A New Vetulicolian from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Fauna in Yunnan of China

The genus and species Yuyuanozoon magnificissimi gen. et sp. nov., a new fossil vetulicolian, is reported from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Fauna in Yunnan of China. It has a bipartite body plan and five pairs of chain-formed gill sacs, showing the general characteristics of Ventulicolia. However, the exclusive "atrial cavity" and external gill observed indicate that the new form is different from those previously described as vetulicolians, probably representing a lineage developed within deuterostomes and more primitive than urochordates.     

New Early Cambrian Chordates from Haikou, Kunming

Two new chordates, Cathaymyrus haikouensis Luo et Hu sp. nov. and Zhongxiniscus intermedius Luo et Hu gen. et sp. nov. are studied in this paper. Both display numerous S-shaped myomeres on their trunk. C. haikouensis shows a long and slim body similar to that of Cathaymyrus diadexus Shu et al., Zhongxiniscus approaches to Myllokunmingia and Haikouichthys in the dorsal fin, but differs in the myomeres. Zhongxiniscus may be the intermediate form between Cathaymyrus and Myllokunmingia and Haikouichthys.     

昆明海口早寒武世澄江动物群的新发现及三叶形虫研究

本文简要报道了在昆明市海口地下寒武统竹寺阶发现的澄江动物群化石，及其组合面貌和产生层位的地层剖面，重点描述了其中的三叶形虫：ＬｅａｎｃｈｏｉｌｉａａｓｉａｔｉｃａＬｕｏｅｔＨｕ（ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．），ＹｏｈｏｉａｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓＬｕｏｅｔＨｕ（ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ），ＺｈｏｎｇｘｉｎｉａｓｐｅｃｉｏｓａＬｕｏｅｔＨｕ（ｇｅｎ．ｅｔｓｐ．ｎｏｖ），ＸａｎｄａｒｅｌｌａｓｐｅｃｔｕｃｕｌｕｍＨｏｕｅｔａｌ．Ｄｉａ     

昆明地区早寒武世关山动物群研究新进展

总结了昆明地区关山动物群自1999年命名以来开展的研究工作和取得的新进展。简要叙述了关山动物群的研究概况、地层位置、生物群组合特征和关山动物群的研究意义。在关山动物群中首次发现了古虫动物门的Vetulicola ganggtoucunenisis Luo,Fu et Hu,吐卓虫Tuzoia sp．nov．,古蠕虫Palaeoscolex sp．nov．,腕足类Heliomedusa sp．nov．及三叶形虫、海绵动物新属种。指出关山动物群是一个由多门类软躯体后生动物化石组成的伯吉斯页岩型的动物群,时代介于澄江动物群与凯里动物群（或伯吉斯页岩动物群）之间,起到了承前启后的作用,在寒武纪生命大爆发和寒武纪早期生物演化的研究中有重要意义。     

寒武纪早期澄江生物群小细丝海绵属新材料

文章描述了云南寒武纪早期澄江生物群小细丝海绵属一新种——螺旋小细丝海绵（Leptomitella spiralis sp. nov.）。新种 具有横向骨针束围绕海绵体呈螺旋状排列的典型特征，明显区别于属内其他种；此外，在外部形态和骨针类型上与属内其他种 也存在较大差异。新种的发现增加了Leptomitella种间形态结构的多样性，也为海绵动物的早期演化及寒武纪海绵动物辐射演 化研究提供新的化石资料。     

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.     

寒武纪早期澄江生物群小细丝海绵属新材料

文章描述了云南寒武纪早期澄江生物群小细丝海绵属一新种--螺旋小细丝海绵（Leptomitella spiralis sp. nov.）。新种 具有横向骨针束围绕海绵体呈螺旋状排列的典型特征,明显区别于属内其他种;此外,在外部形态和骨针类型上与属内其他种 也存在较大差异。新种的发现增加了Leptomitella种间形态结构的多样性,也为海绵动物的早期演化及寒武纪海绵动物辐射演 化研究提供新的化石资料。     

A New Arthropod, Guangweicaris Luo, Fu et Hu gen. nov. from the Early Cambrian Guanshan Fauna, Kunming, China

The Guanshan Fauna is a soft-bodied fauna dominated by arthropods （including trilobites, trilobitoides, Tuzoia, Isoxys, and bradorids） in association with priapulids, brachiopods, anomalocaridids, vetulicoliids, sponges, chancellorids, and echinoderms. This paper reports and describes a new arthropod from the yellowish green mudstone at the lower part of the Wulongqing Formation, Canglangpuan Stage, Lower Cambrian in Kunming, Yunnan, China. The stratigraphic and geographic distribution, classification, fossil preservation, life style of this new arthropod and comparisons with other fossil arthropods are also discussed in details. The discovery and research of the non-mineralized arthropod, Guangweicaris Luo, Fu et Hu gen. nov. from the Guanshan Fauna adds new members to the taxonomic list and provides new information to the evolution of early arthropods. Furthermore, this study would shed new light into the ＂Cambrian Explosion＂ and the evolution of early life.     

云南寒武纪早期澄江生物群中原始海绵科似斜纹海绵属新种

本文报道澄江生物群似斜纹海绵属Paradiagoniella的两个新种：橄榄形似斜纹海绵P.oliviformis sp. nov. 和锥形似斜纹海绵P. conicasp. nov. 。两个新种具有似斜纹海绵属的基本特征：体壁薄;由排列不规则、分级的十字骨针为基底构成骨骼;除十字骨针外,还穿插排列有五射针、六射针、弯弓形和针形双尖单轴针等。然而与模式种不同,两个新种十字骨针分级不明显;同时,两个新种在外形、骨针组成、最大十字骨针射长比等方面,与本属的其他种都存在明显差异。新材料的发现增加了寒武纪早期原始海绵物种多样性,为研究海绵动物早期起源演化提供了新信息。     

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.     

Enigmatic ribbon-like fossil from Early Cambrian of Yunnan,China

During the Late Neoproterozoic and Early Cambrian, a series of paleogeographic and paleoecological events occurred associated with deglaciations and the evolution of life. The appearance of fossils representing diverse phyla, novel body plans and complex ecologies in Ediacaran and Cambrian sedimentary successions has sparked diverse hypotheses about potential drivers for the radiation of early animals during this interval. Recently, new macroscopic fossils of carbonaceous compressions with unique features have been found in Anning, Yunnan, China. The fossils’ bodies are ribbon-shaped and bilaterally symmetric, with dense longitudinal features and transversal features. The fossils occur 0.68 m below a bentonite interlayer which has been dated 535.2 ± 1.7 Ma by Ri-xiang Zhu and his team in 2009. The relatively simply morphology of these fossils, coupled with a lack of preserved internal structures challenge efforts taxonomically identify the precursor organism and definitively ally it to a living group. However, the symmetry and unusual features of the body are analogous to members of Platyzoa. The presence of ribbon-shaped fossils in the Zhongyicun Member in Anning indicates that these organisms were at least a locally significant component of Cambrian seafloor ecosystems, and may hold important implications for our understanding of the early evolution of Bilateria.     

Isotopic dating of the Chengjiang Fauna-bearing horizon in Central Yunnan Province, China

Twenty black shale samples, which are free from the influence of weathering, were collected from the Chengjiang Fauna-bearing horizon, central Yunnan Province, yielding a Pb-Pb isochron age of 534±60 Ma. Although this age is younger than both the Rb-Sr isochron age and 40Ar-39Ar age, it should represent the lower isotopic age limit of the Chengjiang Fauna.     

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 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.     

澄江生物群分子在贵州遵义牛蹄塘组发现

澄江生物群是认识寒武纪生命大爆发的重要窗口,它的分布范围一直仅限于滇东地区,员近在贵州遵义松林牛蹄塘组底部页岩中发现有Naronia,Archotuba Conoidalis,Isaxys,Perpicaris,Lingulepis,Tsunyidiscus,Scenella,水母状化石(medusiform fossil),海绵动物化石Leptomitus,类似半索动物秆壁虫Rhabdopleura化石,软舌螺类Hyolithids,宏观藻类和疑源类化石Zunyiphyton perelegans Yang et Zhao,1999,Yuknessia sp.,Longenema Ding,1996,Sphaerocongregus variabilis等。其中有一部分是属于澄江生物群分子,这是云南省外澄江生物群分子的新发现。由于生物群之下40m处还产大量海绵动物、高肌虫和藻类化石等组成的松林生物群,其上又有下寒武统明心寺组古杯动物群,因此,这一生物群的发现对研究早寒武世生物的演化也具有一定的科学意义,同时,对澄江生物群的古生态学研究也具有重要意义。     

Tylotites petiolaris吻部构造的发现

早寒武世澄江动物群提供了探索早期翻吻动物辐射的一个绝佳的窗口。澄江动物群翻吻动物包括8科10属10种，其中罗惠麟等(1999)依据仅有的一块不完整的标本建立Tylotites petiolaris，并将其归入叶足动物。2002年西北大学早期生命研究所野外工作组在尖山剖面采集到两块完整的具有吻部的标本，本文籍此对该属进行了进一步完善和补充，特别是吻部和躯干表面的特征，从而说明T．petiolaris为翻吻动物。因为与澄江动物群中其他翻吻动物形态有较大差异，据此建立瘤节虫科，新科Tylotitidae fam.nov.。描述如下：虫体较长，呈圆管状，长可达100mm，宽2～4mm。身体基本可以分吻部和躯干部两部分。吻部与Cricocosmia特别相似，为典型的三段式构造，从下到上可依次分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ段，Ⅰ段与躯干前端连接，直径同于躯干，表面有10列纵向的略为弯曲的小刺(图版Ⅰ，图1a，1b；插图1)。最前端吻刺最为粗壮，向后的吻刺逐渐变小。Ⅱ段位于Ⅰ段之前，向前略微收缩，光滑无刺。Ⅲ段位于吻部顶端，可进一步分为A、B两部分：A段直径后端大于Ⅱ段，表面密布斜列排列的小刺，从后向前，小刺变大；B段光滑无饰，直径小于A段。Ⅲ段可强烈自由弯曲(图版Ⅰ，图1a，1d)。颈部长约5mm，表面光滑无饰，直径略小于躯干。躯干表面具56～58个环脊，52排粗刺，最前面第4～6个环脊表面无刺，环脊之间为环沟。躯干由前向后直径逐渐增加，在中后部增至最大，然后虫体直径基本上一致。躯干刺成行成列排列。环状分布的躯干刺随着环脊与环沟落差的变化而改变，到躯干后部逐渐减小。每一个环脊之上有12个粗刺，腹刺长度小于背刺。有些躯干刺的轴部显示较强的黄铁矿化，表明其可能为中空结构(图版Ⅰ，图1c)，可能有体腔伸入，躯干末端具有一对尾刺，躯干整体弯曲成6字形(图版Ⅰ，图1a，1b)。肠管从吻部一直延伸到躯干末端。肠道位于一个空闻的体腔内，Ⅰ段表面宽约1mm的黑色区域可能为胃，肛门位于躯干末端的腹面(图版Ⅰ，图1b)。T．petiolaris很可能表栖生活于海底底面上。因为体表长刺具有很强的防御作用，腹刺在运动过程中可以抓牢沉积物，所以，很可能通过背腹波动在海底底面作蠕形运动，也不排除蜷曲一解蜷的运动方式。吻部的主要功能可能为捕食。几条T．petiolaris个体相互盘绕(图版Ⅰ，图2)，很可能与其两性交配有关。     

Early Cambrian palaeogeography and the probable Iberia–Siberia connection

The end of the Proterozoic–beginning of the Cambrian is marked by some of the most dramatic events in the history of Earth. The fall of the Ediacaran biota, followed by the Cambrian Explosion of skeletonised bilaterians, a pronounced shift in oceanic and atmospheric chemistry and rapid climatic change from ‘snowball earth’ to ‘greenhouse’ conditions all happened within a rather geologically short period of time. These events took place against a background of the rearrangement of the prevailing supercontinent; some authors view this as a sequence of individual supercontinents such as Mesoproterozoic Midgardia, Neoproterozoic Rodinia and Early Cambrian Pannotia. Assembled in the Mesoproterozoic, this supercontinent appears to have existed through the Neoproterozoic into the Early Cambrian with periodic changes in configuration. The final rearrangement took place during the Precambrian–Cambrian transition with the Cadomian and related phases of the Pan-African orogeny. The distribution of Early Cambrian molluscs and other small shelly fossils (SSF) across all continents indicates a close geographic proximity of all major cratonic basins that is consistent with the continued existence of the supercontinent at that time. Subsequently, Rodinia experienced breakup that led to the amalgamation of Gondwana, separation of Laurentia, Baltica, Siberia and some small terranes and the emergence of oceanic basins between them. Spreading oceanic basins caused a gradual geographic isolation of the faunal assemblages that were united during the Vendian–Early Cambrian.     

Lower Cambrian Stratigraphy and Trilobite Fauna of Kunming,Yunnan

Lower Cambrian rocks have long been known in E Yunnan,As earlyas 1912,J.Deprat discovered Lower Cambrian strata in Chengkiang~1,Iliang~2and several other localities,NE of Kunming~(?).Later,in 1936,V.K.Ting andY.L.Wang reported the occurrence of Lower Cambrian rocks in Malung~3 andproposed the term Tsanglangpu Formation for the Lower Cambrian of E Yunnan