Christian Baal

Benthic foraminiferal associations in the Northern Bay of Safaga, Red Sea, Egypt

Abstract In the shallow-water area (0–70 m) of the Northern Bay of Safaga, 73 surface samples were studied with respect to total foraminiferal fauna. The samples cover a great variety of shallow-water environments and yielded 239 foraminiferal taxa. Based on q-mode cluster analysis, and tested by canonical discriminant analysis, the samples are grouped into 13 foraminiferal associations, each characterized by several species: (1) Quinqueloculina mosharrafai-Borelis schlumbergeri-Brizalina simpsoni Ass., (2) Heterostegina depressa-Amphlstegina lessonii/bicirculata Ass., (3) Cibicidids- Rosalina-Amphistegina lobifera-Pseudoschlumbergerina ovata Ass., (4) Peneroplis planatus Ass., (5) Peneroplis planatus-Varidentella neostriatula Ass., (6) Peneroplis planatus-Coscinospira hemprichii-Varidentella neostriatula Ass., (7) Quinqueloculina spp. Ass., (8) Hauerina diversa-Sorites orbiculus Ass., (9) Verneuilina sp.-n Articulina pacifica-Reussella simplex Ass., (10) Textularia agglutinans/rugulosa-Bolivina variabilis Ass., (11) Textularia agglutinans-Challengerella bradyi-Elphidium jenseni/simplex Ass., (12) Operculina ammonoides-Adelosina laevigata-Brizalina striatula/subspathulata Ass., (13) Bolivina variabilis—Miliolinella-Nonion fabum-Elphidium simplex Ass. The characteristic forms of each association are linked to specific environmental parameters and modes of life. As long as taxonomic uniformitarianism can be applied, similar associations with comparable ecological demands may also be detected in the fossil record. For comparisons with taxonomically different material the 13 associations are summarized into 4 categories each reflecting a specific type of substrate. In the fossil record these categories may be recognized by general morphological characteristics of the foraminiferal tests and by sedimentological data. The 4 substrate types are: hardground, sand (with or without seagrass and/or corals), firmground, and soft bottom.

Combined LM and SEM study of the Middle Miocene (Sarmatian) palynoflora from the Lavanttal Basin, Austria: Part I. Bryophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Pteridophyta, Ginkgophyta, and Gnetophyta

Abstract Preliminary studies of the palynoflora from the Lavanttal Basin show a relatively rich assemblage of pollen and spores. The palynoflora comprises at least 17 different kinds of spores, representing the Bryophyta (Sphagnum), Lycopodiophyta (Lycopodium, Selaginella), and the Pteridophyta (Dryopteris, Osmunda, Pteris), about 20 different pollen types of conifers assignable to Cupressaceae and Pinaceae, and 130–160 different kinds of angiosperm pollen. In this study, we describe all spores together with pollen from two seed plants, i.e. Ginkgo (Ginkgophyta) and Ephedra (Gnetophyta). The fossil spores and pollen grains are preserved in phosphoritic nodules. Absence of palynomorphs characteristic of marine settings and presence of numerous freshwater algae (diatoms, dinoflagellates, and different green algae) indicate freshwater environments. This is also supported by sedimentological observations suggestive of wetland surroundings, characterised by lakes, swamps, streams, rivers and floodplain areas. The taxa reported here all seem to represent part of azonal vegetation with plants growing in swamps, on hummocks, along border of lakes or streams, on levees, or on sandy patches of floodplains. Preliminary results suggest that the vegetation thrived under a relatively warm and humid climate.

Uncombable hair and atopic dermatitis in a case of tricho-dento-osseous syndrome

The tricho‐dento‐osseous syndrome is a rare genetic disorder due to a mutation in the DLX3 gene on chromosome 17q21. It can affect hair, teeth, bone and nails, causing phenotypic variability. We report on an 8‐year‐old girl with tricho‐dento‐osseous syndrome, who presented in our allergy center with severe atopic dermatitis. Additional clinical findings included light, kinky hair reminiscent of pili trianguli et canaliculi (uncombable hair), enamel hypoplasia and enlarged pulp chambers of the molar teeth (tau‐rodontism). A genetic investigation revealed a de‐novo mutation in the DLX3 gene on chromosome 17q21. Electron microscopic examination of the curly hair showed a flattened hair shaft with longitudinal grooves.