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Trepanning on Mediaeval Gamzigrad — Felix Romuliana

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius — 2010 — WHEA45EC9AFF9

A rare case of medieval trepanning, or surgical drilling into the skull, has been identified at Gamzigrad-Romuliana. The discovery, made through archaeological excavations between 1974 and 1992, reveals a well-healed trepanation on the left parietal bone of a male skeleton aged up to 45 years, dating back to the 10th or 11th century. This finding sheds light on medieval surgical practices and the survival rates of such procedures in the region. The study analyzed 132 skeletons from three excavation sites within and around the palace complex, employing anthropological techniques to assess skeletal remains. The trepanation was performed using an old filling technique, indicating advanced but traditional surgical methods during that era.

Trichomycetes from Newfoundland, including Gros Morne National Park

Gros Morne National Park — 2010 — WHE6D87AC423E

Research in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, has uncovered three new species of Trichomycetes fungi—Smittium colboi, Smittium georgense, and Stachylina forantipes—alongside six additional species representing new geographic records for the region. Notably, Spartiella barbata is reported in North America for the first time. The study analyzed aquatic insects from coastal sites across Newfoundland, revealing diverse fungal taxa with taxonomic significance, including detailed observations of Pennella hovassi. This work expands the known biodiversity of Trichomycetes in Atlantic Canada and provides critical insights into their ecological distribution.

Water quality as a regional driver of coral biodiversity and macroalgae on the Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef — 2010 — WHE26CAEC6AA2

Poor water quality significantly degrades coral biodiversity and promotes macroalgae growth on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), according to a large-scale study. The research found that inshore reefs, characterized by lower water clarity and higher chlorophyll levels due to runoff, exhibit reduced richness in hard corals and phototrophic octocorals while experiencing a fivefold increase in macroalgal cover compared to offshore regions. Water quality explained 18–46% of the variation in these biotic groups, with spatial patterns also playing a role. The study identifies potential water quality guidelines—Secchi disk depth >10 meters and chlorophyll <0.45 g/L—that correlate with low macroalgal cover and high coral richness. Improving water quality on 23% of GBR reefs currently exceeding these thresholds could reduce macroalgae by 39% and boost hard coral and phototrophic octocoral richness by 16% and 33%, respectively, offering a target for pollution reduction strategies.

Zooplankton of lakes in the spurs of the Putorana Plateau and adjacent territories (North of Krasnoyarsk Krai)

Putorana Plateau — 2010 — WHEC6FA3066F8

A comprehensive analysis of zooplankton communities in the Putorana Plateau and adjacent territories reveals that calanoid copepods dominate in terms of biomass, accounting for 78.8% of cases, with Heterocope appendiculata being the most frequent subdominant species (26.9%). The study, conducted across four large and 35 small lakes from 10 areas between 2001 and 2004, identified 14 crustacean zooplankton species for the first time in the region and expanded the known range of several species. Notably, cladoceran biomass exceeded 50% only in 31% of cases, indicating a prevalence of copepods in these ecosystems. The research also highlights that zooplankton diversity increases from north to south and east to west, correlating with climatic gradients. These findings suggest potential impacts of global warming on species distribution and community structure.