Miguel Caldeira Pais - Mediterranic™ | University of Lisbon (original) (raw)

Papers by Miguel Caldeira Pais - Mediterranic™

PalZ

The new ellipsocephaloid trilobite species Kingaspidoides spinirecurvatus has a spectacular morph... more The new ellipsocephaloid trilobite species Kingaspidoides spinirecurvatus has a spectacular morphology because of a unique set of two long and anteriorly recurved spines on the occipital ring and the axial ring of thoracic segment 8. Together with the long genal spines this whimsical dorsally directed spine arrangement is thought to act as a non-standard protective device against predators. This is illustrated by the body posture during different stages of enrolment, contrasting with the more sophisticated spinosities seen in later trilobites, which are discussed in brief. Kingaspidoides spinirecurvatus from the lower–middle Cambrian boundary interval of the eastern Anti-Atlas in Morocco has been known for about two decades, with specimens handled as precious objects on the fossil market. Similar, but far less spectacular, spine arrangements on the thoracic axial rings are known from other ellipsocephaloid trilobites from the Anti-Atlas of Morocco and the Franconian Forest region of...

PalZ - Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 2020

We used transects and observations from vantage points to estimate the population of Black-Bellie... more We used transects and observations from vantage
points to estimate the population of Black-Bellied
Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis in the area of
Moura-Mourão-Barrancos, Southern Portugal, from
2001 to 2003. Searches for Black-Bellied Sandgrouse
were carried out also in Spanish territory, due to the
presence of border-crossing flocks. Six flocks were
identified in 2001 and five flocks in both 2002 and
2003. The population was estimated at 120, 150
and 220 individuals, respectively in 2001, 2002 and
2003. Our results suggest an increase of Black-Bellied
Sandgrouse in this area. We recommend that our
monitoring scheme continues.

Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006

1Predator conservation management requires detailed understanding of the ecological circumstances... more 1Predator conservation management requires detailed understanding of the ecological circumstances associated with predation, especially that on economically valuable prey. We examined the mechanisms behind Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus predation on prey of domestic origin, using dietary data from 22 pairs breeding in south-west Portugal (1992–2001) together with information on landscape composition and prey availability.2Numerically, 42·7% (37·7% in biomass) of eagle prey comprised domestic species, about 70% of which were rural pigeons Columba livia and the remainder were racing pigeons Columba livia and domestic fowl Gallus gallus. Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa and jays Garrulus glandarius were the most frequent wild prey (43·1%; 50·8% in biomass). This dietary pattern was remarkably stable over a decade, but within each year the intake of pigeons almost halved over the course of the breeding season.3Landscape composition significantly affected the dietary proportion of wild and domestic prey items. This was particularly evident in territories dominated by eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus plantations, where there was reduced consumption of rural pigeons and partridges, an increased intake of minor avian prey items and greater diversity in the diet overall.4Bonelli's eagles showed type II functional responses while preying on the most important wild (rabbit) and domestic (rural pigeon) prey, although the former was much stronger. Eagle predation on rabbits declined with increasing abundance of pigeons, and vice versa, but there was no switching in the traditional sense, as selection between these two species was inversely frequency dependent.5Synthesis and applications. Predation by Bonelli's eagle on domestic pigeons results from a combination of high vulnerability of the pigeons to eagles and a shortage of key wild prey such as rabbits and partridges, especially during the early breeding season. Given the relatively low economic value of rural pigeons and their importance in the diet of Bonelli's eagles, they could probably be used as a conservation tool to enhance food resources in breeding territories and to deflect predation from more valuable prey such as partridges and racing pigeons.Predator conservation management requires detailed understanding of the ecological circumstances associated with predation, especially that on economically valuable prey. We examined the mechanisms behind Bonelli's eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus predation on prey of domestic origin, using dietary data from 22 pairs breeding in south-west Portugal (1992–2001) together with information on landscape composition and prey availability.Numerically, 42·7% (37·7% in biomass) of eagle prey comprised domestic species, about 70% of which were rural pigeons Columba livia and the remainder were racing pigeons Columba livia and domestic fowl Gallus gallus. Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa and jays Garrulus glandarius were the most frequent wild prey (43·1%; 50·8% in biomass). This dietary pattern was remarkably stable over a decade, but within each year the intake of pigeons almost halved over the course of the breeding season.Landscape composition significantly affected the dietary proportion of wild and domestic prey items. This was particularly evident in territories dominated by eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus plantations, where there was reduced consumption of rural pigeons and partridges, an increased intake of minor avian prey items and greater diversity in the diet overall.Bonelli's eagles showed type II functional responses while preying on the most important wild (rabbit) and domestic (rural pigeon) prey, although the former was much stronger. Eagle predation on rabbits declined with increasing abundance of pigeons, and vice versa, but there was no switching in the traditional sense, as selection between these two species was inversely frequency dependent.Synthesis and applications. Predation by Bonelli's eagle on domestic pigeons results from a combination of high vulnerability of the pigeons to eagles and a shortage of key wild prey such as rabbits and partridges, especially during the early breeding season. Given the relatively low economic value of rural pigeons and their importance in the diet of Bonelli's eagles, they could probably be used as a conservation tool to enhance food resources in breeding territories and to deflect predation from more valuable prey such as partridges and racing pigeons.

lifebonelli.ceai.pt, 1997

Data about the present situation of this species in Europe is somewhat incomplete ata regional le... more Data about the present situation of this species in Europe is somewhat incomplete ata regional level and some doubts still remain about the main causes of decline (Rocamora,1994; Arroyo & Garza, 1994).In Portugal, studies and estimates of this bird’s population, were in the past, limitedor non-systematic. The first estimates of the Bonelli’s Eagle population in Portugal werepresented in 1982 (Palma, 1985; Rufino
et al.
, 1985) and further countrywide surveys werecarried out in 1986 and 1987 (Parellada & cols., 1986; Granado & Rocha, 1987).Detailed studies of a woodland tree-nesting population began in 1992 in the hills of Southwest Portugal (Palma, 1994). Complementary surveys and systematic studies onecology and reproduction later began in other parts of the distribution range (Pais, 1996;Fráguas,
in prep.
).Here we present an approach to the Bonelli’s Eagle current situation in the countrythat updates and clarifies previous estimates and assumptions on the population status,trends and range. We include data collected till the end of 1997 breeding season.

Raptors at …, Jan 1, 2000

Wildlife Biology, Jan 1, 2007

Thesis by Miguel Caldeira Pais - Mediterranic™

Unpublished technical reports by Miguel Caldeira Pais - Mediterranic™

Enquadramento do projecto O Projecto de criação do Empreendimento de Fins Múltiplos de Alqueva (E... more Enquadramento do projecto
O Projecto de criação do Empreendimento de Fins Múltiplos de Alqueva (EFMA) surgiu
em 1957, altura em que foi também pensado o Plano de Rega do Alentejo. Em 1976
tiveram início os trabalhos para construção da Barragem de Alqueva, tendo as obras
durado dois anos, durante os quais foram construídas as algumas infra-estruturas
preliminares. A partir de 1978 foram realizadas avaliações e novos estudos, tendo sido
executado o Estudo de Impacto Ambiental entre 1985 e 1987.
Entretanto, o Projecto foi retomado em 1995, por decisão do Governo, tendo então sido
criada a Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Infra-estruturas de Alqueva (EDIA). Entre 1994 e
1995 foi realizado o Estudo Integrado de Impacto Ambiental (SEIA 1995). As betonagens
na Barragem de Alqueva tiveram início em 1998. O corpo principal da Barragem de
Alqueva foi concluído em Janeiro de 2002, tendo as comportas sido fechadas a 8 de
Fevereiro de 2002.
O Empreendimento de Fins Múltiplos de Alqueva engloba várias estruturas,
nomeadamente:
a) a Barragem de Alqueva, cuja albufeira criada tem uma área de 250 km
2
;
b) a Barragem de Pedrogão, localizada a jusante da barragem de Alqueva;
c) o perímetro de rega de Alqueva, com uma área de cerca de 110 mil hectares e dividido
em três subsistemas diferentes (Alqueva, Pedrogão e Ardila);
d) os canais de rega e condutas, num total de cerca de 5.000 km;
e) as albufeiras intermédias, associadas ao sistema de rega, nomeadamente, Álamos e
Loureiro;
f) a rede de transporte de energia eléctrica.
No âmbito da construção da Albufeira de Alqueva e seguindo as directrizes do Estudo
Integrado de Impacto Ambiental do Empreendimento de Alqueva (SEIA 1995), foram
planeados pela EDIA (Núcleo de Património Natural) diversos 15 projectos de
monitorização dos impactos na fauna e flora na área de influência da Albufeira de
Alqueva.
Estes projectos enquadram-se nas seguintes grandes linhas estratégicas traçadas pela
EDIA em termos ambientais:
a) aprofundar o conhecimento e monitorizar os parâmetros relevantes para a
caracterização da qualidade do ambiente;
b) minimizar e/ou compensar os impactos negativos significativos e os irreversíveis;
c) fomentar a preservação de zonas sensíveis representativas do ponto de vista
ambiental;
d) potenciar a gestão racional dos recursos hídricos e dinamizar as oportunidades
ambientais.
Importa, por fim, referir um dos objectivos estruturantes do EFMA, dado enquadrar-se
particularmente neste estudo:
"Intervenção organizada nos domínios do ambiente e do património potenciando e
melhorando áreas importantes e interessantes do ponto de vista ambiental e patrimonial".

Useful publications (Trilobites) - other authors by Miguel Caldeira Pais - Mediterranic™

Senckenbergiana lethaea, 1995

Contributions to the knowledge of Phacopina (Trilobita). The giant phacopids From Maider, SE-Moro... more Contributions to the knowledge of Phacopina (Trilobita). The giant phacopids From Maider, SE-Moroccan Pre-Sahara.

The giant trilobites from the Middle Devonian of the Maider area - which attain a total length of 12-17 cm. and occasionally up to 20 cm. - are here assigned to the Tribus Geosopini STRUVE 1984 of the Subfamilia Phacopinae WAWLE & CORDA 1847. They belong to the "North African" genus Drotops STRUVE 1990, represented by the taxa megalomanicus megalomanicus STRUVE 1990, megalomanicus subornatus n. subsp., and armatus n. sp. as well by the "Central European" (sub-)genus Pedinoparops (Hypsipariops) STRUVE 1982, represented by the species vagabundus STRUVE 1990. - The introductory part of this paper treats with the marketing behavior of collectors and dealers, first attempts at determination, and with the problem of falsifications and/or "artifacts". The taxonomic-systematic part is introduced by a discussion of morphological features essential for generic determination. The descriptions are supported by a key for (sub-) generic assignment of Rhenish "aspect" phacopids and by a very simplified key for discrimination of "Maider Giants". - The evaluative part of the paper deals with the biostratinomic and palaeoecologic interpretation of the "Maider Giants" beds. Establishment of geological age(s) of the collecting site(s) is attempted by conodont and brachiopod evidence, as well as by the evaluation of the developmental stage of the species vagabundus within the phylogeny of Pedinopariops (Hypsipariops). Placozoogeographical affinities are discussed - The appendix treats with the subgeneric sub-division of Phacops EMMRICH 1839 [cited tn the key], with Atryparia eta n. sp. [Zone brachiopod, mentioned in the stratigraphic discussion] and with Chondrites praetargionii n. ichnosp. [facies indicator, metioned in the palaeoecological-palaeobathymetrical discusson].

Fossils and Strata Series, 2019

The sub-surface section of the Middle Ordovician Sueve Formation of the Cantabrian Zone, studied ... more The sub-surface section of the Middle Ordovician Sueve Formation of the Cantabrian
Zone, studied during the construction of a tunnel in the A-8 free highway of northern
Spain, provided abundant fossiliferous horizons rich in trilobites of Darriwilian age. Finegrained mudstones of the Cofino Member delicately preserve a number of early stages of ~
the calymenacean trilobite Prionocheilus mendax (Vanek), from protaspides to meraspid
degree 2, including in situ exuviae with disarticulated librigenae. From the upper part of
the Bayo Member, small clusters of pyrite spheres ca. 0.5 mm in diameter are recorded,
and may represent eggs of trilobites, being associated with the pliomerid Placoparia
(Coplacoparia) tournemini. (Rouault) in the same beds. The sphaeroids may represent the
pyrite infilling of the internal cavity of possible eggs, and the covering is replaced by phyllosilicates. Differences in shape and size from presumed olenid eggs may be caused by the
particular environmental adaptations of the latter group. The relatively large size of both
the calymenid larvae and the pyritized eggs suggests a lecithotrophy development related
to higher latitudes and/or with scarce organic matter.

AVAILABLE GENERIC NAMES FOR TRILOBITES, Aug 30, 2002

Aconsolidated list of available generic names introduced since the beginning of the binomial nom... more Aconsolidated list of available generic names introduced since the beginning of the binomial
nomenclature system for trilobites is presented for the first time. Each entry is accompanied
by the author and date of availability, by the name of the type species, by a lithostratigraphic
or biostratigraphic and geographic reference for the type species, by a family assignment and
by an age indication of the type species at the Period level (e.g. MCAM, LDEV). A second
listing of these names is taxonomically arranged in families with the families listed
alphabetically, higher level classification being outside the scope of this work. We also
provide a list of names that have apparently been applied to trilobites but which remain
nomina nuda within the ICZN definition.

The Lifestyles of The Trilobites, Sep 2004

These denizens of the Paleozoic Era seas were surprisingly diverse

Description of Kettneraspis? prescheri sp. nov. (Trilobita, Odontopleuridae) from the " couche rouge " (Pragian, Lower Devonian) in Morocco, Jan 14, 2015

Kettneraspis? prescheri sp. nov. is described from the Ihandar Formation at Jbel Issoumour, SE Mo... more Kettneraspis? prescheri sp. nov. is described from the Ihandar Formation at Jbel Issoumour, SE Morocco. Relationships of the morphologically similar Kettneraspis Prantl & Přibyl and Leonaspis Richter & Richter are discussed. Previous diagnoses in the literature are no longer considered to be valid.

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, by Charles Darwin, Nov 24, 1859

Summary of Darwin's theory: Darwin's theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferen... more Summary of Darwin's theory:

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferences drawn from them, which biologist Ernst Mayr summarised as follows:

Every species is fertile enough that if all offspring survived to reproduce the population would grow (fact).
Despite periodic fluctuations, populations remain roughly the same size (fact).
Resources such as food are limited and are relatively stable over time (fact).
A struggle for survival ensues (inference).
Individuals in a population vary significantly from one another (fact).
Much of this variation is inheritable (fact).
Individuals less suited to the environment are less likely to survive and less likely to reproduce; individuals more suited to the environment are more likely to survive and more likely to reproduce and leave their inheritable traits to future generations, which produces the process of natural selection (inference).
This slowly effected process results in populations changing to adapt to their environments, and ultimately, these variations accumulate over time to form new species (inference).

Kettneraspis, Radiaspis and Ceratarges (Trilobita) from the Middle Devonian of the Rochefort area (Ardennes, Belgium), Mar 2007

The Middle Eifelian trilobite fauna of the Belgian Ardennes shows close affinities with that of t... more The Middle Eifelian trilobite fauna of the Belgian Ardennes shows close affinities with that of the Ger- man Eifel. Two trilobite taxa are recorded from Middle Eifelian strata near the town of Jemelle, on the southern border of the Dinant Synclinorium, Belgium. Kettneraspis bayarti sp. nov. is closely related to Kettneraspis elliptica (Burmeister) from the Middle Eifelian of the Rhenish Slate Mountains. Ceratarges cf. armatus (Goldfuss) is also described on the basis of a single pygidium. The odontopleurid Charybdaspis Basse is considered a junior subjective synonym of Radiaspis Richter & Richter. The lichid Rhenarges Basse is briefly discussed and regarded as a junior subjective synonym of Akantharges Phleger.

Parvilichas marochii: New genus and species of Lichidae from the Zagora region (Morocco); Early Ordovician (Floian), Dec 10, 2013

A new genus of Lichidae (Parvilichas n. gen., with the type species P. marochii n. sp.) is desc... more A new genus of Lichidae (Parvilichas n. gen., with the type species P. marochii n. sp.) is
described from the Floian of the Tinzouline (Zagora region, Morocco). Its closest relative is Uralichas
Delgado, 1892, but Parvilichas n. gen. differs from Uralichas mainly in its smaller size, its larger eyes and
longer genal spines. Parvilichas n. gen. extends the range of the Subfamily Lichinae down to the Floian.

BATALLERIA (18) 15-24, Feb 14, 2013

Two new species of trilobites of the Trochurinae subfamily from the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) ... more Two new species of trilobites of the Trochurinae subfamily from the Middle Devonian
(Eifelian) of the Tafilalt region (Morocco) are described. In addition, a new genus (Basseiarges gen. nov.) is
proposed in order to include one of them (Basseiarges mellishae sp. nov.). The main characteristics that
make it different from the other members of the subfamily Trochurinae are its peculiar cephalon and
pygidium, and the saw-shape of the ridge that connects the genal spines, which is similar to that present on
the pygidium border. The second species described here is Akantharges mbareki sp. nov. from Tinejad. Both
them are compared with the previously described species of the genus Akantharges. In addition, the first
description of the hypostome of a member of the genus Akantharges is included.

Trilobites from the upper Lower to Middle De) Timrhanrhart Formation, Jbel Gara el Zguilma, southern Morocco, 2006

Diverse and abundant trilobite faunas occur in several beds near the base of the section of the u... more Diverse and abundant trilobite faunas occur in several beds near the base of the section of the upper Emsian to Eifelian Timrhanrhart Formation exposed at Jbel Gara el Zguilma, south of Foum Zguid in Morocco. While trilobites occur throughout much of this section, they are exquisitely preserved and most diverse in the lowest (upper Emsian) portion. Several of the trilobite species are commercially available, but their taxonomy has never been formalized, and their field occurrence has not previously been described. Near the base of the section, two nodular argillaceous limestone beds contain highly diverse trilobite faunas, with many spectacular spiny forms. These include examples deviating from bilateral symmetry that are apparently unique in the Trilobita. Alpha diversity is high, with as many as 23 trilobite species in one bed.
We suggest that these nodular beds represent thick, rapidly emplaced storm obrution deposits that underwent transport for a short distance before the trilobites came to rest in chaotic burial orientations. Calcareous nodule formation during early diagenesis protected the trilobites from compaction. Higher in the same section, in strata of Eifelian age, trilobite faunas are of lower diversity, and composed mainly of species of Phacops, Hollardops and Parahomalonotus, although one horizon has an alpha diversity of at least 9 species.
Twenty three new species-level taxa include: Acastoides zguilmensis, Acastoides haddadi, Coltraneia effelesa, Cyphaspis agayuara, C. eberhardiei, C. hamidi, Diademaproetus mohamedi, Gerastos tuberculatus marocensis, Hollardops hassainorum, Kayserops tamnrherta, Koneprusia dahmani, Leonaspis haddanei, L. spinicurva, Parahomalonotus calvus, Phacops granulops, P. lebesus, P. smoothops, Psychopyge hammerorum, Scabriscutellum hammadi, S. lahceni, Tropidocoryphe amuri, Walliserops hammii, and W. tridens. Cyphaspis new species A is known only from a single cephalon. “Sculptoproetus” new species A and “S.” new species B are being named in another work that will appear in print after this work.

PalZ

PalZ - Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 2020

Journal of Applied Ecology, 2006

lifebonelli.ceai.pt, 1997

Raptors at …, Jan 1, 2000

Wildlife Biology, Jan 1, 2007

Senckenbergiana lethaea, 1995

Fossils and Strata Series, 2019

AVAILABLE GENERIC NAMES FOR TRILOBITES, Aug 30, 2002

The Lifestyles of The Trilobites, Sep 2004

These denizens of the Paleozoic Era seas were surprisingly diverse

Description of Kettneraspis? prescheri sp. nov. (Trilobita, Odontopleuridae) from the " couche rouge " (Pragian, Lower Devonian) in Morocco, Jan 14, 2015

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life, by Charles Darwin, Nov 24, 1859

Summary of Darwin's theory: Darwin's theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferen... more Summary of Darwin's theory:

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on key facts and the inferences drawn from them, which biologist Ernst Mayr summarised as follows:

Kettneraspis, Radiaspis and Ceratarges (Trilobita) from the Middle Devonian of the Rochefort area (Ardennes, Belgium), Mar 2007

Parvilichas marochii: New genus and species of Lichidae from the Zagora region (Morocco); Early Ordovician (Floian), Dec 10, 2013

BATALLERIA (18) 15-24, Feb 14, 2013

Trilobites from the upper Lower to Middle De) Timrhanrhart Formation, Jbel Gara el Zguilma, southern Morocco, 2006

Lower and Middle Devonian trilobites from southern Uzbekistan, 2010

Thirty-one trilobite species belonging to the families Harpetidae, Scutelluidae, Proetidae, Tropi... more Thirty-one trilobite species belonging to the families Harpetidae, Scutelluidae, Proetidae, Tropidocoryphidae, Aulacopleuridae, Scharyiidae, Cheiruridae, Encrinuridae, Calymenidae, Lichidae and Odontopleuridae are documented from the Lower and Middle Devonian of the Uzbek part of south Tien-Shan (north Nuratau, Turkestan and Zerafshan ranges). New genera are the tropidocoryphids Metaxaphorus and Aidynsaia and the scutelluid Yolkinella, and new species are Scutellum meiorum, Yolkinella yolkini, Cornuproetus kimi and Scharyia kitabica. Many taxa from the Zerafshan Range are shared with Bohemia, the Carnic Alps and Morocco, whilst those from the north Nuratau and Turkestan ranges have more in common with those from the Altai-Sayan region of south-west Siberia.

NEW SPECIES OF THE LICHID TRILOBITE CERATARGES FROM THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN IN MOROCCO, 2011

"Members of Ceratarges Gürich are known from Devonian strata in various countries but they have n... more "Members of Ceratarges Gürich are known from Devonian strata in various countries but they have not yet
been formally described from Morocco. Ceratarges ziregensis sp. nov., Ceratarges koumalii sp. nov. and Ceratarges aries
sp. nov. are herein described from the El Otfal Formation (Eifelian) in Morocco on the basis of complete specimens.
Supplementary material is illustrated of Ceratarges cognatus van Viersen from the Jemelle Formation (Eifelian) in France.
The relationships between Ceratarges, Mephiarges Richter & Richter and Asawikwanabe Basse in Basse & Müller are
briefly elaborated on."

The Tazemmourt section (Fig. 1) is composed of lower Cambrian strata with a total thickness of ca... more The Tazemmourt section (Fig. 1) is composed of lower Cambrian strata with a total thickness of ca. 350 m. It includes rocks of the Igoudine and Amouslek formations. The section is fairly well studied (e.g., [1]–[6]), but is particularly famous for its superbly preserved trilobites (extinct marine arthropods with dorsal skeletons mineralized by calcium carbonate). These trilobites are offered for sale on the global fossil market and find their way into numerous international museum collections (e.g., [7]). Many trilobite species were described from the Tazemmourt section for the first time and have their type localities here ([1], [8]). In addition, the vertical sequence of fossils seen in the section is the basis for the biostratigraphical subdivision in the Atlas Ranges. This fossil-based zonation is part of the most important relative time subdivisions of the Cambrian Period in the West Gondwana paleocontinent and globally (e.g., [1], [6], [9]–[11]).

Recent work has revealed that several horizons in the Daguinaspis Zone (based on trilobite fossils) of the Amouslek Formation yield animal remains with well preserved, internal soft-parts. These occurrences were termed the Souss Lagerstätte, and this is the first Cambrian fossil Lagerstätte known from Africa ([12], [13]). Accordingly, the Tazemmourt section certainly deserves a protected status and should be regarded as one of the key geotopes in Morocco.