Proposal and prospects for the global Lower-Middle Cambrian boundary

In recent years paleontologists have been working on the global stratotype section and standard point (GSSP) for the Lower-Middle Cambrian boundary in North America, China, Morocco, Spain and Russia. Continually, they suggest the potential first appearance datum (FAD) of the Middle Cambrian, such as Oryctocephalus indicus, Ovatoryctocara granulata, Acadoparadoxides mureroensis, Hupeolenus and Arthricocephalus chauveaui as being relevant to the potential stratotype section for the Lower-Middle Cambrian boundary. There are only a few trilobites distributed widely enough in the Early to Middle Cambrian connection, so virtually no trilobite(s) can act as the FAD for the global Middle Cambrian. The easily identified Oryctocephalus indicus is widely distributed in three realms of the global Cambrian. Its first appearance position is linked to the extinction of old species coevolution of new ones. It appears to be a comparatively good FAD of Middle Cambrian. The continuous and unbroken Wuliu section (Balang, Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, China) includes O. indicus and co-occurs with many benthic and nektonic trilobites. The evolution of acritarchs in the section, the changed characteristics of trace elements (REE and C isotopes) are generally consistent with the evolution of trilobites both above and below the boundary. Strata above the boundary yield the famous Kaili Biota. The Wuliu section is easily accessible from a main highway.     

Bathynotus --A key trilobite taxon? for global stratigraphic boundary correlation between Cambrian Series 2 and Series 3

The Cambrian trilobite Bathynotus is a special morphology of Redlichiid, which is characterized by a wider thorax axis and an 11th macropleural segment bearing a long, backwardly directed spine. Additionally, its 12th and 13th pleural segments are narrow and they terminate at a fulcrum where they fuse together and to the posterior edge of the long macropleural spine. The genus is widely distributed, occurring in North America, Siberia, the Altay-Sayan fold belt of Russia, South China, the Tarim Basin of China, and Australia. It occurs primarily in deposits of the upper part of the continental slope, at the transition between stable platform settings and subsiding margins of the late Early Cambrian. Here, we recognize three species of Bathynotus from China, including B. holopygus which is widespread around the world. Although six species of Bathynotus have been reported from Siberia and the Altay-Sayan fold belt area of Russia, data presented here suggest that only three of these species are valid. Bathynotus exhibits a short geological range, with its first occurrence late in the unnamed Cambrian Series 2 and the last appearance datum of Bathynotus at the boundary of Cambrian Series 2 and Cambrian Series 3. The late appearance datum (LAD) of Bathynotus provides an important global stratigraphic marker of the boundary between Cambrian Series 2 and Cambrian Series 3.     

Bathynotus: A key trilobite taxon for global stratigraphic boundary correlation between Cambrian Series 2 and Cambrian Series 3

The Cambrian trilobite Bathynotus is a special morphology of Redlichiid,which is characterized by a wider thorax axis and an 11th macropleural segment bearing a long,backwardly directed spine.Additionally,its 12th and 13th pleural segments are narrow and they terminate at a fulcrum where they fuse together and to the posterior edge of the long macropleural spine.The genus is widely distributed,occurring in North America,Siberia,the Altay-Sayan fold belt of Russia,South China,the Tarim Basin of China,and Australia.It occurs primarily in deposits of the upper part of the continental slope,at the transition between stable platform settings and subsiding margins of the late Early Cambrian.Here,we recognize three species of Bathynotus from China,including B.holopygus which is widespread around the world.Although six species of Bathynotus have been reported from Siberia and the Altay-Sayan fold belt area of Russia,data presented here suggest that only three of these species are valid.Bathynotus exhibits a short geological range,with its first occurrence late in the unnamed Cambrian Series 2 and the last appearance datum of Bathynotus at the boundary of Cambrian Series 2 and Cambrian Series 3.The late appearance datum (LAD) of Bathynotus provides an important global stratigraphic marker of the boundary between Cambrian Series 2 and Cambrian Series 3.     

Stable isotopic geochemistry of organic carbon and pyrite sulfur from the Early Cambrian black shales in Northwestern Hunan, China

The early Cambrian black shale sequence in Northwestern Hunan Province has been investigated for its stable isotopic geochemistry of organic carbon and pyrite sulfur. The relatively low δ 13C values of organic matter, -29.7‰～-34.2‰, are interpreted as caused by the high CO2 concentration in atmosphere/ocean and an anoxic depositional environment in early Cambrian. Variable, but significantly positive δ 34S values, 10.2‰～ 28.2‰, for sedimentary pyrite reveals bacterial sulfate reduction as the pyrite-forming process but under sulfate-limited conditions. A protected anoxic basin, which had very limited access to open ocean, and its sediments, where metabolizable organic matter was rich and bioturbation was absent, are supposed to be the sulfate-limited environments and might have existed in South China in the early Cambrian.     

早寒武世疑源类的古生物地理学意义

根据早寒武世疑源类在全球的古地理分布，并参考古地磁和动物化石等方面的资料，进行了早寒武世疑源类的古地理分区。结果表明：早寒武世在全球范围内可分为2个疑源类古地理大区，即波罗的海－北美－亚、澳大区和地中海大区；我国西南地区早寒武区筇竹寺期，可根据疑源类分为两个生态区，即扬子区和江南区。这一研究结果为今后各区生态结构分析，提供了重要基础资料。     

湖北兴山中寒武统覃家庙群微生物岩及其古环境意义

通过野外考察及对岩石光面的观察,发现湖北兴山古洞口剖面中寒武统覃家庙群微生物岩的类型主要为波状-半球状叠层石,少量为凝块石。显微镜下观察发现叠层石及凝块石中保存有蓝绿菌类丝状微生物Girvanella,依据Girvanella丝状体在微生物岩中的赋存状态,认为覃家庙群的微生物岩是由底栖微生物群落的钙化和粘结、捕获等共同作用形成的。此外,古洞口剖面中寒武统微生物岩的宏观形态和巨型构造及其伴生的碳酸岩沉积相,指示其形成环境位于深潮下带和浅潮下带。通过对比研究,发现扬子地块表现出的中寒武世微生物岩再繁盛现象具有全球性,推测后生动物的匮乏或衰退是其主要控制因子,反映了生物礁结构由元古代的叠层石礁演变为显生宙的后生生物礁的重要转折。     

The newly-developed Cambrian biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme for South China

Biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy are common means of subdividing rock strata. The biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme are regarded as the basis for the subdivision and correlation of regional and global stratigraphic units. This paper reviews research on the biostratigraphy and chronostratigraphy carried out in the Jiangnan Slope Belt, South China since 1978, and, in particular, the biostratigraphic succession and chronostratigraphic scheme developed in the last decade. The updated biostratigraphic succession of South China includes 36 biozones, the base of each of which is defined by the first appearance of a single taxon （index fossil）, and a poorly fossiliferous interzone. The updated chronostratigraphic scheme of South China comprises 4 series and 10 stages, embracing 3 global chronostratigraphic units, the Guzhangian Stage, Furongian Series, and Paibian Stage, and 2 GSSPs, all of which are erected in northwestern Hunan and 2 International Tie Points recognized in sections also in northwestern Hunan and each was accepted by the International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy for defining the base of the global stage. The biostratigraphic and chronostratigraphic systems are recognized as Chinese standards both domestically and worldwide. Future research is suggested for improving the two sets of stratigraphic standards.     

Discovery of Corallina fossil from the Middle Cambrian of Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, China

Abundant and well-preserved macroalgae fossils have been discovered in silty mudstones and shales from the Middle Cambrian of Taijiang County, Guizhou Province, China. CorallinaParaamphiroa siniansis gen. et sp. nov. in the Kaili Fm., is the earliest Corallina fossil, which usually coexists with other carbonaceous macroalgae fossils on the bedding planes of mudstone and shale and is different from the calcareous and phosphatized Precambrian-Cambrian thallus discovered in the Lower Cambrian of Siberia and the Doushantou phosphate rocks of Weng’an County, Guizhou Province, China. The discovery of calcified thallus in the Kaili Fm. bears great importance on the study of phylogeny and evolution of early calcareous macroalgae.     

Eocrinoids from the Cambrian Mantou Formation of Dalian, Liaoning

Cambrian echinoderms,especially eocrinoids,have been reported recently from Guizhou and Yunnan provinces of China,such as the Kaili,Balang,and Guanshan faunas.The present paper reports abundant well-preserved eocrinoids from the Cambrian Mantou Formation of Dalian,Liaoning Province.This new discovery provides additional data on the early evolution of Echinodermata.It also gives us a clue as to where to seek the Cambrian soft-bodied fauna on the margin of the North China Platform.     

湘西花垣中寒武统具表面装饰的管状微体化石

对采自湘西花垣县排碧剖面中寒武统花桥组灰岩中具表面装饰的磷灰石质管状化石（Ornamented tubes）进行了研究,依据化石的壳面装饰特征,建立了3形态类型：Ornamented Tube Form Ⅰ,Ornamented Tube Form Ⅱ 和 Ornamented Tube Form Ⅲ。其中Ⅰ型壳体表面装饰有尖细的小刺,多数标本壳刺成行排列,行间存在宽约0.01～0.05 mm的间隔;Ⅱ 型管体表面具有零散稀疏而不规则分布的斑疹状壳饰,壳体微微向外弯曲的一侧具有一列粗壮的呈锯齿状排列的脊刺;Ⅲ型整个壳体表面布满圆形、卵圆形瘤状壳饰,壳饰中空,与壳体内腔相通,壳体微微向外弯曲的一侧具有一列粗壮的呈羽状排列的脊刺。从壳体形态、表面装饰特征分析,这类管状化石可能是节肢动物(如高肌虫类)生物体壳瓣上的前刺或背部的刺等管状硬体构造。     

Types and biotic successions of Ordovician reefs in China

Ordovician reefs are located in the South China,Tarim,and North China blocks,in low-latitude epicontinental marine regions and mostly consist of large-scale carbonate platforms.During the Paleozoic,faunal radiation reef biota diverged and thrived in diverse paleogeographic settings.Algal reefs of the Early Ordovician,Calathium-lithistid sponge-algal reefs of the late Early Ordovician to early Middle Ordovician,and coral-stromatoporoid-algal reefs of the early Late Ordovician,indicate change from Cambrian to Paleozoic biota.Coral-stromatoporoid-algal reefs were the basic communities after 100 Ma.The macroevolution of biotic struc-tures generally shows increased complexity;the evolution of China’s reef biota parallels that worldwide.Important aspects are:(1) The Calathium-algal reefs from the early Tremadocian Nantzinkuan Formation,Zhangjiajie,western Hunan are the pioneer reefs,and the Darriwillian Yijianfang Formation,Bachu are the relic reefs.(2) The bryozoan-dominated reefs of the late Tremadocian Fenhsiang Formation,Middle Yangtze Platform are unique.(3) The early coral-stromatoporoid-algal reefs are highly restricted in China.(4) The algal reefs from the latest Katian on the western margin of the Yangtze Platform,represent an abnormal reef-building environment during the initial stages of Gondwanan glaciations.     

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+1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。     

中国南方大地构造演化及其对油气的控制

按照板块构造理论及活动论、阶段论的思想，大致以中晚三叠世为界，将中国南方自震旦纪以来大地构造演化历史划分成海相盆地演化阶段（Z－T2）及陆相盆地演化阶级（T3－Q）两大阶段；又可进一步细分为扬子克拉通及其周缘裂谷盆地（Z－1q)、裂谷－克拉通－被动大陆边缘盆地（1c-O1）、被动陆缘－克拉通－前陆盆地（O2－S）、加里东运动（S末）、裂谷－克拉通盆地（D－T1）、克拉通残留海盆－弧后（浊积）盆地（T2）、印支运动（T2－T3）、华北－华南板块焊合、古特提斯封闭与前陆盆地的形成（T3－J2）、压扭背景下的改造作用及拉分盆地的形成（J3－K1）、伸展－裂陷盆地的形成（K2－E）、喜马拉雅运动（E末－N初）及披盖性构造层的形成（N－Q）12个阶段。特别是对南方自中晚三叠世以来的大地构造演化及其对现存油气的控制作用进行了系统研究，提出了晚侏罗世－早白垩世燕山运动对南方中生界、古生界原生油气藏的保存与破坏起到了决定性作用及燕山、喜马拉雅运动控制了现今南方原生、次生及再生烃（二次生烃）油气藏分布的新观点。     

兴蒙-北疆及邻区中奥陶世古生物地理──兼论三叶虫分布

根据对170属三叶虫、210属腕足类及87属头足类的综合分析结果,本研究区可分为中亚-东亚区和北亚区(二者分别属于古太平洋大区和古大西洋大区)。中亚-东亚区包括哈萨克斯坦、塔里木及华北3个分区,其中哈萨克斯坦分区包括哈萨克斯坦、中亚南天山及新疆准噶尔,以三叶虫 Opsimasaphus 和 Heptabronteus 以及腕足类 Ishimia, Shlyginia和 Eoanastrophia 为代表;塔里木分区以三叶虫 Taklamakania 属为代表,另有丰富的 Lituitidae 和 Oncoceratidae 科头足类;华北分区包括华北地台区,鄂尔多斯及祁连等地区,以头足类比较丰富及其地方性为特色。北亚区分为西伯利亚、阿尔泰-萨彦和兴蒙3个分区,其中西伯利亚分区以三叶虫 Monorakos、腕足类 Evenkina, Evenkinorthis和 Lenatoechia 以及头足类 Intejacerida 目为代表;阿尔泰-萨彦分区以三叶虫 Malinaspis 和腕足类 Ujukites 为代表;兴蒙分区包括我国东北及蒙古东部,除局部性的地方分子外,特征分子不明显。值得指出的是,哈萨克斯坦分区含有许多广泛分布于北美、华南、塔里木和华北鄂尔多斯地区的种属,意味着它当时处于两大区的过渡地位。     

A regional tectonic event of Katian (Late Ordovician) age across three major blocks of China

The present paper deals with a tectonic event of Late Ordovician age affecting three blocks of China,i.e.South China,North China and Tarim.In the North China and the Tarim platforms,as well as their marginal belts,there was a regional uplift during the early Katian Stage of the Ordovician.The uplift was indicated by the unconformities between the Ordovician successions and overlying late Paleozoic strata.New biostratigraphic studies of conodonts and graptolites from many sections at Longxian and Yaoxian,North China shows that the youngest Ordovician strata are of the early Katian age corresponding to graptolite Diplacanthograptus spiniferus Biozone.The same level has been recognized to represent the uppermost Ordovician in the platform area of Tarim,whereas in the marginal belt the top boundary of the Ordovician is slightly younger,corresponding to the graptolite Dicellograptus complanatus Biozone.Thus,the regional uplift in North China and Tarim is shown by the disconformity between the early Katian strata and Late Paleozoic strata,the onset coinciding with that of the Kwangsian Orogeny in South China.The designation Kwangsian Orogeny later fell into disuse and was replaced by the term Caledonian Orogeny.However,in terms of geographic location,tectonic nature,and the timing of activity,the Caledonian Orogeny differs significantly from the orogenic event in South China,and the continued use of this term in South China is inappropriate and misleading.     

华南布尔吉斯页岩型软躯体化石生物群对比研究

目的梳理华南布尔吉斯页岩型软躯体化石生物群的产出层位、生物面貌和沉积环境。方法对10个华南布尔吉斯页岩型软躯体化石生物群进行对比研究。结果除了岩家河生物群之外的9个布尔吉斯页岩型生物群代表了一系列生活在泥砂质基底的、从时空分布上逐渐过渡的具有高度相关性的生物群落。结论布尔吉斯页岩型化石生物群在中晚寒武世应该会有更大规模的分布。     

湖北兴山中寒武统覃家庙群微生物岩及其古环境意义

通过野外考察及对岩石光面的观察,发现湖北兴山古洞口剖面中寒武统覃家庙群微生物岩的类型主要为波状-半球状叠层石,少量为凝块石。显微镜下观察发现叠层石及凝块石中保存有蓝绿菌类丝状微生物Girvanella,依据Girvanella丝状体在微生物岩中的赋存状态,认为覃家庙群的微生物岩是由底栖微生物群落的钙化和粘结、捕获等共同作用形成的。此外,古洞口剖面中寒武统微生物岩的宏观形态和巨型构造及其伴生的碳酸岩沉积相,指示其形成环境位于深潮下带和浅潮下带。通过对比研究,发现扬子地块表现出的中寒武世微生物岩再繁盛现象具有全球性,推测后生动物的匮乏或衰退是其主要控制因子,反映了生物礁结构由元古代的叠层石礁演变为显生宙的后生生物礁的重要转折。