Volume 62,Issue 2,2023 Table of Contents

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1 Organic-walled microfossil assemblage and thermal evolution of the mid-Mesoproterozoic Taizi Formation of Shennongjia Group on the northern margin of the Yangtze Platform in southern China

LI Dong-dong , LUO Gen-ming , YANG Hao , SHE Zhen-bing , PANG Ke

2023, 62(2):207-230. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2022049 CSTR:

[Abstract](281) [HTML](0) [PDF 78.73 M](985)

Abstract:
The Shennongjia Group on the northern margin of the Yangtze Platform consists of thick marine carbonate and clastic rocks of the middle and late Mesoproterozoic Era. The middle part of the Shennongjia Group, i.e., the Taizi Formation, consists of sandstone and silty shale in the lower part and fine-crystalline limestone in the upper part. According to previous investigations, organic-walled microfossils of the Taizi Formation are the most abundant among the formations of the Shennongjia Group. To further improve the understanding of the biodiversity during the deposition of the Taizi Formation, we carry out a micropaleontological investigation on the fine-clastic rocks of the Taizi Formation from the Tiechanghe section, Shennongjia National Park, Hubei Province. Our investigation reveals a mode- rately diverse assemblage of organic-walled microfossils dominated by spherical vesicles and aggregates with a few complex vesicle forms. In addition, the fossil specimens of the Taizi assemblage are very small, generally ranging from 20 to 50 μm. A total of 11 microfossil taxa belonging to seven genera have been identified. These taxa include simple spherical form (Leiosphaeridia crassa, Leiosphaeridia minutissima, Leiosphaeridia jacutica, Leiosphaeridia bicrura, and Leiosphaeridia sp.), cell aggregate form (Synsphaeridium sp. and Eomicrocystis malgica), and complex vesicle form (Navifusa sp., Satka sp., Germinosphaera sp., and Arctacellularia tetragonala). As for biological affinity, prokaryotes are the predominant components, whereas eukaryotes are scarce. The low diversity and small individual size of the microfossils of the Taizi assemblage, which might be caused by a harsh living environment or insufficient essential nutrients, are significantly different from those of the earlier and later biological communities. Furthermore, the Taizi Formation has experienced low- to middle-grade metamorphism with peak metamorphic temperatures of ~280°C based on Raman geothermometers of individual organic-walled microfossils, which is higher than those of other well-preserved Proterozoic microfossils. The high burial temperature may affect the preservation quality of the microfossils of the Taizi assemblage.

2 On the genus Fenghuangella Yang in Zhou et al., 1977 from the lowest Chaumitien Formation (uppermost Guzhangian, Cambrian) from Shandong and eastern Liaoning, North China

YUAN Jin-liang , GAO Jian , REN Guang-ying , NG Tin-wai

2023, 62(2):231-244. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2022013 CSTR:

[Abstract](263) [HTML](0) [PDF 1.68 M](807)

Abstract:
Fenghuangella is here reported from the lowest part of the Chaumitien Formation (uppermost Guzhangian, Miaolingian Series) at the Jiulongshan section, Gangcheng District, Jinan City, Shandong and the Baijiashan section, Dalian City, Liaoning. The diagnosis of Fenghuangella is revised. The matching of cranidium of Fenghuangella with its corresponding pygidium is discussed in detail. The pygidium previously assigned to Fenghuangella subtriangularis Lin and Zhou in Lin et al., 1983 is better grouped within the genus Gaoloupingia Yuan and Yin because of its shorter, and narrower pygidial axis, wider pleural field, well developed pleural and interpleural furrows, and ornamentation of dense and coarse granules. The pygidia assigned to Fenghuangella coniforma Yang in Zhou et al., 1977 are here transferred to the genus Pseudomapania owing to its wider pleural field (tr.), deeper pleural furrows, shallower but distinct interpleural furrows, more convex anterior band of pleural ribs, and narrower pygidial border. The pygidia recognized as Fenghuangella laevis Park and Choi, 2011 are here considered as a juvenile ceratopygid trilobite. The pygidia of Fenghuangella laevis are correctly matched with their cranidia for the first time. The boundary between Miaolingian and Furongian in North China Platform is also discussed in detail. The lower boundary of the Paibian Stage (Furongian Series) is defined by the first appearance datum (FAD) of Prochuangia mansuyi Kobayashi, 1935. The Liostracina simesi–Placosema convexa Zone bearing Fenghuangella laevis Park and Choi, 2011 is placed within the uppermost Guzhangian of the Miaolingian Series. This placement is of great significance for the correlation of the boundaries of Miaolingian and Furongian in Jiangnan Slope and North China Platform.

3 Revisiting the plant fossils from the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation at the Shizikou section of Chaohu, Anhui Province

HUANG Pu , ZHANG Xiao-le , WANG Jia-shu , FU Qiang , WANG Xue-lian , XIONG Cong-hui

2023, 62(2):245-259. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2021052 CSTR:

[Abstract](244) [HTML](0) [PDF 7.04 M](777)

Abstract:

The Wutong Formation is widespread in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. Paleobotanical studies during the past decades have revealed that the Wutong flora is one of the most species-rich Late Devonian floras. The Wutong Formation at the Shizikou section of Chaohu, Anhui Province is well-exposed and bears rich plant fossils. Numerous plants have been previously reported from this section, including Bothrodendron anhuiense Cai et Wu, Bothrodendron cf. kiltorkense, Eolepidodendron wusihense (Sze) Wu et Zhao, Eolepidodendron cf. wusihense, Hamatophyton verticillatum Gu et Zhi, Lepidodendropsis dzungariensis Sze, Lepidodendropsis hirmeri Lutz, Lepidostrobus grabaui Sze, Sphenophyllum lungtanense Gothan et Sze, Sphenophyllum pseudotenerrimum Sze, Stigmaria radiatopunctata Gothan et Sze, Sublepidodendron mirabile (Nathorst) Hirmer, Aphyllopteris sp., Archaeopteris sp., Bothrodendron sp., Hamatophyton sp., Paleostachya sp., Rergeria sp., Rhodea? sp., Sphenopteridium sp., and Sublepidodendron sp. However, most of these plants are only listed in general introductions of the Shizikou section without illustrations and formal descriptions. Therefore, their exact occurrences remain unverified. Three lycopsids, i.e., Bothrodedron anhuiense, Sublepidodendron grabaui (Sze) Wang et Xu, and Sublepidodendron songziense Chen, and one sphenopsid, i.e., Sphenophyllum lungtanense are the only plants from the Shizikou section that have been illustrated in previous publications. In this paper, we describe the lycopsids, including Stigmaria ficoides Brongniart, Stigmaria rugulosa Gothan, Sublepidodendron songziense, Sublepidodendron grabaui and Lepidostrobophyllum sp., and the sphenopsids, including Eviostachya hoegii and Hamatophyton verticillatum, from the Shizikou section. The new materials show that Sublepidodendron songziense and Sublepidodendron grabaui are the two dominant components in the Wutong Formation at the Shizikou section. These two species are different from each other in shape and size of leaf bases. Stigmaria ficoides and Stigmaria rugulosa show helically arranged rootlet scars on the surface of the rhizomorphs. The oval-shaped sporophylls of Lepidostrobophyllum sp. are detached and preserved with or without a medial groove. New specimens of Eviostachya hoegii exhibit “sporangiophore” dividing multiple times with terminal sporangia. Specimens of Hamatophyton verticillatum demonstrate isotomously or anisotomously branching patten. Arborescent lycopsids are predominant in the Shizikou section, probably forming early forest ecosystems. Most genera from the Shizikou section are cosmopolitan, while Hamatophyton is endemic. Most plants from the Shizikou section have also been reported from other localities of the Wutong Formation. Bothrodendron, Sphenophyllum and Sublepidodendron are common in the Carboniferous, and their earlier occurrences in the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation at the Shizikou section implies that the South China Block is one of the centers of origin and radiation of these groups.

4 Late Ordovician sphinctozoan Corymbospongia from the Kalpin area, Tarim Basin, Xinjiang and its dietary selection

WANG An-qi , LI Qi-jian , NA Lin , FENG Wen-qian , MAO Ying-yan , LI Yue

2023, 62(2):260-270. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2022050 CSTR:

[Abstract](113) [HTML](0) [PDF 6.35 M](738)

Abstract:
The Ordovician witnessed the first radiation of sphinctozoans, representing a critical stage in the early evolution of chambered sponges with 15 genera. However, most Ordovician sphinctozoans are reported from eastern Australia and North America. Only two genera of the Ordovician sphinctozoans have been discovered in China, probably resulted from limited sampling efforts. Although the morphology of sphinctozoans has been well documented in earlier studies, little is known of their dietary strategy, which is key in understanding the ecological significance of sphinctozoans in benthic ecosystem during the Ordovician. Here we measure pore sizes in the outer walls of well-preserved Corymbospongia amplia to investigate its possible food sources. Corymbospongia amplia is the first vaceletiid sponge reported from the Katian (Upper Ordovician) Yingan Formation in Kalpin area of northwestern Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, Northwest China. The main characteristics of Corymbospongia amplia are described in this study, which reveals the diagnostic structures of the subspherical chambers with porous walls. As suspension feeders, sphinctozoans filter plankton from the water column through pores in their outer wall. Size-frequency distributions of pore sizes suggest that nanoplankton and microplankton may have made up a large proportion of the diet of the vaceletiid sponge, while metazooplankton are unlikely to be consumed. Our results provide further insight into the paleoecology and geobiological implications of the Ordovician sphinctozoans at a pivotal time of the Earth-Life system.

5 A Late Permian brachiopod fauna from the Muyi section, Anshun, Guizhou and its ecological features

WU Xiu-juan , CHEN An-feng , LI Yu-xuan , ZHAI Peng-cheng , YUE Cheng , WU Hui-ting , ZHANG Yang

2023, 62(2):271-281. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2023002 CSTR:

[Abstract](195) [HTML](0) [PDF 12.68 M](1320)

Abstract:
This study reports a Changhsingian brachiopod fauna from the Muyi section (southern Guizhou), which is quite different from other previously reported contemporary brachiopod faunas from South China. This fauna is dominated by Spiriferellina, and contains several genera (e.g., Fusichonetes, Araxathyris and Peltichia) that are commonly found in coeval brachiopod faunas in South China. Compared with the brachiopod faunas from clastic facies of South China, this fauna is dominated by larger and thicker-shelled types with coarse punctae. This could be attributed to the unique paleoenvironment of the Muyi section, which was situated between the shallow-water carbonate platform and deep-water siliceous basin during the Changhsingian. During the end-Permian, massive volcanism resulted in the increased influx of clastic matter into the marine environment, which had a negative influence on the filtering mechanism of the brachiopods. Therefore, the paleoenvironment of the Muyi section with clean water and weak hydrodynamic condition became a relatively better habitat for the brachiopods. In addition, the Muyi brachiopod fauna shares similar composition with the adjacent Liuzhi brachiopod fauna. The Muyi fauna also demonstrates high dominance and low evenness in community structure, like other brachiopod faunas in South China. It may be inferred that the early warning signal had already existed in the benthic brachiopod communities prior to the end-Permian mass extinction.

6 Ammonites from the Carnian (Upper Triassic) Xiaowa Formation, southeast Yunnan Province

MA Zhi-heng , ZHANG Ting-shan , CHEN Jing-wen , LI Hong-jiao , ZENG Jian-li , ZHANG Xi , LI Shi-xin

2023, 62(2):282-300. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2022010 CSTR:

[Abstract](137) [HTML](0) [PDF 6.80 M](822)

Abstract:
This paper describes a new ammonoid assemblage from Luxi County, southeastern Yunnan Province. The assemblage comprise of 13 species of nine genera of ammonoids of which Anasirenites is discovered for the first time in South China. The Trachyceras multituberculatum zone and the Austrotrachyceras triadicum zone are recognized from the bottom to the top based upon the characteristics of each species of the assemblage and their stratigraphic distribution. The date corresponds to Julian 1 and Julian 2 of the early Carnian (Late Triassic). The ammonoid assemblage not only records the radiative events of the Trachyceratidae in the Julian of the Carnian, but also provides a good correlation with the ammonoid assemblages in the Tethys and Panoceanic of the Carnian and new supplementary materials for the study of the palaeogeography of South China. In addition, based on analysis of lithologic and biostratigraphic characteristics of the ammonoids, it is concluded that the disappearance of the carbonate platform caused by the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE) in southeastern Yunnan started at the end of Julian 1, slightly earlier than the terrigenous clastic inputs in Julian 2.

7 A new genus of clam shrimp from the Upper Triassic Anyuan Formation of Jiangxi, China

SHEN Yan-bin

2023, 62(2):301-308. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2021009 CSTR:

[Abstract](123) [HTML](0) [PDF 1.06 M](788)

Abstract:
The clam shrimp Xiangxiellinae (Spinicaudata), characterized by one or two short ribs on the large larval valve, is comprised of two genera: Xiangxiella Shen, 1976 and Protomonocarina Tasch, 1962. The members of this subfamily are widely distributed in the Upper Carboniferous to the Triassic strata in the world. The new genus Dicerestheria gen. nov. is established based upon specimens from the Upper Triassic Xufang Member of the Anyuan Formation in Wuzhou City, Jiangxi Province. Its large larval valve bears two bifurcate, short, and stout ribs. It is very similar to Xiangxiella in that they both have two ribs on the larval valve, but the ribs of the new genus are much stronger than those of the latter. The growth bands of the new genus are ornamented with medium reticulate sculpture. It is speculated that the larval valve ribs might be caused by variation of attachments of the adductor muscles, or by changes of their habitat and living environments. The Anyuan Formation consists of a set of coal-measure sediments, yielding brackish bivalves and abundant Norian plants represented by the Ptiozamites-Anthrophyopsis flora, reflecting an environment in humid tropical-subtropical climate. Therefore, the new genus may have lived adjacent to nearshore marsh environments in warm and humid tropical-subtropical climate.

8 Three moss genera from the Middle Miocene of Fujian, southeastern China

WANG Zi-xi , LIU Wei-qiu , LI Ya , WU Xie-ting , YIN Su-xin , DONG Chong

2023, 62(2):309-320. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2023001 CSTR:

[Abstract](159) [HTML](0) [PDF 4.63 M](780)

Abstract:
Cenozoic bryophytes are rare in Asia. Zhangpu amber is the only known Cenozoic amber containing bryophyte fossils in low latitudes of China. Zhangpu amber was formed during the warmest period of the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO, ~14 to 17 Ma), which is also well known for the appearance of Dipterocarpaceae-dominated megathermal seasonal rainforests. The warm and humid climate of these forests may have triggered the diversity, evolution, and three-dimensional preservation of bryophytes. Here, three moss genera, including Leucobryum Hampe, Anomodon Hook. Et Taylor and Homalia (Brid.) B.S.G., are reported from the Middle Miocene Zhangpu amber, Fujian Province, China. This study also includes the first study of an amber inclusion of Leucobryum utilizing X-ray microcomputed tomography. The new fossil specimen, assigned to Leucobryum cf. humillimum, is most similar to extant Leucobryum humillimum Cardot. The new Anomodon and Homalia specimens represent the first fossil records preserved in amber from East Asia. The fossil mosses from Zhangpu amber increase the bryophyte diversity in the Middle Miocene and enrich the poor Cenozoic bryophyte fossil record in the low latitudes of East Asia.

9 Review and prospects of paleoproteomics: using collagen as an example

LI Xin , PAN Yan-hong

2023, 62(2):321-332. DOI: 10.19800/j.cnki.aps.2021065 CSTR:

[Abstract](181) [HTML](0) [PDF 836.71 K](977)

Abstract:
Proteins are macromolecules and they are the basis of many biological functions and metabolism. The sequence of the proteins is decided by genetic code. Therefore, proteins provide us unique information on evolution. Recent development in mass spectrometry technology makes it possible to obtain ancient protein sequence information from fossils, providing a new way to decipher the evolutionary secrets of animals from fossils when relevant morphological and DNA information is not available. Collagen is a widely distributed protein in bones. It has great preservation potential in fossils due to its special structure and has become a key research object in paleoproteomics. Using collagen as an example, this paper summarizes the research methods and research achievements of paleoproteomics and discusses the current challenges and future trends of this subject to show the application potential and research significance in paleontology.

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