Potential Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) for a Cambrian stage boundary defined by the first appearance of the trilobite Ptychagnostus atavus, Drum Mountains, Utah, USA

The base of the Ptychagnostus (or Acidusus) atavus Zone is one of the most clearly recognizable horizons on an intercontinental scale in the Cambrian System, and would serve as an excellent position for the base of a new stage-level chronostratigraphic subdivision. Among well-exposed, readily accessible sections in Laurentia, the “Stratotype Ridge” section, Drum Mountains, western Utah, USA, is perhaps the most suitable for a Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) defined by the first appearance datum (FAD) of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite P. atavus. In the “Stratotype Ridge” section, the FAD of P. atavus occurs near the base of a calcisiltite bed 62 m above the base of the Wheeler Formation. A position corresponding closely to this horizon can be recognized with precision in Gondwana, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and Baltica using a combination of stratigraphic tools, the most useful of which are trilobite biostratigraphy, conodont biostratigraphy, and sequence stratigraphy. Brachiopod biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy provide general constraints on the position of the horizon intercontinentally.     

Re‐evaluation of the conodont Iapetognathus and implications for the base of the Ordovician System GSSP

Terfelt, F, Bagnoli, G. & Stouge, S. 2011: Re‐evaluation of the conodont Iapetognathus and implications for the base of the Ordovician System GSSP. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 227–237. In 2000, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) ratified the decision from the International Working Group on the Cambrian–Ordovician Boundary (COBWG) to place the Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Ordovician System in the Green Point section, Newfoundland, Canada, at a point coinciding with the first appearance of the conodont Iapetognathus fluctivagus. However, a restudy of the conodont successions from Green Point shows that this species is not present at the boundary interval, and as a consequence the section does not fulfil the biostratigraphical requirements of a GSSP. The GSSP horizon as now defined is based on a level part‐way through the range of I. preaengensis– a species with lower first appearance datum (FAD). The true FAD of I. fluctivagus is above the FAD of planktonic graptolites and well above the FAD of I. preaengensis. As a consequence of these problems, a restudy of the GSSP section and the other sections in the Cow Head Group is necessary. A redefinition of the GSSP horizon is suggested. The following four alternative horizons have potential as new horizons for the GSSP level: the FAD of Cordylodus intermedius; the FAD of Cordylodus andresi; the FAD of Eoconodontus notchpeakensis; and the FAD of the agnostoid Lotagnostus americanus. □Boundary, Cambrian, conodont, Global boundary Stratotype Section Point, Iapetognathus, Ordovician.     

湖北宜昌黄花场剖面中/下奥陶统界线附近的牙形剌

重点描述宜昌黄花场剖面中 /下奥陶统界线附近的重要牙形剌共 3属、5种和 2新种Bergstroe mognathussp .nov .,BaltoniodustetrachotomusLiandWangsp .nov .,并对Oepikodusevae带和Baltoniodustriangu laris带分子的首现位置及带的含义进行厘定。作者还在此剖面大湾组下段发现北美中大陆区暖水型牙形剌Tripoduslaevis和Protoprioniodusaranda ,并确定Tripoduslaevis的首现位置在Baltoniodustriangularis带底界之上 0 .3m处。Tripoduslaevis的首次出现曾提议为中奥陶统的底界的标志 (见陈旭等 ,2 0 0 0 ) ,在宜昌黄花场剖面上Tripoduslaevis的首现位置接近Baltoniodustriangularis带底界 ,对确定中 /下奥陶统界线很重要。由于在黄花场剖面可识别出Baltonioduscrassulus—B .gladiatus—B .triangularis演化谱系 ,作者建议以B .triangularis的首次出现作为中奥陶统的底界 ,宜昌黄花场剖面为中 /下奥陶统界线的层型剖面。同时 ,文中将本区的牙形刺带与世界其它地区作了对比。     

贵州沿河土地坳下奥陶统牙形石

本文报道了采自贵州沿河土地坳下奥陶统的牙形石,计有２５属３９种,根据牙形石组合特片分析,认为其与黔北其它地区下奥陶统牙形石组合面貌基本一致,属北大西洋牙形石动物地理区。     

Conodonts from the Global Stratotype section for the base of the Guzhangian Stage (Cambrian) at Luoyixi,Hunan, South China

The base of the Guzhangian Stage (Cambrian) has been ratified recently at the lowest occurrence of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Lejopyge laevigata (base of the Lejopyge laevigata Zone) in the Huaqiao Formation in the Luoyixi section, Guzhang County, Hunan Province, China.Sampling of the Luoyixi section in the boundary interval reveals 16 protoconodont and paraconodont taxa. The conodont succession can be correlated with the Gapparodus bisulcatus-Westergaardodina brevidens and the Shandongodus priscus-Hunanognathus tricuspidatus zones of South China and with the Laiwugnathus laiwuensis and the Shandongodus priscus zones of North China. Laiwugnathus laiwuensis occurs immediately below the lowest occurrence of Lejopyge laevigata. The first occurrence of Shandongodus priscus is 14.95 m above the base of the Lejopyge laevigata Zone. A significant change in the conodont associations occurs in the interval corresponding to the uppermost Lejopyge armata trilobite Zone. This interval is characterized by an increase in diversity with the appearance of the paracondont genera Furnishina and Laiwugnathus. Laiwugnathus laiwuensis, which occurs immediately below the lowest occurrence of Lejopyge laevigata, has a short stratigraphic record and allows confident correlation with North China.     

Selection of the conodont Idiognathodus simulator (Ellison) as the event marker for the base of the global Gzhelian Stage (Upper Pennsylvanian, Carboniferous)

Studies carried out for more than 10 years by the Task Group to establish GSSPs at the base of the Moscovian–Kasimovian and Kasimovian–Gzhelian boundaries have resulted in the proposal that the level at which the conodont species Idiognathodus simulator (Ellison, 1941) first appears be selected to mark the base of the Gzhelian Stage. This expands this eastern European chronostratigraphic unit to a global scale.I. simulator (sensu Barrick et al., 2008) has been identified so far in Midcontinent and eastern North America, the Moscow and Donets basins and southern Urals of eastern Europe, and in south-central China. Correlation of this level based on this species and other conodont species can be reinforced in some areas by ammonoid and fusulinid data.     

Evolution of C isotopes in the Cambrian of China: implications for Cambrian subdivision and trilobite mass extinctions

Carbon and oxygen isotopes were studied in fossiliferous Cambrian carbonates in northwestern Hunan Province (South China) and in northern Anhui and southern Shandong provinces (North China). Two major C isotope excursions related to biological events occur in the Wangcun section (Yongshun County, northwestern Hunan), which consists of a slope carbonate sequence (510 m thick) containing abundant trilobites. The first C isotope excursion (δ¹³C value shifts from -2.3‰ to 2‰) occurs near the boundary between the Qingxudong and Aoxi formations, close to the traditional Lower-Middle Cambrian boundary. The second excursion (δ¹³C value shifts from 0‰ to 3‰) occurs in the interval between the Linguagnostus reconditus Zone and the Glyptagnostus reticulatus Zone. The base of the G. reticulatus Zone define the base of the Paibi Stage and Furongian Series. Similar C isotope excursions also occur in shallow - water carbonate sections in North China. In Jiagou section near Huainan (Anhui Province), recently considered an important interval for defining the lower-middle Cambrian boundary because of dramatic changes in the trilobite fauna (extinction of redlichiids and appearances of ptychopariids), a negative C isotope excursion (δ¹³C value shifts from +1.21‰ to -1.93‰) occurs at the top of the lower member of the Mantou Formation. In the Gushan section (Changqing County, Shandong Province), a C isotope excursion (δ¹³C value shifts from -0.04‰ to 2.23‰) occurs at the base of the Changshan Formation and is coincident with the base of the Chuangia Zone. This excursion can be correlated with the excursion in the lower part of Glyptagnostus reticulatus Zone in the Wangcun section. The above two distinct C isotope excursions, which occur both in slope carbonates in South China and in shallow - water carbonates in North China, have also been recognized in Cambrian sections on other continents, and they coincide with global mass extinctions of trilobites. The two excursions evidently reflect global changes of Cambrian sea level, and they have utility for Cambrian subdivisions and for both regional and global stratigraphic correlation. In addition, a negative carbon excursion below the base of the Ptychagnostus atavus Zone in the Wangcun section supports previous suggestions that the FAD of P. atavus can be considered as a global correlatable horizon within the middle Cambrian.     

河北唐山下奥陶统牙形刺生物地层的新认识

本文作者在安太庠等(1983)研究过的唐山赵各庄剖面,对下奥陶统冶里组和亮甲山组较系统地采集了牙形刺样品,通过对所获牙形刺标本和安太库等(1983)所描述的牙形刺动物群仔细研究后,对包括分带和对比意见有新的认识。安太庠等(1983)把自寒武系凤山组顶部至下奥陶统亮甲山组这段地层,自下而上建立了Cordylodus proavus,Utahconus beimadaoensis-Monocostodus sevierensis,Cordylodus rotundatus-"Acodus"oneotensis,Scolopodus quadraplicatus-S.opimus,Scalpellodus tersus,Serratognathus bilobatus,S.extensus和Paraserratognathus paltodiformis等8带,其中Cordylodus proavus带为寒武系顶,Utahconus beimadaoensis-Monocostodus sevierensis至Scolopodus quadraplicatus-S.opimus等带为下奥陶统冶里组,其余则为下奥陶统亮甲山组,寒武系-奥陶系界线置于Utahconus beimadaoensis-Monocostodus sevierensis带之底。这一牙形刺序列和寒武系-奥陶系界线划分方案在国内被广泛引用至今(王志浩等,2011)。本文通过补充采集到的牙形刺标本和安太庠等(1983)报道的材料,根据一些重要分子在地层中的分布及公认的牙形刺分带原则,对安太庠等(1983)的牙形刺分带方案重新修订,自下而上修订为Cordylodus proavus,C.lindstromi,Iapetognathus jilinensis,Cordylodus angulatus,Chosonodina herfurthi-Rossodus manitouensis,Glyptoconus quadraplicatus,Scalpellodus tersus-Triangulodus aff.bifidus,Serratognathus bilobatus,S.extensus和Paraserratognathus obesus等10带,寒武系-奥陶系界线则置于Iapetognathus jilinensis带之底。根据这一修订后的牙形刺序列,寒武系顶至下奥陶统冶里组部分的牙形刺带可与国内、外相同层位的牙形刺带进行精细对比,而亮甲山组的牙形刺虽有明显的地方性特点,但除其顶部因更具地方性而不能直接对比外,其中下部仍可与华南区下奥陶统红花园组相对比。     

Integrated conodont and radiolarian biostratigraphy of the upper Norian in Baoshan Block,Southwestern China

Two significant stratigraphical microfossils, conodonts and radiolarians, are usually used for the Upper Triassic chronostratigraphy. The Baoshan Block was located in eastern Tethys during the Late Triassic where the biostratigraphical data of Upper Triassic are still poorly known. We collected new samples from the Hongyan section (HY) for biostratigraphical study. This 24-m-thick section in Dabaozi Village, Baoshan City, is mainly composed of thin-layered limestones, sandstone and siltstone. The conodont fauna is referred to Sevatian 1 (late Norian), in which the species Mockina englandi, Mockina carinata and Mockina mosheri morphotype B are first recognized in the Baoshan Block, and thus eastern Tethys. The Norian radiolarian associations are first reported in the Baoshan Block, which correlate with the biozonation of North America and also that proposed for Central Japan. The radiolarian assemblages found in the analysed samples in HY section can be referred to the Sevatian Betraccium deweveri Zone. The Baoshan Block is a key area for conodont and radiolarian-based correlations between the Tethys, Japan and North American domains.     

Conodont biostratigraphy of Upper Devonian–Lower Carboniferous deposits in eastern Alborz (Mighan section), North Iran

The Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) transition is characterized by a major transgressive/regressive cycle which led to a widespread ocean anoxia known as the Hangenberg Black Shale Event (HBSE), as well to a major sea-level fall (Hangenberg Sandstone Event, HSSE), recognized around the world. Both events are known as the Hangenberg Crisis. In order to examine the D/C transition in shallow water environment, the Mighan section in eastern Alborz was studied in terms of conodont biostratigraphy and stable isotope geochemistry. Twenty-five conodont species belonging to seven genera were identified and 5 conodont zones discriminated; namely, the Bispathodus aculeatus aculeatus Zone, Bispathodus costatus Zone, Bispathodus ultimus Zone, Siphonodella praesulcata Zone, costatus-kockeli Interregnum, and the sulcata Zone. Below the Devonian–Carboniferous boundary (DCB), the Hangenberg Black Shale and Hangenberg Sandstone equivalents were recognized, representing the Hangenberg Crisis that highly affected trilobite, ammonoid, brachiopod and conodont faunas at Mighan and worldwide. The kockeli Zone of the latest Famennian is missing at Mighan due to the lack of conodonts, probably related with the major environmental changes linked with the Hangenberg Crisis recognizable worldwide. Carbon isotopes measured of micrites from Mighan indicate a proximal depositional environment of a shallow shelf with terrestrial input and the oxygen isotope values from conodont apatite suggest warm seawater temperatures of tropical and subtropical setting in the study area.     

新疆库鲁克塔格南部突尔沙克塔格群顶部（晚寒武世—早奥陶世）的三叶虫

描述新疆库鲁克塔格地区南部南雅尔当山和却尔却克山突尔沙克塔格群顶部的三叶虫,计10属2亚属9种和3未定种,分为2个三叶虫带,下部Hysterolenus带、上部Dichelepyge sinensis带。根据牙形类化石带的对比,寒武－奥陶系界线应在三叶虫Hysterolenus带之内通过。     

Proposed GSSP for the base of Cambrian Stage 7, coinciding with the first appearance of Lejopyge laevigata, Hunan, China

The Luoyixi section, exposed in a roadcut along the Youshui River (Fengtan Reservoir), Guzhang County, Hunan Province, China, is proposed as the stratotype for the base of an unnamed stage boundary (base of the Cambrian stage provisionally termed Stage 7). The proposed position of the GSSP is 121.3 m above the base of the Huaqiao Formation, at a horizon coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Lejopyge laevigata. The section fulfills all the requirements for a GSSP, and the horizon can be constrained not only with the primary stratigraphic marker (L. laevigata) but also with secondary biostratigraphic, sequence-stratigraphic, and chemostratigraphic correlation tools. The first appearance of L. laevigata is one of the most readily recognizable levels in the Cambrian, and can be correlated with precision to all paleocontinents.     

海南岛早志留世晚期腕足类Xinanospirifer的发现--兼论南好组

海南岛保亭县毛感乡南兵至南好公路边南好组以往被确认为下石炭统岩关阶 ,并认为与其下的上志留统足赛岭组呈角度不整合接触。著者最近在该剖面南好组中发现兰多维列世特里奇期晚期 (LateTelychian)Xi nanospirifer腕足动物群和三叶虫Latiproetuscf.latilimbatus,证明久归于下石炭统岩关阶南好组的地质时代应改归于早志留世 (Llandoverian) ;海南岛地区在早志留世明显属于扬子地台区的范畴 ;从地质时间上还暗示南好组与其下伏的足赛岭组不可能存在角度不整合接触 ;     

Early Cambrian biogeography in the North Atlantic region

A model of Early Cambrian trilobite biogeography in the North Atlantic region (Theokritoff 1979. Lethaia 12 , 281–295) is reviewed and modified in the light of new data. The presence of Wanneria in conglomerates bearing the Elliptocephala asaphoides fauna strengthens correlation of the E. asaphoides fauna as well as, by implication, the upper part of the Calluvia Zone with the middle part of the Bonnia-Olenellus Zone. The faunas of the Bastion Formation of East Greenland and of the Devil's Cove Limestone of northern Newfoundland are reinterpreted as shelf faunas. Additional occurrences of Archaeocyatha are noted in Spain and northwest Scotland but reports of Archaeocyatha in northern Norway and East Germany are not authenticated. Neither Salterella nor 'Volborthella' are now recognized as characteristic of any trilobite province. Although Ordovician acritarch provinces show congruence with trilobite provinces, available data on Early Cambrian plankton are not sufficient to support algal provincialism. Interpretation of the geological record suggests that the Early Cambrian lapetus Ocean was stratified with a well-mixed oxygenated zone overlying a phosphate-rich oxygen minimum zone and that the Elliptocephala asaphoides fauna should be reinterpreted as a warm-water fauna.     

安徽巢湖地区早三叠世菊石序列

由于地处低纬度下扬子碳酸盐缓坡台地较深水区 ,安徽巢湖地区的下三叠统由一系列泥、灰岩旋回层组成 ,并含有丰富的菊石化石。通过对巢北平顶山和马家山一带上二叠统顶部和下三叠统多条剖面的系统研究 ,建立了在华南乃至低纬度特提斯地区具有代表性的、以属级分类单位为基础的下三叠统菊石生物地层序列 (从下而上 ) :Ophiceras Lytophiceras带、Gyronites Prionolobus带、Flemingites Euflemingites带、Anasibirites带、Columbites Tirolites带和Subcolumbites带。在提议的全球印度阶 奥伦尼克阶界线层型候选剖面———巢湖平顶山西坡剖面上 ,Flemingites Euflemingites带之底与牙形石Neospathoduswaageni首现点比较接近 ,可以作为本界线主要辅助标志之一。记述采自该区上二叠统顶部及下三叠统 ,尤其是印度阶 奥伦尼克阶界线附近的一些具有年代地层意义的菊石化石资料 。     

The Carboniferous carbonates of the Dombar Hills (western Kazakhstan) and the problem of the Viséan–Serpukhovian boundary

The Upper Viséan–Serpukhovian ammonoid-rich carbonates in the Dombar Hills (Aktobe Region, western Kazakhstan) provide an excellent opportunity to calibrate the ammonoid and conodont zonations around the base of the Serpukhovian Stage, and are important for interregional correlation. A section in the Dombar Hills spanning the Viséan–Serpukhovian boundary is measured and its fossil content is analyzed. Two ammonoid genozones (Hypergoniatites-Ferganoceras and Uralopronorites-Cravenoceras) and two conodont zones (Lochriea nodosa and Lochriea ziegleri) are recognized. The section displays a contact between the Hypergoniatites-Ferganoceras and Uralopronorites-Cravenoceras ammonoid genozones in a continuous succession and an evolutionarily early appearance of the genus Cravenoceras. The base of the Serpukhovian Stage is drawn at the level of the first appearance datum (FAD) of the conodont Lochriea ziegleri, which, as in the Verkhnyaya Kardailovka section (potential GSSP candidate, South Urals, Russia) enters within the Hypergoniatites-Ferganoceras ammonoid Genozone.     

Potential global stratotype sections and points in China for defining Cambrian stages and series

Three stratigraphic sections in the Cambrian of China that contain complete successions across important biohorizons having chronostratigraphic value, and that may be useful for developing Cambrian stage or series boundaries, are reviewed. The Wuliu section (Guizhou, South China), contains the FAD of Oryctocephalus indicus at 58.2 m above the base of the Kaili Formation. The Wangcun North section (Hunan, South China), contains the FADs of Ptychagnostus (or Acidusus) atavus, Ptychagnostus punctuosus, and Lejopyge laevigata at 1.2 m, 56.7 m, and 111.3 m, respectively, above the base of the Huaqiao Formation. The Xiaoyangqiao section (Jilin, Northeast China), contains the FAD of Cordylodus proavus in the Fengshan Formation at 10.89 m above the zero point of the section. A fourth potential stratotype section, the Wangcun South section (Hunan, South China), which contains the P. atavus, P. punctuosus, and L. laevigata zones, is discussed briefly.     

Correlating the global Cambrian–Ordovician boundary: Precise comparison of the Xiaoyangqiao section,Dayangcha, North China with the Green Point GSSP section,Newfoundland, Canada

The Cambrian–Ordovician boundary interval exposed at the Xiaoyangqiao section, North China is presented. The distribution of stratigraphically important fossils in the Xiaoyangqiao section revealed several nearly coeval graptolite, conodont, trilobite, and acritarch bioevents in the uppermost Cambrian–lowermost Ordovician carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentary sequence. The precise correlation to the Green Point GSSP section, western Newfoundland, Canada allows for the identification of the corresponding GSSP level in the Xiaoyangqiao section. The combined data from the Xiaoyangqiao section and the Green Point GSSP section provide a series of events that all can be applied as proxies for identification of the Cambrian–Ordovician boundary horizon outside the GSSP. Based on this, the Xiaoyangqiao section, Dayangcha, is here strongly recommended as a candidate for an Auxiliary Boundary Stratigraphic Section and Point section (ASSP) for the base of the Ordovician System, because it provides one of the best and most complete Cambrian–Ordovician transitions in the world and because the first planktic graptolites are from the Xiaoyangqiao section.     

The Pignola‐Abriola section (southern Apennines,Italy): a new GSSP candidate for the base of the Rhaetian Stage

The base of the Rhaetian stage (Norian/Rhaetian boundary, NRB) is still awaiting formal designation by the International Commission on Stratigraphy. At present, only the 4.30‐m‐thick Steinbergkogel section (Austria) has been proposed as GSSP (Global Stratotype Section and Point) candidate for the base of the Rhaetian. Here we present data from the 63‐m‐thick Pignola‐Abriola section (Southern Apennines, Italy) that we consider an alternative candidate for the Rhaetian GSSP. The Pignola‐Abriola basinal section, represented by hemipelagic–pelagic carbonate successions belonging to the Lagonegro Basin, matches all the requirements for a GSSP: 1, it is well exposed with minimal structural deformation; 2, it is rich in age diagnostic fossils (e.g. conodonts and radiolarians); 3, it yields a geochemical record suitable for correlation (e.g. δ¹³C_org/carb); and 4, it has a robust magnetostratigraphy and is correlated with the Newark APTS for age approximation of the NRB and additional Rhaetian bioevents. In the Pignola‐Abriola section, we opt to place the NRB at the 44.4 metre level, coincident with a prominent negative shift of ca. 6‰ of the δ¹³C_org. This level is located 50 cm below the FAD of conodont Misikella posthernsteini s.s within the radiolarian Proparvicingula moniliformis Zone. Both the negative δ¹³C_org shift and the FAD of Misikella posthernsteini occur within Pignola‐Abriola magnetozone MPA‐5r, at ~205.7 Ma, according to magnetostratigraphical correlation to the Newark APTS. We also illustrate the coeval Mt. Volturino stratigraphical section deposited below the calcite compensation depth (CCD) within the same Lagonegro Basin and characterized by a detailed radiolarian biostratigraphy and strong δ¹³C_org negative shift around the NRB.     

Integrated biostratigraphy and carbon isotopes from the Cambrian Tangwangzhai section,North China

The Tangwangzhai section, western Shandong Province, North China, the type section for the Cambrian Kushan and Chaomitian formations, yielded a diverse and relatively well-preserved conodont fauna, in which we recognize the Westergaardodina orygma, Westergaardodina matsushitai, Muellerodus? erectus, and Westergaardodina aff. fossa–Prooneotodus rotundatus zones of the North China conodont zonation. The Tangwangzhai conodont succession can be correlated not only with the polymerid trilobites occurring in the section but also with the conodont zones established for South China. The first occurrence of Furnishina longibasis and Furnishina quadrata in the upper part of the Westergaardodina matsushitai Zone allows the recognition of the base of the Paibian Stage and Furongian Series in the upper part of the Kushan Formation. The base of the Jiangshanian Stage, in the uppermost Muellerodus? erectus Zone, can be recognized by the presence of Westergaardodina cf. calix close to the base of the Chaomitian Formation. Chemostratigraphic analyses of the Tangwangzhai section show the onset of a positive carbon isotope excursion, referred to the SPICE event, in the upper part of the Kushan Formation at a level corresponding to the first occurrence of F. longibasis and F. quadrata. The base of the Jiangshanian Stage in the section is close to the demise of the SPICE positive excursion.