Biology subjects

Orihuela, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Orihuela, J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

First report of the bivalves Schedocardia and Acanthocardia (Mollusca, Cardiinae) from Cuba

Herein we provide the first report of the cardiid bivalve Schedocardia from Cuba. The single, partial, valve external mold was derived from the Madruga Formation which is characterized by a richly diverse marine fauna including echinoderms, brachiopods, benthic and planktonic foraminiferans, but from which bivalves were not previously reported. The unit is considered late Paleocene in age (Thanetian), but the presence of Schedocardia supports a possible age extension of the formation into the early Eocene (Ypresian). Moreover, we provide a reconsideration of the historical factors that affected the accepted type locality of the outcrop, which allows for an alternative interpretation of the fauna found therein. RESUMENSe reporta por primera vez el genero bivalvo Schedocardia de la Formacion Madruga, para el registro fosil de Cuba. De esta formacion se ha reportado una rica fauna de invertebrados incluyendo equinodermos, braquiopodos y, especialmente de foraminiferos, pero no moluscos bivalvos. Se ha considerado que la Formacion Madruga se deposito durante el Paleoceno tardio (Thanetiano), no obstante, la presencia de Schedocardia apoya la extension de edad de la formacion hasta el Eoceno temprano (Ypresiano). Ademas, se consideran factores antropogenicos que han afectado la localidad tipo de la formacion.

paleontology↗

bioRxiv2020

The role of humans on Antillean land vertebrate extinctions: new insights from Cuba

The Caribbean archipelago is a hotspot of biodiversity characterized by a high rate of extinction. Recent studies have examined these losses, but the causes of the Antillean Late Quaternary vertebrate extinctions, and especially the role of humans, are still unclear. Current results provide support for climate-related and human-induced extinctions, but often downplaying other complex bio-ecological factors that are difficult to model or to detect from the fossil and archaeological record. Here, we discuss Caribbean vertebrate extinctions and the potential role of humans derived from new and existing fossil and archaeological data from Cuba. Our results indicate that losses of Cubas native fauna occurred in three waves: one during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, a second during the middle Holocene, and a third one during the last 2 ka, coinciding with the arrival of agroceramists and the early Europeans. The coexistence of now-extinct species with multiple cultural groups in Cuba for over 4 ka implies that Cuban indigenous non-ceramic cultures exerted far fewer extinction pressures to native fauna than the later agroceramists and Europeans that followed. This suggests a determinant value to increased technological sophistication and demographics as the most plausible effective extinction drivers.

paleontology↗

bioRxiv2020

Late Holocene land vertebrate fauna from Cueva de los Nesofontes, Western Cuba: stratigraphy, last appearance dates, diversity and paleoecology

ABSTRACTHere we report a Late Holocene fossil-rich cave deposit from Cueva de los Nesofontes, Mayabeque Province, Cuba. The deposit’s formation and its fauna were studied through a multidisciplinary approach that included stable isotope analyses, radiocarbon chronology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, and taphonomy. Thousands of microvertebrate skeletal remains were recovered, representing a diverse land vertebrate fauna that included threatened and extinct species. The deposit is characterized by profuse Nesophontes remains due to raptor predation. Previously unreported last appearance dates are provided for the extinct island-shrew Nesophontes major, the bats Artibeus anthonyi and Phyllops vetus. Radiocarbon (14C AMS) age estimates between ∼1960 rcyr BP and the present were recovered. The presence of locally extinct species, including the endemic parakeet Psittacara eups, the flicker Colaptes cf. auratus/fernandinae, and the lipotyphlan Solenodon cubanus suggests that these species had broader distributions in the near past. Isotope analyses and faunal composition indicate the previous presence of diverse habitats, including palm grove savannas and mixed woodlands. Isotopes also provide insight into the habitat and coexistence of the extinct bat Artibeus anthonyi and extant A. jamaicensis, the diet of Nesophontes major, and local paleoenvironmental conditions. Oxygen isotopes reveal an excursion suggestive of drier/colder local conditions between 660 and 770 AD. Our research further expands the understanding of Cuban Quaternary extinction episodes and provides data on the distribution and paleoecology of extinct taxa. It supports the conclusion that many Cuban extinct species survived well into the pre-Columbian late Holocene and retained wide distribution ranges until human colonization.View Full Text

paleontology↗