Isotopic compositions of small shelly fossil Anabarites from Lower Cambrian in Yangtze Platform of South China: Implications for palaeocean temperature

Anabarites belong to small shelly fossils (SSF), which occur widely in the Lower Cambrian strata of Yangtze Platform in South China. They are phosphate shell in composition and represent the earliest stage of the Cambrian bioradiation of Bilateria, the so-called "Cambrian Explosion". In this study, we attempted to separate Anabarites fossils from Lower Cambrian dolostones, and we obtained samples of both the fossils (SSF) and the granular phosphates (GP). Isotopic analyses were performed on samples of SSF, GP, and matrix dolostone (DH-23). The results showed that the δ30Si values of the quartz filling in fossils celoms, and the siliceous materials in granular phosphates are -0.6‰ and -0.7‰, which is different from normal sedimentary siliceous rocks from the Lower Cambrian strata (0—0.7‰) as reported by Li et al., but is consistent with the data for siliceous rocks and cherts of submarine hydrothermal origin. It is likely that a later hydrothermal replacement could have taken place in the SSF-bearing sedimentary rocks. The oxygen isotope values of the phosphate of SSF and GP are 16.8‰ and 17.0‰, respectively. These are significantly higher than the Neoproterozoic phosphate ores (10.9‰—13.9‰) as reported by Ling et al., hence, late diagenesis and hydrothermal replacement may not have caused a significant change in the oxygen isotope compositions of the small shelly fossils, and the calculated temperatures (25.4—26.3℃) for palaeo-seawater using a SSF phosphate oxygen isotope thermometer are therefore considered here as the upper limit of seawater temperature in the Early Cambrian ocean of the Yangtze Platform.     

Discovery of the budding phosphatized globular fossils from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation at Weng’an, Guizhou Province, China

There is much debate on biological affinities of the phosphatized globular fossils from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo phosphorites at Weng’an, Guizhou Province. Here we report for the first time the budding structures of some of these globular fossils, which have previously been interpreted as the resting eggs and early cleavage embryos of metazoans. The budding structures are similar to the germinating tubes of the spore and zygote of living algae, suggesting that some globular fossils from the Doushantuo phosphorites bear affinity with algae. The present new information indicated various biological affinity of the phosphatized globular fossils from the Doushantuo phosphorites.     

Isotopic compositions of small shelly fossil Anabarites from Lower Cambrian in Yangtze Platform of South China: Implications for palaeocean temperature

Anabarites belong to small shelly fossils (SSF), which occur widely in the Lower Cambrian strata of Yangtze Platform in South China. They are phosphate shell in composition and represent the earliest stage of the Cambrian bioradiation of Bilateria, the so-called “Cambrian Explosion”. In this study, we attempted to separate Anabarites fossils from Lower Cambrian dolostones, and we obtained samples of both the fossils (SSF) and the granular phosphates (GP). Isotopic analyses were performed on samples of SSF, GP, and matrix dolostone (DH-23). The results showed that the δ³⁰Si values of the quartz filling in fossils celoms, and the siliceous materials in granular phosphates are -0.6‰ and -0.7‰, which is different from normal sedimentary siliceous rocks from the Lower Cambrian strata (0—0.7‰) as reported by Li et al., but is consistent with the data for siliceous rocks and cherts of submarine hydrothermal origin. It is likely that a later hydrothermal replacement could have taken place in the SSF-bearing sedimentary rocks. The oxygen isotope values of the phosphate of SSF and GP are 16.8‰ and 17.0‰, respectively. These are significantly higher than the Neoproterozoic phosphate ores (10.9‰—13.9‰) as reported by Ling et al.， hence, late diagenesis and hydrothermal replacement may not have caused a significant change in the oxygen isotope compositions of the small shelly fossils, and the calculated temperatures (25.4—26.3℃) for palaeo-seawater using a SSF phosphate oxygen isotope thermometer are therefore considered here as the upper limit of seawater temperature in the Early Cambrian ocean of the Yangtze Platform.     

Skeletal faunas from the Qiongzhusian of southern Shaanxi: biodiversity and lithofacies-biofacies links in the Lower Cambrian carbonate settings

The Xiaoyang section, located in Zhenba County of Shaanxi Province, is important both for documenting the biodiversity of the Qiongzhusian Stage (Lower Cambrian) and for analyzing lithofacies-biofacies links in carbonate depositing environments on the Yangtze Platform.The skeletal fossils from the Xihaoping Member, including linguloid valves, cambroclavid and chancelloriid sclerites, genal and occipital spines of polymerid trilobites, and tubular fossils, are described here as the Eoobolus-Cambroclavus fauna, which mainly occurred in peritidal environments.The fossils from the argillaceous limestones of the lower Shuijingtuo Formation, containing lingulate brachiopods, eodiscoid trilobites, bivalved arthropods, microdictyoniid sclerites and siliceous sponge spicules, are regarded as the Palaeobolus-Hupeidiscus-Kunmingella fauna, which presumably lived in subtidal or deeper water environments.The faunal diversity in the Xihaoping Member is lower than that in the lower Shuijingtuo Formation.The investigations of the skeletal fossil assemblages from carbonate lithofacies in southern Shaanxi will significantly contribute to a detailed documentation of the biodiversity during the Qiongzhusian interval on the Yangtze Platform and add new knowledge on the Cambrian bioradiation.     

Vermicular fossils in the Early Cambrian Xidashan Formation in the Quruqtagh region of Xinjiang, China

Large amounts of vermicular fossils and a minor amount of sponge animal fossils have been found in the Early Cambrian Xidashan Formation in the region of Quruqtagh, Xinjiang. Vermicular fossils are generally more than 50 mm long and 0.3?1.4 mm wide; their wrinkled lamellae are microfine with 3?10 pieces within the length of every each millimeter. The fossils are considered to be Sabellidites cambriensis Sokolov (1965). The Xidashan Formation is the highest stratum in which Sabellidites occur, as has been so far reported.     

Discovery of hydrothermal venting community at the base of Cambrian barite in Guizhou Province, Western China: Implication for the Cambrian biological explosion

The barite deposit in the Niutitang Formation of Lower Cambrian, in Tianzhu County, Guizhou Province, western China, is a superlarge barite deposit with about 2 × 10^9 tons of reserves. Mineral, petrological and geochemical studies reveal that this barite deposit belongs to a hydrothermal sedimentary deposit. Microscopic observations indicate that a lot of algae, sponge spicules and tube-type fossils are well-preserved in this barite section, and moreover, those fossils share most characteristics of the deep-sea hydrothermal venting community in the modern Pacific. We suggest that the hydrothermal venting community was thriving in hydrothermal vent in early Cambrian, and it is of great significance for elucidating the geological background of the ＂Cambrian explosion＂.     

Sponge fossil assemblage from the Early Cambrian Hetang Formation in southern Anhui

Abundant well-preserved large articulated sponge fossils and isolated spicules have been reported from the Early Cambrian Hetang Formation, southern Anhui Province. This unique epifaunal fossil assemblage dominated by articulated sponge fossils is called the Xidi Sponge Fauna. The sponge fauna lived in a quiet oxygenic environment below the storm wave base. Bloom of phytoplankton and rapid sedimentation rate resulted in the deposition of the black shales. Sufficient food supply, lack of other competitors, abundant ecological niches, and demand for oxygen during early Cambrian were in favor of the diversification and evolution of large sponges in the Early Cambrian.     

Discovery of hydrothermal venting community at the base of Cambrian barite in Guizhou Province, Western China: Implication for the Cambrian biological explosion

The barite deposit in the Niutitang Formation of Lower Cambrian, in Tianzhu County, Guizhou Province, western China, is a superlarge barite deposit with about 2×10⁹ tons of reserves. Mineral, petrological and geochemical studies reveal that this barite deposit belongs to a hydrothermal sedimentary deposit. Microscopic observations indicate that a lot of algae, sponge spicules and tube-type fossils are well-preserved in this barite section, and moreover, those fossils share most characteristics of the deep-sea hydrothermal venting community in the modern Pacific. We suggest that the hydrothermal venting community was thriving in hydrothermal vent in early Cambrian, and it is of great signi?cance for elucidating the geological background of the “Cambrian explosion”.     

Discovery of sponge body fossils from the late Meishucunian (Cambrian) at Jinsha, Guizhou, south China

Here we report discovery of a sponge body fossil Triticispongia sp. from the base of lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation at Jinsha, Guizhou. Stratigraphically, the fossil horizon is located below Ni-Mo ore layer with the Niutitang Biota above, and is equivalent to the late Meishucunian. The species is global in shape with skeletons composed of stauractins and monaxons. Triticispongia sp. reported here may be the earliest sponge body fossils of Cambrian, which provides new information for understanding early evolution and radiation of sponge animals.     

A restudy of Oryctocephalus indicus (Reed, 1910)

Restudy on morphology of Oryctocephalus indicus (Reed, 1910), based on specimens from Guizhou, China and Nevada USA, suggests that the subspecies regarded previously as Oryctocephalus indicus indicus (Reed, 1910), O. indicus latus Zhao et Yuan 2002, and O. indicus kobayashi Saito, 1934, are synonymous, and Oryctocephalus americanus Sundberg et McCollum, 2003 is a similar form of O. indicus. Oryctocephalus indicus is rediagnosed as having a glabella that is subconical in outline and tapering forward slightly; a thorax that comprises 12 segments, and a small pygidium that bears 2?3 axial rings with a terminal piece and a postaxial ridge. Oryctocephalus indicus is widely distributed in eastern Guizhou and ranges through a great interval of Kaili Formation. Its first appearance is almost identical with these events of trilobite extinction-recovery occurring at the end of the Early Cambrian, the alternation of acritach assemblages, the change of trace elements (REE) and stable isotopes (carbon) at the Wuliu-Zengjiaya section. As one of the key forms for defining the traditional Lower - Middle Cambrian boundary (the base of Cambrian Series 3 and Stage 5 in the new Cambrian chronstratigraphic standard), O. indicus has received detailed study and has more advantages than other species such as Ovatoryctocara granulata Tchernysheva, 1962 or Arthricocephalus chauveaui Bergeron, 1899.     

湖南花垣中寒武世晚期开腔骨类化石

记述了湖南花垣县排碧剖面寒武系花桥组上部灰岩中的开腔骨类化石。40余块形态多样的化石标本，包括具6—7 l型的Chancelloria altaica；4 0型Archiasterella sp．；和3 0型Allonnia sp．；以及形态奇特的开腔骨针Chancelloria sp．，与三叶虫、牙形石、腕足动物、软舌螺类等共生，时代属中寒武世晚期。与其他研究比较证明，这是迄今我国中寒武世晚期开腔骨类最高产出层位，也是世界上少数几个开腔骨类较高的产出层位之一。通过对开腔骨类骨片构造、保存环境及其地史地理分布的分析，认为开腔骨类是一类与海绵类有密切关系、已绝灭的后生动物，是一类生活于浅海环境的底栖固着型生物。     

扬子地台早寒武世早期小壳动物的古生态及其生物分区初探

文章讨论了早寒武世早期小壳动物的生存条件及几类常见软舌螺(Microcornus, Actinotheca, Neogloborilus, Paragloborilus, Adyshevitheca, Sulcavitus等)的生活环境及生存方式,并在古生态分析的基础上,对扬子地台早寒武世早期小壳动物的地理分区进行了探讨,提出扬子地台自西向东可分为三个不同的生物地理区,即底栖生物区;浮游、游泳、底栖生物混生区;浮游、游泳动物区。其分区界线大致与三叶虫的分区界线相吻合。     

New observations on spiculelike structures from Doushantuo phosphorites at Weng’an, Guizhou Province

Doushantuo phosphorites at Weng’an, Guizhou Province, provide a unique opportunity for the study of early evolution of multicellular organisms, including metazoans. Our light microscope and SEM observations, however, do not substantiate a sponge spicule interpretation of spicular structures. No convincing axial canals have been seen in the observed spicule population. Instead, the coexistence of some monaxonal spicules with clearly diagenetic crystal fascicles and dumbbells suggest that these monaxons may also be diagenetic in origin. Our preliminary EDS analyses detect no significant silicon in spicule-containing intraclasts (including abiotic clasts and fragments of sphaeromorphic acritarchs and algal thalli), that contain abundant monaxonal spicular structures. We, therefore, believe that the evidence for a sponge spicule interpretation of the Doushantuo spicular structures are at best ambiguous at present; these alleged sponge spicules are indistinguishable from coexistent diagenetic crystals.