北美内陆西部白垩纪脊椎动物生物年代学

北美西部内陆白垩纪的脊椎动物生物年代学的研究始于19世纪90年代。前人建议的期,即陆生脊椎动物"期"或陆生哺乳动物"期"名已过十二个,但其中具有精确的定义者甚少,仅有少量的建议受到广泛认可和使用。本文定义或重新定义了10个陆生脊椎动物"期",包括了西部内陆从最老至最新的全部白垩纪—Comobluffian期(～提塘期至欧特里沃期)、Buffalogapian期(～巴列姆期至早阿普特期)、Cashenranchian期(～早阿普特期至晚阿尔布期)、Mussentuchian期(～晚阿尔布期至塞诺曼期)、Fencelakean期(土伦期至晚塞农期)、Aquilan期(～晚塞农期至早坎潘期)、Judithian期(～中坎潘期)、Kirtlandian期(～晚坎潘期)、Edmontonian期(～坎潘期末期至早马斯特里赫特期)以及Lancian期(～早马斯特里赫特期晚期)。每一个"期"的开始由一种恐龙或哺乳动物种类的首现来定义,而其结束由后续的"期"的开始来定义。这样定义的脊椎动物生物年代代表了完整的白垩纪时间表。但有些时间段(尤其是Neocomian(尼欧克姆期)的大部分以及部分"中"白垩世的一部分)缺乏足够的脊椎动物化石特征。这些白垩纪陆生脊椎动物"期"构成了一个能使北美西部内陆的脊椎动物的演化历史得以序和解释年代表。     

江苏白垩纪孢粉组合序列

根据近年来获得的孢粉化石材料和前人资料 ,建立了江苏白垩纪的孢粉组合序列 ,它们是 :　 1)贝里阿斯期至凡兰吟期 (Berriasian— Valanginian)的 Schizaeoisporites- Classopollis annulatus- Ginkgocycadophytus nitidus组合 (云合山组 ) ;　 2 )阿普特期至阿尔必期 (Aptian— Albian )的 Cicatricosisporites- Classopollis annulatus-Psilatricolpites组合 (葛村组 ) ;　 3)土伦期 (Turonian )的 Schizaeoisporites- Polycingulatisporites- Cycadopites-Cranwellia组合 (浦口组 ) ;　 4)科尼亚克期至桑顿期 (Coniacian— Santonian)的 Schizaeoisporites- Classopolisannulatus- Lytharites组合 (赤山组 ) ;　 5 )坎潘期 (Campanian )的 Schizaeoisporites- Tricolporopollenitesmicrocirculatus- Betpakdalina组合 (泰州组下部 ) ;　 6 )马斯特里赫特期 (Maastrichtian)的 Pterisisporites-Exesipollenites- K urtzipites组合 (泰州组上部 ) ;　欧特里沃期至巴列姆期 (Hauterivian— Barremian)和塞诺曼期(Cenom ainan)的暂缺。     

中国非海相白垩纪介形类化石组合

我国非海相白垩纪介形类化石可以划分为7个组合:1)分布于我国西北和西南地区欧特里沃期巴列姆期的Jingguella-Minheella-Pinnocypridea组合;2)分布于我国西北和西南地区巴列姆期的Cypridea-Latonia-Darwinula组合;3)阿普特期阿尔必期的Cypridea(Morinina)-Bisulcocypridea-Mongolocypris组合;4)分布于我国东北、中部及东部地区欧特里沃期巴列姆期的Cypridea-Mongolianella-Darwinula组合;5)分布于我国东北、中部及东部地区巴列姆期阿普特期的Cypridea(Cypridea)-Cypridea(Ulwellia)-Limnocypridea组合;6)塞诺曼期塞农期的Cypridea-Triangulicypris-Sunliavia-Lycopterocypris组合;7)坎潘期马斯特里赫特期的Talicypridea-Cypridea-Quadracypris-Candona组合。依据以上7个介形类化石组合,我国22个地区含介形类的73个地层单元(群/组)得到了对比。     

黑龙江孙吴-嘉荫盆地白垩纪孢粉组合及地层划分对比

黑龙江孙吴—嘉荫盆地内两口地质探井获得的135块孢粉样品中含有孢粉化石87属,这些孢粉化石可以划分为4个孢粉组合,根据组合特征,这4个孢粉组合的地质时代分别为早白垩世凡兰吟期—欧特里沃期、阿尔必期,晚白垩世桑顿期—坎潘期、马斯特里赫特期,同时含这些孢粉化石的相关的白垩纪地层可以相应划分为下白垩统宁远村组、淘淇河组、上白垩统太平林场组和富饶组。这一研究为重新认识和建立孙吴—嘉荫盆地的地层层序提供重要的古生物依据。     

论敦达古鲁巴哈里亚地区的陆相夹层及非洲其他地层中早白垩世恐龙化石的时代

列举并尝试对比了非洲早白垩世脊椎动物化石的主要产地。晚侏罗世(坦桑尼亚的敦达古鲁基默里奇期提塘期)至白垩纪最早期(南非的阿尔戈阿盆地凡兰吟期)的组合中含有剑龙、腕龙和梁龙,到前阿普特期(欧特里沃期巴列姆期?)被另一组合所取代。这一更年轻的组合中含有重爪龙亚科棘龙类、大头鳄类鳄鱼Sarcosuchus以及大型禽龙,它们主要来自尼日尔(ElRhaz组和喀麦隆(Koum组),部分来自利比亚(Cabao组)和突尼斯(Douiret组),后两组中还含有鲨鱼Priohybodus ar ambourgi。阿普特期(?)至早阿尔必期组合中仍含有禽龙,但是棘龙科棘龙类取代了重爪龙亚科。早塞诺曼期组合(Bahariya,Kem Kem)以恐龙Spinosaurus、Carcharodonto saurus,鲨鱼(Onchopris tisnumidus)和鳄鱼(利比亚鳄类、无棘腔鳄类)为特征。由此可知,中非的一些原先被认为是早白垩世的地层(坦桑尼亚的Galula组、马拉维的含恐龙层)为晚白垩世。脊椎动物化石在非洲陆相地层的对比中具有重要作用。     

山西天镇晚白垩世一暴龙类及其埋藏环境

天镇地处山西北部,从早白垩世中期开始,区内古地理格局变化频繁,气候逐渐干旱。不断发现的化石材料表明,这一地区在白垩纪时曾经生存有甲龙类、鸭嘴龙类和蜥脚类恐龙。本文报道了该地区新近发现的一个暴龙类恐龙——王氏晋北龙,并对其埋藏环境进行了分析。结果表明,晋北龙为一处于中间演化阶段的暴龙超科恐龙,比雄关龙更晚分异。它的发现,表明天镇地区在晚白垩世曾经存在着一个由甲龙类、鸭嘴龙类、蜥脚类和兽脚类组成的恐龙动物群,其时代可能处于康尼亚克期至坎潘期。埋藏环境分析表明,晋北龙生前环境为环滨湖地带,死后骨架被短距离搬运,异地埋藏于静水浅湖环境中。     

浙江天台盆地白垩纪含恐龙骨骼及蛋化石地层

浙东天台盆地早白垩世晚期的阿普特（Aptian）期至晚白垩世早期的赛诺曼（Cenomanian）期天台群赖家组和赤城山组已发现数以千计的恐龙骨骼及蛋化石。通过对恐龙骨骼及蛋化石地层剖面实测,首次精确厘定了天台盆地恐龙动物群的出露层位。化石研究显示,恐龙生物群包括蜥脚类（sauropods）、鸭嘴龙类（hadrosaur...     

福建泰宁白垩纪红层植物及孢粉化石组合特征

泰宁白垩纪红层盆地由朱口、梅口、龙安3个盆地组成,盆地内出露的岩石地层为沙县组和崇安组。近期工作,首次在龙安盆地沙县组采获植物化石和孢粉化石,梅口盆地崇安组采获孢粉化石。根据植物化石及孢粉组合特征,沙县组地质时代为晚白垩世早、中期,相当于赛诺曼期-土仑期(Cenomanian-Turonian);崇安组为晚白垩世晚期,相当于康尼亚克期-马斯特里赫特期(Coniacian-Maastrichtian)。依据泰宁梅口盆地崇安组孢粉组合特征,建立晚白垩世晚期Pinuspollenites-Ulmipollenites minor组合,以代表福建白垩纪第Ⅵ孢粉组合。     

白垩纪四足动物足印的生物地层学、生物年代学与遗迹相

从全球范围来看,白垩纪四足动物的足印多数是非鸟恐龙与鸟类留下的痕迹;少量足印来自翼龙、鳄鱼、龟、哺乳动物和其他四足动物。白垩纪的足迹化石以东亚(尤其是中国和朝鲜)和北美西部的最为人所知。南美(主要是阿根廷和巴西)也有一定数量广泛分布的足迹化石,欧洲、非洲与澳大利亚的白垩纪足迹组合则鲜为人知。以白垩纪四足动物的足印记录为基础,我们对两个全球足印生物年代重新进行了检查。早白垩世生物年代以蜥脚类与鸟脚类的足迹为特征。晚白垩世生物年代中的蜥脚类足迹较少,但是鸭嘴龙、暴龙和角龙的足迹增多了。另外,白垩纪足印化石的记录中记载了许多重要的生物地层学信息,如北美白垩纪中期蜥脚类恐龙的消失,以及白垩纪末恐龙的绝灭。越来越多来自东亚的白垩纪足印记录使我们对更精细的地方性白垩纪足印生物年代学有了初步印象。因此,以地方性四足恐龙(包括鸟类)遗迹属的地层分布为基础,可以识别出三个或四个足印生物年代。种类丰富并具有地方性特色的东亚的白垩纪鸟类动物的遗迹群,可能指示白垩纪时东亚存在着一个独特而繁盛的鸟类动物群。以足印化石为基础的这一假说有待进一步的验证。     

湖北省南漳/远安动物群特征及其意义初探

通过资料整理和野外调查,本文认为南漳/远安动物群是产自于嘉陵江组三段顶部纹层状灰岩、微晶灰岩中,以海生爬行动物为特色,伴有大量菌藻类和软体动物的早三叠世奥伦尼克期Spathian晚期的动物群落。该动物群中的海生爬行动物为幻龙类-鱼龙类-汉江蜥-贵州龙-湖北鳄类的组合特征。湖北鳄类相对其他海生爬行动物类型,数量最多,多样性最为丰富。独特的骨骼特征暗示其位于脊椎动物食物链的最低层。大量分异度较高的海生爬行动物在同一群落中出现,暗示在Spathian晚期,海洋生态系统可能已经开始恢复。     

Dentaries of a caenagnathid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Nemegt Formation of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia

A symphyseal region of the fused dentaries of a caenagnathid theropod is described from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation at the Bugin Tsav locality in the Mongolian Gobi Desert. In contrast to the high diversity of Caenagnathidae in the upper Campanian to Maastrichtian in North America, only specimens of a single caenagnathid, Elmisaurus raurus, have been reported in the coeval strata in Asia. Although dentaries are commonly-found bones in the fossil record of Caenagnathidae, the present specimen is the first discovery of caenagnathid dentaries from the upper Campanian to Maastrichtian in Asia. The Nemegt Formation is unique for its diverse oviraptorosaurian fauna that includes both Caenagnathidae and Oviraptoridae as well as the non-caenagnathoid Avimimus portentosus. Hypothesized coexistence of eolian and fluvial environments in the Gobi Basin during the deposition of the Nemegt Formation might explain such co-occurrence of Caenagnathidae and Oviraptoridae.     

Review of Cretaceous sauropod dinosaurs from Central Asia

There are 24 known localities for skeletal remains of sauropod dinosaurs in the republics of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). Sauropod remains are very rare at all these localities and represented usually only by isolated teeth. Only narrow-crowned teeth are known from the Cretaceous of Central Asia. The oldest record of such teeth is from the Aptian Sultanbobo Formation of Uzbekistan. Exposures of the Turonian Bissekty Formation at the most productive vertebrate locality in the region, Dzharakuduk in Uzbekistan, has yielded many isolated teeth and a few skeletal remains that can be attributed to a non-lithostrotian titanosaur. Similar narrow-crowned, cylindrical teeth from Cenomanian-to Coniacian-age strata in the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan, may belong to a closely related taxon. Another taxon, with teeth that are pentagonal in cross-section, is known from the Santonian Yalovach and Bostobe formations of Tajikistan and western Kazakhstan, respectively. A femur reported from the Santonian Syuksyuk Formation of southern Kazakhstan possibly belongs to a lithostrotian titanosaur. The change in tooth structure at the Coniacian–Santonian boundary in the region possibly suggests replacement of non-lithostrotian titanosaurs by lithostrotians. The titanosaur from the Bissekty Formation is similar to Dongyangosaurus sinensis from the Cenomanian–Turonian of Zhejiang (China) in the extensive pneumatization of the neural arch on the anterior caudal vertebrae with several fossae. It also resembles Baotianmansaurus henanensis from the Cenomanian of Henan (China) in the possession of very short anterior caudal centra. These three taxa possibly represent an as yet formally unrecognized endemic clade of Asian non-lithostrotian titanosaurs.     

Soft-shelled turtles (Trionychidae) from the Bissekty Formation (Late Cretaceous: late Turonian) of Uzbekistan: Shell-based taxa

In this paper we describe previously unpublished trionychid turtle material, consisting of numerous shell fragments, from the Late Cretaceous (late Turonian) Bissekty Formation of the Dzharakuduk locality in Uzbekistan. This material is assigned to two shell-based taxa: Aspideretoides cf. riabinini and “Trionyx” cf. kansaiensis. The material which cannot be confidently attributed to these two taxa is identified as Trionychidae indet. In addition to these shell-based trionychid taxa, the Dzharakuduk turtle assemblage includes two skull-based taxa of trionychids (Khunnuchelys kizylkumensis and Trionychini indet.). The trionychids from the Bissekty Formation are most similar to trionychids from the younger (Santonian – early Campanian) Bostobe Formation of Kazakhstan, represented by three shell-based taxa (Aspideretoides riabinini, Paleotrionyx riabinini and “Trionyx” kansaiensis), and one skull-based taxon (Khunnuchelys sp.). We provide an improved understanding of the subtle similarities and differences between four closely related Cretaceous turtle assemblages of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan.     

Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Gurpi Formation at Deh Dasht Area,Zagros Basin,SW Iran

Abstract: A rich assemblage of planktonic foraminifera has been studied from an outcrop of the Gurpi Formation, the hydrocarbon source rock in the southwest Iran, Deh Dasht area (Kuh-e Siah anticline). Based on the distribution of the planktonic foraminifera, eight biozones have been recognized that included: Dicarinella concavata Interval Zone (Earliest Santonian), Dicarinella asymetrica Total Range Zone (Santonian to Earliest Campanian), Globotruncanita elevata Partial Range Zone (Early Campanian), Globotruncana ventricosa Interval Zone (Middle to Late Campanian), Radotruncana calcarata Total Range Zone (Late Campanian), Globotruncanella havanensis Partial Range Zone (Late Campanian), Globotruncana aegyptiaca Interval Zone (Late to latest Campanian), Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone (Latest Campanian to Early Maastrichtian). These biozones indicates that the Gurpi Formation deposited during the Early Santonian- Early Maastrichtian. These biozones are compared to the most standard biozones defined in Tethysian domain. Based on distribution of morphotype groups of planktonic foraminifera, planktonic to benthic ratio (P/B) and content of carbonate, nine third-order sequences are recognized.     

Dinosaur eggshells from the Santonian Milk River Formation of Alberta,Canada

The North American fossil record of dinosaur eggshells for the Cretaceous is primarily restricted to formations of the middle (Albian–Cenomanian) and uppermost (Campanian–Maastrichtian) stages, with a large gap in the record for intermediate stages. Here we describe a dinosaur eggshell assemblage from a formation that represents an intermediate and poorly fossiliferous stage of the Upper Cretaceous, the Santonian Milk River Formation of southern Alberta, Canada. The Milk River eggshell assemblage contains five eggshell taxa: Continuoolithus, Porituberoolithus, Prismatoolithus, Spheroolithus, and Triprismatoolithus. These ootaxa are most similar to those reported from younger Campanian–Maastrichtian formations of the northern Western Interior than they are to ootaxa reported from older middle Cretaceous formations (i.e., predominantly Macroelongatoolithus). Characteristics of the Milk River ootaxa indicate that they are ascribable to at least one ornithopod and four small theropod species. The taxonomic affinity of the eggshell assemblage is consistent with the dinosaur fauna known based on isolated teeth and fragmentary skeletal remains from the formation, although most ornithischians and large theropods are not represented by eggshell. Relative to the Milk River Formation eggshell, similar oospecies occurring in younger Cretaceous deposits tend to be somewhat thicker, which may reflect an increase in body size of various dinosaur lineages during the Late Cretaceous.     

An Ichthyornis-like bird from the earliest Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of European Russia

Ornithuromorph birds (the clade which includes modern avian radiation) first appeared in the Early Cretaceous in Asia and achieved a great diversity during the latest ages of the Late Cretaceous (Campanian and Maastrichtian). The evolutionary history of orithuromorphs during the first 17 MYAs of the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Santonian ages) remains very poorly known, as the fossil record for this time interval is largely restricted to several isolated finds of the classic avian genus Ichthyornis in North America. Here we describe an isolated distal tibiotarsus of an evolutionary advanced bird, morphologically similar to Ichthyornis, from the middle Cenomanian of Saratov Province, European Russia. This is the first documentation of an Ichthyornis-like bird in the Old World. The find further constitutes only the second pre-Campanian record of the Late Cretaceous Ornithuromorpha in Eurasia, the second record of Cenomanian birds in Russia. This discovery shows that Ichthyornis-like birds enjoyed a wide geographical distribution as early as the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. Given that the earliest and the most primitive ornithuromorph birds are known from Asia, the new find supports a Eurasian origin for Ichthyornithidae.     

Late Cretaceous (Santonian) Atractosteus (Actinopterygii,Lepisosteidae) remains from Hungary (Iharkút,Bakony Mountains)

Lepisosteid fishes are well known from the Upper Cretaceous of Europe, but only by fragmentary remains from some Cenomanian and Campanian–Maastrichtian deposits. Here we report various cranial and postcranial remains of gars, discovered in the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Csehbánya Formation of Iharkút (Bakony Mountains, Hungary). These remains represent one of the most diverse assemblages of lepisosteid fish material from Upper Cretaceous continental deposits of Europe. Based on tooth morphology, scale-microstructure and the features of the supracleithrum we refer these remains to the genus Atractosteus. Besides some uncertain remains from the Cenomanian of France and Spain, the Santonian aged fossils from Iharkút represent the oldest undisputable occurrence of the family Lepisosteidae in the European continental Cretaceous. Using tooth crown morphology, the surface microstructure of the ganoid scales and the anatomy of the supracleithrum a review of the Late Cretaceous lepisosteid record suggests the occurrence of both Atractosteus and Lepisosteus in the European archipelago.     

New data on the composition and age of the Ust’-Emuneret flora from the Enmyvaam River basin (Central Chukotka)

The Ust’-Emuneret floristic assemblage from the Emuneret Formation developed in the Enmyvaam River basin (Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanogenic belt) is described. The age of flora-bearing deposits is debatable, being previously determined in the interval of the Cenomanian to Campanian. According to the new data, the assemblage includes 57 species of fossil plants with dominant angiosperms, subdominant conifers, and subordinate ferns, liverworts, ginkgoaleans, and czekanowskialeans. The Ust’-Emuneret flora is characterized by the presence of advanced forms among different plant groups, which occur in Santonian-Campanian and younger floras of northeastern Russia, and by the presence of relict ginkgoaleans and czekanowskialeans. The flora is compared with other floras from neighboring regions, which provides grounds for the inference on its most probable Late Santonian age (probably, including the Early Santonian and initial Campanian).     

A protoceratopsid skeleton with an associated track from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia

The Djadokhta Formation of the Gobi Desert is known for the number and diversity of dinosaur and other vertebrate bones and skeletons found there, but only theropod, hadrosaur and supposed ankylosaurid footprints have been reported from this stratum. Dinosaur footprints are also noted from the Nemegt Formation, and occur as typical dinosaur track accumulations (tracksites). An articulated protoceratopsid skeleton - specimen ZPAL Mg D-II/3 - was collected by the Polish-Mongolian Expedition of 1965 from the Djadokhta Formation of Flaming Cliffs in Mongolia. Recently, the natural cast of a tetradactyl digitigrade footprint was found underneath the pelvic girdle while the skeleton and matrix were being prepared. This is possibly the first find of a dinosaur track in close association with an articulated skeleton. Although Protoceratops is an extremely common dinosaur in Mongolia, its footprints have never previously been reported from the Late Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert.