Diverse palynomorphs and phytoliths recovered from coprolites of ovi-caprids (sheep, goat) collected from Yang-Hai Tomb at Xinjiang Province, China, have been used to elucidate the dietary pattern of ancient livestock and to reconstruct the paleovegetation and paleoclimate of this part of northwest China ca. 2500&nbsp;14C yr BP. Palynological and phytolith data suggest that a rich dry temperate vegetation prevailed in the area during the said period. Climatic conditions and grassland vegetation type of the area are explored using phytolith indices. © 2008 University of Washington.

SUDAKSHINA GUPTA

Economics

SUBIR BERA

Botany

R GHOSH

X LI

University of Calcutta (informally known as Calcutta University or CU) is a collegiate public state university located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.&nbsp;Within India it is recognized as a &quot;Five-Star University&quot; and accredited &quot;A&quot; Grade by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.

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The University of Calcutta has secured the Fifth position among the Universities of India in the prestigious &quot;Indian University Ranking 2019&quot; list, released by the NIRF of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

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It was established on 24 January 1857, and was one of the first institutions in Asia to be established as a multidisciplinary and Western-style university. Its alumni and faculty include several heads of state, heads of government, social reformers, prominent artists, only academy award winner and Dirac medal winner in India, many Fellows of the Royal Society and five Nobel laureates as of 2019 which is highest in South Asia.

University Of Calcutta

Quaternary Research

While documenting the vegetation response to climatic changes in mountains, the use of grass phytolith data relies on the ability of phytolith assemblages or indices to differentiate the elevationally stratified vegetation zones. To infer the potential and limitations of grass phytolith assemblages and indices to reconstruct vegetation vis-à-vis climate in the Himalayan mountain regions, we analyzed phytolith assemblages from 66 dominant grasses and 153 surface soils from four different forest types along the c. 130-4000 m a.s.l. elevation gradients in the Darjeeling and Arunachal Himalayas. Grass short cell phytolith assemblages from modern grasses show significant variability with rising elevation. To test the reliability of the above observation, phytoliths from the soil samples were subjected to linear discriminant analysis (DA). DA classified 85.3% and 92.3% of the sites to their correct forest zones in the Darjeeling and Arunachal Himalayas respectively. Relative abundance of bilobate, cross, short saddle, plateau saddle, rondel and trapeziform types allow discrimination of the phytolith assemblage along the elevation gradient. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) on the soil phytolith data further revealed their relationships with the climatic variables. Temperature and evapotranspiration were found to be the most influential for differential distribution of grass phytolith assemblages with rising elevation in the eastern Himalayas. We also tested the reliability of phytolith indices (Ic, Iph and Fs) for tracing the dominance of different grass subfamilies in the eastern Himalayas. Ic proved to be most reliable in discriminating C3/C4 grass along the elevation gradient while Iph and Fs proved to be less reliable. We observed that in the monsoon dominated eastern Himalayas, a little adjustment in Ic index may enhance the accuracy of interpretations. In future studies more precise identification of phytolith sub-types from additional sites in the eastern Himalayas may further improve our interpretations related to past climate condition. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Can grass phytoliths and indices be relied on during vegetation and climate interpretations in the eastern Himalayas? Studies from Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh, India

Pollen, phytolith and stable carbon isotopic records provide new insights into the palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic changes in Ziro Lake Basin, sub-Himalayan Arunachal Pradesh, India since pre-LGM time. Phytoliths record a minor change in grass/woodland cover and appear to be more sensitive than pollen grains to climate fluctuations. Both pollen and non-pollen palynomorph data suggest prevalence of a dense C3 species-dominated moist semi-evergreen forest in the area until the LGM which shows conformity with δ13C data. The phytolith assemblage indicates an alteration in forest cover with expansion of C4 grasses during the LGM. The study further indicates a climatic amelioration with intensification of south-west monsoon during 10.2-3.8ka and an expansion of forest cover. After 3.8ka there was a rising trend of dryness, shrinkage in forest cover, and a slight increase in C4 species while C3 plants dominated. Ecosystem variability also points towards a hydrological transformation in the area since pre-LGM time. Application of coexistence approach on pollen data reveals that prior to the LGM the mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation were approximately 19.3±0.001°C and 1925±15mm respectively. Between 10.2 and 3.8ka MAT was about 19.4±0.5°C, while MAP was 1901±41.3mm. Between 3.8 and 1.2ka and onwards a slight increase in MAT (~0.3C°) was observed with further decrease in MAP to 1861±33.4mm. During pre and post LGM times, MAT was more or less similar in the Ziro Lake Basin which increased gradually after 3.8ka and was ~1.2C° higher than today. Prior to the LGM, MAP was higher than the present day by 94mm, between 10.2 and 3.8ka by 70mm and since 3.8ka onwards by ~30mm showing a tendency of gradual decline suggesting a consequent increase in dryness. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA.

Quaternary International

Late Quaternary climate variability and vegetation response in Ziro Lake Basin, Eastern Himalaya: A multiproxy approach

A cache of shoots, leaves and fruits dated by 14C at 2500 years B.P. were unearthed in the Yanghai Tombs, Turpan District in Xinjiang, China. By comparing the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the plant remains found in the tomb and specimens of modern plants, it is shown that the remains belong to Cannabis. Based on the shamanistic background of the deceased man and ancient customs, it is assumed that the Cannabis was utilized for ritual/medicinal purposes. © 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

A new insight into Cannabis sativa (Cannabaceae) utilization from 2500-year-old Yanghai Tombs, Xinjiang, China

Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology

Pollen in hyena coprolites from Gabasa Cave (northern Spain)

Journal of Archaeological Science

Pollen, Phytoliths and Diatoms in Prehistoric Coprolites from Kohika, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

Analysis of plant microfossils in prehistoric coprolites from Harataonga Bay, Great Barrier Island, New Zealand

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology

Pollen in hyaena coprolites reflects late glacial landscape in southern Spain

Ovi-caprid dung as an indicator of paleovegetation and paleoclimate in northwestern China

Journal	Data powered by TypesetQuaternary Research
Publisher	Data powered by TypesetACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
ISSN	0033-5894
Open Access	No