• Volume 85,Issue 2,2011 Table of Contents
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    • Preface

      2011(2):0-0.

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      Abstract:

    • Detrital Zircon Dating of Meso- and Neoproterozoic Rocks in North China and Its Implications

      2011(2):271-282.

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      Abstract:New dates from Meso- and Neoproterozoic strata contribute to the recently defined Precambrian stratigraphical timescale of China agreed by the Subcommission on the Precambrian System, and the National Commission on Stratigraphy of China on Nov. 24, 2009. First, the age range of the Changcheng System, including the Changzhougou, Chuanlinggou, Tuanshanzi and Dahongyu formations has been constrained to 1.8–1.6 Ga. Second, the Jixian System including the Gaoyuzhuang, Yangzhuang, Wumishan, Hongshuizhuang and Tieling formations has been constrained to 1.6–1.4 Ga. Third, an as-yet unnamed (undefined) system (1.4–1.0 Ga) is only developed in the Xiamaling Formation at the Jixian section, Tianjing. Fourth, the Qingbaikou System, including the Luotuoling and Jing’eryu formations has been constrained to 1.0–0.78 Ga. Fifth, the Nanhuan System ranges between 780–635 Ma, and the Sinian System is within 635–542 Ma. However, according to a series of SHRIMP U-Pb dates from the late Precambrian in the Jiangnan Orogen Belt in South China Platform, the constrained strata will be redefined as in the upper part of the Qingbaikou System. To aid global geodynamics, it is useful to denote a late Precambrian section with unified, precise and high-precision chronological dating; this is here defined in North China Block and Jiaoliao-Korean Block. However, the Neoproterozoic Qingbaikou study in North China will be influence in whole Meso- and Neoproterozoic in the Jiangnan Orogenic Belt in between the Yangtze Block and the Cathaysia Block in South China.

    • Acanthomorph Biostratigraphic Succession of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation in the East Yangtze Gorges, South China

      2011(2):283-295.

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      Abstract:Large acanthomorphic acritarchs have been found in chert of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at several localities in South China, including the East Yangtze Gorges of Hubei Province, Weng’an area of Guizhou Province, and elsewhere. However, their potential for biostratigraphic subdivision and correlation of Ediacaran successions is limited by facies control, taphonomic biases, and taxonomic problems. In the Yangtze Gorges, the Doushantuo Formation is generally subdivided into four lithologic members. However, in the Weng’an area, the Doushantuo Formation comprises just a lower and upper part separated by a mid-Doushantuo erosional surface. In the Yangtze Gorges at the Zhangcunping section, the Doushantuo succession is similar to that at Weng’an. So far, the correlation between the Yangtze Gorges and Weng’an area, and elsewhere has been an issue of debate. To resolve the debate, we selected eight sections in the Yangtze Gorges area and systemically sampled chert nodules of the Doushantuo Formation, focusing in particular on the upper Doushantuo Formation. Our data confirm two different assemblages appearing separately in the second and third members, which are separated by a negative δ13C excursion (EN2). The lower assemblage is characterized by Tianzhushania and a diverse suite of large acanthomorphic acritarchs. The upper assemblage is distinguished from the lower assemblage, by (1) absence of Tianzhushania; (2) occurrence of abundant, 100–150 μm, smooth-walled spherical microfossils; (3) occurrence of highly diverse acanthomorphic acritarchs including species extending from the second member and new forms in this member; (4) occurrence of unnamed new forms of protist; and (5) occurrence of the tubular microfossil Sinocyclocylicus guizhouensis. Since the Tianzhushania-dominated assemblage is not present in Australia, it seems that only the upper acanthomorph assemblage is present and thus the lower Doushantuo acanthomorph assemblage is missing in Australia.

    • Recently Ratified and Proposed Cambrian Global Standard Stratotype-section and Points

      2011(2):296-308.

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      Abstract:This paper briefly summarizes an officially ratified Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point (GSSP) and a proposed GSSP for global stages of the Cambrian System. The Luoyixi section near Luoyixi town, Guzhang, northwestern Hunan is ratified as the boundary stratotype for the base of the global Guzhangian Stage, which is the upmost stage of an unnamed series termed provisionally as Cambrian Series 3. The GSSP position lies 121.3 m above the base of the Huaqiao Formation in the section, coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Lejopyge leavigata. The Duibian B section at Duibian village, Jiangshan, western Zhejiang, is proposed as the boundary stratotype for the base of the proposed global Jiangshanian Stage that is the second stage of the Furongian Series. The proposed GSSP position lies 108.12 m above the base of the Huayansi Formation in the section, coinciding with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan agnostoid trilobite Agnostotes orientalius. This horizon is also with the first appearance of the cosmopolitan polymerid trilobite Irvingella angustilimbata.

    • Early Cambrian Mollusc Watsonella crosbyi: A Potential GSSP Index Fossil for the Base of the Cambrian Stage 2

      2011(2):309-319.

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      Abstract:The mollusc Watsonella crosbyi was studied on the basis of material from the lower Cambrian Dahai Member of the Zhujiaqing Formation in eastern Yunnan, China and the Pestrotsvet Formation of the Aldan River region in the Siberian Platform. This fossil had been excessively described under different names in the literature, such as Heraultia varensalensis Cobbold, 1935, H. sibirica Missarzhevsky, 1974, Heraultipegma yunnanensis He and Yang, 1982, H. yannanese He and Yang, 1982, Watsonella yunnanensis, W. crosbyi Grabau, 1900, etc. Taxonomic revision shows that other species are junior synonyms of W. crosbyi. Analysis of functional morphology implies that W. crosbyi may be rather a helcionelloid than a rostroconch since its univalved conch is untorted endogastric and lacks a rostrum and a true internal pegma. Replicas of the original microstructures preserved on the surfaces of phosphatic internal moulds confirm that the shell consists of two layers. The inner layer is lamello-fibrillar, and the outer layer is spherulitic prismatic. The widespread geographical occurrences in both siliciclastic and carbonate rocks of the late Terreneuvian indicate that W. crosbyi is an important index fossil for global correlations and subdivision of the Cambrian Series 1 (Terreneuvian). The first appearance datum (FAD) of W. crosbyi is suggested to be a potential GSSP (Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point) candidate marker for defining the base of the Cambrian Stage 2.

    • Biostratigraphic and Chemostratigraphic Correlation for the Base of the Middle Ordovician between Yichang and Western Zhejiang Areas, South China

      2011(2):320-329.

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      Abstract:The base of the Middle Ordovician (i.e. Dapingian Stage) has been defined at the first appearance datum (FAD) of conodont Baltoniodus? triangularis at Huanghuachang, Yichang, China, but the precise correlation of the boundary to regions of other facies remain to be resolved. Herein we review the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Huanghuachang Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point (GSSP) section, and present our latest stratigraphic work on the nearby Chenjiahe section in Yichang, and the Hengtang Quarry section, Jiangshan, Zhejiang, which is regarded as representative of slope facies. The conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy as well as chemostratigraphy of the Chenjiahe section indicate that the base of the Middle Ordovician also falls within the graptolite Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a high or maximum δ13C value within a minor positive carbon isotope excursion, suggesting that the base boundary can be readily recognized across the entire Yangtze Gorges area. The integrated graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Hengtang section, Jiangshan, indicates that the basal boundary probably falls within the graptolite Isograptus caduceus imitatus Zone that overlies the Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a remarkable drop of δ13C. This difference indicates that a multi-disciplinary approach is critical to identify the base boundary in those regions where the Baltoniodus? triangularis is absent.

    • α- and β-diversity Change of Late Ordovician Hirnantia Fauna of Changning, Sichuan, Southwest China

      2011(2):330-339.

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      Abstract:A continuous Ordovician-Silurian boundary section from the upper Wufeng Formation through the Kuanyinchiao Formation to the lower Lungmachi Formation has been carefully measured and collected at Shuanghe of Changning, southern Sichuan Province. For the first time, the temporal changes of α- and β-diversities of the Hirnantia fauna have been discussed in great detail. The general trend of brachiopod diversity change, increasing upward, is consistent with the regional trend of the Yangtze Platform, which had been controlled by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. However, the sudden drop of diversity for a short period in the upper Kuanyinchiao Formation might have been controlled by environmental factors rather than normal faunal turnover. Synecological analysis using numerical methods recognizes two brachiopod-dominated associations of the Hirnantia fauna, the Dalmanella-Kinnella Association and the Mirorthis Association, both living in an offshore, deeper water environment corresponding to BA3-upper BA4, particularly lower BA3.

    • Geochemical Stratigraphy and Microvertebrate Assemblage Sequences across the Silurian/Devonian Transition in South China

      2011(2):340-353.

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      Abstract:Carbon isotope (δ13Corg) analyses of non-marine clastic rocks and neritic carbonates and black shales spanning the Silurian/Devonian transition are compared from two richly fossiliferous sequences in Qujing of East Yunnan and Zoige of Sichuan, South China. The two sections, Xishancun and Putonggou sections in South China, reveal positive δ13Corg shifts happening in the Upper Pridoli and Lower Devonian and reaching peak values as heavy as ?25.2‰ (Xishancun) and ?19.9‰ (Putonggou) in the lowermost Lochkovian following the first occurrence of the thelodont Parathelodus and the conodont Icriodus woschmidti woschmidti (only in Putonggou Section and together with Protathyris-Lanceomyonia brachiopod fauna). These results replicate a globally known positive shift in δ13Corg from the uppermost Silurian to the lowermost Devonian. The δ13Corg variations across the Silurian/Devonian Boundary (SDB) at the two sections in South China exhibit a shift in carbon isotopic composition similar to the detailed SDB curves from the borehole Klonk-1 drilled at top of the Klonk Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point (GSSP) in the Prague Basin, Czech Republic. In addition, four microvertebrate assemblages, including the Liaojiaoshan, Xishancun, Yanglugou and Xiaputonggou assemblages, are recognized from the Silurian/Devonian transition exposed in the Xishancun and Putonggou sections, respectively. The results from both carbon isotope stratigraphy and microvertebrate assemblage sequences suggest that the SDB in South China is located at the base of the Xishancun Formation (between sample QX-20 and sample QX-21) in the Xishancun Section and the lower part of the Xiaputonggou Formation (between sample ZP-09 and sample ZP-10) in the Putonggou Section. The isotopic trend for organic carbon together with the changes of microvertebrate remains across the SDB can offer an approach to a potential correlation of the SDB from different sedimentary facies, which help to correlate the marine with non-marine deposits.

    • Correlation of the Tournaisian-Visean Boundary Beds

      2011(2):354-365.

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      Abstract:With the definition and adoption of the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for base of the Visean in China, the newly synthesized zonations and correlation of some significant fossil groups: foraminifera, conodont, coral and brachiopoda near the Tournaisian-Visean boundary beds are reviewed, which help in the recognition of the boundary in various sedimentary facies. The occurrence of two physical events, one pre- and one post- the Tournaisian-Visean boundary is emphasized, which allows for recognition of the position close to the Tournaisian-Visean boundary in the field. The regional correlation in southern China and international correlation throughout Eurasia around the Tournaisian-Visean boundary beds with the GSSP is proposed.

    • A Potential Global Standard Stratotype-Section and Point of the Moscovian Stage (Carboniferous)

      2011(2):366-372.

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      Abstract:Conodonts and fusulinids are the two most widely used biotic groups for subdividing and correlating Bashkirian and Moscovian strata. The definition of the base of the Global Moscovian Stage is undecided because there are many disagreements among existing boundary definition proposals, each of which has disadvantages. Declinognathodus donetzianus is easily recognized but somewhat limited in its paleogeographic distribution. Idiognathoides postsulcatus is slightly more widespread, but it is less easily identified and its occurrences may be diachronous from region to region. Diplognathodus ellesmerensis is easily recognized and even more widespread, but it is usually rare and its ancestry is not adequately known. The Naqing Section of South Guizhou, South China contains diverse conodont evolutionary lineages among different taxa, including Idiognathoides, Idiognathodus, Diplognathodus, Neognathodus, Gondolella and Mesogondolella. There are numerous transitional forms in almost every lineage of the Naqing section, which shows that the prospects for South China to play a critical role in determining the basal Moscovian Stage definition are good.

    • Lithologic Boundaries in Permian Post-glacial Sediments of the Gondwana-affinity Regions of China: Typical Sections, Age Range and Correlation

      2011(2):373-386.

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      Abstract:In Southwest China, Gondwana-affinity Permo-Carboniferous deposits are known to occur in the Northern Himalayas, the Lhasa Block and the South Qiangtang Block, the Baoshan Block and the Tengchong Bock. The three-fold clastic successions, namely diamictite–pebbly mudstone–dark mudstone and shale are commonly interpreted as representing deposits of glacial–deglacial–post-glacial periods in marine environments. Deposits, for example, the Dingjiazhai Formation in the Baoshan Block, the Kongshuhe Formation in the Tengchong Block, the Yongzhu Group and the Poindo Group in the Lhasa Block, are all succeeded by carbonate deposits. This marks a significant change from post-glacial clastic environment to a carbonate environment. Available paleontological data show that the change from post-glacial clastic environment to carbonate environment took place in the Baoshan, Tengchong and Lhasa Block at the beginning of the Artinskian. The carbonate environment in the Baoshan Block was spoiled by the eruption of the Woniusi Basalts, and in the Xainza area of the Lhasa Block was shortly replaced by clastic environment until the Kungurian. In the northern Himalayas limestones began to occur in the Late Permian in a fluctuating manner.

    • Progress, Problems and Prospects on the Stratigraphy and Correlation of the Kungurian Stage, Early Permian (Cisuralian) Series

      2011(2):387-398.

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      Abstract:The Kungurian Stage is one of the three remaining stages of the Permian that is not yet defined at the base by a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). The candidate section at the Yuryuzan’River in the Urals yields few conodonts, and contains non-marine sediments near the boundary. The search for a suitable, continuous marine succession is a principal task for the Subcommission on Permian Stratigraphy. The Leonardian, with its type area in the southwest United States, and in objective stratigraphic succession directly beneath the basal Guadalupian Roadian Stage, has priority to serve as a subseries of the Lower Permian. However, distinct provincialism limits the correlation of Leonardian fossil zones with the fusuline-based Tethyan timescale. Conodonts can be correlated in many important regions on opposite sides of Pangea, yet contradictions arise when relating conodont zones with fusuline and ammonoid zones. The different taxonomic philosophies are highly suspected for the cause of the conflicts, but also there are different conodonts from the type Roadian in West Texas. Given that the Pamir and Darvaz in central Asia are difficult to access, further investigations should focus on South China, where abundant fusulines and ammonoids facilitate correlation throughout the Tethyan region, and where conodonts permit correlation with North America.

    • Lower Triassic and Induan-Olenekian Boundary in Chaohu, Anhui Province, South China

      2011(2):399-407.

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      Abstract:Since the West Pingdingshan Section in Chaohu was proposed as the candidate of the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Induan-Olenekian boundary in 2003, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu has been extensively studied. Based on the studies on the Lower Triassic of Chaohu, (1) a continuous conodont zonation is established, which has become an important reference for Lower Triassic stratigraphic correlation over the world; (2) the First Appearance Datum of conodont Neospathodus waageni was suggested and has been basically accepted as the primary marker to define the Induan-Olenekian boundary; (3) a characteristic Lower Triassic excursion of carbon isotopes was brought to light and has been proven to be not only an excellent index for the stratigraphic correlation but also a unique indication for the perturbation of ecological environments in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction; (4) a magnetostratigraphic sequence is constituted with a certain biostratigraphic control in the low-latitude region and it presents an important correlation to the Boreal sequence; (5) a cyclostratigraphic study provides an alternative method to constrain the age of the chronostratigraphic units; and (6) a scheme of the Olenekian subdivision is recently suggested to define the boundary between the Smithian and Spathian Substages. In addition, Chaohu is also the type locality of the Chaohuan Stage, the upper stage of the Lower Triassic in the China Chronostratigraphic System. Thus, the Lower Triassic of Chaohu is not only a classic sequence in South China, but also a key reference sequence to the investigation of the corresponding stratigraphy and geological events over the world. The recent achievements are viewed here for an overall understanding of the sequence. Then the current situation of the Induan-Olenekian and Smithian-Spathian boundaries is discussed to provide a reference for later works.

    • Conodont Biostratigraphy and Age Determination of the Lower–Middle Triassic Boundary in South Guizhou Province, China

      2011(2):408-420.

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      Abstract:The demarcation of the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary is a disputed problem in global stratigraphic research. Lower–Middle Triassic strata of different types, from platform to basin facies, are well developed in Southwest China. This is favorable for the study of the Olenekian–Anisian boundary and establishing a stratotype for the Qingyan Stage. Based on research at the Ganheqiao section in Wangmo county and the Qingyan section in Guiyang city, Guizhou province, six conodont zones have been recognized, which can be correlated with those in other regions, in ascending order as follows: 1, Neospathodus cristagalli Interval-Zone; 2, Neospathodus pakistanensis Interval-Zone; 3, Neospathodus waageni Interval-Zone; 4, Neospathodus homeri-N. triangularis Assemblage-Zone; 5, Chiosella timorensis Interval-Zone; and 6, Neogongdolella regalis Range-Zone. An evolutionary series of the Early–Middle Triassic conodont genera Neospathodus-Chiosella-Neogongdolella discovered in the Ganheqiao and Qingyan sections has an intermediate type named Neospathodus qingyanensis that appears between Neospathodus homeri and Chiosella timorensis in the upper part of the Neospathodus homeri-N. triangularis Zone, showing an excellent evolutionary relationship of conodonts near the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary. The Lower–Middle Triassic boundary is located at 1.5 m below the top of the Ziyun Formation, where Chiosella timorensis Zone first appears in the Qingyan section, whereas this boundary is located 0.5 m below the top of the Ziyun Formation, where Chiosella timorensis Zone first appears in the Ganheqiao section. There exists one nearly 6-m thick vitric tuff bed at the bottom of the Xinyuan Formation in the Ganheqiao section, which is usually regarded as a lithologic symbol of the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary in South China. Based on the analysis of high-precision and high-sensitivity Secondary Ion Mass Spectrum data, the zircon age of this tuff has a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 239.0±2.9Ma (2s), which is a directly measured zircon U-Pb age of the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary. The Ganheqiao section in Wangmo county can therefore provide an excellent section through the Lower–Middle Triassic because it is continuous, the evolution of the conodonts is distinctive and the regionally stable distributed vitric tuff near the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary can be regarded as a regional key isochronal layer. This section can be regarded not only as a standard section for the establishment of the Qingyan Stage in China, but also as a reference section for the GSSP of the Lower–Middle Triassic boundary.

    • Stratigraphy of the Triassic−Jurassic Boundary Successions of the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin, Northwestern China

      2011(2):421-436.

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      Abstract:The Triassic?Jurassic (Tr?J) boundary marks a major extinction event, which (~200 Ma) resulted in global extinctions of fauna and flora both in the marine and terrestrial realms. There prevail great challenges in determining the exact location of the terrestrial Tr?J boundary, because of endemism of taxa and the scarcity of fossils in terrestrial settings leading to difficulties in linking marine and terrestrial sedimentary successions. Investigation based on palynology and bivalves has been carried out over a 1113 m thick section, which is subdivided into 132 beds, along the Haojiagou valley on the southern margin of the Junggar Basin of the northern Xinjiang, northwestern China. The terrestrial Lower Jurassic is conformably resting on the Upper Triassic strata. The Upper Triassic covers the Huangshanjie Formation overlaid by the Haojiagou Formation, while the Lower Jurassic comprises the Badaowan Formation followed by the Sangonghe Formation. Fifty six pollen and spore taxa and one algal taxon were identified from the sediments. Based on the key-species and abundance of spores and pollen, three zones were erected: the Late Triassic (Rhaetian) Aratrisporites?Alisporites Assemblage, the Early Jurassic (Hettangian) Perinopollenites?Pinuspollenites Assemblage, and the Sinemurian Perinopollenites?Cycadopites Assemblage. The Tr?J boundary is placed between bed 44 and 45 coincident with the boundary between the Haojiagou and Badaowan formations. Beds with Ferganoconcha (?), Unio?Ferganoconcha and Waagenoperna?Yananoconcha bivalve assemblages are recognized. The Ferganoconcha (?) bed is limited to the upper Haojiagou Formation, Unio?Ferganoconcha and Waagenoperna?Yananoconcha assemblages are present in the middle and upper members of the Badaowan Formation. The sedimentary succession is interpreted as terrestrial with two mainly lake deposit intervals within Haojiagou and Badaowan formations, yielding fresh water algae and bivalves. However, the presence of brackish water algae Tasmanites and the marine?littoral facies bivalve Waagenoperna from the Badaowan Formation indicate that the Junggar Basin was influenced by sea water caused by transgressions from the northern Tethys, during the Sinemurian.

    • On the Lower Cretaceous in Yixian County of Jinzhou City, Western Liaoning, China

      2011(2):437-442.

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      Abstract:Traditionally, the lacustrine deposits in Yixian County of Western Liaoning have been assigned to either “the Dakangpu Bed” of the Yixian Formation or the Jiufotang Formation. However, a 206Pb/238U age of 126.47±0.87 Ma is newly obtained from the tuff sample (06051) of the lacustrine deposits in the Baitaigou fossil site of Potaizi village, Yixian County, indicating that the lacustrine deposits in Potaizi area are approximately equivalent to the Wumingshan volcanics of the Sihetun Bed of the Yixian Formation in Beipiao. From our new dating data have arisen some new problems: Where could we find the Jiufotang Formation in Yixian County? How widely distributed is the Jiufotang Formation in Western Liaoning? Could the traditionally named Jiufotang Formation somewhere in Western Liaoning be the synchronous deposits of other litho-units (e.g. the Yixian Formation) in different facies? Could some lacustrine deposits somewhere in Western Liaoning have been assigned to the Jiufotang Formation?

    • Chinese Continental Paleocene-Eocene Boundary and Its Correlation

      2011(2):443-451.

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      Abstract:Recent paleontological, paleomagnetic and carbon isotopic investigations have provided new evidence supporting placement of the Chinese terrestrial Paleocene–Eocene boundary at the base of the Lingcha Formation in the Hengyang Basin, Hunan Province, and within the upper part of the Nomogen Formation in the Erlian Basin, Inner Mongolia. Based on mammalian and ostracod biostratigraphic data, the boundary can also be roughly correlated with the contacts between the Baoyue and Huayong formations in the Sanshui Basin of Guangdong, the Qingjiang and Xinyu formations of Jiangxi, the Fourth Formation of the Funing Group and the Dainan Formation in northern Jiangsu, and the Dabu and Shisanjianfang formations in the Turfan Basin of Xinjiang.

    • Terrestrial Mio-Pliocene Boundary in the Linxia Basin, Gansu, China

      2011(2):452-464.

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      Abstract:The Lower Pliocene of the Linxia Basin in Gansu Province is one of only a few representative sections for the Early Pliocene sedimentary records in northern China, and even in East Asia. Recently, abundant mammalian fossils were found from the base of red clays of the Lower Pliocene Hewangjia Formation at Duikang in Guanghe County within this basin. Previously, the Pliocene mammals were sparsely found in China, and most were collected from fluvial and lacustrine deposits in the eastern Loess Plateau. Mammals from the widely distributed Pliocene Hipparion Red Clay are less in number. The known fossils from Duikang include 20 species and belong to the Shilidun Fauna. Their faunal components are similar to the Early Pliocene Gaozhuang Fauna from Yushe, Shanxi. On the other hand, some taxa from Duikang have not been found in the Gaozhuang Fauna, are slightly more primitive in evolutionary level, and appeared mainly in the Late Miocene. As a result, the age of the Duikang fossils may be slightly earlier than that of the Gaozhuang Fauna and closer to the lower boundary of the Pliocene. The Duikang fossiliferous bed is 0.8 m above the top of the Late Miocene Liushu Formation, and the first occurrence of the three-toed horse Hipparion pater can be regarded as a biostratigraphical marker of the Miocene/Pliocene boundary. In conclusion, Duikang is an ideal candidate locality to establish as the stratotype of the lower boundary of the Chinese terrestrial Pliocene.

    • Special Lateral Increase in a Permian Rugose Coral Kepingophyllum aksuence Wu et Chow

      2011(2):465-470.

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      Abstract:Well-preserved specimens of Kepingophyllum aksuence Wu et Chow were collected from Early Permian strata in western Tarim Basin, Xinjiang. More than 100 serial thin sections were made for this study. Kepingophyllum aksuence displays a unique increase pattern. The bud appears in lonsdaleoid dissepiments between the corallites where the wall of parent corallite disappears and the area becomes aphroid. This increase pattern is different from other lateral increases of most colonial rugose corals, and therefore has taxonomic significance to differentiate Kepingophyllidae from other compound rugose corals. It is also discussed that Kepingophyllum aksuence has a high “reproductive integration”, which means a rapid growth of buds during the offsetting process. Kepingophyllum was possibly originated from Ivanovia and was also a probable ancestor of Wentzellophyllum, which is supported here by more or less the similarity of the blastogeny in different stages of three taxa.

    • A New Species of the Extinct Genus Schizolepis from the Jurassic Daohugou Flora, Inner Mongolia, China with Special Reference to the Fossil Diversity and Evolutionary Implications

      2011(2):471-481.

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      Abstract:Schizolepis daohugouensis sp. nov. is described from the Jurassic sediments of Daohugou flora, from Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The female cone is slender, cylindrical in shape, seed scale complexes are loosely and helically arranged on the cone axis at intervals of 3–5 mm. The seed scales are bilobed and divided almost from the base; the scales have no evident petiole but an articulation at the region of attachment to the cone axis. Each lobe of the seed scales is oval in shape, widest at the lower middle part; lobes are obtusely pointed with entire margins. Bract scale is fan shaped. Based on the records of Schizolepis, this is the first report of the occurrence of female cone of Schizolepis with the seed scales, the winged seeds and vegetative branches preserved together in the Jurassic deposits. The new discovery provides evidence that confirms the phylogenetic position of Schizolepis to the extant Pinaceae.

    • Two New Fossil Lacewing Species from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae)

      2011(2):482-489.

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      Abstract:Two new species of lacewings are described and illustrated from the Jiulongshan Formation (Middle Jurassic) of Inner Mongolia, China: Leptolingia calonervis sp. nov. and Litholingia ptesa sp. nov. (Grammolingiidae). The species can be distinguished by the following features: the outermost branch of MP2 on the hind wing did not reach the margin of wing in Leptolingia calonervis sp. nov.; the second branch of Rs forked deeply while other branches of Rs forked much later in Litholingia ptesa sp. nov..

    • First Description of Fossil Naucoridae (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) from Late Mesozoic of China

      2011(2):490-500.

      Abstract (2025) HTML (0) PDF 6.11 M (54) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:Herein the description and illustration of two new fossil genera and species of Naucoridae, Exilcrus cameriferus gen. & sp. Nov. and Miroculus laticephlus gen. & sp. Nov., are provided. Both species were collected from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. The complete preservation of the new specimens enable us to determine the characters of the specimens reported here. This finding represents the first record of fossil Naucoridae from China, which includes well-preserved nymphs. The possibility of a predatory habit of these specimens is discussed.

    • A New Cockroach Genus of the Family Fuziidae from Northeastern China (Insecta: Blattida)

      2011(2):501-506.

      Abstract (1597) HTML (0) PDF 3.27 M (52) Comment (0) Favorites

      Abstract:A new genus and two new species of fossil Fuziidae are described and illustrated: Parvifuzia gen. nov., P. marsa sp. nov. and P. brava sp. nov.. Both species were collected from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan, Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia of China. In conjunction with Fuzia Vr?ansky, Liang et Ren, 2009, the present findings allow us to demonstrate that members of the family were morphologically diverse, with body length ranging from medium (17 mm) in Fuzia to small (9.7 mm) in the present genus. Wing venation of F. dadao is complicated, but simple in the present species, and apex of male’s cerci are sharp and forceps-like in F. dadao, but strongly curved inward and round in the new genus.

Chief Editor:HOU Zengqian

Governing Body:China Association for Science and Technology

Organizer:Geological Society of China

start publication :1922

ISSN:ISSN 1000-9515

CN:CN 11-2001/P

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