Fossil insects from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the first time, and portions and distribution of some elements in com-pression and pyr...Fossil insects from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the first time, and portions and distribution of some elements in com-pression and pyrited fossils were also revealed by X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) at-tached to SEM. Most of compression fossil insects from the Daohugou Biota are preserved in organic remains (diagenetic products of the original organic components). A small part of compression fossils retain a comparatively high Fe concentration which probably resulted from the absorption of Fe by biopolymers during the decaying period. Pyritized insect fossils suggest that the "fossil envelop" model found in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota probably also occurs in the Daohugou Biota. Different preservation modes show various mechanisms of fossilization, and also suggest that several different microenvironments are present in Daohugou palaeolakes.展开更多
The exquisitely preserved fossil embryos of Markuelia recovered from the limestones of the Middle Cambrian Haoqiao Formation and Upper Cambrian Bitiao formation in western Hunan, South China are described and illustra...The exquisitely preserved fossil embryos of Markuelia recovered from the limestones of the Middle Cambrian Haoqiao Formation and Upper Cambrian Bitiao formation in western Hunan, South China are described and illustrated in detail for the first time. A new species Markuelia elegans sp. nov. is established based mainly on embryos from the Upper Cambrian. A few of animal＇s resting eggs, which are comparable with those of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, have been also found in the Upper Cambrian of western Hunan. The membrane of one egg from the uppermost Cambrian has been replaced by pyrite and the overgrowth of the pyrite crystals exhibits a unique inorganic pattern termed herein ＇Pseudoembryo＇. The taphonomic setting in deeper water with possible strong reducing conditions promoted the excellent preservation for the Markuelia specimens. The study of Markuelia provides not only constraint on the anatomy, affinity, embryonic development and phylogenetic significance of this wormlike animal and but also opens a new window onto the evolution and development of the earliest animals.展开更多
El Soplao outcrop, an Early Cretaceous amber deposit recently discovered in northern Spain （Cantabria）, has been shown to be the largest site of amber with arthropod inclusions that has been found in Spain so far. R...El Soplao outcrop, an Early Cretaceous amber deposit recently discovered in northern Spain （Cantabria）, has been shown to be the largest site of amber with arthropod inclusions that has been found in Spain so far. Relevant data provided herein for biogeochemistry of the amber, palynology, taphonomy and arthropod bioinclusions complement those previously published. This set of data suggests at least two botanical sources for the amber of El Soplao deposit. The first （type A amber） strongly supports a source related to Cheirolepidiaceae, and the second （type B amber） shows non-specific conifer biomarkers. Comparison of molecular composition of type A amber with Frenelopsis leaves （Cheirolepidiaceae） strongly suggests a biochemical affinity and a common botanical origin. A preliminary palynological study indicates a regional high taxonomical diversity, mainly of pteridophyte spores and gymnosperm pollen grains. According to the preliminary palynological data, the region was inhabited by conifer forests adapted to a dry season under a subtropical climate. The abundant charcoalified wood associated with the amber in the same beds is evidence of paleofires that most likely promoted both the resin production and an intensive erosion of the litter, and subsequent great accumulation of amber plus plant cuticles. In addition, for the first time in the fossil record, charcoalified plant fibers as bioinclnsions in amber are reported. Other relevant taphonomic data are the exceptional presence of serpulids and bryozoans on the surfaces of some amber pieces indicating both a long exposure on marine or brackish-water and a mixed assemblage of amber. Lastly, new findings of insect bioiuclusions, some of them uncommon in the fossil record or showing remarkable adaptations, are reported. In conclusion, a documented scenario for the origin of the El Soplao amber outcrop is provided.展开更多
Abstract The taphonomy of fishes living in lacustrine environments has been extensively studied in both the laboratory and the fossil record;the taphonomy of marine fishes,however,is poorly known.Triassic marine fishe...Abstract The taphonomy of fishes living in lacustrine environments has been extensively studied in both the laboratory and the fossil record;the taphonomy of marine fishes,however,is poorly known.Triassic marine fishes with heavy ganoid and cosmoid scales,which provided protection from rapid taphonomic loss,offer a means to examine marine fish taphonomy in the fossil record.Four genera of Early Triassic fishes(the ray-finned actinopterygians Albertonia,Bobasatrania,Boreosomus,and the lobe-finned coelacanth(sarcopterygian),Whiteia)from the Wapiti Lake,British Columbia locality of the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation were examined in order to gain a better understanding of the taphonomy of fish in marine environments,determine ambient environmental conditions in the region during the Early Triassic,and ascertain the habitat and mode of life of the fish.Results indicate that environmental conditions that contributed to the preservation of the fossil fishes of the current study included deposition in deep,quiet waters,which reduced the odds of disarticulation,colder waters under higher pressure,which slowed decay and limited postmortem floatation,and waters that were anoxic,which discouraged predators and scavengers.In addition,the thickness of the primitive ganoid and cosmoid scales of the fossil fishes also increased their preservation potential.Taphonomic,physiological and environmental indicators suggest that Whiteia,Albertonia,and possibly Bobasatrania lived in deep,cold waters near the oxygen minimum zone,while Boreosomus lived higher in the water column.While the anatomical and physiological characteristics of modern fishes will likely continue to inhibit marine taphonomy studies,examination of ancient fish,particularly those with ganoid or cosmoid scales,may provide future avenues of research to gain a better understanding of marine fish taphonomy and provide a powerful tool to examine ancient fish behavior and their environment.展开更多
The Messel oil shale, Germany, was deposited in a maar crater that formed 47 million years ago. Since 1975 the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, has conducted systematic scientific excavations of th...The Messel oil shale, Germany, was deposited in a maar crater that formed 47 million years ago. Since 1975 the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, has conducted systematic scientific excavations of this oil shale with much success. Besides plants and insects, more than 130 species of well-preserved fossil vertebrates like reptiles, fishes, birds and mammals have been found and have made Messel world-famous. Some examples of these vertebrates are presented.展开更多
基金Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB806400)National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40872015, 40523004, 40632010)Special Fund for Graduates in the Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
文摘Fossil insects from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the first time, and portions and distribution of some elements in com-pression and pyrited fossils were also revealed by X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) at-tached to SEM. Most of compression fossil insects from the Daohugou Biota are preserved in organic remains (diagenetic products of the original organic components). A small part of compression fossils retain a comparatively high Fe concentration which probably resulted from the absorption of Fe by biopolymers during the decaying period. Pyritized insect fossils suggest that the "fossil envelop" model found in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota probably also occurs in the Daohugou Biota. Different preservation modes show various mechanisms of fossilization, and also suggest that several different microenvironments are present in Daohugou palaeolakes.
基金supported by the NationalNatural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.40772008 and 40572003)the Research Fund for DoctoralProgram of High Education(Grant No.20060001059)State Key Laboratory of Paleobiology and Stratigraphy,Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,ChineseAcademy of Sciences(Grant No.083101)
文摘The exquisitely preserved fossil embryos of Markuelia recovered from the limestones of the Middle Cambrian Haoqiao Formation and Upper Cambrian Bitiao formation in western Hunan, South China are described and illustrated in detail for the first time. A new species Markuelia elegans sp. nov. is established based mainly on embryos from the Upper Cambrian. A few of animal＇s resting eggs, which are comparable with those of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, have been also found in the Upper Cambrian of western Hunan. The membrane of one egg from the uppermost Cambrian has been replaced by pyrite and the overgrowth of the pyrite crystals exhibits a unique inorganic pattern termed herein ＇Pseudoembryo＇. The taphonomic setting in deeper water with possible strong reducing conditions promoted the excellent preservation for the Markuelia specimens. The study of Markuelia provides not only constraint on the anatomy, affinity, embryonic development and phylogenetic significance of this wormlike animal and but also opens a new window onto the evolution and development of the earliest animals.
基金supported by a scholarship from the Instituto Geologico y Minero de Espana(IGME),an APIF grant of the University of Barcelona,and a FPI grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology,respectivelya contribution of the IGME Project 491-CANOA 35015"Investigacion cientifica y tecnica de la Cueva de E1 Soplao y su entorno geologico"+1 种基金the projects CGL2008-/01237BTE from the MICINN,CGL2008- 00550/BTE:"Amber of the Cretaceous of Spain:A multidisciplinary study"the ANR Project AMBRACE BLAN07-1-184190
文摘El Soplao outcrop, an Early Cretaceous amber deposit recently discovered in northern Spain （Cantabria）, has been shown to be the largest site of amber with arthropod inclusions that has been found in Spain so far. Relevant data provided herein for biogeochemistry of the amber, palynology, taphonomy and arthropod bioinclusions complement those previously published. This set of data suggests at least two botanical sources for the amber of El Soplao deposit. The first （type A amber） strongly supports a source related to Cheirolepidiaceae, and the second （type B amber） shows non-specific conifer biomarkers. Comparison of molecular composition of type A amber with Frenelopsis leaves （Cheirolepidiaceae） strongly suggests a biochemical affinity and a common botanical origin. A preliminary palynological study indicates a regional high taxonomical diversity, mainly of pteridophyte spores and gymnosperm pollen grains. According to the preliminary palynological data, the region was inhabited by conifer forests adapted to a dry season under a subtropical climate. The abundant charcoalified wood associated with the amber in the same beds is evidence of paleofires that most likely promoted both the resin production and an intensive erosion of the litter, and subsequent great accumulation of amber plus plant cuticles. In addition, for the first time in the fossil record, charcoalified plant fibers as bioinclnsions in amber are reported. Other relevant taphonomic data are the exceptional presence of serpulids and bryozoans on the surfaces of some amber pieces indicating both a long exposure on marine or brackish-water and a mixed assemblage of amber. Lastly, new findings of insect bioiuclusions, some of them uncommon in the fossil record or showing remarkable adaptations, are reported. In conclusion, a documented scenario for the origin of the El Soplao amber outcrop is provided.
文摘Abstract The taphonomy of fishes living in lacustrine environments has been extensively studied in both the laboratory and the fossil record;the taphonomy of marine fishes,however,is poorly known.Triassic marine fishes with heavy ganoid and cosmoid scales,which provided protection from rapid taphonomic loss,offer a means to examine marine fish taphonomy in the fossil record.Four genera of Early Triassic fishes(the ray-finned actinopterygians Albertonia,Bobasatrania,Boreosomus,and the lobe-finned coelacanth(sarcopterygian),Whiteia)from the Wapiti Lake,British Columbia locality of the Lower Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation were examined in order to gain a better understanding of the taphonomy of fish in marine environments,determine ambient environmental conditions in the region during the Early Triassic,and ascertain the habitat and mode of life of the fish.Results indicate that environmental conditions that contributed to the preservation of the fossil fishes of the current study included deposition in deep,quiet waters,which reduced the odds of disarticulation,colder waters under higher pressure,which slowed decay and limited postmortem floatation,and waters that were anoxic,which discouraged predators and scavengers.In addition,the thickness of the primitive ganoid and cosmoid scales of the fossil fishes also increased their preservation potential.Taphonomic,physiological and environmental indicators suggest that Whiteia,Albertonia,and possibly Bobasatrania lived in deep,cold waters near the oxygen minimum zone,while Boreosomus lived higher in the water column.While the anatomical and physiological characteristics of modern fishes will likely continue to inhibit marine taphonomy studies,examination of ancient fish,particularly those with ganoid or cosmoid scales,may provide future avenues of research to gain a better understanding of marine fish taphonomy and provide a powerful tool to examine ancient fish behavior and their environment.
文摘The Messel oil shale, Germany, was deposited in a maar crater that formed 47 million years ago. Since 1975 the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt am Main, has conducted systematic scientific excavations of this oil shale with much success. Besides plants and insects, more than 130 species of well-preserved fossil vertebrates like reptiles, fishes, birds and mammals have been found and have made Messel world-famous. Some examples of these vertebrates are presented.
