
As the major region of the Indian monsoon and Westerlies circulation,the Tibetan Plateau(TP) is susceptible to climate change and has become an important place for paleoclimate research.The Tibetan Plateau contains numerous lakes,and the thick and continuous lake sediments give excellent climate change records.Research indicates that the deposition of Ostracod shells in lake sediments was multitudinous and continuous,which can guarantee the carrying out of the researching work,and the shells growth processing is short and fast,which can remove the accumulative effect of isotopes and provide precise and reliable isotopic results in water,making it theoretically an ideal proxy for high-precision climate reconstruction.This study focuses on the largest lake in the middle of TP,Serlin Co(31.34°~31.57°N,88.31°~89.21°E)is located in the transition zone between the Indian monsoon and Westerlies domains of the central TP.We used a sedimentary core(SL16-1-1,collected in 31°45.210’N,88°58.484’E) that was obtained in the water depth of41.2 m in the center of Serlin Co in 2016 and Ostracod shells,Rb/Sr,Ti/Si from it.The total length of the core was 191 cm,we used SL16-1-1 from top to 107 cm,samples of 2 cm intervals were used to analyze paleoclimate over the past 2000 years.Sedimentological chronology based on AMS14C and210Pb dating.With Ostracod assemblages and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from shells,it is anticipated that high-resolution records of environmental change can be compiled.The results document climate change information in the middle of TP as well as on a worldwide scale.The results showed that:(1) In particular for cold climates,the change of stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in ostracod shells gives a reliable record of climate change and can be used to reconstruct high-resolution paleoclimate;(2) Serlin Co was earlier entered the Little Ice Age(LIA);(3) Ostracod shell paleoclimate results were discovered as TP prior research results,and when compared to historical records,these results are identical.These findings showed that the reconstruction of paleoclimate in plateau lake using Ostracod shell isotopes is reliable and that climate change is broadly representative.
Since only a few studies have been done in Southern China about ochre use during the Paleolithic,making the judgement of human behavioral modernity based on symbolic characteristics in East Asia ambiguous.The present research is expected to break this deadlock.Different from the old methods assuming some red-colored rocks as ochre samples,this study will employ various scientific methods on several newly discovered ochre samples unearthed in the Dushan cave site.The Dushan cave site (23°30’80″N,107°80’55″E) is located at the Linfeng Town,Tiandong County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China.The site was investigated and excavated by the Natural History Museum of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2010.The Dushan cave has one main chamber with a northwestfacing entrance.The cave is 30 m in length and 9 m in width(the widest part).The excavated area was near the entrance and located at the middle part of the gallery,with 3.15 m×1.80 m,to a maximum depth of 1.9 m.In total,four new pieces of ochre materials were found,all unearthed from the third layer,which is dated to about15000 years ago based on radiocarbon dates of the associated charcoal samples.Combined with the assemblage characteristics of the third layer shown by lithics and other evidence,the pieces of ochre at the Dushan cave site is categorized into the late Paleolithic.Four kinds of scientific methods are applied in the present research,including X-ray fluorescence (XRF)analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis,as well as polarized light microscopic analysis and Raman analysis.Results of XRF analysis showed that the contents of Fe and Si were high in the chemical composition of the samples,and they indeed contained Fe.Results of XRD analysis showed that the samples contained quartz,chlorite,illite,kaolinite and hematite.Results of polarized light microscopic analysis showed that all samples were real red ochre(oxide red),and the sample is dark red under single polarizing light,with rounded edges.It is completely extincted under orthogonal slice light and has a large refractive index.The results showed that all ochre samples were mainly the iron red.Results of Raman analysis suggested that the peak values of all samples were consistent with ochre,the peak values were mainly concentrated around 223 cm-1,295 cm-1,408 cm-1and 605 cm-1.Generally speaking,the main components of the ochre samples found at the the third layer were the iron red pigments,and no other red pigments were found.To be summarized,the analyses of newly discovered ochre materials from the Dushan cave site not only provide a basis for applying the scientific methods to study late Paleolithic ochre in China,but also give hands to evaluate reliability of naked-eye identification of ochre(-like) materials.The use of ochre is one of the signs of modern human symbolic behavior,suggesting their cognitive ability and other deep-seated spiritual capacity,which can be complementary to other evidence of behavioral modernity,such as innovation of lithic technology,structure building techniques,and effective hunting strategies.The present research is expected to serve as a cornerstone to study ochre using in the Southern China with the aid of scientific methods.
中国华南地区第四纪喀斯特洞穴堆积中常含有丰富的哺乳动物化石,其中广西崇左地区已发现多处含有步氏巨猿(Gigantopithecus blacki)的第四纪不同时期的洞穴化石点,在其共生的动物群中,对生物地层和环境变化有重要的指示意义且化石数量最多、演化特征最显著的种类之一是独角犀(Rhinoceros).近期早更新世犀类化石的研究有较大进展,但中晚更新世时期的犀类化石却缺乏系统研究.本研究系统分析了产自中国广西崇左更新世中晚期的武鸣楼山临佛洞、公鸡山愚公洞、木榄山智人洞以及芭仙洞这4个化石地点的犀类新材料,依据牙齿的大小和其形态特征分别将其归入了爪哇犀(Rhinoceros sondaicus)、爪哇犀相似种(Rhinoceros cf.sondaicus)和中国犀(Rhinoceros sinensis).通过对华南地区第四纪独角犀的系统研究表明,爪哇犀(R.sondaicus)在此地区从早更新世中期一直持续到全新世;中国犀(R.sinensis)则从早更新世晚期延续到晚更新世;暂时没有发现印度犀(R.unicornis)的化石.颊齿特征分析表明,扶绥犀(Rhinoceros fusuiensis)显得要比中国犀(R.sinensis)和爪哇犀(R.sondaicus)原始,而爪哇犀(R.sondaicus)和中国犀(R.sinensis)很可能是扶绥犀(R.fusuiensis)演化而来.从化石记录来看,当时可能有印度次大陆和中国南方两个演化中心,分别演化出Rhinoceros sivalensis→R.uncorins以及R.fusuiensis→R.sondaicus或R.fusuiensis→R.sinensis两个支系.在早更新世早期,独角犀向东扩散,到达中国南方地区之后,在中更新世时向东南亚扩散;迄今,只在东南亚部分地区残存.
锦葵科(Malvaceae Juss.)翅子树属(Pterospermum Schreb.)主要分布于热带亚洲,该属化石目前只在印度有少量记录.本研究报道了产自云南省景谷县(23°31′N,100°42′E)下中新统三号沟组的翅子树属叶片化石.通过形态学研究鉴定出3个种:双兴翅子树(P.shuangxingii Y.S.Zhao,J.Huang et T.Su sp.nov.),叶片偏小型,顶端截形并具3浅裂,与现今分布于东南亚地区的大花翅子树(P.grandiflorum Craib)形态较为相似;云南翅子树近似种(P.cf.yunnanense H.H.Hsue),叶片偏小型,顶端不分裂;翅子树属一未定种(Pterospermum sp.),叶片中型,叶片顶端具齿.景谷县翅子树属化石的发现证明,早中新世该属就在我国西南地区分化并繁盛至今.综合本研究以及已有证据,翅子树属可能从印度次大陆起源,随后向亚洲东部和东南部的热带地区扩散,最终形成了现今热带亚洲的分布格局.此外,本研究还描述了翅子树属化石叶片上的9种昆虫取食类型,与该属现生种叶片的昆虫取食形态一致,表明该属现今的植食性昆虫取食行为可能在早中新世就已经出现.
重庆市巫山县玉米洞遗址出土有大量的哺乳动物化石,是华南中-晚更新世大熊猫-剑齿象动物群的重要组成部分,其中晚更新世中-晚期的鼠科动物较为丰富,在层位上对应于MIS4和MIS2时期.形态学观察显示玉米洞的鼠科化石分别属于5属10种:笔尾树鼠(未定种)Chiropodomys sp.、中华姬鼠Apodemus draco、大耳姬鼠A.latronum、小林姬鼠 A.sylvaticus、郑氏攀鼠 Vernaya zhengi、巨攀鼠 V.giganta、爱氏巨鼠 Leopoldamys edwardsi、社鼠Niviventer confucianus、安氏白腹鼠N.andersoni和高原白腹鼠N.excelsior.这一组合既显示了浓厚的华南色彩,也有明显的自身特色,即Chiropodomys sp.的出现和N.excelsior占据优势地位.鼠科化石的生境分析表指示了晚更新世中-晚期玉米洞遗址与现代类似但更为湿冷的森林或森林灌丛环境.玉米洞遗址鼠科化石的研究丰富了中国中-晚更新世大熊猫-剑齿象动物群中小哺乳动物化石的记录.
云南省新近纪地层出露广泛,化石丰富.本研究首次记述了产自巍山盆地的邓氏山西犀(新种)Shansirhinus dengi sp.nov.及景东盆地的元谋无鼻角犀Acerorhinus yuanmouensis和无角犀亚科未定种Aceratheriinae gen.et sp.indet..S.dengi sp.nov.的鼻骨前端上翘,有小的粗糙角座面;鼻切迹深,位于P4后缘水平;头骨顶面在眼眶前方迅速缩窄;两侧顶嵴间距离宽,骨面隆突;上颊齿前附尖和前尖肋发达,前臼齿舌侧齿带连续.S.dengi sp.nov.代表了山西犀属Shansirhinus内一个更为特化的类型,区别于其他种的特征主要是鼻骨更短,前端位于P3中部水平;眼眶位置在M1后半部,与鼻切迹之间的距离更近;上前臼齿的釉质复杂化表现为前刺更长,基部分叉突向外脊;上臼齿M1~M3的原尖舌侧壁发育釉质沟纹.产于禄丰盆地曾经描述归入Shansirhinus cf.S.ringstroemi的材料与新材料形态相同,归入该新种.巍山盆地产化石的红棕色砂砾岩和泥岩的沉积时代应该与禄丰盆地产煤地层时代相近或更晚,推测为晚中新世7~6Ma左右.景东盆地上部红棕色砂砾岩和泥岩产状水平,其中发现的上颊齿材料的诸多特征与元谋盆地Acerorhinus yuanmouensis的上颊齿的特征相同,将其归入该种:前附尖和前尖肋发达,前刺非常长,小刺短小,前臼齿舌侧齿带发达,发育齿桥.A.yuanmouensis的发现表明,景东盆地该套红棕色地层的沉积时间可能与元谋盆地发现古猿动物群的地层相当,在晚中新世9~7Ma左右.另一方面,景东盆地下部含煤地层倾向东北,与上部水平产状的红棕色砂砾岩和泥岩的接触关系为角度不整合,其中所产犀类上颊齿材料本文将其归入无角犀亚科,属种未定Aceratheriinae gen.et sp.indet.,地层时代也有待进一步确定.
阿芳托娃戈拉(Afontova Gora)遗址位于俄罗斯西伯利亚叶尼塞河上游右岸的3级阶地,地理坐标北纬55.9°94′83″,东经92.5°08′31″.该遗址出土有晚期智人化石和丰富的打制石器、骨制品、动物化石等,是西伯利亚地区旧石器时代晚期的重要文化遗址之一.遗址剖面第12层约17.0kaB.P..从该层出土的哺乳动物化石中,鉴定出4个个体的西伯利亚旱獭(Marmota sibirica)化石材料.西伯利亚旱獭颅骨呈松鼠型,眶上突和矢状嵴发达;腭面宽大,左右颊齿间距在M1处最宽;下颌骨粗壮,水平支较高,冠状突较短而粗壮;颅骨全长113.5 mm,眶间距28.8 mm,P4~M3长27.8 mm.从颅骨、颊齿测量数据上比较发现,西伯利亚旱獭(M.sibirica)明显大于早更新世绝灭种小旱獭(Marmota parva)和现生种草原旱獭(Marmota bobak).牙齿形态特征上,西伯利亚旱獭具有一定原始性,其下颊齿下中尖粗壮,与早更新世小旱獭有一定相似性;但与小旱獭相比也有明显进步性,如P4臼齿化、下颊齿下后脊高度退化等.遗址动物群生态和地层堆积综合分析显示,阿芳托娃戈拉遗址古环境属于温带森林草原环境,与现今相比,其植被类型、植被丰度、降水量及野生动物种群多样性等更显丰富.阿芳托娃戈拉遗址动物群,是西伯利亚旧石器时代遗址中动物种属最丰富的地点,该遗址动物群面貌一年四季均具有代表属种的特点.该特点反映西伯利亚旧石器时代晚期古人类曾长期定居此地;对本区域动物资源非常熟悉,并掌握有常年获取肉类资源的生产技术.遗址中批量存在的旱獭动物遗存,是该遗址古人类春季食物资源的重要组成成分.可能是在春季待旱獭出蛰后,对刚刚性成熟发情期间疏于自我防卫的青年个体进行捕获.该发现丰富了我们对西伯利亚古人类开发食物资源生产方式的认识,也反映更新世晚期古人类对西伯利亚地区具有很强的环境适应能力.
非洲东南部晚更新世植被重建及对比研究有助于理解区域气候变化过程和驱动机制.本研究依托国际大洋发现计划IODP361航次科学任务所获取的U1477B海洋钻孔,对其上部4~37 m的沉积岩芯的79个样品进行了孢粉分析,重建了30~5ka B.P.的区域植被和气候变化历史.研究结果显示,钻孔岩芯整体以草本植物禾本科(Poaceae)和莎草科(Cyperaceae)花粉为主,平均约占75.5%;木本植物花粉较少,以罗汉松科(Podocarpaceae)、豆科(Fabaceae)、使君子科(Combretaceae)和红树科(Rhizophoraceae)等为主;孢粉组合记录了钻孔孢粉源区赞比西河流域的植被特征.在时间演化序列上,钻孔沉积物孢粉组合变化反映出明显的冰期-间冰期(全新世)的植被变化特征:末次冰期(30~17 ka B.P.)以禾本科、莎草科等草本花粉为主,平均约占82.2%,以草原/草甸植被占优势,推测在流域低海拔平原开阔草原广泛发育;罗汉松科为代表的山地森林在冰期也相对发育,指示了相对凉爽潮湿的气候环境;冰消期(17.0~10.5 ka B.P.)禾本科花粉保持稳定平均约占38.3%,而莎草科花粉含量在前期略有增加后呈持续下降的趋势,反映了低海拔流域逐渐干旱的气候条件,非洲山地森林植被罗汉松科花粉达到最高值,反映了高海拔山地森林植被出现扩张;全新世早-中期(10.5~5.0 ka B.P.)罗汉松科花粉占比减少,而干旱林地典型植被豆科、使君子科等花粉增加,指示全新世早-中期气候相对温暖干燥;而红树科花粉占比迅速增加,指示海平面迅速上升扩大了适宜红树林生长的沿海空间.末次冰期到全新世中期流域内植被组成变化指示末次冰期相对潮湿寒冷、冰消期降水减少、全新世早-中期温暖干燥的气候条件,降水变化与同纬度(18° S)日照强度变化有较好的一致性.因此,钻孔孢粉记录的植被演化及降水过程可能受控于当地夏季日照强度并且对北半球高纬度冷事件有一定的响应.
牛圈沟地点位于泥河湾盆地岑家湾台地的北缘,化石埋藏在泥河湾组的河湖相堆积中,年代约1.4Ma.2016年,在面积约2 m2的化石透镜体内出土了123件哺乳动物化石.牛圈沟动物群的成员有:犬科未定种、猛犸象属未定种、马属未定种、泥河湾披毛犀、布氏真枝角鹿、中国羚羊、麝牛族未定种和古中华野牛,其中马属动物为优势类群.形态学研究显示,牛圈沟的真马体型中等、肢骨纤细,未见于泥河湾动物群(狭义);真枝角鹿与麋鹿下颌骨的主要区别在于前者颊齿较宽;另外,在泥河湾盆地首次发现了带完整颊齿列的麝牛族下颌骨.埋藏学分析表明,骨骼风化程度极浅,可能形成于同一次死亡事件;食肉动物消费和水流搬运是主要的埋藏因素,并由此导致了骨骼部位的保存偏差.牛圈沟地点的发现丰富了岑家湾台地的早更新世生物地层序列.
中国新近纪大型植食性哺乳动物包括长鼻目、蹄兔目、奇蹄目、偶蹄目4个目至少32科,超过300种.它们在全球的演化和迁徙受到新近纪全球气候改变的驱动以及海陆分布的影响,各门类组成和地理分布由古近纪的古老面貌向第四纪的现代面貌转变.长鼻目和蹄兔目是非洲起源的类群;中国蹄兔目的种类和地史分布非常局限,但非常特化;中国的长鼻目则相当繁盛,成为长鼻类的第二演化中心和跨洲交流的十字路口.奇蹄目和偶蹄目是欧亚大陆起源的类群;相比古近纪,奇蹄类在新近纪持续衰落,但马科和犀科的多样性高,演化速率快,成为地层对比的标志性类群;偶蹄类则呈持续繁荣的状态,特别是反刍的优势使鹿科和牛科达到非常高的多样性,成为新近纪大型植食性哺乳动物中占优势的类群.中国新近纪大型植食性哺乳动物各门类中的现代类型均在山旺阶开始适应辐射,时间上对应于中中新气候适宜期,到通古尔阶中中新气候转型期开始多样性下降,在通古尔和?河阶界线上发生了大型哺乳动物的灭绝和重组事件,90%的类群灭绝;至?河阶下部,开阔生态系统成为中国北方的主导,产生了早期适应开阔环境的哺乳动物群,并逐渐扩散到全球;保德阶上部气候转湿润,诱发了南方哺乳动物群的北迁事件,并持续到高庄阶;至麻则沟阶开始出现了大量的现生属.青藏高原的隆升使当地在上新世时产生了适应寒冷气候的高原动物群,成为第四纪冰期动物群的先声.
在西安北郊高陵渭河沙坑中发现骆驼标本,其主要形态特征为前臼齿和臼齿的齿冠分别由2个或4个明显的新月型主尖组成,齿褶简单,无附加的褶、棱、刺等存在.DNA分析表明样本属于双峰驼(Camelus bactrianus).加速器质谱(AMS)测定其年代结果为1290~1180 a B.P.(660~770 A.D.),这个年代落入了中国历史上的唐朝(618年~907年).这是丝绸之路起点长安(唐代都城)唐代丝路骆驼的骨骼形态学、生物学、年代学的首次现代综合科学研究记录.
泥河湾盆地是东亚古人类活动遗址最为丰富的区域,探索和发现早更新世旧石器地点仍然是学术界关注的热点.马坡是泥河湾盆地新发现的一处早更新世旧石器地点,出土石制品24件,包括修理品2件和石片22件,其中多为碎屑,还伴生606件动物的骨骼和牙齿化石,其中大多数为小于10 cm的碎骨片,部分表面带牙齿咬痕,多数保存完好,也有少数风化较为严重.马坡所在地层属于下更新统泥河湾组小长梁段,其年龄推测大约1.6Ma.马坡地点的发现,进一步扩大了探索泥河湾盆地早更新世人类活动的视野,同时也为研究更新世早期人类及其有关哺乳动物生存环境增添了一个科学实证.马坡地点的发现有助于泥河湾科学含量的提升.马坡石制品应该归属Nihewanian.
喜马拉雅地区河流发育是青藏高原地学研究中最具争议的科学问题之一.一个多世纪以来曾有多种假说解释该地区河流奇特地貌的形成过程及其机制,但受可利用的研究材料所限,地学研究仍未取得一致性认识.现生淡水鱼类携带的遗传信息为认识河流的演化过程提供了生物学的解决方案.本研究采用喜马拉雅地区分布的裸裂尻鱼属(Schizopygopsis)和裸鲤属(Gymnocypris)鱼类为研究对象,在对其分布范围全覆盖采样的基础上(共计22个地理种群),采用线粒体cytb基因,分析了种群遗传结构,并通过重建其谱系地理结构和演化历史,揭示喜马拉雅地区河流的发育历史.研究结果显示,520尾样本中,共检测到101个单倍型;每条水系均含有特有单倍型,但多庆错与亚东河,佩枯错与朋曲,以及雅鲁藏布江、帕隆藏布、然乌湖分别存在共享单倍型;朋曲、雅鲁藏布江、亚东河种群在晚更新经历了快速扩张;系统发育分析将喜马拉雅地区裸裂尻鱼属和裸鲤属鱼类分为4个高度支持的谱系,在空间上依次对应为西巴霞曲-错那、亚东、朋曲-佩枯错以及雅鲁藏布江中上游-帕隆藏布;分子估算的分化时间表明这些谱系的分歧发生在中更新世最大冰期(聂聂雄拉冰期)以来.分子谱系地理分析认为发育于大型南北向裂谷内的喜马拉雅南坡河流溯源侵蚀和河流袭夺是北坡的雅鲁藏布江鱼类向南坡水系扩散的决定性因素.在这个过程中,被袭夺的流域和湖泊扮演了北坡和南坡水系间鱼类扩散的"踏脚石".基于鱼类遗传结构的证据认为,喜马拉雅地区的河流溯源侵蚀和袭夺很大程度上受喜马拉雅和西藏高原降水以及第四纪冰期影响.鱼类谱系从东往西依次分化的空间顺序反映了喜马拉雅地区南坡河流溯源侵蚀北坡水系的时序过程,即喜马拉雅东部地区的河流最先溯源侵蚀,而位于中喜马拉雅地区西部的河流(孔雀河-卡尔纳利河)最晚;河流的溯源侵蚀历史也反应了喜马拉雅地区降水的空间分布变化.
本研究系统回顾了中国晚新生代食肉目的演化以及食肉目动物群的演替关系.以属、族或亚科为单位,探讨了我国新近纪和第四纪时期食肉目13个科成员的地史分布和相关类群的生态习性.根据食肉目亚科一级别的演替规律,探讨了中国晚新生代的气候环境变化,支持以下观点:在早中新世气候相对温和,食肉目组成上包含较多的古老、不擅长奔跑的类型;中中新世开始气候趋于干旱化,出现一些四肢修长、擅长在开阔地区追击猎物的类型;晚中新世时期华北气候强烈干旱化,出现了大量以鬣狗科为代表的适应开阔环境的属种,但一些林地组分依然存在,指示这个时期的环境并非典型的草原,依然有较多树木存在;上新世时期华北气候再次变得温暖湿润,鬣狗科大量灭绝,灵猫科等东洋界分子北上;第四纪时期随着冰期的到来,华北再次变成以开阔环境主导,而华南地区一直较为稳定,为温暖湿润的森林环境主导.
在陕北黄土高原下部的红土堆积中新发现29个新近纪哺乳动物化石地点,自北向南包括神木、榆阳、佳县、横山、子洲、志丹、安塞、甘泉等地,基本覆盖整个陕北黄土高原,填补了中新世时期中国哺乳动物地理格局中东西分界线附近的大片空白.动物组合以新近纪中国北方常见的三趾马动物群成员为主,包含有三趾马(Hipparion)、大唇犀(Chilotherium)、萨摩麟(Samotherium)、巨鬣狗(Dinocrocuta)、弓颌猪(Chleuastochoerus)、羚羊(Gazella)等,其组合特点类似于府谷老高川中部动物群.新发现的、多地点的化石材料进一步表明,在陕西北部晚中新世约6.7Ma左右,森林-草原混合型三趾马动物群的分布可能相当广泛,而约7.8 Ma和约5.7 Ma两期的哺乳动物群的分布可能相对局限.
重庆万州盐井沟是中国南方最经典的第四纪哺乳动物化石产地之一,因化石数量众多、种类多样和完整度极高而著名,但目前重庆万州盐井沟动物群已报道的猪科动物化石仅为野猪(Sus scrofa)和猪属未定种(Sus sp.).现今可考证的化石点为建国以后发现的4个化石点,即大垭口化石点、平坝上洞、平坝下洞和媒人洞,而四方地化石点是重庆万州盐井沟地区新近发现的第5个化石点,出土了亚成年小猪(Sus xiaozhu)的2件不完整头骨和2件下颌骨化石,代表了迄今发现最完整且时代最晚(晚更新世)的小猪头骨和下颌骨化石,为盐井沟动物群中首次发现.经过与华南第四纪猪属(Sus)其他物种对比,小猪的鉴定特征可归纳为小型猪,面部和腭骨长度远不及李氏野猪(S.lydekkeri)和野猪(S.scrofa),牙齿尺寸小于裴氏猪(S.peii)、李氏野猪(S.lydekkeri)和野猪(S.scrofa),眶前孔位于DP4(P4)与Ml界线之上,下颌骨联合部短且厚,终止于P2之前.雄性下犬齿横切面的形状介于"verrucose"型和"scrofa"型之间,属于一种过渡类型,臼齿低冠且呈丘型,结构简单,每个臼齿由4个主尖组成,前臼齿齿列比臼齿齿列长,m3跟座仅发育1~2个齿尖.小猪(S.xiaozhu)与野猪(S.scrofa)的同时出现,可作为华南中-晚更新世哺乳动物群的一个标志.
本文是对榆社盆地(36°49′~37°26′N,112°42′~113°07′E)乃至中国骆驼化石的首次系统修订.20世纪30年代,德日进(Teilhard de Chardin)等报道了榆社盆地12个地点的17件骆驼化石,是渑池仰韶村不完整骨架之外中国最经典的骆驼材料.这些材料过去被错误归在榆社Ⅲ带(维拉方期真马层),误作为"巨副驼Paracamelus gigas"广为引用.本文根据榆社盆地的地层学研究成果,系统比较东半球其他地点性质比较明确的骆驼化石,对这批材料进行了重新研究,厘定了其分类位置,探讨了其产出层位.这批材料应分属邱氏副驼新种Paracamelus qiui sp.nov.、邱 氏副驼(相似种)Paracamelus cf.qiui、阿氏副驼P.alexejevi巨副驼P.gigas以及诺氏驼Camelus knoblochi等5种.邱氏副驼Paracamelus qiui是本次研究描述的新种,产于榆社马会组和高庄组桃阳段,属晚中新世,距今约6.1~5.2Ma,相当于MN13.邱氏副驼P.qiui是非常原始的高大型骆驼,下颌长且低矮,下颌联合部长,p3未退化,前臼齿列发达,牙齿低冠或弱中冠,胫骨与距骨宽大扁薄,跖骨愈合程度低,显著有别于早更新世的P.gigas.黑海和亚速海沿岸早蓬蒂期的骆驼材料也被我们归入邱氏副驼P.qiui.除性质和时代不明的"赫尔松副驼P.khersonensis"外,邱氏副驼P.qiui是目前所见旧大陆最原始的骆驼.邱氏副驼(相似种)Paracamelus cf.qiui发现于榆社高庄组南庄沟段,距今4.9~4.2Ma,其形态与邱氏副驼P.qiui相似,但前齿列已有所退化,可能代表一新种,但目前材料过少,有待将来更多材料证实.阿氏副驼P.alexejevi发现于榆社麻则沟组,距今3.6~3.0Ma.阿氏副驼P.alexejevi是中等体型的副驼,体型较邱氏副驼P.qiui和巨副驼P.gigas小,但大于现生双峰驼Camelus bactrianus;其与邱氏副驼Paracamelus qiui和邱氏副驼(相似种)Paracamelus cf.qiui关系较近,下颌瘦长低矮,但p3已进一步退化,前臼齿列更加缩短,头后骨骼纤细瘦长,面貌与乌克兰敖德萨地穴的阿氏副驼P.alexejevi相同.真正的P.gigas在榆社盆地主要见于海眼组,少量标本或属麻则沟组顶部,时代为3/2.6~2.15Ma.巨副驼P.gigas与晚中新世的大型骆驼,如邱氏副驼P.qiui和阿吉雷副驼P.aguirrei 之间,存在着长时间缺环.诺氏驼Camelus knoblochi应产于盆地内上覆的马兰黄土中,时代为晚更新世0.12~0.01 Ma.此外,我们还深入探讨了旧大陆化石骆驼的其他命名和分类学问题,提出了若干新认识,有助于深入推进骆驼族的起源演化研究.
作为淡水生境的顶级捕食者,水獭的分布变迁反映了水域生态系统的演变.江苏沭阳吕台井出土的6件水獭亚科下颌骨,经考古分析和碳十四测年,年代为唐代前期.根据现生江獭(Lutrogale perspicillata)与欧亚水獭(Lutra lutra)的形态差异(前者尺寸更大、p4后附尖和m1下三角座更发育、下颌体更纤薄),确认吕台井标本分属江獭和欧亚水獭,其中江獭是纬度最高的出土记录.通过形态学研究,我国江獭还出土于中-晚更新世的安徽和县龙潭洞、广西荔浦洞穴、江西万年吊桶环,以及全新世早中期的广东英德牛栏洞、浙江余姚河姆渡、宁波傅家山、湖南洪江高庙等遗址.古文献考证表明,江獭和欧亚水獭分别对应了史料中的"猵(獱)"和"獭";西汉至北宋时期,两者曾共存于黄淮流域.北宋以后,江獭从黄淮流域消失,反映了黄河泛滥导致的湖泊变迁;最终,江獭从我国大部分地区灭绝,现仅残存于珠江口和西双版纳.江獭在我国的区域性灭绝反映了人类活动对大型淡水水体的破坏.
中国东北地区古人类活动的研究工作开展已近百年,产生了大量的研究材料与成果.然而,区域内古人类活动遗址空间分布的制约因素与古人类适应行为关系尚不明确.本研究从地学考古视角出发,利用地理信息系统与遗址数据库,系统整理旧石器时代东北地区的地质环境和气候信息,阐释遗址的时空分布特征;通过对遗址高程、坡度、坡向、到河流的距离等地学指标的提取与统计分析,结合古人类对石器原料的开发与技术适应策略,探讨东北地区古人类的环境适应与生存行为模式变化.结果表明,东北地区旧石器时代古人类遗址的时空分布与各时期的地质地貌环境有着密切关系.东北地区旧石器时代大致分为早期(500~128kaB.P.)、中期(128~35ka B.P.)和晚期(35~10ka B.P.)等3个时期.旧石器时代早期,受松辽湖盆阻隔及渤海海侵影响,遗址零星分布于东北地区东南部;中期,受到气候波动与晚更新世海侵海退的影响,遗址集中分布于东南部狭长地带;到旧石器时代晚期,松辽湖盆疏干,古人类遗址广泛分布于整个东北地区.遗址地学指标分析反映出古人类活动空间向高地和旷野的不断扩张趋势.上述结果表明,随着时间的推移,古人类环境适应能力不断增强,能积极应对末次冰期极盛期的气候挑战,生存策略从早期的避险性转变向晚期的扩张性;古人类原料开发利用模式也折射出他们技术能力的增强与认知水平的提高.
The water-rock interactions mainly include dissolution,precipitation,and ion exchange,etc.They participate in various geological processes and ecological-environmental processes.However,at present,insufficient consideration of the role of ion exchange in tracing the sources of ions in water and in isotopic techniques has limited the understanding of hydrochemical evolution and carbon cycle characterization.In this paper,the Dongzhi(or called Xifeng) Loess Tableland in the middle of the Chinese Loess Plateau with relatively simple hydrogeological conditions,was selected to study the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater.Based on the assessment of groundwater circulation,such as groundwater recharge rates from precipitation percolation,groundwater dating(using~3H and 14 C),analyses of precipitation ions input and cation exchange capacity,and the application of nitrate isotopes(δ 15 N-NO 3 and δ 18 O-NO 3 ),sulfate isotopes(δ 34 S-SO 4 and δ 18 O-SO 4 ), 87 Sr/ 86 Sr(including groundwater and loess),and cation correlation,the sources of various ions in groundwater have been analyzed.The results showed that the groundwater recharge rates were estimated to be 39±8 mm/a and the velocities of soil water percolations were estimated to be 0.13±0.03 m/a.The depth of the unsaturated zone in the study area is relatively thick,mainly ranging from 40 m to 75 m.This suggested that time for annual precipitation to reach the water table to recharge groundwater would range from 250 to 750 years.However,the continuous percolation resulted in about31.67±6.50 million m~3/a of groundwater discharging to the rivers on both sides through springs under natural conditions.The groundwater was old and tritium-free.The corrected 14 C age ranged from 417 to 19420 years,suggesting the impact of human activities on groundwater chemistry can be neglected.The Cl - and SO 2- 4 in groundwater were mainly from old precipitation.The average SO 2- 4 in old precipitation was estimated to be1.2 mg/L,significantly lower than the modern content(average 6.6 mg/L) affected by human activities,such as fossil fuels.The NO - 3 in groundwater was mainly from the nitrification of soil nitrogen.The ratio of 87 Sr/ 86 Sr in groundwater ranged from 0.7107 to 0.7114,basically consistent with the ratio for the carbonates in loess(0.7103to 0.7111).Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ was mainly derived from the dissolution of carbonate minerals,and some was adsorbed to clay minerals.The cation exchange capacity of soils in the study area was relatively high (149±33 meq/kg).The total Na + in groundwater was partly from the direct input from precipitation(29%).The rest of the groundwater Na + was mainly derived from the cation exchange between Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ in groundwater and Na in clay minerals(71%on average).The contribution of Na + to groundwater from silicate dissolution can be neglected.However,most previous studies believed that additional Na + beyond precipitation input and the dissolution of evaporates was mainly derived from the dissolution of silicate minerals and contributed to a carbon sink.The carbon sink effect of silicate weathering can be neglected in the groundwater of the study area.This study also emphasizes the importance of cation exchange to trace the sources of dissolved ions in river basins or water-rock systems that contains clay minerals.