, and comparisons between four locations and four seasons were made. Significant differences in the total numbers of nematodes were found between the locations (p < 0.01) and seasons (p < 0.05), where Givat Yearim > Maale Adumim > Mishor Adumim > Kalia, winter > spring > autumn > summer. Bacterivores were found to be the most abundant trophic group across locations and seasons, with a mean relative abundance of 55.0%. The densities of bacterivores, plant parasites and omnivores-predators during the winter season exhibited similar trends at all four locations, with Givat Yearim > Maale Adumim > Mishor Adumim > Kalia. None of the ecological indices were significantly different between locations. However, the maturity index (MI), trophic diversity (TD) and Simpson diversity (SI) exhibited significant differences between seasons.

Subsequent to the initial description of two Aethomys species (Aethomys adamanticola and Aethomys modernis) at the Early Pliocene site of Langebaanweg (LBW), an increase in sample size led to the secure identification of a third, as yet, undescribed species. In addition to this new species, three morphs of existing species, or possibly three new species, were also recognized. Geometric morphometrics was used to explore the relationship of fossil species and morphs with extant Aethomys species, and to assess the intra and inter-specific variation in the size and shape of modern, as well as the LBW, Aethomys specimens. Geometric morphometrics indicates a marked similarity in the upper first molar (M 1 ) shape between all the analyzed species, extant and extinct, and suggests the persistence, over a significant period of time, of a prototype Aethomys M 1 shape. The relative warp analyses indicate some overlap in shape between the two modern species, Aethomys chrysophilus and Aethomys namaquensis, as well as some interspecific variation. These two species differ significantly from one another in terms of size. Variability in terms of size and to a minor extent, shape, was also evident in the fossil Aethomys, and it was concluded that the various fossil morphs investigated did not represent new species, or intra-specific sexual dimorphism, but rather, intra-specific variability in size and shape. Interestingly, the newly-identified LBW Aethomys species, which is similar in appearance to the extant east African Aethomys kaiseri, also showed a similarity in shape and size to A. adamanticola. These results indicate that geometric morphometrics has limitations when differentiating between morphologically similar species. The presence of Aethomys in Namibia at around 10.5 to 9.5 Ma, the degree of speciation of Aethomys at LBW, and the similarity of the LBW fossil species to the modern ones (including an East African species), provides good evidence for a southern African origin for modern Aethomys.

Predatory nematodes feed on soil microorganisms including plant parasitic nematodes. They reduce populations of plant parasitic nematodes in virtually all soils because of their constant association with plant parasitic nematodes in the rhizosphere, and also release nutrients in plant-available forms, which may enable plants to better withstand nematode burden on their roots. Predation by nematodes of the orders Mononchida, Diplogasterida, Dorylaimida and Aphelenchida, has been studied but the data available in field/natural conditions are insufficient to conclude whether they are effective biocontrol agents of plant parasitic nematodes. However, among the different types of predators, diplogasterids are the most suited for biocontrol of nematodes, because of their short life cycles, easy culture, prey-specificity, chemotaxis sense and resistance to adverse conditions. This article summarizes progress to date and suggests ways to encourage the use of predatory nematodes as biocontrol agents in the management of plant parasitic nematodes. #

The moment the soil enters into contact with an earthworm, both superficially and intemally, physicochemical and biological changes take place. The drilosphere represents the whole soil volume under earthworm influence. Thus it includes the body surfaces, the gut and all the internal features of the worm that are in contact with the ingested soil, as well as the external structures (casts, burrows, middens) created by earthworm activities. The extent of the drilosphere and its particular characteristics depend on the species and ecological categories of the earthworm community present as well as the spatial and temporal scale of interest. Spatially, the drilosphere can interact with other soil functional domains and lead to significant changes in the litter system or detritusphere (generally decreasing litter stocks) and the rhizosphere (affecting both root biomass and density), the two main sources of organic matter (OM) additions to the soil, as well as in the aggregatusphere and the porosphere. Drilosphere effects on microbial activity and OM decomposition can be completely different (and opposite) depending on the spatio-temporal scale of observation. At the level of the gut, microbial activity is dramatically stimulated in a matter of a few hours via a mutualistic digestion system. In this process, water and soluble-C in the form of intestinal mucus (the Kiss) produced by the earthworm (Prince Charming) awakens the dormant microflora (Sleeping Beauties), thereby increasing decomposition of the stable forms of soil OM ingested. During gut passage populations of other organisms (e.g. protozoa, nematodes, fungi) may decline with digestion, although these organisms probably form a minor component of the earthworm's energy needs. In the casts and on the burrow walls, the abundant nutrient resources for soil microflora continue the priming effect of the gut, increasing over a short time period mineralization rates and plant nutrient bio-availability. However as castings, particularly of the 'compacting group', and burrow walls begin to dry and stabilize with age (days to weeks), OM decomposition, nutrient mineralization and microbial activity decrease, often reaching levels lower than uningested soil due to 'protection'. Finally at the scale of years to decades and soil profile, it,appears that the drilosphere can exert an important regulation on OM incorporation and tumover rates, and soil C stocks. O 2000 Editions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS I ~~~~~~~~~~

Those features of the biology of terrestrial isopods which make them appropriate organisms for assessing sustainability are described. They are very widespread, easily identified and form a dominant component of the soil arthropod macrodecomposer community in many temperate habitats, reaching densities of up to 3000 m −2 in calcareous grasslands. They feed on dead organic material and are key system regulators of the ecosystem functions of decomposition and nutrient recycling. They can be sampled readily by hand, pitfall trapping or extracted from soil by heat and light. They are sensitive to pesticide applications, marked differences in density being found between conventional and organic cultivation regimes. Isopod biomass is higher under no-tillage or minimum tillage regimes which leave crop residues near the soil surface. Isopods tolerate some heavy metals by accumulating them in vesicles in the hepatopancreas. They are thus, potentially useful for monitoring bio-accumulation of such contaminants and can serve as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. (M.G. Paoletti) 0167-8809/99/$ -see front matter ©1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 1 6 7 -8 8 0 9 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 0 3 5 -3

Those features of the biology of terrestrial isopods which make them appropriate organisms for assessing sustainability are described. They are very widespread, easily identified and form a dominant component of the soil arthropod macrodecomposer community in many temperate habitats, reaching densities of up to 3000 m −2 in calcareous grasslands. They feed on dead organic material and are key system regulators of the ecosystem functions of decomposition and nutrient recycling. They can be sampled readily by hand, pitfall trapping or extracted from soil by heat and light. They are sensitive to pesticide applications, marked differences in density being found between conventional and organic cultivation regimes. Isopod biomass is higher under no-tillage or minimum tillage regimes which leave crop residues near the soil surface. Isopods tolerate some heavy metals by accumulating them in vesicles in the hepatopancreas. They are thus, potentially useful for monitoring bio-accumulation of such contaminants and can serve as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution. (M.G. Paoletti) 0167-8809/99/$ -see front matter ©1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S 0 1 6 7 -8 8 0 9 ( 9 9 ) 0 0 0 3 5 -3

The discovery of an engraving in Cathole Cave in 2010 led to a decision to grille the cave. In 2012 excavations took place in the cave ahead of the grilling. Two areas of the cave were excavated; Trench A demonstrating that the cave held a faunal occupation dating to MIS 3, at a time, or times, between 50,000 and 30,000 BP. Two flint blades of Upper Palaeolithic appearance were discovered along with a faunal assemblage from within the shallow deposits across the line of the grille. The work demonstrated that the earlier excavations in the cave by Col. E.R. Wood were extensive and at this point in the cave he excavated to bedrock. The standing section (Trench B) which he left exposed further along the main cave passage was also cleaned, recorded and sampled. The deposits contain a faunal assemblage dominated by microfauna, but no cultural artefacts were found. The dating of key animal bones, the analysis of the microfauna and the sedimentological analysis have together enabled a picture to be developed of the changes in this section from the mid-Devensian to Late Glacial and Holocene.

Subsequent to the initial description of two Aethomys species (Aethomys adamanticola and Aethomys modernis) at the Early Pliocene site of Langebaanweg (LBW), an increase in sample size led to the secure identification of a third, as yet, undescribed species. In addition to this new species, three morphs of existing species, or possibly three new species, were also recognized. Geometric morphometrics was used to explore the relationship of fossil species and morphs with extant Aethomys species, and to assess the intra and inter-specific variation in the size and shape of modern, as well as the LBW, Aethomys specimens. Geometric morphometrics indicates a marked similarity in the upper first molar (M1) shape between all the analyzed species, extant and extinct, and suggests the persistence, over a significant period of time, of a prototype Aethomys M1 shape. The relative warp analyses indicate some overlap in shape between the two modern species, Aethomys chrysophilus and Aethomys namaquensis, as well as some interspecific variation. These two species differ significantly from one another in terms of size. Variability in terms of size and to a minor extent, shape, was also evident in the fossil Aethomys, and it was concluded that the various fossil morphs investigated did not represent new species, or intra-specific sexual dimorphism, but rather, intra-specific variability in size and shape. Interestingly, the newly-identified LBW Aethomys species, which is similar in appearance to the extant east African Aethomys kaiseri, also showed a similarity in shape and size to A. adamanticola. These results indicate that geometric morphometrics has limitations when differentiating between morphologically similar species. The presence of Aethomys in Namibia at around 10.5 to 9.5 Ma, the degree of speciation of Aethomys at LBW, and the similarity of the LBW fossil species to the modern ones (including an East African species), provides good evidence for a southern African origin for modern Aethomys.

The soil biota consist of a large number and range of micro-and macro-organisms and are the living part of soils. They interact with each other and with plants, directly providing nutrition and other benefits. They regulate their own populations as well as those of incoming microorganisms by biological control mechanisms. Microorganisms are responsible for organic matter decomposition and for the transformations of organically bound nitrogen and minerals to forms that are available to plants. Their physical structure and products contribute significantly to soil structure.

The quality of plant material affects the vigor of the decomposition process and composition of the decomposer biota. Root residues from hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), rye (Secale cereale L.) and vetchCrye, packed in litterbags were placed in pots of soil at 15 C and the content of the bags was analyzed after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Bacterial biomass did not differ between residues with contrasting composition. Among bacterivores groups of nematodes that require high bacterial production dominated in fast decomposing resources whereas flagellates with smaller requirements prevail in slower decomposing resources. Biomass of bacterial feeding nematodes correlated positively with early phase (0-2 wk) decomposition that increased in the order: rye! vetchCrye!vetch. Bacterial biomass therefore seems to be under topdown (predation) control during early decomposition. In contrast, the fungal biomass differed between resources with highest values for rye. Moreover, this increase in fungal biomass occurred later during succession and was correlated with decomposition activity for rye in that period. Fungal biomass therefore seems to be under bottom-up (resource) control. The composition of the nematode assemblages (composed of 25 taxa) showed a clear relationship to initial plant resource quality as well as decomposition phase. Early successional microbivorous nematodes vary according to resource quality with demanding bacterivoresCpredators (Neodiplogasteridae) dominating in vetch and less demanding bacterivores (Rhabditidae) and fungivores (Aphelenchus) being equally common in vetch and rye. Later in the succession (2-4 wk) bacterivorous Cephalobidae and fungivorous Aphelenchoides prevailed similarly on the different root materials whereas bacterivorous protozoa and the amoebal fraction thereof dominated in rye. At week 12 no species dominated the nematode assemblages that were similar between the resources. The differences between nematode assemblages among plant resources at 2 week were similar to the results of a field study sampled after 6 weeks with the same soil and plant resources. This lends support to the relevance of the successional patterns observed in this incubation study. q

Cova Eiros is emerging as a reference site in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula for the study of the development of the last Neanderthal populations and the first populations of Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) in MIS 3. Cova Eir os is an archaeological site (with Middle and Upper Palaeolithic levels) located in Cancelo, Triacastela (Lugo, northwestern Iberian Peninsula), which has been systematically excavated from 2008 onwards. The small-vertebrate assemblage analysed came from the archaeo-palaeontological field seasons that took place from 2009 to 2014. At least 18 small-vertebrate taxa have been identified: 1 frog (Rana temporaria), 1 snake (Vipera sp.), 4 insectivores (Sorex minutus, Sorex sp., Talpa cf. occidentalis and Erinaceus europaeus), 4 chiropters (Myotis myotis/blythii, cf. Miniopterus sp., Myotis sp. and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and 8 rodents (Apodemus sylvaticus, Arvicola amphibius, Arvicola sapidus, Chionomys nivalis, Microtus (Terricola) lusitanicus, Microtus ag...

The sequence from Abric Romaní has provided several palaeoecological studies. This paper presents a synthesis of the results yielded by palynology, including the data from the entire non-excavated deposits, and the data obtained through the study of large mammals, micromammals, herpetofauna, and anthracology from the excavated layers. The palaeobotanical studies show that the sequence is mainly related to pine forests, and near or within these dominant forests there were smaller plant formations and/or secondary species with a Mediterranean and/or Atlantic character. Nevertheless, continuous forest did not dominate the entire region. The fauna occupying the territory indicate open spaces in which seasonal grasslands proliferated, dry assemblages in sunny areas and humid ones in mountain shadows. The non-excavated archaeological layers correspond to MIS 4, initially characterized by temperate and humid conditions, and thereafter cool and humid until HS 6 and MIS 3. Afterwards, at the beginning of the MIS 3, the DansgaardeOeschger cycles, w1500 yr rapid and abrupt climatic changes, occurred during the deposition of the archaeological levels O, N, M, L, K and J. Later, these events were interrupted by a cold and dry phase, between ca 49 and 47 ka BP, which affected levels Ja, I and H, culminating with HS 5. Finally, this cold episode was followed by the Hengelo interstadial or DO 12, characterized by a temperate and humid climate identified in levels E and D.

The Swabian Jura is one of the most important regions documenting the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Central Europe. The early arrival of anatomically modern humans, coupled with the enigmatic and ephemeral occupation of many cave sites in the region by Neanderthal populations has inspired over 100 years of archaeological investigation. Understanding the climatic context of the final Neanderthal occupation of the Swabian river valleys, which include the Ach, Lone, and Lauchert Valleys, is important to furthering our knowledge of Neanderthal lifeways and adaptations to the changing OIS 3 landscape. This paper summarizes the most recent paleoecological research undertaken in the Ach Valley, with particular emphasis on the small mammal (rodent, insectivore, and bat) record of Hohle Fels and Geißenklösterle caves. A broad picture of the shifts in the landscape composition and climate during the final Middle Paleolithic and earliest Aurignacian periods is presented and contextualized within other terrestrial paleoenvironmental archives of Central and Southern Europe. The applicability of climatically driven hypotheses for the loss of Neanderthal groups in the Ach Valley are tested in light of this new paleoecological record and climatic change is shown to have played a minimal role in this regional extinction event. Instead, a multi-faceted explanatory model is presented taking into account documented low genetic diversity within Neanderthal groups, evidence for increasing niche fragmentation, and the low group sizes and high mobility suggested by the Swabian Middle Paleolithic record.

Despite several studies have focused on the past bio-sedimentary response of the Mediterranean coastal areas to ancient seaport activities, only few geoarchaeological and palaeoecological data are available on strictly lacustrine harbours, to date. At the archaeological site of Magdala/Taricheae (Sea of Galilee, north Israel), an interdisciplinary study, combining ostracod fauna composition and shell chemistry with sedimentology, geochemistry of sediments and archaeological data, was undertaken on the sedimentary succession buried beneath the Roman harbour structures in correspondence of two key-sections. This approach provided detailed information about past environmental changes, otherwise not visible, into a high-resolution pottery-based chronological framework at the transition from a natural (pre-harbour) to anthropogenically influenced (harbour) lacustrine depositional setting.

The deep ocean provides a habitat for several large testate protistan taxa, e.g., xenophyophores and komokiaceans. However, testate amoebae (orders Lobosea and Filosea) have never been reliably reported from below 270 m depth. Here we describe large spherical protists, up to almost 40 mm diameter, recovered in box core, multicore, and epibenthic sledge samples taken on the continental slope o! Oman (NW Arabian Sea) during RRS Discovery Cruise 211. Specimens consist of an organic envelope, with numerous tiny apertures, enclosing a mass of "ne waste pellets (stercomata). On the basis of its wall ultrastructure (revealed by high-voltage transmission electron microscopy), this organism is identi"ed as a member of the "losean genus Gromia. It is described herein as Gromia sphaerica sp. nov. The wall is layered and includes the &honeycomb membrane', a structure that is unique to this genus. The new species is the "rst gromiid to be reported from the deep sea. It lives between about 1200 and 1630 m below the main oxygen minimum zone, in an area where bottom-water oxygen concentrations are around 0.47 ml l\. The new gromiid species is clearly visible in bottom photographs taken at 1273 m (2.7 individuals m\), 1318 m (2.7 indiv. m\), 1624 m (17.3 indiv. m\) and 1633 m (76.5 indiv. m\). They lie partly embedded in the sea#oor and are sometimes grouped in twos and threes. Specimens are typically surrounded by an apron of lighter-coloured sediment, possibly resulting from their feeding activities. Where they lie in very close proximity, the apron around one specimen typically obscures adjacent tests.

The effect of inflow of 30 t mazut in Sofia Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) " Kubratovo " on structural and functional parameters of activated sludge was investigated in this paper. Sludge volume index and filamentous index were analyzed in parallel with microscopic examination of activated sludge (AS) with a goal to ascertain eventual deformations in its structure. The metabolic activity of the biological system was investigated by measurement of the total aerobic dehydrogenase activity. The samples were taken from the aeration zone in biobasin. The obtained data show that the activated sludge structure was deformed. A bulking activated sludge was ascertained because the sludge volume index was higher than 150 ml/g. The filamentous index was over 1.10 7 µm/mg, which was an indicator for a filamentous bulking. The used correlation analysis and the obtained correlation coefficients among these two indexes and the key chemical indicators (BOD 5 /COD and hydrocarbon index of petroleum products) showed that the structural deformations are due to the concentration of toxic pollutant and in less degree to the lower percentage of biodegradable organics. The initial effect of mazut on activated sludge structure was also related with disappearance of rotifers and nematodes. The total density of organisms from micro-and metafauna was 2,86.10 6 ind./l on the 6 th day after mazut inflow and it increased to 8,77.10 6 ind./l during the next studied period (from the 12 th to the 25 th day after the shock load with mazut). Also, appearance of rotifers and nematodes during this period clearly showed the improvement of the conditions in the aeration tank and decrease of negative effect on the activated sludge. The aerobic dehydrogenase activity was two times lower on the 6 th day after shock load with mazut (0,75.10-4 μMH + /min.mgPr) in comparison to data before risk event (control situation: 1,34.10-4 μMH + /min.mgPr) which was an indicator for inhibition of activated sludge on a functional level. Although the registered deformations, a full recovery of aerobic dehydrogenase activity (2,16.10-4 μMH + /min.mgPr) was established during the period from the 12 th to the 25 th day after shock load with mazut.

Woody plant encroachment is an important land cover change in dryland ecosystems throughout the world, and frequently alters above and belowground primary productivity, hydrology, and soil microbial biomass and activity. However, there is little known regarding the impact of this geographically widespread vegetation change on the biodiversity and trophic structure of soil fauna. Nematodes represent a major component of the soil microfauna whose community composition and trophic structure could be strongly influenced by the changes in ecosystem structure and function that accompany woody encroachment. Our purpose was to characterize nematode community composition and trophic structure along a grassland to woodland chronosequence in the Rio Grande Plains of southern Texas. Research was conducted at the La Copita Research Area where woody encroachment has been documented previously. Soil cores (0-10 cm) were collected in fall 2006 and spring 2007 from remnant grasslands and woody plant stands ranging in age from 15 to 86 years, and nematodes were extracted by sugar centrifugation. Neither nematode densities (3200-13,800 individuals kg À1 soil) nor family richness (15-19 families 100 g À1 soil) were altered by woody encroachment. However, family evenness decreased dramatically in woody stands >30 years old. This change in evenness corresponded to modifications in the trophic structure of nematode communities following grassland to woodland conversion. Although root biomass was 2-5Â greater in wooded areas, root-parasitic nematodes decreased from 40% of all nematodes in grasslands to <10% in the older wooded areas, suggesting the quality (C:N or biochemical defenses) of woody plant root tissue could be limiting root-parasites. In contrast, bacterivores increased from 30% of nematodes in grasslands to 70-80% in older woody patches. This large increase in bacterivores may be a response to the 1.5-2.5Â increase in soil microbial biomass (bacteria þ fungi) following woody encroachment. Therefore, while energy flow through grassland nematode communities appears to be distributed nearly equally among herbivory, fungivory and bacterivory, the energy flow through nematode communities in wooded areas appears to be based primarily on bacterivory. We speculate that these shifts in nematode community composition and trophic structure could have important implications for ecosystem patterns and processes. First, the low abundance of root-parasitic nematodes (and presumably root herbivory) under woody plants may be one mechanism by which woody plants are able to establish and compete effectively with grasses during succession from grassland to woodland. Second, the large increase in bacterivores following woody encroachment likely accelerates microbial turnover and the mineralization of N, thereby providing a feedback that enables the persistence of N-rich woody plant communities.

Based on detailed geological and geomorphological mapping, sampling and micro-palaeontological determinations, both of the alpine and neogene formations, new data have been derived for Spetses Island (SW Aegean). The applied methodology provided results on the paleogeographic evolution for Spetses Island and the nearby land of Argolida peninsula as well. Based mainly on characteristic nannofossils, a Miocene age of the post-alpine formations is determined. It is the first time that miocene formations have been identified, not only in Spetses Island and Argolida, but in the whole area of Peloponnesus, where only Plio-pleistocene deposits have been described. This work also leads to the conclusion that Spetses Island is attached to the Argolida peninsula, forming an independent paleogeographic unit since Upper Miocene.

The site of Wadi Zarqa Maʿin 1 (WZM-1), in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, was test excavated beneath a large fissure that is a frequent roost for barn owls (Tyto alba). The site is located approximately 730 m above mean sea level, and 10 km south-southwest of Madaba, Jordan. This large limestone sinkhole is a natural faunal trap and roosting site for multiple species of raptor, accumulating significant faunal remains from their prey within its deposits. The mammalian taxa Suncus etruscus, Crocidura suaveolens, Spalax leucodon, Cricetulus migratorius, Gerbillus dasyurus, Meriones tristrami, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Acomys cahirinus, Allactaga euphratica, Microtus guentheri, Otonycteris hemprichii, and Hemiechinus auritus were identified, with a total MNI of n = 1,713 from a maxilla and mandible NISP of n = 5,465. Mollusk, bird, reptile, amphibian, and scorpion remains were also collected and are under analysis. This site was investigated as part of a larger regional palaeoecological project. WZM-1 has the potential to be a significant source of faunal, sedimentary, palynological, and macrobotanical data regarding climate change in Jordan, with deposits that may span the entire history of domestication in the Near East and extend well into the Pleistocene.

Hadži Prodanova Cave in western Serbia is a multilayered site which, in addition to Palaeolithic tools, has yielded a relatively rich fauna of small and large vertebrates. In this paper the rodent fauna from this site is described. In total, 13 species of rodents have been found: This fauna has a mixed character and includes species of both open and forest habitats, the former being more numerous. According to its overall composition, it is tentatively ascribed to a relatively mild and wet period of the Last Glacial, probably MIS 3.

Preliminary results of the investigation of the microfauna at the Acheulo-Yabrudian Middle Pleistocene site of Qesem Cave, Israel, are presented. Thus far the assemblage includes ca. 10,000 bone and tooth fragments, of which 50% could be identified to the generic and some hundreds to the species level. Based on the current material, the fauna includes the following squamate reptiles: Laudakia sp., Chamaeleo sp., Gekkonidae indet., Lacertidae indet., Scincidae indet., Pseudopus sp., Varanus sp., Colubroidea indet. (at least three species) and micromammals: Suncus etruscus, Crocidura cf. leucodon, Crocidurinae indet. (large form), Chiroptera indet., Sciurus cf. anomalus, Cricetulus cf. migratorius, Microtus guentheri, Nannospalax ehrenbergi, Dipodillus cf. dasyurus, Meriones cf. tristrami, Gerbillidae indet., Mus cf. musculus, Apodemus cf. flavicollis. These results suggest that the fauna includes only taxa that occur recently in the territory of Israel. The ecological preferences of the nearest living relatives of the recorded taxa allow us to infer a paleoenvironment with a mosaic of open and woodland habitats. However, comparing the lower with the upper levels of the microfauna-bearing profile, a slight shift towards more wooded conditions might be detectable. Biostratigraphical inferences from the recorded micromammal taxa cover a rather wide age range, whereas the radiometric (U-series and preliminary TL) dating enable a provisionally estimated date for the microfauna-bearing levels at 360-300 ka. Detailed morphometric comparisons with material from other sites in the region are necessary and may yet provide further insights.

Following the creation of new land surfaces, there is an initial build-up phase of ecosystem development, but after a prolonged absence of major disturbance a retrogressive (decline) phase often follows due to reduced nutrient availability over time. Although many studies have considered how the soil community changes during the build-up phase, the response of this community to the retrogressive phase is poorly known. We measured litter and soil communities of microfauna and macrofauna along the Franz Josef Glacier chronosequence in New Zealand that spans ca. 120,000 years, and includes well-established build-up and retrogressive stages. We aimed to assess whether the abundances, community structure and diversity of these groups show the same pattern across the sequence as that for vegetation. With regard to microfaunal abundances, litter-dwelling microbe-feeding nematodes were most abundant in the first stage of the chronosequence, but several other groups of microfauna in both the...

Rumen contents obtained from 28 domesticated cattle (Bos taurus L.) slaughtered at abatoirs near Izmir, Turkey were surveyed for ciliate protozoa. Protozoa are known to make an appreciable contribution to ruminal fiber digestion in many different geographical areas; however, little if any information is available on their occurrence in Turkish cattle. As a result of our survey, 13 genera including 52 species were identified. Nine of the species were further divided into 36 forma. The average ciliate density in our cattle (52.44 ϫ 10 4 /ml) was higher than that of Turkish domestic sheep and other domestic cattle reported previously from different geographical areas. Entodinium basoglui, Entodinium williamsi f. williamsi, E. williamsi f. turcicum, E. dalli f. rudidorsospinatum, Entodinium imai, Entodinium oektemae, Eudiplodinium dehorityi, Epidinium graini, Ophryoscolex purkynjei f. bifidobicinctus, and Ophryoscolex purkynjei f. bifidoquadricinctus have previously been reported from Turkey and appear to be endemic. All of the remaining species represent a new host record for domestic Turkish cattle. This study also reports for the second time the presence of Entodinium constrictum in herbivorous mammals, and is the first record of its occurrence in domesticated cattle.

The variety and abundance of organism sizes in a community allows valuable conclusions to be drawn concerning trophic transfer efficiency, process rate dynamics, and ecological stability. Body size spectrum analyses have been applied to great effect in aquatic systems, but have only relatively recently gained interest for the description of soil communities. This approach should be added to existing sorting protocols and adopted as a standard tool of soil fauna analysis because of its ease of use, universal applicability regardless of taxonomy, and value as a predictor of both soil fauna function and response. This paper reviews the available methods for calculating soil fauna mass, constructing of body size spectra, and relating these spectra to existing fauna analysis frameworks such as the nematode maturity index. We also detail several of the functional conclusions that can be drawn from shifts in body size spectra and how this methodology can be further improved to supplement existing soil ecology methods.

agronomie (1 995) i 5,581 -591 O Elsevier/lNRA / A 581 Pathologie vegetale/zoologie Influence des facteurs telluriques abiotiques et de la plante hôte sur l'infection des nematodes p h y t o pa ras it es d u g en re Meloidogyne par I'actinomycete parasitoïde Pasfeuria penefrans (Reçu le 12 mai 1995 ; accept6 le 13 novembre 1995)

The sequence from Abric Romaní has provided several palaeoecological studies. This paper presents a synthesis of the results yielded by palynology, including the data from the entire non-excavated deposits, and the data obtained through the study of large mammals, micromammals, herpetofauna, and anthracology from the excavated layers. The palaeobotanical studies show that the sequence is mainly related to pine forests, and near or within these dominant forests there were smaller plant formations and/or secondary species with a Mediterranean and/or Atlantic character. Nevertheless, continuous forest did not dominate the entire region. The fauna occupying the territory indicate open spaces in which seasonal grasslands proliferated, dry assemblages in sunny areas and humid ones in mountain shadows. The non-excavated archaeological layers correspond to MIS 4, initially characterized by temperate and humid conditions, and thereafter cool and humid until HS 6 and MIS 3. Afterwards, at the beginning of the MIS 3, the DansgaardeOeschger cycles, w1500 yr rapid and abrupt climatic changes, occurred during the deposition of the archaeological levels O, N, M, L, K and J. Later, these events were interrupted by a cold and dry phase, between ca 49 and 47 ka BP, which affected levels Ja, I and H, culminating with HS 5. Finally, this cold episode was followed by the Hengelo interstadial or DO 12, characterized by a temperate and humid climate identified in levels E and D.

We examined the effects of 12 different plant species on soil nematode abundance and community composition, and rotifer abundance, in an experimental grassland in Northern Sweden. Monocultures were grown for six or seven growing seasons before sampling. Four monocultures were grasses, four were legumes and four were non-leguminous forbs. Plant species identity had an effect on the nematode community, both in terms of abundance and composition. The nematode community under Dactylis glomerata was dissimilar to that from the other investigated plant species. Nematode diversity and evenness and the ratio of bacterivores to fungivores plus root-associated nematodes were affected by plant species identity. Generally the greatest abundances of plant-feeding nematodes were found under grasses. Legumes supported large populations of certain bacterialfeeders, especially Rhabditis and Panagrolaimus. The highest numbers of fungal-feeders were found under forbs. However, plant species belonging to the same functional group (grasses, legumes, non-leguminous forbs) had different effects on the nematode fauna. For example, Rumex acetosa had greater numbers of plant-feeding nematodes than the other forbs, and soil under Festuca ovina had greater abundance of bacterial-feeders than soil under the other grasses. Our results therefore suggest that the species of plant is more important than plant functional group for the development of nematode communities.

Avermectins and their metabolites are excreted mainly in the faeces; they do not readily move from the site of dung deposition because of their low solubility in water and their tight binding to organic matter. Avermectins degrade in the environment through photodegradation and aerobic breakdown by soil organisms. The dung mesofauna potentially exposed to avermectin residues includes insects, earthworms, springtails, mites and nematodes. These organisms occupy a variety of different niches within the ecosystem and the faunal composition changes as the pats age. Some members of this fauna act in concert with soil microbial flora and assist in the breakdown of dung and consequent nutrient recycling on pasture. There are marked seasonal patterns of faunal abundance and behaviour which affect their relative importance in the decomposer community. Some species of the coprophagous insect fauna, particularly in the larval stages, can be adversely affected by the presence of avermectin residues in the faeces. Veterinary use patterns of avermectins in temperate regions indicate that peak periods of insect activity and peak times of avermectin use are often asynchronous. When avermectin usage and insect activity do coincide, the heterogeneous patterns of administration to livestock and the focus of treatment on young animals result in the deposition on pasture of faeces which are predominantly free of avermectin residues. Results of large scale, long term studies indicate that, even under conditions of relatively high levels of avermectin use in cattle, the impact on non-target insect populations and their function is limited.