山东昌乐早始新世五图组古乏齿兽类(哺乳纲)

山东五图古乏齿兽类标本保留了原始真兽类的齿式和齿尖配置,与北美古新世Amelotabessimpsoni最为相似。但与后者有明显的差异,故另立属种：Auroratheriumsinense。古乏齿兽类是一类已绝灭的哺乳动物,材料稀少,以前只见于北美早第三纪地层中。其起源不清,在归类上也有不同的意见。山东标本的发现是北美以外地区的首次记录,同时也表明了这种动物虽然数量不多,却散布在早第三纪的北美和亚洲两大陆。     

亚洲古近纪早期的年代学和哺乳动物群更替(英文)

对广东南雄盆地、江西池江盆地、安徽潜山盆地、湖南衡阳盆地和内蒙古二连盆地古新世和早始新世沉积物进行的生物地层学、化学地层学和磁性地层学研究,第一次给亚洲早古近纪地层框架提供了严格的年代限定。亚洲古新世和早始新世地层划分为4个生物年代单位(陆生哺乳动物期),从老到新为上湖期、浓山期、格沙头期和伯姆巴期4个亚洲陆生哺乳动物期。南雄盆地古地磁数据显示上湖期的底界约位于C29r的上2/3位置。南雄盆地的古地磁资料及池江盆地最新的古地磁和同位素结果显示上湖-浓山期界线在C27n的上部和C26r的下部之间,接近C27n-C26r转换界面。这一记录支持将上湖-浓山期的界线与北美陆生哺乳动物期中的Torrejonian-Tiffanian期以及海相记录中丹尼-塞兰特期(Danian-Selandi-an)的界线相对比。二连盆地古地磁和同位素研究表明典型的格沙头动物群延续至C24r,并且可能向下延伸至C25r和C26n。南雄盆地的记录指示浓山组和古城村组可能相当于C26r的上部。这些结果表明亚洲哺乳动物分期中的浓山-格沙头期的界线可能在北美哺乳动物分期的Tiffanian期中。衡阳盆地的古地磁和同位素证据指示,以短暂的碳同位素漂移为标志的古新世-始新世界线出现在栗木坪组和岭茶组之间,位于C24r中,与海相记录中的坦尼特-伊普里斯期(Thanetian-Ypresian)界线一致。伯姆巴期岭茶动物群的时代似乎与北美Wa-satchian-0带的动物群可以比较。上湖期和浓山期动物群主要由亚洲特有的动物组成。发生在上湖期和浓山期界线处的动物群更替,与北美Torrejonian-Tiffanian期界线以及丹尼-塞兰特期界线一致。在相隔很远的生态系统上的这种巧合,可能反映出各自独立的对气候变化的生态和/或进化上的响应。格沙头动物群的地方性色彩更弱,有与北美Clarkforkian期动物群共有的属一级分类单元。伯姆巴动物群是全球性的。现生哺乳动物各目在格沙头-伯姆巴期界线处突然出现,与北美和欧洲的记录一致,显示动物群的更替与古新世-始新世界线处短暂出现的全球变暖事件(又称古新世-始新世高温事件)有关。     

内蒙古苏崩地点的古新世软食中兽(哺乳纲,中兽目):古新世-始新世界线附近“东方伊甸园”扩散模式的新证据(英文)

记述了发现于内蒙古苏崩晚古新世格沙头期的中兽类软食中兽Hapalodectes属的一个新种。这是软食中兽在中国古新世地层中的首次发现,也是亚洲格沙头期的第二种软食中兽。已有的系统学和生物地层学证据支持软食中兽属和软食中兽科(Hapalodectidae)亚洲起源的观点。软食中兽显然是在古新世-始新世极热事件(PETM)期间通过白令陆桥扩散到北美大陆的,因而符合"东方伊甸园"学说中的生物地理格局。软食中兽有限的(即非欧洲的)地理分布使得我们可以重建该属生物地理学历史。如同软食中兽一样的"东方伊甸园"式的扩散模式,可以看作是大的环境变化事件导致多个支系产生相似的系统学和生物地理学分布格局的生物地理扩散机制。严格地检查了所谓的在古新世-始新世界线上或其附近的与"东方伊甸园"模式相矛盾的大陆间哺乳动物扩散事例,结果发现这些例子都是不可靠的。"东方伊甸园"生物地理学说充分解释了PETM时期哺乳动物群更替以及劳亚古陆哺乳动物地理分布格局的成因。     

北美西部古新世-始新世极热事件(PETM)期间的哺乳动物群序列(英文)

跟随一队研究哺乳动物群在古新世-始新世变化的生物地层学和古地理学的学者,已故周明镇教授开始了他的古脊椎动物学事业。这是化石记录中偶蹄类、奇蹄类和灵长类(APP类群)首次出现的时期。随着北美西部Polecat Bench新的最晚古新世Clarkforkian哺乳动物群的发现,古新世作为一个独立于始新世的分期从1911年开始被接受。后来,研究证明古新世-始新世界线包括了一段时间,这期间发育了矮小型哺乳动物支系。古新世-始新世碳同位素漂移(CIE)与哺乳动物矮小化以及APP类群的首次出现是同时的。据此可以对CIE进行全球性总结,结果表明它与古新世-始新世极热事件(PETM)相关。PETM这一全球温室变暖事件不仅对地球气候和生物群有短暂的影响,而且对生物群同样具有深远持续的影响。我们所知的哺乳动物与CIE和PETM之间关系的大部分内容是通过对Polecat Bench周边剖面独特地层记录的高分辨率研究得到的。周教授早年曾在那里工作过,如今他的骨灰也撒在那里。     

我国部分地区E1^3—E2^1孢粉属种演变的古气候意义

通过对我国部分地区古新世晚期一始新世早期孢粉植物群演化发展规律的分析研究,结合国内外地层学研究的新进展,提出我国古新世晚期气候以暖湿为特征,且暖期的结束与始新世/古新世界限相吻合或接近,因此可以本次暖期的结束作为古新世的顶界。     

Stability and change in Tethyan planktic foraminifera across the Paleocene–Eocene transition

Examination of planktic foraminifera in the Tethys basin during the Paleocene–Eocene transition reveals two stasis intervals that are separated by a major saltation event coincident with the P–E short-term perturbation in global climate and oceanography. Changes occurred at many spatial and temporal scales as well as many taxonomic and ecologic hierarchical levels, though with various rates and magnitudes. The stasis intervals are marked by slow changes at the species level and account for 50% of the observed first and last appearances during a 2.5 Myr interval. The saltation event is marked by rapid changes at the species and morpho-guild levels and accounts for the remaining 50% of first and last appearances during an interval of about 100–200 kyr. Despite these changes, many taxonomic and ecologic units, such as the depth assemblages and genera, and faunal parameters, such as species richness and turnover rates, are stable with respect to the P–E perturbation. This coexistence of change and stability marks the crisis of Tethyan planktic foraminifera across the P–E transition and reveals the possible dynamics of ecological evolution.     

Correlation between the Paleocene/Eocene boundary and the Ilerdian at Campo, Spain

The Ilerdian is a well-established Tethyan marine stage, which corresponds to an important phase in the evolution of larger foraminifera not represented in the type-area of the classical Northwest-European stages. This biostratigraphic restudy of its parastratotype in the Campo Section (northeastern Spain) based on planktic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, dinoflagellate cysts and the distribution of the stable isotopes ∂¹³C and ∂¹⁸O is an attempt to correlate the Paleocene/Eocene boundary based on a characteristic carbon isotope excursion (CIE) marking the onset of the Initial Eocene Thermal Maximum (IETM) and the Ilerdian stage. The base of this ∂¹³C excursion has been chosen as the criterion for the recent proposal of the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the base of the Eocene (= base of the Ypresian) in the Dababiya Section (Egypt) to which an age of 54.9 Ma has been attributed. This level is also characterized by a marked extinction among the deep-water benthic foraminifera (Benthic Foraminifera Extinction Event, BFEE), a flood of representatives of the planktic foraminiferal genus Acarinina and the acme of dinoflagellate cysts of the genus Apectodinium. In the Campo Section, detailed biozonations (planktic foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, dinoflagellate cysts) are recognized in the Lower and Middle Ilerdian. The correlation with the Ypresian stratotype is based on dinoflagellate cysts and calcareous nannofossils. The base of the Ilerdian is poor in planktic microfossils and its precise correlation with the redefined Paleocene/Eocene boundary remains uncertain.     

Paleocene-Early Eocene ostracodes from the Southern Galala Plateau (Eastern Desert, Egypt): Taxonomy, impact of paleobathymetric changes

Ostracode faunas obtained from nine sections spanning the Paleocene-Early Eocene interval from a platform-basin transect in the Southern Galala Plateau area (Eastern Desert, Egypt) have been investigated. The study focuses on taxonomy and biostratigraphy of the ostracode assemblages across the P/E boundary, with supporting comments on paleoecology and paleobiogeography. The studied nine sections yielded 60 taxa belonging to 39 genera. Five species are new. The P/E transition is characterized by the appearance of new taxa rather than extinctions. During the Early and early Late Paleocene, the ostracode assemblages throughout the study area are largely similar, being dominated by middle-outer neritic taxa. In the late Late Paleocene and Early Eocene, changes in the paleobathymetry from deeper marine environments in the distal area in the south to shallower marine environments in the proximal area in the north become pronounced. Many of the recorded taxa have a wide geographic distribution throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Similarities with basins of West Africa are also found, reflecting faunal exchanges between this area and southern Tethys during the Paleocene and Early Eocene.     

Faunal turnovers in central Pacific benthic foraminifera during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum

Although it is well known that the Paleocene/Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) coincided with a major benthic foraminiferal extinction event, the detailed pattern of the faunal turnover has not yet been clarified. Our high-resolution benthic foraminiferal and carbon isotope analyses at the low latitude Pacific Ocean Shatsky Rise have revealed the following record of major faunal transitions: (1) An initial turnover which involved the benthic foraminiferal extinction event (BFE). The BFE, marked by a sharp transition from Pre-extinction fauna to Disaster fauna represented by small-sized Bolivina gracilis, expresses the onset of the PETM and the abrupt extinction of about 30% of taxa. This faunal transition lasted about 45-74 kyr after the initiation of the PETM and was followed by: (2) the appearance of Opportunistic fauna represented by Quadrimorphina profunda, which existed for about 74-91 kyr after the initiation of the PETM. These two faunas, which appeared after the extinction event, are characterized by low diversity and dwarfism, possibly due to lowered oxygen condition and decreased surface productivity. The second pronounced turnover involved the gradual recovery from Opportunistic Fauna to the establishment of Recovery fauna, which coincided with the recovery about 83-91 kyr after its initiation.     

Surface-water chemistry and fertility variations in the tropical Atlantic across the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum as evidenced by calcareous nannoplankton from ODP Leg 207, Hole 1259B

Calcareous nannoplankton assemblages at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 1259 on Demerara Rise (western equatorial Atlantic) underwent an abrupt and fundamental turnover across the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) ~55.5 m.y. ago. The PETM is marked by a dissolution interval barren or nearly-barren of nannofossils due to the rapid acidification of the world oceans. Toweius, Fasciculithus, and Chiasmolithus sharply decrease at the onset, whereas Chiasmolithus, Markalius cf. M. apertus, and Neochiasmolithus thrive immediately after the event, which also signals the successive first appearances of Discoaster araneus, Rhomboaster, and Tribrachiatus. The environmental indications of these changes were further investigated by correspondence analysis on quantitative nannofossil counts. The PETM event has been attributed to CO₂-forced greenhouse effects. At Site 1259, the elevated pCO₂ and subsequent lowered surface-water pH values at the onset of the PETM caused intensive carbonate dissolution, producing the nannofossil-barren interval. The chemically stressed habitats may well have also induced the evolution of ephemeral nannofossil “excursion taxa”, such as Rhomboaster and malformed discoasters (D. araneus and Discoaster anartios). Based on its sudden increase, Markalius cf. M. apertus is considered to have been a local opportunistic species that took advantage of the surface-water changes. At the same time, a presumably higher runoff from continental areas fertilized the western equatorial Atlantic as indicated by an increase in the abundance of r-mode specialists preferring high-nutrient conditions, such as Chiasmolithus, Coccolithus pelagicus, and Hornibrookina arca. Contrasts between the results of this study and previous work at ODP Site 690 in the Southern Ocean, the New Jersey continental margin, and the central paleoequatorial Pacific further demonstrate that the response to the PETM can be influenced by local differences in geologic setting and oceanographic conditions.     

亚洲早古近纪哺乳动物生物年代学与生物地理学的新认识(英文)

近期的研究极大地丰富了亚洲古新世和早始新世哺乳动物群信息,因此有必要对现存亚洲生物年代学和生物地理学框架做出调整。在定量和定性分析的基础上,将生物年代界线与主要的动物群更替事件对应起来,改进了古新世和早始新世亚洲陆相哺乳动物分期年代对比及生物地理学的认识。以往知之甚少的上湖期以原始啮形类和钝脚类为主,其后的浓山期则呈现出亚洲哺乳动物的地方性分异。随着新的基干啮形类以及真正的啮型类的出现,啮形类开始辐射。上湖期-浓山期的界线与北美Torrejonian-Tiffanian界线相当,并且动物群更替很可能是由全球变冷阶段的开始引发的。格沙头期哺乳动物进一步分化,亚洲土著类群急剧减少,以多瘤齿兽类、夜鼩类(nyctitheriids)、克莫土兽类(cimolestids)和食果猴为代表的北美迁入物种开始出现。而在北美,亚洲哺乳动物(包括北柱兽类和原恐角兽类)的第一次入侵发生于Tiffanian-5a期初期,第二次入侵发生于Clarkforkian初期,包含了啮齿类、裂齿类及冠齿兽类。因此格沙头期的开始可与北美Tiffanian-5a的开始相对比。伯姆巴期的开始以偶蹄类、奇蹄类和真灵长类的首次出现为标志,与古新世-始新世界线相当。这些类群在亚洲的出现与它们在北美和欧洲出现于始新世之初的情况类似。与格沙头期初期的动物群扩散不同,伯姆巴期的动物群扩散似乎持续了更长时间,并且也有可能直接发生在亚洲和欧洲之间。     

美国怀俄明州大角盆地北部Polecat台地古新世动物群演化（英文）

怀俄明州大角盆地北部的Polecat台地和麦卡洛峰的重要发现对了解北美古新世哺乳动物生物地层以及古新世-始新世极热事件中陆生动物群更替模式和原因具有重要意义。1910年,普林斯顿大学和美国自然历史博物馆的古生物学者指出,古新世的哺乳动物与始新世的明显不同,这使得古新世是一个不同于始新世的时期的观点很快被接受。80年之后,密歇根大学和卡耐基研究院的古生物学者指出,陆相古新统-始新统界线可以用动物群的快速更替和小型化作为标志,并伴随着一次重要的碳同位素漂移,这使得古新世-始新世极热事件(PETM)作为真正的全球性温室升温事件得到了公认。1950年,投身古生物事业的年轻学者周明镇被介绍到怀俄明参加古新世哺乳动物野外工作。在那里,他积累了专业知识和经验,并促成了对中国古新统进行的类似考察。现在的挑战是如何将北美和亚洲大陆相似的古新世历史拼合在一起。     

Problems with Paleocene Palynozones in the Rockies: Hell's Half Acre Revisited

The scheme of palynostratigraphic zonation most widely applied to interbasinal correlation of Paleocene rocks in the Rocky Mountain region of North America is fundamentally flawed. In its initial publication (based on juglandaceous fossil pollen), basic principles of biostratigraphy were violated, the taxonomy was typological, and the phylogenetic analysis was methodologically unsound. Youngest parts of Paleocene time were not sampled during development of the zonation, and the basal two zones involved strata of Cretaceous age. Implications of paleoenvironmental influences on sequences of palynostratigraphic occurrences were not considered. Subjective assertions at many levels remain neither verifiable nor falsifiable, because data from specimens utilized in the published formulation of Paleocene palynozones P1–P6 cannot be reliably tied in their defining area to identifiable stratigraphic sequences at known positions in actual rocks. A rigorous and geologically useful palynological zonation for Paleocene strata in the Rockies is possible, and its development should be pursued. Procedurally, however, any such scheme must (1) be constructed according to sound principles of biostratigraphy; (2) contain accurate information about locations and stratigraphic positions of all samples; and (3) provide publicly accessible and verifiable taxonomic data on compositions of all samples.