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.     

Origin, diversification, and relationships of Cambrian lobopods

As an extinct group, the origin, diversification and relationships of Cambrian lobopods have long been one of the most hotly-debated subjects. Lobopods used to be regarded as closely related to modern onychophorans and tardigrades, but the similarities are based on the few species of Cambrian lobopods and often on a fairly general level. With the discovery of new creatures and based on new observations on fossil lobopods, we consider that Cambrian lobopods show great diversity and reveal a close relationship between Cambrian lobopods and arthropods. In addition, comparison between the dorsal spines of Cambrian lobopods and small shelly fossils suggest that Cambrian lobopods might have originated from the Meishucun radiation and diversified in the Qiongzhusi radiation.     

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。     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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.     

塔里木盆地覆盖区寒武系生物地层研究新进展

全球有关寒武系生物地层的材料大都来自露头区,而鲜见于钻井材料。依据塔里木盆地中石化的11口探井及中石油的库南1井,报道寒武系生物地层研究方面取得的一些新进展：发现小壳化石、微古植物等15个门类的微体化石（小壳类及牙形类58属73种,微古植物29属30种）,其中软舌螺类Paragloborites,Circotheca,...     

Distinctive Scleritome with Marginal Tubercles of a New Palaeoscolecid Worm from the Shipai Fauna (Cambrian Epoch 2) at Three Gorges, South China

SEM analysis of trunk ornamentation on a compressed palaeoscolecid fossil from the Shipai fauna, Cambrian Series 2 and Stage 4 at Three Gorges, South China, allows a reassignment of the material to a new taxon, Sanxiascolex papillogyrus gen. et sp. nov. The preserved body is entirely annulated. Each annulus is ornamented by four rows of irregularly alternating plates and each plate bears numerous tubercles at the marginal region and a variable number (zero to six) of nodes at its central part. These features are unique among known palaeoscolecids. Comparative analyses with other compressed palaeoscolecid macrofossils and phosphatized material on the pattern of trunk ornamentation indicates that a detailed examination of the cuticle ornament weighs heavily in analyses of their taxonomic distinctions. A similar sclerite pattern to that of S. papillogyrus has been found in some phosphatized palaeoscolecid cuticle fragments as well as in isolated sclerites. The upper series of nodes and tubercles of these sclerites suggest an accretional mode of sclerite growth. The considerable variation in node number observed across the plates of S. papillogyrus demonstrates that phosphatic palaeoscolecid taxonomy based on?relatively?minor variations in?the number of sclerite nodes?should perhaps be reconsidered. As the origins of the phosphatized specimens are quite diverse, a large variety of isolated sclerites from the Early Palaeozoic may not reflect actual biodiversity.     

First report on Guanshan Biota(Cambrian Stage 4) at the stratotype area of Wulongqing Formation in Malong County,Eastern Yunnan,China

Exceptionally preserved fossils,such as those from Cambrian Burgess Shale-type fossil-Lagerstatten are critical because of their unique contributions to knowledge of the phylogenetic radiation and palaeoecological expansion of metazoans during the Cambrian explosion.Critically,these deposits provide information that is usually unobtainable from shelly and skeletonized fossils alone.The Guanshan Biota(Cambrian Series 2,Stage 4)in the Yunnan Province of South China,has produced abundant and diverse,exquisitely preserved fossils that often retain soft tissues and organs.To date,most fossils from the Guanshan Biota have been collected from localities such as Gaoloufang and Gangtoucun,which have become inaccessible due to new urban expansions and constructions of residential buildings.Here we present the first report of soft bodied fossils from a new section at Kanfuqing,close to the Wulongqing village in Malong County,approximately 3 km east of the Wulongqing Formation stratotype section.Fossils retain soft morphology,and include brachiopods with delicate marginal setae,priapulids with well-preserved sclerites and vetulicolians with entire sections of body.In addition,this fauna includes rare occurrences of trilobites preserved with soft tissues replicated as pyrite pseudomorphs after weathering.This discovery represents an important palaeogeographical extension of soft-bodied fossils of the Guanshan fauna to the east of the Xiaojiang Fault(related to Tsinning tectonic movements ca.700 Ma).The fauna from the new Kanfuqing section is similar to that reported from the Wulongqing Formation west of the Xiaojiang Fault,and thus has significant implications for early Cambrian palaeogeography,faunal successions and palaeoenvironments of eastern Yunnan.     

副牙形石的演化趋向

原牙形石Ｇｏｐｐａｒｏｄｕｓ属外部形态的演化趋向可能是沟的增加,从“二沟型”至“三沟型”。这与早奥陶世Ｓｃｏｌｏｐｏｄｕｓ属的演化有某些类似之处。单锥副牙形石的演化趋向尚不清楚。Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｇａａｒｄｏｄｉｎａ的演化趋向表现在：１．齿体轮廓,主要表现在长／宽比的变化,二齿型的种长／宽比的变化趋向是逐渐增大;二齿型的种侧部开口的总的趋势是逐渐变小;三齿型的齿体基部开口和侧部开口总的趋势是逐渐变小,但     

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。     

Cambrian stratigraphy of Kashmir and its boundary problems

The biostratigraphy of the Cambrian of Kashmir based on trilobite assemblage zones and trace fossils has been attempted. Faunal gaps occur in lower part of Lower Cambrian, upper Lower Cambrian, lower Middle Cambrian and upper part of Upper Cambrian. In the Lower Cambrian Cruziana—Rusophycus and Redlichia Zones, in the Middle Cambrian Solenopleura—Tonkinella, Tonkinella—Anomocare, Anomocare—Bailiella and Bolaspidella Zones, and in the Upper Cambrian Chuangia and Dikelocephalites Zones are recognized. The position of intrasystem boundaries is also discussed. While the various taxa have lithological preferences and are not necessarily found in a continuous sequence, an attempt has been made to interpret the ranges of different genera. The affinities of the fauna with that of other Cambrian basins of the world are discussed. It is concluded that the bulk of the fauna is of a cosmopolitan nature.     

Biotic characteristics of the Sinian-Cambrian boundary beds in China and the boundary problems

There is general agreement that the first appearance of various small shelly fossils should be used to help delineate the beginning of the Cambrian Period. The history of research on this stratigraphic topic in China is briefly outlined and leads on to a discussion of the boundary problem in the light of information available both inside and outside China.The sections across the Precambrian—Cambrian (Sinian—Cambrian) boundary are described with notes on fossils in: (1) Tianzhushan section, Yichang, Hubei; (2) Maidiping section, Emli, Sichuan; (3) Wangjiawan section, Jinning County, Yunnan; and (4) Kunyang section, Yunnan.This is followed by a consideration of the biotic characteristics of Sinian—Cambrian Period. The history of research on this stratigraphic topic in China is briefly outlined and leads on to a discussion of the boundary problem in the light of information available both inside and outside China. This is followed by a consideration of the biotic characteristics of Sinian—Cambrian boundary beds, with respect to stratigraphy as well as organic evolution. The Precambrian—Cambrian boundary in China is estimated to have an age of 615 ± 20 Ma.It is commented that the above sections are qualified to be important candidates for the selection of the Sinian—Cambrian boundary stratotype and are also important working reference sections for the international Precambrian—Cambrian boundary stratotype.     

塔里木盆地寒武纪构造演化研究

对塔里木盆地寒武纪早、中、晚3个时期的古水深、沉积速率、构造沉降速率和拉伸系数计算结果表明,塔里木盆地在早寒武世为深度裂陷阶段,中寒武世为裂陷迁移阶段,晚寒武世为台内裂陷阶段,早寒武世与中-晚寒武世的构造差异性十分明显。早寒武世伸展引起的裂陷作用发生在塔东地区,伸展促使该区构造沉降速率远远大于台地相区,形成半深海盆地相环境。中-晚寒武世伸展向台地内部迁移,使台地内部的构造沉降速率远大于盆地相区,而台地内部较高构造沉降速率被更高的沉积速率所补偿,使得这里始终未能出现地貌上的凹地。     

Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China: Distribution and significance

The final assembly of the supercontinent Gondwana during the Pan-African orogenic episodes (ca. 550–520 Ma) almost simultaneously took place with the Cambrian explosion that is best manifested by a number of Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China. The relationship between South China and Gondwana during the Cambrian is far from consensus. Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten may have potential importance for the paleogeographic reconstruction. However, such Lagerstätten have been known in large number only in Laurentia and South China, far less common in Gondwana and other continents. Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China are not evenly spaced through the Cambrian. They appear to be concentrated in the Lower Cambrian, particularly in the Canglangpuian and Qiongzhusian stages, much reduced in number from the uppermost Lower Cambrian. Of ten reported such Lagerstätten, only the Kaili biota (basal Middle Cambrian) is known to be younger than Early Cambrian. This reduction could be explained by the fact that vast areas of siliciclastic facies in both the western plate interior (platform) and the eastern slope basin during most time of Early Cambrian (Meishucunian to Canglangpuian) is evolved into carbonate facies at the very end of Early Cambrian (Longwangmiaoian). It has been known from this study that both siliciclastic platform facies and slope basin facies (shale basin) could preserve soft-bodied fossils. Cambrian Burgess Shale-type Lagerstätten in South China are of great significance for providing a sequences of exceptionally preserved biota in a chronological succession. Comparison of such Lagerstätten in a chronological framework may give us more details on the Cambrian explosion events.     

塔里木盆地寒武纪构造-沉积环境与原型盆地演化

寒武系是塔里木盆地当前油气增储上产的重点层系,恢复寒武纪的盆地原型是油气勘探的重要基础。利用最新的钻井、地震及露头资料,以沉积相为研究实体,将盆地充填与周缘构造演化相结合,由点→线→面进行分析,恢复了塔里木盆地寒武纪不同时期的构造-沉积环境,并建立了相应的盆地充填演化模式。塔里木盆地寒武纪经历了一次完整的海侵-海退旋回,包括早寒武世早期快速海侵→中寒武世海退、晚寒武世缓慢海侵→寒武纪末海退两个次级旋回,分别对应沉积演化的2个阶段：塔西克拉通内坳陷早寒武世的碎屑滨岸-陆棚相→局限台地相→中寒武世的蒸发台地相,晚寒武世的局限台地相→寒武纪末期的台地暴露不整合;塔东克拉通边缘坳陷为深水盆地相,经历了硅质泥岩→泥岩与灰岩薄互层→碳酸盐岩的岩相演化。寒武纪塔里木原型盆地特征及演化主要受控于Rodinia超大陆的裂解,其构造-沉积格局经历了由震旦纪末的南北分异格局向中-晚寒武世的东西分异格局的演变。