陕南新元古代末期微体管状疑难化石

末元古纪以Cloudina为代表的管状动物化石是目前世界上公认最早的具矿化骨骼的生物类群,在世界许多地区都有发现,但它并不是当时唯一的矿化生物类型,更多的动物骨骼化化石证据在寒武纪大爆发之前的沉积物中时有发现。作者在处理陕南末元古纪的化石过程中,发现了大量不同形态的微体管状化石(直径大多小于150μm),包括末端封闭的粗短管体,不分枝管体,末端扩展的骨针状构造及具多种分叉样式的分枝管体。这些化石的亲缘关系仍不清楚,但它们为我们提供了动物演化和矿化初始阶段的化石记录。     

陕南晚震旦世后生动物管状化石Cloudina和Sinotubulites

陕南宁强地区灯影组高家山段产出十分丰富的后生动物管状化石Cloudina和Sinotubulites,管体为磷酸钙质,通过冰醋酸浸泡处理获得了大量精美的Cloudina和Sinotubulites孤立化石标本。Cloudina管体微弯至扭曲,以叠锥套合构造为特征,管壁由多层锥管壁组成,一端开口,一端封闭,在横切面上,相邻两层不同心。依据大量较为完整的独立标本,本文建立了新的管体构造复原模式。确认了Cloudina管状化石具有A、B两种结构类型,A型管体具有共同的外壁;B型管体不具外壁,锥管裸露。推测Cloudina为底栖生活的动物。A型管体表面较光滑并在外壁中央管之间形成一系列较大的空腔,因而可能具有一定的浮力,可通过水流主动调整身体在沉积物表面的方向。而型化石表面则具有明显的环檐,可能营固着底栖生活。通常Cloudian为单体,少数为两个个体生长于同一较大的管中,这种共管特征反映了生物以出芽方式繁殖。化石壁的结构表明,在管壁形成的过程中生物体分泌可能以有机质为主的中央层,随后在中央层的两侧加积无机矿物。Sinotubulites管体近圆筒状,中空,一航较直,两端开口,以多层管套合为特征。管体表面粗糙,具有因管壁褶皱而形成的不规则的横向或纵向比方 饰,依据管体大小和表面纹饰特征可分S.shaanxiensis和S.levis。管壁较厚,表面常具有强 纹饰,反映了该类生物营底栖生活,鉴于S.shaanxiensis的特征,本文将Qinella Zhang,Li et Dong,1992归入Sinotubulites Chen,Chen et Qian,1981,并对属征进行了补充。Cloudina及Sinotubulites代表了动物骨骼化方式的早期演化阶段。通过对管体微细结构观察以及成分测试,表明Cloudina及Sinotubulites管体以生物分泌为主,早期分泌塑性为主的管壁,后期生物分泌或胶结形成矿化的管。管体有机质较多,形态受环境的影响较大。Cloudina管 体具隐－微粒的微细结构,Sinotubulites具有粘结结构特征,属于较为简单、原始的骨骼化类型。     

贵州松桃寒武系清虚洞组Mongolitubulus squamifer 壳体显微结构初步研究

本文主要对贵州松桃寒武系清虚洞组灰岩中酸泡获得的管状化石Mongolitubulus squamifer壳体显微及亚显微结构进行研究。研究结果显示, M. squamifer不仅内层广泛发育纵向纤维结构,具鳞片的外层外壁也发育有微弱的纵向纤维结构,可能解释了管体外壁广泛发育的纵向开裂现象。在一枚保存有圆卵形鳞片以下部位的标本中发现,鳞片排列形式是由基部密集的小瘤点状颗粒然后过渡为不规则的圆卵形鳞片,到管体中上部逐渐形成规则排列的三角形鳞片。通过测量部分已报道的M.squamifer管体宽度与鳞片宽度发现正常发育的棘刺,鳞片大小与管体宽度有一定相关性。贵州松桃的M.squamifer壳层原始结构为2层,包括致密的具鳞片的外层和具明显纵向纤维结构的内层,管体内外层之间发育空隙导致管体容易破损。一些标本近基部断口处的层间空隙容易被次生矿物充填,导致内层增厚致密纤维结构消失或产生中间填充层。该研究揭示了M.squamifer的鳞片排列特征和壳体微观结构,为解释其亲缘关系提供新的形态学证据。     

陕南早寒武世早期管柱状生物化石新发现

繁殖是生物体产生子代的现象,是生物体最基本的特征之一.最近作者在陕南宁强宽川铺地区早寒武世最早期的宽川铺生物群中发现了数十枚管柱状生物化石,首次发现这些管柱状生物化石具可能的"断裂生殖"特征.在部分管柱状生物化石上可清晰分辨出"收缢带"、"收缢纹"和"新生单节"等断裂生殖特征,据此建立可能的管柱状生物"断裂生殖"生殖发育序列.     

陕西宁强埃迪卡拉系顶部管状化石Sinotubulites形态学与古生态学新知

陕西宁强选将坪地区埃迪卡拉系灯影组高家山段上部的碎屑白云岩中产出大量磷酸盐化三维立体保存的Sinotubulites化石,这为埃迪卡拉纪末期生物的演化及多样性研究提供了一个很好的窗口。文中通过对Si-notubulites的形态结构、纹饰特征、保存特征等方面的观察研究,认为Sinotubulites管体外壁上不规则的褶皱状纹饰是变形过程中展现出的各种形态,而不是管体固有的纹饰形态特征。并且根据管体内外层管壁的不同形态学特征以及在原始生态条件下弯曲生长的管体,将Sinotubulites解释为表栖平躺生物。Sinotubulites可能具有一定的蠕动能力,而不规则褶皱状外壁在变形过程中可以产生微弱的蠕动力,使得管体对自身的位置得以调整。     

埃迪卡拉纪管状化石Sinotubulites形态测量学研究

Sinotubulites是新元古代末期一类直或微弯,两端开口的圆柱管状化石,具有多层套合的管壁结构,目前已在世界多个地区发现,是寒武纪大爆发前管状生物大辐射的典型代表之一。本文对采自陕西宁强李家沟剖面埃迪卡拉纪高家山生物群中管状化石Sinotubulites的各项数据进行测量统计,以探讨管体各部分特征在个体发育过程中的关系。此次共选择测量保存较为完整的化石样品378枚,其中扫描电镜下检测口视样品150个,侧视样品134个,显微镜下检测样品94个,后者由于精度问题仅做数据辅助支撑。通过数据处理发现,Sinotubulites管状化石的最大直径和内圆直径线性关系明显(R~2=0.7);五六角最大直径与单边长度间线性关系最高(R~2=0.8903);总体上看,化石管体长度与壁厚、长度与最大直径无明显相关性。分析结果表明Sinotubulites在生长的不同阶段可能通过丢弃旧管,分泌新管,换管生活。同时在不同水动力条件下Sinotubulites不是单纯依靠分泌更厚的壳壁,而更可能是通过纵脊的多少来稳定管体。     

《南京直立人》评介

1993年 3月 1 3日 ,在江苏省南京市汤山葫芦洞发现了一具人类头骨化石。经初步鉴定 ,属于直立人。随后又发现了另一具头骨化石。这两件化石分别编号为南京直立人 1号头骨和 2号头骨。这是继北京周口店、陕西蓝田、安徽和县之后 ,在中国发现的最为完整的直立人头骨化石。由于初步的动物群对比显示与汤山直立人伴生的哺乳动物化石都是周口店中更新世动物群的成员 ,南京汤山直立人很可能代表着与周口店相同时代的直立人成员。这一发现对于进一步揭示东亚地区直立人化石特征 ,研究直立人的分布、变异及生存环境具有十分重要的价值。化石发现后 ,…     

东秦岭北坡中元古代晚期微体生物群--一个早期生命的新窗口

山西南部永济地区位于东秦岭北坡 ,在该地区出露良好未变质的中—新元古代地层。在水幽剖面的中元古界汝阳群北大尖组中保存类型多样的微体化石 ,包括具刺疑源类 (Shuiyousphaeridium (Du)Yan ,emend .Yin ,1 997;TappaniaYin ,1 997) ,球形、舟形疑源类和多种带状、管状藻类化石。其大的膜壳 ,突起附属物 ,脱囊开口 ,以及同平面不规则分枝丝体等都显示了真核原生物的形态特征。线形和螺旋形微细管体和网状结构物首次见于部分带状丝体和膜状碎片 ,推测这些管状物是底栖藻类为适应干旱缺水环境而发育的输导或加固支撑的结构物。当前 ,以具刺疑源类Tappania为特征的相似微体化石组合相继在印度、澳大利亚南部中元古代地层中发现 ,揭示了约 1     

贵州剑河寒武系“清虚洞组”管状微体骨骼化石初步研究

华南寒武系地层中广泛富集微体骨骼化石,为解决某些疑难化石的亲缘关系及研究早期后生动物的演化提供了重要化石证据。在贵州剑河八郎"清虚洞组"中发现一些管状微体骨骼化石。经鉴定后主要有4属,分别为小钻孔螺Torellella、似软舌螺Hyolithellus、鞘状螺Coleoloides和表面具鳞片状管状化石Mongolitubulus squamifer。Mongolitubulus分布范围较为广泛,本文结合前人对该化石亲缘关系的探讨及剑河寒武系"清虚洞组"化石的特征,推测M.squamifer可能是高肌虫的装饰刺。     

新元古代陡山沱组具细胞裂殖结构的丝状蓝藻

新元古代陡山沱组丝状蓝藻化石Oscillatoriopsis sp.,具丝状蓝藻化石记录中罕见的细胞分裂结构;其胞壁内陷的二等分裂方式,可能的丝体断裂结构。是现生丝状蓝藻生长和繁殖的典型特征;不具异形胞结构的形态特征,可能与其当时生存的海底表面的缺氧环境有关;这种基底环境,可能有利于Oscillatoriopsis sp。等磷酸盐化化石细节构造的保存。     

Fragmentary non-vascular plant microfossils from the late Silurian of Wales

A wide variety of cuticles and tubular elements is described from a late Silurian (Ludlow Series) locality in Wales which has already yielded a macroflora containing Cooksonia Lang, Steganotheca Edwards and vascularized axes. These microfossils are compared with Lang's Downtonian .Nematothallus complex and Silurian assemblages of similar composition from north America. It is concluded that the majority of these microfossils derive from non-vascular plants of uncertain affinity which lived on land.     

High-temperature, acid-hydrolyzed remains of Polytrichum (Musci, Polytrichaceae) resemble enigmatic Silurian-Devonian tubular microfossils

Gametophytes and sporophyte components of two species of the evolutionarily early-divergent moss Polytrichum were separately subjected to high-temperature acid hydrolysis, and remains were examined by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Remains included fragments of capsule, seta, leaves, stems, and calyptra. Cell walls of all remains were autofluorescent in violet and UV excitation, suggesting occurrence of resistant polyphenolic compounds. Calyptras of both species dissociated into smooth- walled, acutely branched filamentous associations of tubular cells with distinctively thickened cell junctions. In these aspects and measurements of wall dimensions made from SEMs, the hydrolysis-resistant Polytrichum calyptra remains were similar to several tubular microfossils described from Silurian and Lower Devonian deposits, whose provenance is unknown or ascribed to fungi. Our data suggest the possibility that at least some ancient tubular microfossils might have originated from Polytrichum-like early mosses. They add to increasing evidence that bryophytes left microfossil evidence for their presence millions of years earlier than is indicated by their macrofossil record.     

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTION AND PHYLOGENETIC AFFINITY OF TUBULAR MICROFOSSILS FROM THE EDIACARAN DOUSHANTUO FORMATION AT WENG'AN, SOUTH CHINA

Abstract:  This paper provides a systematic treatment of tubular microfossils collected from dolomitic phosphorites of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation at Weng'an, South China. These microfossils were investigated using petrographic, acid extraction and re-embedding techniques. Four morphological genera and five morphospecies are described: Ramitubus increscens gen. et sp. nov., Ramitubus decrescens gen. et sp. nov., Sinocyclocyclicus guizhouensis , Quadratitubus orbigoniatus , and Crassitubus costatus gen. et sp. nov. They are characterized by cylindrical ( R. increscens , R. decrescens , S. guizhouensis and C. costatus ) or tetragonal ( Q. orbigoniatus ) tubes with closely spaced cross-walls. Ramitubus has mostly complete cross-walls, whereas all other taxa have regularly intercalated complete and incomplete cross-walls. Some of them branch dichotomously ( R. increscens and R. decrescens ), others have a longitudinal ridge running along a curved tube ( C. costatus ).
The palaeoecology, ontogeny, and phylogenetic affinity of these microfossils are still uncertain. They probably represent non-biomineralizing organisms in the Ediacaran ocean. Ramitubus (and possibly all other morphotaxa described in this paper) was probably benthic and grew unidirectionally and episodically. The incomplete cross-walls could have been formed through terminal addition or, alternatively, through intercalary insertion. It is possible that some or all morphotaxa described may represent ontogenetic or ecophenotypic variations of one or a few closely related biological species. If so, then the combination of morphological features (complete and incomplete cross-walls, tetraradial symmetry, and longitudinal ridge) can negate a cyanobacterial or algal interpretation, and point to a tentative cnidarian affinity.     

Palaeoecology of enigmatic tube microfossils forming “cryptalgal” fabrics (Late Quaternary,Red Sea)

Tubular microfossils are important sediment producers in the aphotic zone of the Red Sea. They occur on forereef slopes and as incrustations on hardgrounds of basinal carbonates as well as encrusting drowned reefs. The tubular microfossils (mean inner diameter 10 μm, outer diameter 50 μm) are straight to slightly curved and commonly branched. Because of their size and mode of calcification, they may represent remnants of fungi or cyanobacteria. Combined growth of the microfossils on protected upper surfaces of substrates and little sedimentation produce strictly geofugal cryptalgal fabrics. Although this fabric suggests phototactic growth, the tubular microfossils are eurytopic. In the Red Sea they occur between 63 and 765 m below present sea level. Within the basin the cryptalgal fabrics formed during last glacial lowstand of sea level and along the slope during Holocene rise of sea level. Limiting factors recognized so far seem to be space competition with faster growing encrusters, mainly the corallinaceans, and burial by sediments. During glacial lowstand of sea level salinity exceeded the tolerance levels of most planktonic taxa resulting in low rates of sedimentation in the basin. Along the cliffed slope sedimentation remained low during Holocene transgression. Before the mid-Mesozoic calcified cyanophyceans were very common. It is proposed that, as a consequence of the radiation of calcareous plankton during that time, suitable conditions of low sedimentation in deep water became less common.     

Effects of temperature on the development and survival of Nanomia bijuga (Hydrozoa, Siphonophora)

Abstract. The effects of temperature on the development of marine invertebrates have been studied primarily in benthic species. For this study, gametes were collected from Nanomia bijuga , a mesopelagic siphonophore, and were self-crossed. Fertilized eggs kept at 8 and 12°C developed more slowly at the lower temperature. Developing stages were preserved after 2, 4, 6, and 9 days of development for comparative analysis with SEM. Concurrent experiments compared survival. Eggs collected from two additional colonies were placed in four temperature treatments: 4, 8, 12, and 18°C. The young developed normally in all treatments, but survived longer at lower temperatures. Young of N. bijuga will develop to siphonulae possessing tentacles, nematocysts, and a functional gastrozooid without being fed. Nonetheless, it is likely that food constraints, rather than temperature, limited survival in this study.     

陕西西乡灯影组顶部的瓶状微化石

瓶状微化石被认为是某种未知海相原生动物外壳化石,最早出现于９００－８５０Ｍａ以前。本文记述的该类化石,产自陕西西乡三郎铺小湾里下寒武统灯影组顶部杨家沟段,相当于梅树村阶中－上部,计１０属,１３种和２未定种。所获化石个体数量及形态类型丰富。保存良好,并见有大量具公共壳壁的连体壳。此类连体壳的连接程度呈系列变化。可能代表处于分裂状态的生物体,如是则可为其原生动物解释提供一佐证,瓶状微化石在国外的地层分     

Tubular microfossils from the Ediacaran Weng’an Biota (Doushantuo Formation,South China) are not early animals

The early Ediacaran Weng’an Biota (ca. 609 Ma) of the Doushantuo Formation (Guizhou Province, China) encompasses an abundant and exquisitely preserved assemblage of phosphatic microfossils that have provided unique insight into the origin and early evolution of multicellular eukaryotes. However, the affinities of these early organisms are far from certain, including the tubular microfossils Crassitubulus, Quadratitubus, Ramitubulus, and Sinocyclocylcicus. These taxa have been widely accepted as stem-cnidarians or, alternatively, interpreted as filamentous cyanobacteria, or multicellular algae. We use high-resolution X-ray tomographic microscopy to analyse the structure and development of the four taxa. Our data and analysis allow us to conclude that these four taxa were not biomineralized. Crassitubulus, Quadratitubus, and Sinocyclocylcicus, may be grouped on the basis that they exhibit alternating complete and incomplete cross walls, and bipolar growth; which makes them favourably comparable to filamentous cyanobacteria. In contrast, Ramitubulus exhibits only complete cross walls, unipolar growth and dichotomous branching. These features are difficult to reconcile with a cyanobacterial interpretation. They are, instead, more indicative of multicellular algae-like Cambrian Epiphyton. Thus, the Weng’an tubular microfossils constitute a disparate assemblage of cyanobacteria and algae, but none represents early Ediacaran animals.     

浙江和江西二叠/三叠系界线层上下的辐鳍鱼类化石与鱼类的绝灭、复苏和辐射

记述了浙江长兴县煤山剖面、江西修水县四都乡东岭剖面和信丰县铁石口镇铁石口剖面二叠/三叠系界线层上下的辐鳍鱼类6个类别的微体化石,包含2新属2新种,它们是:赵氏浙江鱼(Zhejiangichthys zhaoi gen.et sp.nov.)和小齿葆青鱼(Baoqingichthys microdontus gen.et sp.nov.)。这是包括全球二叠/三叠系界线层型剖面和点位(GSSP)在内的全球二叠/三叠系界线层上下辐鳍鱼类微体化石序列的首次报道。在总结煤山剖面已记述的鱼类大化石和微体化石资料的基础上,分析了长兴煤山剖面二叠纪末鱼类的集群绝灭。绝灭发生得很晚,持续的时间很短,规模也很大,绝灭率高达93%。讨论了华南二叠/三叠系之交大绝灭后鱼类的复苏和辐射,认为鱼类和牙形类一样都是大绝灭后在三叠纪最早复苏的类别,最早复苏的鱼类为裂齿鱼类;鱼类从绝灭期到辐射期仅用了1.3 Ma到4 Ma,从地质时间考虑,大绝灭后鱼类的复苏和辐射是相当快的。华南早三叠世以裂齿鱼类的张氏鱼(Zhangina)和软骨鱼类的弓鲛(Hybodus)为代表的组合替代了晚二叠世以古鳕类的中华扁体鱼(sinoplatysomys)和软骨鱼类的中华尖齿鲨(Sinacrodus)为代表的组合。华南晚二叠世海相地层产出的辐鳍鱼类和软骨鱼类的一些土著属与产于特提斯区三叠纪的一些属非常相近,表明华南下扬子区很可能是后来繁盛于特提斯区的三叠纪鱼类的发源地。     

苏皖北部新元古代微生物化石

苏皖北部新元古代海相泥页岩,粉砂岩及燧石中富含微生物化石,其中,通过化学浸解法,从碎屑岩中获得14个形态属种的微生物化石;6个形态属种的蓝细菌化石呈三维立体状态保存在燧石切片中。浸解获得的泥页岩,粉砂岩相微生物化石,在刘老碑组中-上部的主要是片形和球形：Laminarites antiquis-simus,Leiosphaeridia pelucida,Spumiosa alara及Asperatopsophosphaera bavlinensis;在九里桥组,贾园组和赵圩组主要为多面形和球形;Monilinema quadratucella及Synsphaeridium sp.而史家组,金山寨组和沟后组则有丰富的球形,片形,梭形和带形个体;Leiosphaeridia hyperboreica,Trachysphaeridium simplex,Annulum difuminatum,Nucellosphaeridium asperatum,Tophoporata sp.Symplassosphaeridium sp,Macroptycha uniplicata及Taenia-tum simplex。该微生物组合可与河北及天津蓟县的新元古界景儿峪组和下马岭组的相对比,虽然上述微生物化石的系统古生物学仍在研究中,但却为我们了解新元古代大冰期前夕近岸海相环境生物圈提供了有关浮游植物的信息。苏皖北部新元古代倪园组及九顶山组的燧石中,保存良好的微生物三维立体化石为丝形和球形蓝细菌遗留物,包括Siphonophycus sp,Eoentophysalis belcherensis,Eozygion grande,Tetraphycus conjionceum,Globophycus rugosum及Caryospharoides pristine。该蓝细菌组合可能是底栖的,它们出现在非叠层石的碳酸盐沉积环境。