鄂西宜昌黄陵背斜地区寒武纪早期小壳化石新材料*

湖北宜昌地区寒武系下部小壳化石的研究集中于黄陵背斜东翼和南翼, 对西翼地区尚未有详细的报道。 作者在黄陵背斜西翼高岚河剖面灯影组天柱山段下部发现寒武纪纽芬兰世的小壳化石, 既包括扬子板块小壳化石第一生物带标准化石Anabarites trisulcatus, 同时也有Eohalobia diandongensis与Oelandiella korobkovi等第二生物带标志化石, 以及可能为第三生物带或更晚期化石分子的Paragloborilus tenuis等。该化石组合为多生物带的化石混生, 其层位可能相当于峡东地区(黄陵背斜南翼)的岩家河组顶部。在黄陵背斜南翼的滚石坳剖面岩家河组下部发现小壳化石Anabarites ternarius Missarzhevsky in Rozanov et al., 1969、Kaiyangites novilis Qian and Yin, 1984、 海绵骨针和藻类化石, 属于小壳化石第一生物带Anabarites trisulcatus–Protohertzina anabarica组合带。化石组合与沉积记录表明, 高岚河剖面与东翼如泰山庙地区具有相似的潮坪相沉积, 多发沉积间断, 导致不同生物带化石混生; 南翼滚石坳地区水体较深, 早期沉积间断不显著, 可以识别小壳化石第一组合带。上述新化石材料的发现, 为黄陵背斜周缘寒武系下部地层对比与生物古地理分析提供了新的数据。     

湖北宜昌寒武系纽芬兰统岩家河组小壳化石

小壳化石在寒武纪早期地层时代划分中具有重要意义,尤其在寒武系纽芬兰统的区域和洲际对比以及第二阶全球界线层型的确定方面,它们是重要的生物地层对比化石。湖北省宜昌滚子坳剖面寒武系纽芬兰统岩家河组含大量的小壳化石,根据小壳化石带可知岩家河组第1-3层为幸运阶,第5层硅磷质结核灰岩中出现Aldanella yanjiaheensis,表明第5层应属于第二阶。由于第4层炭质灰岩中缺乏化石记录,而不能确定幸运阶和第二阶的地层界线位置。笔者首次在湖北宜昌寒武系纽芬兰统岩家河组第4层上部炭质灰岩处理出一批微体古生物化石,弥补了这一层位化石记录的空缺。通过28个样品的系统分析,笔者获得上千枚小壳个体,系统鉴定和描述了6属10种,其中包括1个未定种和1个新种,新种为肿瘤形盘织金壳Zhijinites tumourifomis sp.nov.。据材料中出现的纽芬兰统第二阶的标准分子Zhijinites longistriatus、其它共生化石组合以及碳同位素地层学等证据,可以推测第4层上部应该属于纽芬兰统第二阶,因此幸运阶和第二阶间的界线位置应该在第4层的中下部。     

寒武纪早期岩家河生物群:研究进展和展望*

埃迪卡拉纪-寒武纪转换时期动物的起源、演化和"寒武纪大爆发"一直是国际古生物学界研究的热点问题,其中寒武纪早期小壳化石群与埃迪卡拉纪化石群和寒武纪早期澄江化石库之间的内在关系是古生物学界研究的难题,其主要原因是寒武纪早期与小壳化石群伴生的宏体动、植物化石的缺乏。发现于峡东地区的寒武纪早期岩家河生物群填补了这一缺失环节,该生物群包含宏体动物、宏观藻类、小壳化石、球形化石(可能的胚胎化石)、微古植物和蓝菌类等化石,部分宏体化石显示了从埃迪卡拉纪向寒武纪过渡色彩。化石保存方式有碳质膜、黄铁矿化、磷酸盐化、硅化。因此对岩家河生物群生物多样性和埋藏学进行综合研究,将可提供纽芬兰世(梅树村期)碳酸盐台地—碳酸盐台地内部的局部凹陷盆地相的一个较完整的生物景观图,对探索"寒武纪大爆发主幕"前夕生物的辐射、演化模式及保存机制具有重要的科学意义。     

鄂西奥陶系庙坡组短剑类化石新材料*

短剑类(Machaeridia)属于环节动物(Annelida), 其主要特征为个体微小且左右两侧对称, 是一类相对稀少但是分布范围广泛的海相动物化石。在摩洛哥Anti-Atlas地区、中国华南、塔里木等地的奥陶系中皆有短剑类的报道, 但是研究程度相对较低。本文报道并描述了产自湖北省远安县嫘祖剖面庙坡组的短剑类标本3枚, 经初步鉴定为Plumulites sp. A (羽毛虫)和Lepidocoleus sp. (鳞鞘虫), 这项发现拓展了短剑类在华南地区的时限和地理分布, 也可看作是华南奥陶纪生物大辐射期间短剑类在扬子台地局部凹陷区域定居的反映。此外, 本文还讨论了短剑类的形态特征和分类框架, 认为早古生代的短剑类根据形态特征和骨片结构, 可以划分为3科: 羽毛虫科 Plumulitidae Jell, 1979、鳞鞘虫科Lepidocoleidae Clarke, 1896、塔形壳虫科Turrilepadidae Clarke, 1896。     

鄂西奥陶系庙坡组短剑类化石新材料*

短剑类(Machaeridia)属于环节动物(Annelida), 其主要特征为个体微小且左右两侧对称, 是一类相对稀少但是分布范围广泛的海相动物化石。在摩洛哥Anti-Atlas地区、中国华南、塔里木等地的奥陶系中皆有短剑类的报道, 但是研究程度相对较低。本文报道并描述了产自湖北省远安县嫘祖剖面庙坡组的短剑类标本3枚, 经初步鉴定为Plumulites sp. A (羽毛虫)和Lepidocoleus sp. (鳞鞘虫), 这项发现拓展了短剑类在华南地区的时限和地理分布, 也可看作是华南奥陶纪生物大辐射期间短剑类在扬子台地局部凹陷区域定居的反映。此外, 本文还讨论了短剑类的形态特征和分类框架, 认为早古生代的短剑类根据形态特征和骨片结构, 可以划分为3科: 羽毛虫科 Plumulitidae Jell, 1979、鳞鞘虫科Lepidocoleidae Clarke, 1896、塔形壳虫科Turrilepadidae Clarke, 1896。     

贵州织金寒武系戈仲伍组钉形类骨片化石研究*

钉形类(nail-shaped)骨片化石是华南寒武纪早期地层中常见的一类具矿化骨骼的小壳化石。本文系统研究了贵州织金戈仲伍剖面寒武系戈仲伍组的钉形类骨片化石, 发现织金地区钉形类化石主要以织金钉类和疑似的寒武钉类为主, 共4属9种。相较于前人研究, 本文新发现了织金钉类: Zhijinites tumourifomis、Z. lubricus、Z. clavus, 和疑似的寒武钉类: ?Deiradoclavus sp.、?Cambroclavus sp.。排除埋藏学假象后, 分析了钉形类不同化石属种保存方式及形态结构, 发现Zhijinites的多数种都存在盘体顶面凹陷结构, 并且Zhijinites部分种的锥体内壁有收缩现象或具有十字交错纤维结构, 这些发现能较好地揭示出Zhijinites各形态种间的相似性和差异性。分析钉形化石时空分布特点发现, 目前钉形类骨片化石最早在织金地区有化石记录, 之后在扬子地台内部辐射扩散, 并几乎同时辐射扩散至邻近陆块。此外, 本文讨论的疑似寒武钉类化石时代可下延至寒武纪幸运期, 可能是目前该类化石在全球的最早记录, 为探索寒武钉类化石的系统演化和地层学意义提供了新信息。     

贵州台江早、中寒武世凯里组的遗迹化石新发现*

最近在凯里组中发现了新的遗迹化石 9属 ,其中大多数分子属Cruziana遗迹相 ,重要的遗迹属有 :Tasmanadia ,Bostricophyton ,Monomorphichnus,Oldhamia ,Phycodes ,Chon-drites,Treptichnus等。在产凯里化石群的层位中发现有大量的韵律层 ,韵律层中的遗迹化石具有分层性 ,反映不同的水动力环境。遗迹组合与Seilacher(1975)描述的早寒武世遗迹化石组合相似 ,推测凯里化石的埋藏环境为陆棚环境。     

云南禄丰川街盆地早侏罗世早期分化蜥脚型类恐龙新材料研究*

目前中国早期分化的蜥脚型类恐龙化石主要发现于云南省禄丰市早侏罗世地层。本文描述的是一件产自禄丰川街盆地禄丰组的早期分化蜥脚型类恐龙新材料, 包括较完整的颈椎、背椎以及破碎的肩胛骨、耻骨和脚趾骨骼。本文对其进行了详细的骨骼形态学描述, 并与其他早期分化蜥脚型类进行了对比。结果表明, 在禄丰组发现的所有早期分化蜥脚型类中, 该标本与禄丰龙(Lufengosaurus)在形态上相似程度较高。系统发育分析结果显示, 该标本与Coloradisaurus和Glacialisaurus构成一个多分支, 该分支又和禄丰龙一起被归入大椎龙科。由于颈椎和背椎的椎体与椎弓未完全愈合, 推测该标本的个体发育阶段为幼年—亚成年。该标本的发现提高了大椎龙科在亚洲的属种分异度, 进一步扩充了对禄丰早侏罗世恐龙动物群的认识。     

云南禄丰川街盆地早侏罗世早期分化蜥脚型类恐龙新材料研究*

目前中国早期分化的蜥脚型类恐龙化石主要发现于云南省禄丰市早侏罗世地层。本文描述的是一件产自禄丰川街盆地禄丰组的早期分化蜥脚型类恐龙新材料, 包括较完整的颈椎、背椎以及破碎的肩胛骨、耻骨和脚趾骨骼。本文对其进行了详细的骨骼形态学描述, 并与其他早期分化蜥脚型类进行了对比。结果表明, 在禄丰组发现的所有早期分化蜥脚型类中, 该标本与禄丰龙(Lufengosaurus)在形态上相似程度较高。系统发育分析结果显示, 该标本与Coloradisaurus和Glacialisaurus构成一个多分支, 该分支又和禄丰龙一起被归入大椎龙科。由于颈椎和背椎的椎体与椎弓未完全愈合, 推测该标本的个体发育阶段为幼年—亚成年。该标本的发现提高了大椎龙科在亚洲的属种分异度, 进一步扩充了对禄丰早侏罗世恐龙动物群的认识。     

节肢动物吐卓虫咬痕化石在云南昆明附近寒武纪早期关山生物群的发现及意义*

本文报道了一块来自云南省昆明市附近寒武纪第二世第四期关山生物群具咬痕的双瓣壳节肢动物吐卓虫 (Tuzoia)化石, 系吐卓虫咬痕化石在全球范围的首次发现。该发现证实作为主动捕食者的吐卓虫很可能被大型捕食者(如奇虾类或莱德利基虫类三叶虫等)捕食, 说明寒武纪早期的海洋生物群落已经具有高度复杂化的食物链, 为进一步了解吐卓虫的生态位及深入探讨寒武纪大爆发时期海洋生态系统食物网结构提供了新的信息。     

The Cambrian radiation of shelly fossils

One of the most significant events in the history of the organic world was the acquisition by animals of the ability to build a skeleton. This is of special interest because the overwhelming majority of known major groups (phyla) acquired that ability during a very short period (five to seven million years), early in the Cambrian. Recent fossil finds, especially in northern Asia, are adding much detail to our knowledge of this period.     

The Ocruranus–Eohalobia group of small shelly fossils from the Lower Cambrian of Yunnan

Lower Cambrian phosphorite samples from Maotianshan, Yunnan Province, South China, yielded a variety of small shelly fossils. Sclerites of the second pre-trilobite faunal assemblage of Meishucun, the Paragbborilus-Siphogonuchites–Lapworthella association of Nemakit–Daldynian to Tommotían age, were dominant. They comprise previously unknown spine-bearing specimens of Ocruranus finial Liu, 1979, and new morphotypes of Eohalobia diandongensis Jiang, 1982. Well-preserved sclerites reveal a laminated, composite fine structure with marginal, incremental growth. Each lamella consists of radial series of minute growth elements. The shells are phosphatically preserved, but micropetrographic evidence from drill-core samples indicates calcium carbonate as primary shell material. In the light of this new evidence, Ocruranus–Eohalobia group fossils are interpreted as parts of coeloscleritophoran scleritomes.     

Unique lowermost Cambrian small shelly fossils (SSFs) from eastern Yunnan,South China: implications for the early diversification history of animals

With a particular focus on the earliest Cambrian diversification of small shelly fossils (SSFs), stratigraphic analysis was conducted on the lower Cambrian Zhongyicun Member at the Hongjiachong section in the Chengjiang area, Yunnan, China. From ca. 3-m-thick bedded phosphorites (Unit A) in the lower part of the member, we recovered unique SSFs. This interval with 4 SSF-bearing horizons is characterized by the dominance in blade-shaped SSFs, including Halkieria spp., Brushenodus prionodes, Sinosachites delicatus, and Pteronus sp., and the absence of typical tube/cap-shape SSFs common in the Fortunian. This interval tentatively named “Halkieria-dominant interval” is stratigraphically positioned ca. 3 m below the previously known level of the oldest mollusks in the continuous bedded phosphorite sequence between the Anabarites trisulcatus-Protohertzina anabarica Assemblage Zone and the overlying Paragloborilus subglobosa-Purella squamulosa Assemblage Zone of the Fortunian (the earliest Cambrian). The “Halkieria-dominant interval” yields some SSFs likely affiliated with ostracods in view of size and morphology, suggesting that arthropod body fossils appeared in the Fortunian, considerably earlier than previously believed.     

A new mobergellan (small shelly fossils) from the early middle cambrian of morocco and its significance

A new mobergellan genus and species,Tateltella ranoculata, is described from the early Middle Cambrian (Agdzian Stage) of Morocco. The new taxon is characterized by only four pairs of muscle scars and is furthermore distinguished from other mobergellans by its strongly concave shape and its distally rising muscle scars. The individual specimens ofTateltella ranoculata distinctly vary in size and display different ontogenetic stages. Juvenile, intermediate, and adult stages can be distinguished by means of the development of the muscle scars that differ in Position relative to the apex, size, and distinctness between individual stages. The shell ofT. ranoculata is composed of a succession of thin phosphatic lamellae separated by interlamellar gaps, presumably originally filled by organic material. The interlamellar gaps may be divided by septum-like structures producing discrete cavities. The specimens are the youngest mobergellans known so far and correlation of their stratigraphic position suggests a correspondence with the lower part of the Amgan stage of the Siberian Platform. In addition, they are the first reported mobergellans from the present day continent Africa. Other mobergellan taxa and mobergellan-like species are briefly reviewed and the genusHippoklosma Missarzhevsky, previously assigned to the Mobergellidae, is excluded from the family due to its different shell structure. An evolutionary trend of reduction in the number of muscle scars from 14 in the early Early Cambrian to only eight in the early Middle Cambrian is apparent among mobergellans.      

Early Cambrian small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) from an impact crater in western Finland

We describe an assemblage of small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) and acritarchs from cored siltstones of the Lappajärvi impact structure, west‐central Finland. Previous studies had detected a depauperate acritarch biota ascribed to a deep Proterozoic origin—this age, however, was based on recovery of long‐ranging poorly age‐diagnostic sphaeromorphs. To resolve the age and provenance of these crater sediments, we applied low‐manipulation processing techniques optimized for retrieval of larger organic‐walled microfossils. Our study revealed a previously undetected assemblage containing numerous metazoan SCFs consisting of flattened ‘protoconodonts’ (grasping spines assignable to total group Chaetognatha) and a distinctive fossilised chaeta, possibly representing the oldest known annelid remains. Phylogenetically problematic fossils include various acritarchs (large Leiosphaeridia sp., Tasmanites tenellus, smaller sphaeromorphs, Synsphaeridium, Archaeodiscina and Granomarginata) and filamentous forms (Palaeolyngbya‐ and Rugosoopsis‐like filaments, Siphonophycus), likely representing prokaryotic or protistan grades of organisation. As well as adding new diversity to an emerging SCFs record, these data substantially refine the age of these sediments by more than half a billion years, to an early Cambrian Terreneuvian age. More specifically, the assemblage is equivalent to that of the Lontova Formation from the Baltic States and northwest Russia, but is previously unreported from Finland. Identification of Lontova‐type SCFs/organic‐walled microfossils at Lappajärvi further constrains the poorly resolved extent of maximum flooding during the early Cambrian in Baltica. Renewed attention should be directed to strata that have thus far produced only biostratigraphically long‐ranging or ambiguous palynological assemblages—‘SCF‐style’ processing can reveal hitherto undetected, age‐informative microfossils that are otherwise selectively removed in conventional palynological studies.     

Redescription of Hexaconularia He and Yang, 1986 (Lower Cambrian, South China): implications for the affinities of conulariid-like small shelly fossils

Abstract:  Hexaconularia , a Lower Cambrian small shelly fossil (SSF) that has been allied with conulariids and scyphozoan cnidarians, is redescribed and refigured. A salient feature of this monospecific genus is the presence of distinct apical and abapical regions. The apical region probably represents an embryonic shell that apparently lacked a basal attachment structure. Comparisons of this feature with the apical end of the smallest known conulariids and with conulariids terminating in an apical wall (schott) reveal substantial differences in structure and ornamentation. Differences in apical anatomy between conulariids and Arthrochites , possibly the nearest SSF relative of Hexaconularia , are also apparent. Comparisons of Hexaconularia with Punctatus , an SSF taxon showing distinct apical and abapical regions in both posthatching specimens and prehatching embryos, suggest that the early development of Hexaconularia was direct. These results have important implications for hypotheses of a conulariid/scyphozoan affinity for Hexaconularia and its possible SSF relatives, and they suggest that Hexaconularia -bearing strata may yield prehatching embryos of this genus.     

湖北宜昌乔家坪村寒武系水井沱组海绵动物化石群

海绵动物是最原始的动物门类之一,其演化史对于研究多细胞动物的起源和早期演化至关重要.现有的化石记录显示,水体较深的贫氧环境可能是寒武纪早期海绵动物演化的重要场所之一.前人在贵州、湖南、安徽等多地的斜坡至盆地相黑色页岩中已经报道了数个海绵化石群.在这样的环境中,由于水动力作用较弱,海绵骨架结构容易得到原位保存.湖北宜昌秭...