摘要
Statistical analysis based on global data indicated that the planktonic graptolites presented a distinguished pattern from that of benthic communities during the great Ordovician biodiversification. The graptolites started to diversify from the beginning
Statistical analysis based on global data indicated that the planktonic graptolites presented a distinguished pattern from that of benthic communities during the great Ordovician biodiversification. The graptolites started to diversify from the beginning of Ordovician and reached an acme in the early Middle Ordovician, but subsequently underwent a steady decline to the end of Ordovician. During the Ordovician, many clades of the graptolites made their originations, flourishing and replacements. However, in different regions and distinct environments across the world, graptolites may presumably display distinct patterns of radiation and evolution, a hypothesis to be tested. Herein a study of the graptolite diversity in the Early to Middle Ordovician in the Upper Yangtze Region (Platform) and Jiangnan Region (Slope), South China, is conducted. The results indicate that graptolites underwent a remarkable increase in both regions, but with distinct magnitude, scope, process and patterns. The diversification of graptolites in the Upper Yangtze Region, though less prominent, is divided into four stages and includes two peaks. In the Jiangnan Region, the graptolite diversification is far more prominent and includes three stages and one peak. Based on the distinct diversity histories and composition of graptolites in the two representative regions, a 'deep-water origin and shallow-water dispersal' model is proposed for the Ordovician graptolite faunas. According to the model, the major graptolite faunas of Ordovician originated in the deep-water region on the continental slope, the source of the graptolite novelties, and subsequently spread into shallow-water region on the shelf. Besides, we also conduct a comparison study of the Ordovician graptolite diversity in South China and other major regions. The results display that the graptolites diversified globally in the Early and Middle Ordovician. At the beginning of Ordovician, graptolites underwent a significant ecological innovation of graptolites: planktonic forms wer
基金
the Projects of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant Nos. KZCX2-YW-122 and KZCX3-SW-149)
the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. 2006CB806400)
the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40532009) and IGCP503
