Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-cfpbc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T14:53:53.963Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Spatial distribution of Crustacea and associated organisms in the Luoping Biota (Anisian, Middle Triassic), Yunnan Province, China: evidence of periodic mass kills

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2016

Rodney M. Feldmann ,
Carrie E. Schweitzer ,
Shixue Hu ,
Jinyuan Huang ,
Changyong Zhou ,
Qiyue Zhang ,
Wen Wen ,
Tao Xie  and
Evin Maguire
Rodney M. Feldmann
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA 〈rfeldman@kent.edu〉
Carrie E. Schweitzer
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Kent State University at Stark, 6000 Frank Avenue NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720, USA 〈cschweit@kent.edu〉
Shixue Hu
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Jinyuan Huang
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Changyong Zhou
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Qiyue Zhang
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Wen Wen
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Tao Xie
Affiliation:
Chengdu Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chengdu, 610081, China 〈hushixue@hotmail.com〉 Chengdu Center of China Geological Survey, No.2, N-3-Section, First Ring, Chengdu 610081, China
Evin Maguire
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA 〈rfeldman@kent.edu〉
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The distribution of all recognized biotic elements was mapped on five extensive surfaces of the Middle Triassic Guanling Formation exposed in quarries near Luoping, Yunnan Province, China. A 0.5 m2 grid was overlain on the surfaces, and all recognizable fossils were located by placing them in one of nine quadrants within the grid. A total of 240 m2 were mapped, and each specimen observed was recorded as one of 15 categories, subsequently grouped as pelagic, benthic, and other (bone, trace fossils, algae). The pelagic component, fish, thylacocephalans, and mysidaceans, dominated all layers. The benthic component was sparse on all surfaces; epifaunal, vagrant organisms were the dominant forms, suggesting that the substrate was unsuitable for infaunal and sessile epifaunal organisms. Shrimp and bivalves dominated the benthic organisms. Two of the surfaces were overwhelmingly dominated by mysidaceans, and one was dominated by thylacocephalans, suggesting that their remains documented periodic mass kills of swarming, pelagic organisms. Scanning electron microscope analysis of the bedding surfaces revealed nothing remarkable about the sediment, suggesting that the cause of death of the organisms was likely due to an event within the water column, possibly an algae bloom, not recorded in the sediment record.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 89 , Issue 6 , November 2015 , pp. 1022 - 1037
Copyright
Copyright © 2016, The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Benton, M.J., Zhang, Q., Hu, S., Chen, A.-Q., Wen, W., Liu, J., Huang, J., Zhou, C., Xie, T., Tong, T., and Choo, B., 2013, Exceptional vertebrate biotas from the Triassic of China, and the expansion of marine ecosystems after the Permo-Triassic mass extinction: Earth–Science Reviews, v. 125, p. 199–243.Google Scholar
Briggs, D.E.G., and Rolfe, W.D.I., 1983, New Concavicarida (new order: ?Crustacea) from the Upper Devonian of Gogo, Western Australia, and the palaeoecology and affinities of the group: Special Papers in Palaeontology, v. 30, p. 249–276.Google Scholar
Charbonnier, S., Vannier, J., Hantzpergue, P., and Gaillard, C., 2010, Ecological Significance of the arthropod fauna from the Jurassic (Callovian) La Voulte Lagertstätte: Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, v. 55, p. 111–132.Google Scholar
Durham, J.W., 1966, Classification, in Durham, J.W., Caster, K.E., Exline, H., et al., eds., Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part U, Echinodermata 3, Asterozoa-Echinozoa, Lawrence, Geological Society of America and University of Kansas, p. U270–U295.Google Scholar
Emig, C.C., 1983, Comportement experimental de Lingula anatine (brachiopode, inarticulé) dans divers substrats meubles (Baie de Mutsu, Japon): Marine Biology, v. 75, p. 207–213.Google Scholar
Emig, C.C., 1997, Ecology of inarticulated brachiopods, in Williams, A., Brunton, H.C., and Carlson, S.J., eds., Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part H, Brachiopoda Revised, Volume 1: Lawrence, Geological Society of America and University of Kansas, p. 473–502.Google Scholar
Feldmann, R.M., Schweitzer, C.E., Hu, S., Zhang, Q., Zhou, C., Xie, T., Huang, J., and Wen, W., 2012, Macrurous Decapoda from the Luiping Biota (Middle Triassic) of China: Journal of Paleontology, v. 86, p. 425–441.Google Scholar
Feng, Z.Z., Bao, Z.D., and Li, S., 1997, Lithofacies paleogeography of Middle and Lower Triassic of South China: Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing, 222 p. (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Fu, W.H., Wilson, G.D., Jiang, D.Y., Sun, Y.L., Hao, W.C., and Sun, Z.Y., 2010, A new species of Protamphisopus Nicholls (Crustacea, Isopoda, Phreatoicidea) from Middle Triassic Luoping Fauna of Yunnan Province, China: Journal of Paleontology, v. 84, p. 1001–1011.Google Scholar
Gall, J.-C., and Grauvogel, L., 1967, Faune du Buntsandstein II, Les Halicynés: Annales de Paléontologie, v. 53, p. 3–14.Google Scholar
Hessler, R.R., 1969, Peracarida, in Moore, R.C., ed., Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part R, Arthropoda 4 (1), Lawrence, Geological Society of America and University of Kansas, p. R360–R393.Google Scholar
Hu, S.-X., Zhang, Q.-Y., Chen, Z.-Q., Zhou, C.-Y., Lü, T., Xie, T., Wen, W., Huang, J.Y., and Benton, M.J., 2010, The Luoping biota: exceptional preservation, and new evidence on the Triassic recovery from end-Permian mass extinction: Proceedings of The Royal Society, v. B, p. 1–9.Google Scholar
Jing, Y.L., Zhang, K.X., and Lin, Q.X., 2005, Sedimentary geochemistry characteristics and paleoenvironmental meaning of Helongshan Formation and Nanlinghu Formation in Meishan, Changxing County, Zhejiang Province: Geological Science and Technology Information, v. 24, p. 35–40. [in Chinese with English abstract]Google Scholar
Müller, A.H., 1955, Über einen Neufund von Halicyne plana und die systematische Stellung von Halicyne (Crustacea?): Paläontologische Zeitschrift, v. 29, p. 131–135.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Munster, G., and Zu, G., 1839, Abbildung und Beschreibung der fossilen langschwänzigen Krebse in den Kalkschiefern von Bayern. Beitrage zur Petrefactenkunde, v. 2: Bayreuth, Germany, Commission der Buchner’schen Buchhandlung, v 88 p, 20 pls.Google Scholar
Pinna, G., Arduini, P., Pesarini, C., and Teruzzi, G., 1982, Thylacocephala: una nuova classe di crostacei fossili: Atti della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali e del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano, v. 123, p. 469–482.Google Scholar
Rolfe, W.D.I., 1985, Form and function in Thylacocephala, Conchyliocarida and Concavicarida (?Crustacea): a problem of interpretation: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, v. 76, p. 391–399.Google Scholar
Roger, J., 1946, Les invertébrés des couches à poisons du crétace supérieur du Liban: Mémoires de la Société Géologique de France, Nouvelle Série, v. 51, p. 1–92.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., 1974, Paleozoic Peracarida of North America: Fieldiana Geology, v. 33, p. 95–124.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., 1977, Paleozoogeography of Late Paleozoic and Triassic Malacostraca: Systematic Zoology, v. 26, p. 367–379.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., 1986, Crustacea, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 606 p.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., 1990, On Mazon Creek Thylacocephala: Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History, v. 3, p. 1–16.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., Vonk, R., and Hoe, C.H.J., 1997, Mazon Creek Cycloidea: Journal of Paleontology, v. 71, p. 261–284.Google Scholar
Schram, F.R., Hof, C.H.J., and Steeman, F.A., 1999, Thylacocephala (Arthropoda: Crustacea?) from the Cretaceous of Lebanon and implications for thylacocephalan systematics: Palaeontology, v. 42, p. 769–797.Google Scholar
Schweigert, G., 2007, Juracyclus posidoniae n. gen. and sp., the first cycloid arthropod from the Jurassic: Journal of Paleontology, v. 81, p. 213–215.Google Scholar
Schweigert, G., and Dietl, G., 2007, Miscellanea aus dem Nusplinger Plattenkalk (Ober–Kimmeridgium, Schwäbische Alb). 8. Neufunde der Garnele Aeger Münster, 1839 und ein von dieser erzeugtes Spruenfossil. Jahresberichte und Mitteilungen des Oberrheinischen Geologischen Vereins: Neue Folge, v. 89, p. 105–114.Google Scholar
Schweitzer, C.E., Feldmann, R.M., Hu, S., Huang, H, Zhou, C., Zhang, Q., Wen, W., and Xie, T., 2014, Penaeoid Decapoda (Dendrobranchiata) from the Luoping Biota (Middle Triassic) of China:.systematics and taphonomic framework: Journal of Paleontology, v. 88, p. 457–474.Google Scholar
Secretan, S., 1983, Une nouvelle classe fossile dans la super-classe des Crustacés: Conchyliocarida: Paris, Comptes Rendus Académie des Sciences, v. 296, p. 741–743.Google Scholar
Secretan, S., 1985, Conchyliocarida, a class of fossil crustaceans: relationships to Malacostraca and postulated behaviour: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, v. 76, p. 381–389.Google Scholar
Stachowitsch, M., 1991, Anoxia in the northern Adriatic Sea: rapid death, slow recoveryin Tyson, R.V., and Pearson, T.H., eds., Modern and Ancient Continental Shelf Anoxia: Geological Society Special Publication, v. 58, p. 119–129.Google Scholar
Stachowitsch, M., 1992, Benthic communities: Eutrophication’s “memory mode,”in Vollenweider, R.A., Marchetti, R., and Viviani, R., eds., Marine Coastal Eutrophication: Science of the Total Environment, Suppl. 1992, p. 1017–1028.Google Scholar
Sun, Y., Liu, J., Lü, T., Xu, X., Zhang, Q., Lou, X., and Jiang, X., 2009, Oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of Mekkle Triassic carbonates from the Dawazi section of Luoping, Yunnan: implications for paleoenvironment of the Luoping Lagerstte: Acta Geological Sinica, v. 83, p. 1110–1117.Google Scholar
Taylor, R.S., Schram, F.R., and Yan-Bin, S., 2001, A new upper Middle Triassic shrimp (Crustacea: Lophogastrida) from Guizhou, China, with discussion regarding other fossil “Mysidaceans”: Journal of Paleontology, v. 75, p. 310–318.Google Scholar
Vannier, J., Chen, J.-Y., Huanbg, D.-Y., Charbonnier, S., and Wang, X.-Q., 2006, The Early Cambrian origin of thylacocephalan arthropods: Act Palaeontologica Polonica, v. 51, p. 201–214.Google Scholar
Wang, Z., and Zhong, D., 1994, Triassic conodont biostratigraphy from different facies in eastern Yunnan, western Guizhou and northern Guangxi: Acta Micropalaeontologica Sinica, v. 11, no. 4, p. 379–412 (in Chinese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Zhang, Q.Y., Zhou, C.Y., Lü, T., Xie, T., Luo, X.Y., Liu, W., Sun, Y.Y., Huang, J.Y., and Zhao, L.S., 2009, A conodont-based Middle Triassic age assignment for the Luoping Biota of Yunnan, China. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences, v. 52, p. 1673–1678.Google Scholar
Zhou, C., Qiyue, Z., Hu, S., Lü, T., and Bai, J., 2010, Geochemical records of paleoenvironment associated with the Middle Triassic Luoping Biota, Yunnan, southwest China: Journal of Earth Science Special Issue, v. 21, p. 225–227.Google Scholar