A New Platy‐armored Worm from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte,South China

Abstract The Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte provides a good window to explore the origin and radiation of early bilaterians. Here we describe a netted sclerite‐bearing worm Tabelliscolex hexagonus gen. et sp. nov., and tentatively assign it to palaeoscolecidans of priapulids. The cuticle of the animal is covered with two kinds of platy sclerites which are constructed by hexagonally arranged tubercles. Similar structures of the sclerites can be seen on some Cambrian palaeoscolecidans and lobopods, so, this new species is critical for understanding the relationships between lobopods and palaeoscolecidans.     

New Record of Palaeoscolecids from the Early Cambrian of Yunnan, China

A new palaeoscolecid, Guanduscolex minor Hu, Luo et Fu gen. et sp. nov., with preserved soft parts of introvert and intestines comes from the Lower Cambrian Guanshan fauna of Yunnan, South China. Microstructural details of the cuticle revealed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） show that each annulation bears three rows of plates and each plate bears 9-10 marginal and 4-5 central nodes. This discovery sheds new light on the relationships and evolutionary pathway of the palaeoscolecids and other early priapulids.     

A New Platy-armored Worm from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstatte, South China

The Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstatte provides a good window to explore the origin and radiation of early bilaterians. Here we describe a netted sclerite-bearing worm Tabelliscolex hexagonus gen. et sp. nov., and tentatively assign it to palaeoscolecidans of priapulids. The cuticle of the animal is covered with two kinds of platy sclerites which are constructed by hexagonally arranged tubercles. Similar structures of the sclerites can be seen on some Cambrian palaeoscolecidans and lobopods, so, this new species is critical for understanding the relationships between lobopods and palaeoscolecidans.     

Early Jurassic Coleopterans from the Mintaja Insect Locality,Western Australia

<正>Beetles(Coleoptera)are the most common insects recovered from the Lower Jurassic Mintaja insect locality of Western Australia,with over half of the fossils recorded from this site being isolated coleopteran elytra. A range of partial beetle bodies and other isolated beetle sclerites have also been recovered from the locality; much of this material is taxonomically unidenitifiable due to its disarticulation and poor preservation.A number of the Mintaja coleopterans are assigned to the archostematan family Ommatidae,including Zygadenia westraliensis(Riek,1968)comb.nov,previously placed in the morphogenus Mesothoris,and an unnamed species of Tetraphalerus.Also recorded is a new species of elaterid,Lithomerus wunda sp.nov.,along with other fragments likely attributable to the same family.The remaining material is assigned into morphospecies, separated primarily on preserved body parts—specifically,there are three morphospecies based on partially articulated coleopteran bodies,two morphospecies based on isolated head capsules,three morphospecies based on isolated thoracic sclerites,three morphospecies based on isolated abdominal sclerites,and 13 morphospecies based on isolated elytra.Overall,the ecology of these fossils is difficult to interpret due to poor preservation, although some of the beetles were likely aquatic,and the Ommatidae and Elateridae were both likely xylophilous. There is a strong similarity between the Mintaja coleopterans and those from the Late Triassic Denmark Hill locality of Queensland,though many of these similarities are based on morphotaxa and may be superficial in nature.Of the species that have been assigned to named taxa,all are generally typical of the Late Mesozoic worldwide,with Zygadenia,Tetraphalerus and Lithomerus all long-ranging,cosmopolitan genera.     

Skeletal Microstructures of the Chiton Ischnochiton hakodadensis and a Comparison with the Cambrian Halkieria

Halkieria is an Early Cambrian fossil genus with proposed phylogenetic affinities ranging from stem group lophotrochozoan to stem-group aculiferan. Skeletal similarities are often cited as evidence in support of a mollusk interpretation for Halkieria and related Cambrian fossils. The skeletal microstructures of the polyplacophoran mollusk （chiton） Ischnochiton hakodadensis, which bears perinotum elements resembling sclerites of halkieriids and other coeloscleritophoran small shelly fossils （SSFs）, were studied to evaluate the interpretations. There are both similarities and differences between chiton skeletal structures and halkieriid sclerites： 1） the head valve of L hakodadensis and the dorsal shell of Halkieria evangelista share a similar pattern of fine concentric growth lines, but halkieriid dorsal shells lack other polyplacophoran valve characteristics, including V-shaped indentation, radiate ribs; 2） the arrangement of I. hakodadensis perinotum elements in three zones is somewhat similar to the arrangement pattern of halkieriid sclerites; 3） the inner perinotum scales of L hakodadensis （-200 μm in diameter） have a base and a blade, remarkably similar in morphology to halkieriid palmate sclerites （-400 μm in diameter）. However, I. hakodadensis perinotum scales are nearly solid whereas halkieriid sclerites are hollow. These observations add a microstructural dimension to the skeletal comparison between mollusks and halkeriids, and may prove to be useful in resolving the phylogenetic affinity of Halkieria and the Halwaxiidae.     

贵州关岭地区中——上三叠统海参骨片化石的首次发现

报道了贵州关岭地区中——上三叠统竹杆坡组发现的海参骨片化石5属6种及2个属种未定的形态类型。分析了海参化石属种的历史分布特征，上述化石指示竹杆坡组为晚三叠世沉积产物。这一发现进一步丰富了关岭生物群的内容，为探讨中国三叠纪海参骨片化石的分类及演化增加了新的资料。     

Distribution of Chancelloriids in a Middle Cambrian Carbonate Platform Deposit, Taebaek Group, Korea

The onset of the Cambrian witnessed the diversification of “small shelly fossils (SSF)”, which affected carbonate depositional system. One of the problematic SSF, chancelloriids, are common components of the early to middle Cambrian carbonate and shale, and their contributions toward Cambrian carbonates are not yet fully understood. This study assesses distribution patterns of chancelloriid sclerites in the Cambrian Series 3 Daegi Formation based on microfacies analysis and discusses their sedimentologic implications. In the lower part of the formation, partially articulated chancelloriid sclerites occur mainly in bioclastic packstone and grainstone facies, with isolated sclerite rays in nodular packstone to grainstone facies. In the middle part of the formation, chancelloriid fragments occur only sporadically in bioclastic wackestone to packstone, bioclastic grainstone and oolitic packstone to grainstone facies, whereas boundstone facies are nearly devoid of their fragments. There are no chancelloriid fragments in the upper part of the formation, which consists of oolitic packstone to grainstone facies. Chancelloriids are interpreted to have primarily occupied platform margin shoal environments, shedding their sclerites to surrounding areas, and thus contributed as sediment producers. The distribution of Daegi chancelloriid sclerites is similar to other Cambrian examples, with the exception of common chancelloriids in Cambrian Series 2 reefs and their apparent near absence in the Daegi and other Cambrian Series 3 reefs. This disparity resulted from changes in the ecologic niche of chancelloriids after the end-Cambrian Series 2 reef crisis, coupled with an overall decline of chancelloriids in the middle Cambrian.     

New Localities and Palaeoscolecid Worms from the Cambrian (Stage 4, Series 2) Guanshan Biota in Kunming, Yunnan, South China

The Guanshan Biota from the Cambrian Stage 4 Wulongqing Formation is a typical Burgess-shale type Lagerst?tte that had witnessed the Cambrian explosion. Here we report two new localities of the Guanshan Biota, which is located at Baimei village, south of Kunming and Xinglong village, Wuding County, Yunnan Province respectively. Both localities produce soft-body fossils and several new taxa, e.g. a new species of palaeoscolecidans (Palaeoscolex xinglongensis sp. nov.) reported herein. The comparative study of the new species with similar form not only indicates that there is a diversification of palaeoscolecid species in Guanshan Biota, but also strengthens the ties between the older Chengjiang Biota and the younger Kaili Biota (and also the coeval Burgess Shale community). Three paleoecological features, including high diversity, little disparity and richness of palaeoscolecid worms, are summarized as a case study to represent the differences between Guanshan and Chengjiang Biota.     

Exceptional stegosaur integument impressions from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming

Dinosaur skin impressions are rare in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, but different sites on the Howe Ranch in Wyoming (USA), comprising specimens from diplodocid, camarasaurid, allosaurid and stegosaurian dinosaurs, have proven to be a treasure-trove for these soft-tissue remains. Here we describe stegosaurian skin impressions from North America for the first time, as well as the first case of preservation of an impression of the integument that covered the dorsal plates of stegosaurian dinosaurs in life. Both have been found closely associated with bones of a specimen of the stegosaurian Hesperosaurus mjosi Carpenter, Miles and Cloward 2001. The scales of the skin impression of H. mjosi are very similar in shape and arrangement to those of Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis Ouyang 1992, the only other stegosaurian dinosaur from which skin impressions have been described. Both taxa show a ground pattern of small polygonal scales, which in some places is interrupted by larger oval tubercles surrounded by the small scales, resulting in rosette-like structures. The respective phylogenetic positions of G. sichuanensis as a basal stegosaurian and H. mjosi as a derived form suggest that most stegosaurians had very similar skin structures, which also match the most common textures known in dinosaurs. The integumentary impression from the dorsal plate brings new data to the long-lasting debate concerning the function of dorsal plates in stegosaurian dinosaurs. Unlike usual dinosaur skin impressions, the integument covering the dorsal plates does not show any scale-like texture. It is smooth with long and parallel, shallow grooves, a structure that is interpreted as representing a keratinous covering of the plates. The presence of such a keratinous covering has affects on all the existing theories concerning the function of stegosaurian plates, including defense, thermoregulation, and display, but does not permit to rule out any of them.     

华北板块寒武系开腔骨类（Chancelloriids）化石新材料

文章对采自华北板块山东潍坊、河北唐山和辽宁大连的寒武系开腔骨类化石的新材料进行了研究，这些化石鉴定为 Chancelloria 属。辽宁大连地区的Chancelloria 产自寒武系第二统第四阶馒头组下部的黄绿色页岩；山东潍坊地区的 Chancelloria 产自苗岭统乌溜阶馒头组上部的黄绿色页岩和鼓山阶张夏组的深灰色中厚层灰岩；河北唐山地区的Chancelloria 产于芙蓉统江山阶长山组的薄层灰岩，该层位是目前Chancelloria 属在中国产出的最高层位，也是全球的最高层位之一。这 些来自华北寒武系第二统—芙蓉统的Chancelloria 骨片与早期的骨片相比，展现出骨片形态趋于规则、基面从浑圆趋于平 整、骨片整合度提升的特点，进一步印证了之前关于此类问题的研究结论。     

华北板块寒武系开腔骨类(Chancelloriids)化石新材料

文章对采自华北板块山东潍坊、河北唐山和辽宁大连的寒武系开腔骨类化石的新材料进行了研究,这些化石鉴定为 Chancelloria 属。辽宁大连地区的Chancelloria 产自寒武系第二统第四阶馒头组下部的黄绿色页岩;山东潍坊地区的 Chancelloria 产自苗岭统乌溜阶馒头组上部的黄绿色页岩和鼓山阶张夏组的深灰色中厚层灰岩;河北唐山地区的Chancelloria 产于芙蓉统江山阶长山组的薄层灰岩,该层位是目前Chancelloria 属在中国产出的最高层位,也是全球的最高层位之一。这 些来自华北寒武系第二统-芙蓉统的Chancelloria 骨片与早期的骨片相比,展现出骨片形态趋于规则、基面从浑圆趋于平 整、骨片整合度提升的特点,进一步印证了之前关于此类问题的研究结论。     

Relationship between mid-Cretaceous (upper Albian–Cenomanian) ammonoid facies and lithofacies in the Yezo forearc basin, Hokkaido, Japan

An examination of inner shelf, outer shelf, and slope deposits in the Yezo forearc basin, northern Japan, provides new insights into the relationship between mid-Cretaceous ammonoid facies and lithofacies. Although undergoing post-mortem transport to some degree, the ammonoids were not moved to areas outside of their original habitat. This assumption is based on the condition of the outer shell surface, general absence of fragmentation, and sedimentary structures. Desmoceras predominates in the upper Albian–Cenomanian succession regardless of lithofacies, the family Gaudryceratidae is the second-most dominant group in each lithofacies, the abundance of Zelandites decreases offshore, and other groups, including Acanthoceratidae, are uncommon but occur in both inshore and offshore facies. External shell ornamentation does not necessarily vary according to lithofacies differences, while the shape of the whorl section does vary with lithofacies as a reflection of ambient environments. The smooth, slender Zelandites and the compressed morph of the smooth Desmoceras predominate in high-energy regimes represented by frequent hummocky cross-stratification and current ripple marks of an inner shelf. In contrast, the depressed morph of Desmoceras predominates in low-energy, offshore, muddy sea-floor regimes.     

New Maikhanellid Shells and Siphogonuchitid Spicule Bundles from the Cambrian Fortunian Stage of South China

Maikhanellids are a distinct group of Cambrian Fortunian small shelly fossils by the cap-shaped profiles and scaly shell ornamentation. According to the individual shell shape and ornamentation feature types of 50 maikhanellids fossils which were collected from Xixiang botia, we confirmed the family Maikhanellidae content of six genera, which are Maikhanella, Ramenta, Purella, Ramentoides, Yunnannopleura and Mediata. Unlike the halkieriid animals whose shells and spicules are articulated on different body parts, maikhanellids were presumably yielded by siphogonuchitid spicules penetrating the intermediate matrix (the "spicule shell" hypothesis), and this is the reason that some researchers treated maikhanellids and co-occurring siphogonuchitids as synonyms. The affinities of Maikhanellids and siphogonuchitids remain debatable. Here, we report three dimensionally phosphatized maikhanellid shells and siphogonuchitid spicule bundles from the Cambrian Fortunian small shell faunas of South China. They differ from all the previously reported maikhanellids and siphogonuchitids, and may represent new types. The intact and smooth surface underneath the partially preserved scales of the shells challenges the "spicule-shell" hypothesis. The present siphogonuchitid spicules differ from the maikhanellid scales in size, morphology, and .arrangement pattern, thus the spicules might not be derived from the shells. Whether the shells and spicule bundles were articulated on different body parts of the same animals remains unknown.     

Heterochronic evolution in the Late Cretaceous echinoid Gauthieria (Echinoidea,Phymosomatidae)

Based on representatives of the Late Cretaceous genus Gauthieria (Gauthieria radiata – Gauthieria spatulifera – Gauthieria princeps), ontogenetic trajectories within the family Phymosomatidae are described for the first time. Due to shared similarities in their ontogenetic development, an intimate evolutionary relationship must be assumed. This interpretation is most supported by analyses of the development in the ambulacral plating pattern (alternation of simple plates and compound plates), which is not commonly found among the Phymosomatoidae. This pattern, however, is present among all three species during development. The developmental trajectories of 8 further characters were included in this study (arrangement of the adapical pore pairs, number of pore pairs, pore pair numbers in ambital ambulacral plates, number of interambulacral plates, peristomal opening, apical opening diameter, test height, radial ornament of the areoles). The evolution in this lineage is characterised by several different heterochronic processes, which suggest a dissociated heterochronic evolution, indicating a developmental modularity. Additionally, the systematic treatment of G. princeps is discussed on account of the presented results.     

Taphonomy of small mammal bone accumulations generated by the Chaco owl (Strix chacoensis,Strigiformes) from the Monte Desert (Mendoza,Argentina): a contribution to South American archaeological and palaeontological studies

The present study analyses the taphonomic features of recent small mammal bone and teeth accumulations recovered from pellets generated by Strix chacoensis in a Natural Protected Area in the central Monte Desert of Mendoza, Argentina. In order to identify the taphonomic signature of this predator in the formation of zooarchaeological and palaeontological accumulations, taxonomic profiles, relative abundances, bone breakage patterns and digestive corrosion were evaluated. Taphonomic results locate S. chacoensis in modification category 2 (intermediate). Although the general taphonomic patterns detected in the present study were similar to a typical owl pattern, some differences from that pattern were detected. This sample showed lesser relative abundances of skeletal elements, greater loss of teeth and a larger number of incisors modified by digestion than those generated by other strigiforms. The comparison with reported archaeological accumulations suggested that the small mammal remains recovered in some sites from the Monte Desert may correspond to the predatory activity of S. chacoensis. The identification of the action of S. chacoensis in archaeological and palaeontological small mammal bone and teeth accumulations is a promising tool to evaluate the conservation status of native forests in the past.     

Porewater sulphur geochemistry and fossil preservation during phosphate diagenesis in a Lower Cretaceous shelf mudstone

Lower Cretaceous mudstones exposed at Speeton in North Yorkshire, UK, contain lobsters and burrows preserved in diagenetic phosphate concretions. Isotopic compositions of sulphur in both diagenetic sulphide and structural sulphate in diagenetic phosphate have been measured in an attempt to constrain diagenetic porewater chemistry. The occurrence of phosphatized and pyritized lobsters and similarly preserved burrows, allows a detailed comparison of these microenvironments with the host sediments. Host sediments are extensively bioturbated and characterized by very light sulphide isotopic compositions (mean sulphide δ³⁴S = –48·3 ± 3‰ (1σ, n = 19)) and sulphate isotopic compositions that are lighter than Lower Cretaceous seawater sulphate (mean sulphate δ³⁴S = +8·7 ± 3·2‰ (1σ, n = 19)). These isotopic values can be explained by the action of bioturbating macrofauna; the introduction of oxygen in ventilating seawater results in the oxidation of early formed isotopically light pyrite, resulting in porewater sulphate that is enriched in ³²S. Subsequent pyrite formation via bacteriogenic reduction of isotopically light porewater sulphate leads to the formation of isotopically light pyrite, whilst residual porewater sulphate apparently remains relatively enriched in the ³²S isotope. Sulphur isotopic values for the burrows are very different; sulphide isotopic compositions average –34·4 ± 0·4‰ (1σ, n = 3) and sulphate isotopic compositions average –14·4 ± 6·6‰ (1σ, n = 4). These isotopic compositions are the result of rapid development of closed system conditions in burrows, resulting in the build-up of acidity necessary for phosphate precipitation and coprecipitation of isotopically light sulphate (formed by oxidation of isotopically light sulphide surrounding the burrows). Lobster shell isotopic compositions fall between these two groups. On the basis of their isotopic compositions, some lobsters appear to have died close to the sediment–water interface, whilst others appear to have been buried (in burrows) prior to death.     

The identity of the British Ordovician cystoid ‘Hemicosmites rugatus Forbes‘

New articulated specimens of the British Ordovician cystoid first mentioned under the name ‘Hemicosmites rugatus Forbes’ in 1848 allow its morphology and systematic affinities to be established for the first time. Despite being based on isolated plates, ‘H. rugatus Forbes’ has been reported from England and Wales, Belgium, France, Spain and Thailand, and has been attributed to four genera. It is characterized by a heteromorphic, circular stem, a theca with four basal, six infra‐lateral and eight lateral plates, all with sharp‐crested ridges running to plate angles, multiple arms in each ambulacrum and an extensive tegmen. These characters indicate it belongs in the family Caryocrinitidae and genus Caryocrinites. Caryocrinites rugatus had arms with lateral brachioles that folded in against the main arm axis, as in the type species C. ornatus Say. It is the first Ordovician species known to possess this character. Isolated plates show sorting and a few may represent other species of Caryocrinites s.l. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

四川珙县巡场下二叠统栖霞组鹦鹉螺一新属

1981年6月,谢守江等在四川珙县巡场火车站采石场的下二叠统栖霞组近底部,采获一大型旋壳鹦鹉螺化石,由王雪龙等提供笔者研究。现将采样地点地层剖面简列于后。