The Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang, China (eBook)

The Flowering of Early Animal Life

Hou Xian-Guang, David J. Siveter, Derek J. Siveter, Richard J. Aldridge, Cong Pei-Yun, Sarah E. Gabbott, Ma Xiao-Ya, Mark A. Purnell, Mark Williams (Autoren)

eBook Download: PDF

2017 | 2. Auflage
John Wiley & Sons (Verlag)
978-1-118-89631-0 (ISBN)

Infos

The celebrated lower Cambrian Chengjiang biota of Yunnan Province, China, represents one of the most significant ever paleontological discoveries. Deposits of ancient mudstone, about 520 million years old, have yielded a spectacular variety of exquisitely preserved fossils that record the early diversification of animal life. Since the discovery of the first specimens in 1984, many thousands of fossils have been collected, exceptionally preserving not just the shells and carapaces of the animals, but also their soft tissues in fine detail. This special preservation has produced fossils of rare beauty; they are also of outstanding scientific importance as sources of evidence about the origins of animal groups that have sustained global biodiversity to the present day.

Much of the scientific documentation of the Chengjiang biota is in Chinese, and the first edition of this book was the first in English to provide fossil enthusiasts with a comprehensive overview of the fauna. The second edition has been fully updated and includes a new chapter on other exceptionally preserved fossils of Cambrian age, exciting new fossil finds from Chengjiang, and a phylogenetic framework for the biota. Displaying some 250 figures of marvelous specimens, this book presents to professional and amateur paleontologists, and all those fascinated by evolutionary biology, the aesthetic and scientific quality of the Chengjiang fossils.

Hou Xian-guang is former Director, Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, Yunnan University, Kunming

David J. Siveter is Professor Emeritus of Paleontology, University of Leicester

Derek J. Siveter is Professor Emeritus of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Richard J. Aldridge was Professor Emeritus and F.W. Bennett Professor of Geology, University of Leicester

Cong Pei-yun is Professor of Paleobiology, Yunnan University, Kunming

Sarah E. Gabbott is Professor of Paleobiology, University of Leicester

Ma Xiao-ya is Professor of Paleobiology, Yunnan University, Kunming, and the Natural History Museum, London

Mark A. Purnell is Professor of Paleobiology, University of Leicester

Mark Williams is Professor of Paleobiology, University of Leicester

Inhalt

Title Page 5
Copyright Page 6
Contents 7
Foreword 11
Preface 13
Part One Geological and Evolutionary Setting of the Biota 15
Chapter 1 Geological Time and the Evolution of Early Life on Earth 17
Chapter 2 The Evolutionary Significance of the Chengjiang Biota 21
Phylogenetic Structure 24
Chapter 3 The Discovery and Study of the Chengjiang Lagerstätte 26
Chapter 4 The Distribution and Geological Setting of the Chengjiang Lagerstätte 34
Paleogeographical Setting 34
Stratigraphical Context 34
Sedimentology 36
Chapter 5 The Taphonomy and Preservation of the Chengjiang Fossils 40
Chapter 6 The Paleoecology of the Chengjiang Biota 44
Chapter 7 Cambrian Lagerstätten 49
Sirius Passet, North Greenland 49
Emu Bay Shale 49
The Burgess Shale 51
Orsten Fossils 51
Part Two Chengjiang Fossils 53
Chapter 8 Algae 54
Genus Fuxianospira Chen & Zhou, 1997
Key references 54
Genus Megaspirellus Chen & Erdtmann, 1991
Key references 56
Genus Sinocylindra Chen & Erdtmann, 1991
Key references 58
Chapter 9 Ctenophora 62
Genus Galeactena Ou, Xiao, Han, Sun, Zhang, Zhang & Shu, 2015
Key reference 63
Genus Maotianoascus Chen & Zhou, 1997
Key references 64
Genus Batofasciculus Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 66
Genus Yunnanoascus Hu, Steiner, Zhu, Erdtmann, Luo, Chen & Weber, 2007
Key reference 68
Chapter 10 Porifera 70
Genus Paradiagoniella Chen, Müller, Hou & Xiao, 2014
Key reference 70
Genus Triticispongia Mehl & Reitner in Steiner et al., 1993
Key references 72
Genus Saetaspongia Mehl & Reitner in Steiner et al., 1993
Key references 74
Genus Leptomitus Walcott, 1886 76
Key references 76
Genus Choiaella Rigby & Hou, 1995
Key references 78
Genus Choia Walcott, 1920 80
Key references 80
Genus Allantospongia Rigby & Hou, 1995
Key references 82
Genus Leptomitella Rigby, 1986 84
Key references 84
Genus Paraleptomitella Chen, Hou & Lu, 1989
Key references 86
Genus Quadrolaminiella Chen, Hou & Li, 1990
Key references 90
Chapter 12 Cnidaria 92
Genus Archisaccophyllia Hou, Stanley, Zhao & Ma, 2005
Key references 92
Genus Xianguangia Chen & Erdtmann, 1991
Key references 94
Chapter 13 Entoprocta 96
Genus Cotyledion Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 96
Chapter 13 Phoronida 98
Genus Iotuba Chen & Zhou, 1997
Key references 99
Chapter 14 Brachiopoda 100
Genus Yuganotheca Zhang, Li & Holmer in Zhang et al., 2014
Key reference 102
Genus Heliomedusa Sun & Hou, 1987
Key references 106
Genus Longtancunella Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 108
Genus Diandongia Rong, 1974 110
Key references 110
Genus Lingulellotreta Koneva in Gorjansky & Koneva, 1983
Key references 113
Chapter 15 Annelida 112
Genus Cambrosipunculus Huang, Chen, Vannier & Salinas, 2004
Key references 113
Genus Maotianchaeta Chen, 2004 114
Key references 114
Chapter 16 Trochozoa of Uncertain Affinity 116
Genus Ambrolinevitus Syssoiev, 1958 117
Key references 117
Genus Burithes Missarzhevsky, 1969 120
Key reference 120
Genus Linevitus Syssoiev, 1958 122
Key references 122
Genus Nectocaris Conway Morris, 1976 124
Key references 124
Genus Wiwaxia Walcott, 1911 126
Key references 126
Chapter 17 Priapulida and Relatives 128
Genus Mafangscolex Hu, 2005 128
Key references 129
Genus Maotianshania Sun & Hou, 1987
Key references 130
Genus Cricocosmia Hou & Sun, 1988
Key references 132
Genus Paraselkirkia Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 134
Genus Corynetis Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 136
Genus Sicyophorus Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 138
Genus Palaeopriapulites Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 140
Genus Eximipriapulus Ma, Aldridge, Siveter, Siveter, Hou & Edgecombe, 2014
Key reference 142
Genus Xiaoheiqingella Hu in Chen, Luo, Hu, Yin, Jiang, Wu, Li & Chen, 2002
Key references 144
Genus Omnidens Hou, Bergström & Yang, 2006
Key references 146
Genus Acosmia Chen & Zhou, 1997
Key reference 148
Genus Archotuba Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 150
Chapter 18 Lobopodians 152
Genus Paucipodia Chen, Zhou & Ramsköld, 1995
Key references 153
Genus Diania Liu, Steiner, Dunlop, Keupp, Shu, Ou, Han, Zhang & Zhang, 2011
Key references 154
Genus Microdictyon Bengtson, Matthews & Missarzhevsky, 1981
Key references 156
Genus Onychodictyon Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 158
Genus Cardiodictyon Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 160
Genus Hallucigenia Conway Morris, 1977 162
Key references 162
Genus Luolishania Hou & Chen, 1989
Key references 164
Genus Antennacanthopodia Ou & Shu in Ou et al., 2011
Key references 166
Chapter 19 Anomalocaridids 168
Genus Anomalocaris Hou, Bergström & Ahlberg, 1995
Key references 169
Genus Amplectobelua Hou, Bergström & Ahlberg, 1995
Key references 170
Genus Lyrarapax Cong, Ma, Hou, Edgecombe & Strausfeld, 2014
Key references 172
Genus Cucumericrus Hou, Bergström & Ahlberg, 1995
Key references 174
Chapter 20 Euarthropoda 176
Genus Isoxys Walcott, 1890: Isoxys paradoxus Hou, 1987 177
Key references 177
Genus Pectocaris Hou, 1999 180
Key references 180
Genus Shankouia Chen, Wang, Maas & Waloszek in Chen, 2004
Key references 182
Genus Chengjiangocaris Hou & Bergström, 1991
Key references 184
Genus Fuxianhuia Hou, 1987 186
Key references 186
Genus Pseudoiulia Hou & Bergström, 1998
Key references 188
Genus Fortiforceps Hou & Bergström, 1997
Key references 190
Genus Occacaris Hou, 1999 192
Key references 192
Genus Forfexicaris Hou, 1999 194
Key references 194
Genus Jianfengia Hou, 1987 196
Key references 196
Genus Tanglangia Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 198
Genus Parapeytoia Hou, Bergström & Ahlberg, 1995
Key references 200
Genus Haikoucaris Chen, Waloszek & Maas, 2004
Key references 202
Genus Alalcomenaeus Simonetta, 1970 204
Key references 204
Genus Leanchoilia Walcott, 1912 206
Key references 206
Genus Retifacies Hou, Chen & Lu, 1989
Key references 208
Genus Pygmaclypeatus Zhang, Han & Shu, 2000
Key references 210
Genus Squamacula Hou & Bergström, 1997
Key references 212
Genus Urokodia Hou, Chen & Lu, 1989
Key references 214
Genus Sinoburius Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 216
Genus Acanthomeridion Hou, Chen & Lu, 1989
Key references 218
Genus Cindarella Chen, Ramsköld, Edgecombe & Zhou in Chen et al. 1996
Key references 220
Genus Xandarella Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 222
Genus Skioldia Hou & Bergström, 1997
Key references 224
Genus Saperion Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 226
Genus Kuamaia Hou, 1987 228
Key references 228
Genus Naraoia Walcott, 1912 230
Key references 230
Genus Misszhouia Chen, Edgecombe & Ramsköld, 1997
Key references 232
Genus Eoredlichia Zhang, 1951 234
Key references 234
Genus Kuanyangia Hupé, 1953 236
Key references 236
Genus Yunnanocephalus Kobayashi, 1936 238
Key references 238
Genus Parapaleomerus Hou, Bergström, Wang, Feng & Chen, 1999
Key references 240
Genus Kwanyinaspis Zhang & Shu, 2005
Key references 241
Genus Kunmingella Huo, 1956 242
Key references 242
Genus Kunyangella Huo, 1965 244
Key references 244
Genus Primicaris Zhang, Han, Zhang, Liu & Shu, 2003
Key references 246
Genus Branchiocaris Briggs, 1976 248
Key references 248
Genus Uncertain 250
Key references 250
Genus Chuandianella Hou & Bergström 1991
Key references 252
Genus Clypecaris Hou, 1999 254
Key references 254
Genus Combinivalvula Hou, 1987 256
Key references 256
Genus Synophalos Hou, Siveter, Aldridge & Siveter, 2009
Key references 258
Genus Yunnanocaris Hou, 1999 260
Key references 260
Chapter 21 Chaetognatha 262
Genus Protosagitta Hu in Chen, Luo, Hu, Yin, Jiang, Wu, Li & Chen, 2002
Key references 262
Chapter 22 Hemichordata 264
Genus Galeaplumosus Hou, Aldridge, Siveter, Siveter, Williams, Zalasiewicz & Ma, 2011
Key references 265
Chapter 23 Ambulacraria of Uncertain Affinity 266
Genus Rotadiscus Sun & Hou, 1987
Key references 267
Genus Eldonia Walcott, 1911 268
Key references 268
Genus Phlogites Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 270
Phlogites longus Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 270
Chapter 24 Chordata 272
Genus Shankouclava Chen, Huang, Peng, Chi, Wang & Feng, 2003
Key references 273
Myllokunmingia Shu, Zhang & Han in Shu et al., 1999
Key references 274
Genus Zhongxiniscus Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu &
Key reference 276
Genus Cathaymyrus Shu, Conway Morris & Zhang, 1996
Key references 277
Chapter 25 Bilateria of Uncertain Affinity 278
Genus Dinomischus Conway Morris, 1977 278
Key references 279
Genus Facivermis Hou & Chen, 1989
Key references 280
Genus Vetulocystis Shu, Conway Morris, Han, Zhang & Liu, 2004
Key references 282
Genus Yunnanozoon Hou, Ramsköld & Bergström, 1991
Key references 284
Chapter 26 Vetulicolians 286
Genus Heteromorphus Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 288
Genus Pomatrum Luo & Hu in Luo, Hu, Chen, Zhang &
Key references 288
Genus Yuyuanozoon Chen, Feng & Zhu in Chen, Feng, Zhu, Ma &
Key references 290
Genus Beidazoon Shu, 2005 292
Key references 292
Genus Vetulicola Hou, 1987 294
Key references 294
Chapter 27 Animals of Uncertain Affinity 296
Genus Nidelric Hou, Williams, Siveter, Siveter, Gabbott, Holwell & Harvey, 2014
Key reference 296
Genus Allonnia Doré & Reid, 1965
Key references 298
Genus Stromatoveris Shu et al., 2006 300
Key references 300
Chapter 28 Species Recorded from the Chengjiang Biota 302
Algae 302
Ctenophora 302
Porifera 302
Cnidaria 302
Entoprocta 302
Phoronida 303
Brachiopoda 303
Mollusca 303
Annelida 303
Trochozoa of uncertain affinity 303
Priapulida and relatives 303
Lobopodians 303
Anomalocaridids 303
Euarthropoda 303
Chaetognatha 304
Hemichordata 304
Ambulacraria of uncertain affinity 304
Chordata 304
Bilateria of uncertain affinity 305
Vetulicolians 305
Animals of uncertain affinity 305
Chapter 29 Phylogenetic Arrangement of Chapters 306
References 307
Systematic Index 322
General Index 326
EULA 331

Rezensionen

The first edition of The Cambrian fossils of Chengjiang was a ?must have? book for palaeontologists. Now I am afraid you are all going to have to fork out for the second edition. After 13 years, this completely revised edition reflects the significant amount of research that has taken place over the last decade or more on the remarkable Chengjiang lagerstatte.

The fossil material of the Chengjiang lagerstatte is of course stuff to drool over and the envy of palaeontologists who have to deal with the more common forms of hard-part preservation. Over 30 species have been added to the taxonomic list, reflecting a greater understanding of the diversity and taxonomy of this biota, which now boasts a total of over 250 species. A significant number of these are still ?floating around? waiting for their systematic identity card so the Chengjiang case is far from being closed.

The discovery is now over 30 years old, being first found in 1984 by Hou Xian-Guang, who is still active and one of the authors of this new edition. Since the first edition was published, the site has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (in 2012) as a ?globally outstanding example of a major stage in the history of life, representing a paleobiological window of great significance?. As such, the 515-520 Ma Chengjiang biota complements Canada?s slightly younger, 505 Ma Burgess Shale biota. The latter is somewhat less diverse (c 120 known species) but has a similar ecological structure; consequently, the taxonomic similarities and differences between the two are of particular evolutionary interest and significance.

This second edition of The Cambrian fossils of Chengjiang is much more than a mere update. It provides an overview of the lagerstatte and the rapidly expanding literature on all aspects of its geology, much of which is in Chinese and otherwise difficult to access. The format of the book is larger and many of the photos are even better than before. The book would be a fine present for any palaeontologist - even if you have to treat yourself!

Reviewed by: Douglas Palmer

"The work is authoritative and highly illustrated; the high-quality illustrations were, and are, an immensely important aspect of the work. They show just how beauti-fully preserved these soft-bodied animals are and how, with the requisite skills, this extraordinary detail can be illustrated. It is essential that this book be on every paleo-biologist?s bookshelf."
- Paul Seldon, Priscum Summer 2018

"Very much like its predecessor, this book is bound to become a standard reference thanks to its very well contextualized introduction and really complete overview of the Chengjiang biota. Whether you are a natural science teacher, a specialist of the Cambrian Explosion, have an interest in palaeontology and evolution of early life, or you just like the weird diversity of forms in Cambrian animals, then this book is for you. I would recommend it to all palaeontologists and libraries, this is a must-have!"
- Vincent Perrier, Paleontology Association Newsletter, July 2018

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 8.3.2017
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Geisteswissenschaften ► Archäologie
• Themenwelt: Geschichte ► Allgemeine Geschichte ► Vor- und Frühgeschichte
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Geologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Geowissenschaften ► Mineralogie / Paläontologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: animals fossils • Biota • Biowissenschaften • Cambrian age fossils • Cambrian Chengjiang biota • Cambrian Fossils • chengjiang • Chengjiang algae • Chengjiang biota • Chengjiang Biota paleoecology • Chengjiang Biota recorded species • Chengjiang Biota significance • Chengjiang fossils • Chengjiang fossils preservation • Chengjiang fossils taphonomy • Chengjiang Lagerstatte geological setting • China • early animal life • earth sciences • Evolution • evolutionary biology • Evolutionsbiologie • fossils • Geowissenschaften • Life Sciences • Paläontologie, Paläobiologie u. Geobiologie • paleontological discoveries • paleontologists • paleontology • Paleontology, Paleobiology & Geobiology • Phylum Brachiopoda • Phylum Cnidaria • Phylum Lobopodia • Phylum Nematomorpha • Phylum Porifera • Phylum Priapulida: Phylum Hyolitha • preserved Paleozoic faunas • The Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang • The Cambrian Fossils of Chengjiang, China: The Flowering of Early Animal Life • who discovered Chengjiang Biota • yunnan province
• ISBN-10: 1-118-89631-9 / 1118896319
• ISBN-13: 978-1-118-89631-0 / 9781118896310