Repeated Wildfires in the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation (Aalenian and Bajocian Ages) in Northwestern China

The coal-bearing strata in the southern Junggar Basin in northwestern China have recently attracted the attention of coal geologists. Its abundance of coal resources is of great interest as there is a potential of unlocking details about the palaeoclimatic information. Coal deposits have the capacity to record wildfire events, even those with inefficient combustions. To characterize wildfire events and palaeoclimatic history of the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation (Aalenian and Bajocian ages), 22 coal samples from borehole cores and coal mines in the southern Junggar Basin were collected and their macerals were analyzed. The results indicated that fusinite and semi-fusinite were the dominant components of inertinite with proportions of 35.27% and 54.67%, respectively. The presence of inertinite is an indicator that wildfires occurred at the time of peat land development, and the widespread occurrence suggests large scale wildfires during the Middle Jurassic. This study proposes a new parameter for the evaluation of wildfire features by combining burning frequency and burning temperature. The comprehensive evaluation index (CEI) was influenced by the lacustrine basin level and ancient plant types from a sequence framework. During the Middle Jurassic, most wildfires were surface fires with low level and ground fire with high level. High oxygen levels were estimated in the lower, middle, and upper members of the Xishanyao Formation with corresponding to 26.78%, 24.55%, and 23.55%, respectively. The high oxygen levels would be the primary cause of repeated wildfires in the Middle Jurassic. These results are helpful for understanding palaeoclimatic changes in the Middle Jurassic.     

Lytoceratid ammonites from the Inferior Oolite Formation (Middle Jurassic,Aalenian and Bajocian) of Dorset (United Kingdom)

Ammonites of the family Lytoceratidae from the Middle Jurassic Inferior Oolite Formation, Aalenian to lowermost Bathonian, of Dorset are rarely described, perhaps because the macroconchs are often very large and difficult to collect intact and the microconchs are very small and easily overlooked. Detailed stratigraphical collecting over several years has shown them to be a minor part of the ammonite fauna but more common at certain horizons. Four genera, Lytoceras, Megalytoceras Nannolytoceras and Pleurolytoceras have been shown to have different stratigraphical ranges and abundances in the Aalenian and Bajocian but they have not been found in the Lower Bathonian of Dorset. The taxonomic basis of several of the well-known species is poorly described in the literature and is remedied here.     

Two new stephanoceratid ammonites from the Aalenian-Lower Bajocian (Middle Jurassic,Dorset, UK) and their phylogenetic significance

Two new species of stephanoceratid ammonites are erected: Stephanoceras (Riccardiceras) eoeteosum sp. nov. and Stephanoceras (Skirroceras) englandi sp. nov. from the Inferior Oolite Formation of Dorset, UK. They represent the first and last members of a chronocline of serpenticonic morphospecies. The stratigraphical position of Rhytostephanus rhytus Buckman is reviewed, necessitating a change in the faunal horizon scheme. The term mesoconch is proposed for use in describing microsomic macroconchs, the function of which is considered. Names applied to morphospecies and their uses are reviewed. The role of conservation is discussed in respect of preserving Dorset Inferior Oolite exposures.     

New records of rare ammonite species from the Inferior Oolite Formation (Middle Jurassic,Aalenian and Lower Bajocian) of Dorset

Rare ammonite species are reported from the Inferior Oolite Formation of Dorset. In the Aalenian the ammonite Shahrudites is described from the Scissum Zone for the first time and Malladaites is recorded from the Murchisonae Zone. Tmetoceras regleyi occurs in the Scissum and Murchisonae zones and Tmetoceras henriquesae is described from the Concavum Zone. In the Lower Bajocian, specimens of Zurcheria are presented from the Discites Zone. A revised zonal scheme is used for the Aalenian Stage and two new biohorizons are introduced. The Leioceras subglabrum biohorizon is erected in the Opalinum Subzone and Leioceras evolutum in the Bifidatum Subzone.     

Ooidal ironstones and ferruginous microbialites: origin and relation to sequence stratigraphy (Aalenian and Bajocian, Swiss Jura mountains)

Aalenian and lower Bajocian rocks in the central and northern Swiss Jura mountains comprise a series of parasequences that mainly reflect a shallowing-upward trend in a shallow, mixed carbonate/siliciclastic depositional environment. Within a parasequence, ooidal ironstones may occur at three specific types of horizons. These are: regressional discontinuities and transgressional discontinuities formed by sediment bypassing, and omissional discontinuities formed by starvation. Ooidal ironstones, which principally are autochthonous, accumulated during both sea-level rises and falls in a relatively broad bathymetric and hydrodynamic spectrum. The key physical factor for ferruginous ooid genesis is non-deposition. Ferruginous ooids and microbialites consist of goethite, chamosite and mixtures thereof, with subordinate amounts of apatite and silica. Ferruginous ooids grew stepwise on the sediment surface in an oxygenated marine environment. Ferruginous microbialites, being the product of benthic microbial communities, grew ? partly in cavities ? in aerated moderate- to high-energy environments. Thus, chamosite evolved from a precursor substance stable under oxidizing conditions. The close mineralogical and micromorphological resemblance of ferruginous microbialites and ooids suggests a common biogenic origin. Structural rearrangement of a biologically accreted gel-like precursor substance consisting of various amorphous hydroxides is considered a probable mode of mineral genesis in both ferruginous ooids and microbialites.     

Monocotyledon-like Leaves from the Middle Jurassic of East Siberia (Russia)

Leaf fragments of Herbifolia antiqua A. Frolov et Enushchenko gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Jurassic (Aalenian) of the Irkutsk Coal Basin (Eastern Siberia, Russia) are reported. The following features are characteristic of H. antiqua gen. et sp. nov.: the presence of leaf sheaths, linear smooth-edged leaves with parallel venation, anastomoses between the veins, anomocytic stomata, rhomb-shaped ordinary epidermal cells. Such a combination of characters is widespread in modern monocotyledonous plants and is absent in fossil and modern cryptogam and gymnosperms. Due to the lack of evidence of an enclosed ovule in H. antiqua gen. et sp. nov.we attribute it to a typological angiosperm, based on its unique leaf structure characteristic of monocotyledons. The leaf epidermal structure of Herbifolia gen. nov. is most similar to those of modern Asparagales and Liliales.     

巴塔哥尼亚(阿根廷)中侏罗世翼龙的骨骼学特征

The Ca?adon Asfalto Formation is mainly composed of lacustrine deposits and has provided the most diverse vertebrate fauna known for the Middle Jurassic in the Southern Hemisphere. Pterosaur remains have been discovered from several localities in this unit and briefly reported by Rauhut et al. (2001) and Unwin et al. (2004).     

A New Mesopsychid (Mecoptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Northeastern China

The family Mesopsychidae Tillyard,1917 presently consists of ten described genera from the Early Permian to the Early Cretaceous of Australia,China,Kyrgyzstan,Russia,South Africa,Tajikistan,and Ukraine.Herein,a new genus and a new species of fossil mesopsychid,Epicharmesopsyche pentavenulosa gen.et sp.nov.,is described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Inner Mongolia,China,supplementing the family-level diversity.The well-preserved,new material reveals many characters,including antennae,wing venation,shape and genitalia that increase our morphological understanding of the family,although unfortunately the mouthparts and most of the legs are not preserved.Diagnosis of the Mesopsychidae is emended to include a four-or five-branched MP in both the fore-and hind wings.This is the first documentation of a wing coupling structure in the Mesopsychidae,consisting of three to four frenula bristles on the humeral lobe at the base of the costal margin of both hind wings.Asymmetrical shape and size of the left and right wings on a specimen of E.pentavenulosa gen.et sp.nov.,seems to be a common condition for mesopsychid taxa from northeastern China.     

A new ammonite faunal horizon in the Ovale Zone (Middle Jurassic,Lower Bajocian) and observations on the ammonite genus Sonninia at Coombe Quarry,Mapperton, near Beaminster,Dorset

Biostratigraphy is presented for horizons in the Discites to Sauzei zones at Coombe Quarry and Top Field at Mapperton, Dorset. The significance of these horizons is highlighted. Part of a chronocline is described in the Sonniniidae of the Discites Zone. A new ammonite faunal horizon, Docidoceras higginsi sp. nov. is erected as the oldest of the Ovale Zone. A revised subdivision of the zone is presented and the implications for the taxonomy and biogeography of the Stephanoceratidae is discussed. The distribution of Docidoceras may imply entry to western Tethys via a Hispanic Corridor. A method is presented for the allocation of generic names constituting segments of lineages.     

Origin of calcium-chloride brines in Middle Jurassic volcanic deposits (Western Caucasus)

An analysis of the calcium chloride brines and the composition of the host rocks occurring in the Bajocian volcanic formation indicate that these formations represent the parent rocks in which the calcium chloride brines were generated. The original brines were of the sodium chloride type and were altered to calcium chloride as the result of ion exchange between the brine and minerals of the rocks and the process of zeolitization, resulting in concentrated calcium chloride brines. — E.A. Alexandrov.     

New Fossils of Eoptychopteridae (Diptera)from the Middle Jurassic of Northeastern China

Three new species of the extinct genus of Eoptychopterina from the Eoptychopteridae family, Eoptychopterina antica sp. nov., Eoptychopterina adnexa sp. nov., and Eoptychopterina mediata sp. nov., are described and illustrated. These three new species are established based on fossil specimens with bodies and complete wings. All were collected from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou in eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Based on the new materials, the name of two species in Eoptychopterina from China--Eoptychopterina elenae Ren and Krzeminski and Eoptychopterina gigantea Zhang--is sysnonymum junius.     

New Fossils of Eoptychopteridae (Diptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Northeastern China

Three new species of the extinct genus of Eoptychopterina from the Eoptychopteridae     

A New Family of Moths from the Middle Jurassic (Insecta: Lepidoptera)

<正>Three lepidopteran species,from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou beds(inner Mongolia,China),are described in a new family,Mesokristenseniidae,and new genus,Mesokristensenia,which could represent the sister group of the Micropterigidae.Mesokristensenia differs from all extant Lepidoptera,but one genus(Agathiphaga, Agathiphagidae),in retaining four median veins in the forewing,a plesiomorphy also present in many Trichoptera. Evidence for placing Mesokristensenia in the Lepidoptera includes four traits,notably a previously unrecorded autapomorphy of this insect order:beyond stem M1+2,vein M1 is bent and connected to cross-vein r-m(in both wing pairs).Among 24 characters taken into account to assess the systematic position of Mesokristensenia,12 are considered informative for a cladistic analysis involving this fossil taxon and the four suborders recognized in present-day Lepidoptera(Zeugloptera,Aglossata,Heterobathmiina,and Glossata).     

西藏类乌齐地区早、中侏罗世地层

西藏类乌齐地区早、中侏罗世地层可划分为下部仁青卡群和上部雁石坪群两部分。仁青卡群系新创，代表早侏罗世海退沉积序列的杂色陆源碎屑岩建造，由隆再这组、去买组和埃买组组成，并首次发现Ｈｉａｔｅｌｌａａｒｅｎｉｃｏｌａ，Ｌｉｌｉｎｇｅｌｌａｃｕｎｅａｔａ等湘赣区的分子。该群下与三叠系，上与中侏罗统均为整合过渡。雁石坪群代表中侏罗世海进沉积序列的碳酸盐岩建造，由货乃组、结弄组、北腾组和日阿沙组组成。叙述和讨论了这些地层单位的岩石和生物特征及地质时代。     

New Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ammonite assemblages from Kutch, India

The Bathonian ammonite assemblages have been previously poorly recorded in Kutch. The present study has unearthed a rich array of ammonite taxa ranging from the Middle to Upper Bathonian. While Oxycerites Rollier (1909) is a new record from Kutch, the oldest occurrence of Choffatia Siemiradzki (1898) has been found from the Middle Bathonian horizon. Oxycerites cf. orbis (Giebel) is a zonal index of the Late Bathonian in other areas and thus facilitates interprovincial correlation. Besides, palaeobiogeographic and stratigraphic distribution of many species have been modified based on new information. For example, macrocephalitin species, i.e., Kamptokephalites cf. etheridgei Spath (1928), Macrocephalites bifurcatus transient intermedius Spath (1928), M. cf. mantataranus Boehm (1912) were previously known from West Pacific, Indonesia have been now found in Kutch. Gracilisphinctes Buckman (1920) has been previously known to occur during the Middle Bathonian time, the present work extends its stratigraphic distribution up to the definite Upper Bathonian horizon. Procerites hians (Waagen) an endemic species in Kutch previously known from the Upper Bathonian beds, its stratigraphic range has been extended down to the Middle Bathonian.Detail taxonomy of the newly obtained taxa has been done and in many cases sexual dimorphism has been recognized.     

New Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) ammonite assemblages from Kutch,India

The Bathonian ammonite assemblages have been previously poorly recorded in Kutch. The present study has unearthed a rich array of ammonite taxa ranging from the Middle to Upper Bathonian. While Oxycerites Rollier (1909) is a new record from Kutch, the oldest occurrence of Choffatia Siemiradzki (1898) has been found from the Middle Bathonian horizon. Oxycerites cf. orbis (Giebel) is a zonal index of the Late Bathonian in other areas and thus facilitates interprovincial correlation. Besides, palaeobiogeographic and stratigraphic distribution of many species have been modified based on new information. For example, macrocephalitin species, i.e., Kamptokephalites cf. etheridgei Spath (1928), Macrocephalites bifurcatus transient intermedius Spath (1928), M. cf. mantataranus Boehm (1912) were previously known from West Pacific, Indonesia have been now found in Kutch. Gracilisphinctes Buckman (1920) has been previously known to occur during the Middle Bathonian time, the present work extends its stratigraphic distribution up to the definite Upper Bathonian horizon. Procerites hians (Waagen) an endemic species in Kutch previously known from the Upper Bathonian beds, its stratigraphic range has been extended down to the Middle Bathonian.Detail taxonomy of the newly obtained taxa has been done and in many cases sexual dimorphism has been recognized.