Discovery of the choristodere <em>Hyphalosaurus baitaigouensis</em> from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning, China and its paleobiogeographic significance

doi:10.1016/j.jop.2024.05.003

Abstract
Figure/Table
References
Related Citation (0)

Download: PDF (3840 KB) HTML (1 KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS) Supporting Info

Abstract

The water-living reptile genus Hyphalosaurus was previously discovered in the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation bearing the middle Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China. Two complete skeletons of Hyphalosaurus are reported for the first time from the Jiufotang Formation bearing the late Jehol Biota at two sites in western Liaoning. They show the typical characteristics of H. baitaigouensis in terms of the contact between some cranial bones and the number of cervical and dorsal vertebrae, and therefore are assigned to H. baitaigouensis. This discovery extends the stratigraphic range of this species from the Yixian Formation to the overlying Jiufotang Formation. This paper further briefly compares the main characteristics of the two skeletons, summarizes the temporal and spatial distribution of Hyphalosaurus, and discusses the palaeogeographic evolution of western Liaoning at the middle and late Jehol Biota stages based on the aquatic habits of Hyphalosaurus and the geological background of western Liaoning. The analytical results show that the volcanic downwarped lakes, with distinct geographical divisions in western Liaoning during the deposition of the Yixian Formation, had not completely disappeared till the deposition of the Jiufotang Formation. The palaeo-lake in the Fuxin-Yixian Basin underwent the process of generation, expansion and shrinkage during the depositional period of the Yixian Formation and finally merged into a large lake. The palaeo-Dalinghe River, which connected the main basins in western Liaoning during the depositional period of the Jiufotang Formation, was formed simultaneously.

Key words： Western Liaoning Jehol Biota Jiufotang Formation Hyphalosaurus baitaigouensis Palaeobiogeography

Received: 02 November 2023

Corresponding Authors: ^*E-mail address: syzlj@126.com (L.-J. Zhang).

	Service

	E-mail this article
	Add to my bookshelf
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	Articles by authors

Cite this article:

URL:

http://journal09.magtechjournal.com/Jweb_jop/EN/10.1016/j.jop.2024.05.003 OR http://journal09.magtechjournal.com/Jweb_jop/EN/Y2024/V13/I3/547

[1] Ádám L.K., Orsolya V., Viktor L., Felícia P.K., Béla H.K., Gyula K., Andy J.G., Balázs A.L., 2020. Experimental evidence of dispersal of invasive cyprinid eggs inside migratory waterfowl.PNAS, 117, 15397-15399.
[2] Bing Z.B., Liu W.H., Huang Z.A., Zhang F.S., 2003. Stratigraphic sequence and age of the Upper Cretaceous Daxingzhuang Formation in western Liaoning Province.Geological Bulletin of China, 22, 351-355(in Chinese English abstract).
[3] Chang S.C., Zhang H.C., Renne P.R., Fang Y., 2009. High-precision ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age for the Jehol Biota.Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 280, 94-104.
[4] Chen P.J.,1988. Distribution and migration of Jehol fauna with reference to nonmarine Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in China.Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 27, 659-683(in Chinese with English abstract).
[5] Chen W., Zhang Y., 2004. Isotope geochronology. In: Ji, Q. et al.(Eds.). Mesozoic Jehol Biota of Western Liaoning, Geological Publishing House, Beijing, China, pp. 95-157(in Chinese).
[6] Cope. E. D., 1876. On some extinct reptiles and Batrachia from the Judith River and Fox Hills beds of Montana.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 28, 340-359.
[7] Duan Y., Zhang L.J., 2009. The precious fossil-bearing beds, sedimentary facies and paleogeography of the Early Cretaceous in Weijialing-Yaolugou-Jianchang Basin western Liaoning.Global Geology, 12, 87-93.
[8] Endo R.,1940. A new genus of Thecodontia from theLycoptera beds in Manchoukuo. Bulletin of the National Central Museum of Manchoukuo, 2, 1-14.
[9] Feng Z.Z.,2009. Definition, content, characteristics and bright spots of palaeogeography of China.Journal of Palaeogeography(Chinese Edition), 11(1), 1-11(in Chinese with English abstract).
[10] Gao F.L., Jiang Y., Pan Y.Q., Wang X., Wu Z.J., Fan S., Dai D.Y., 2018. Division and significance of the precious fossil-bearing beds of Jiufotang Formation in Sihedang area, Liaoning province.Geology and Resources, 27, 503-507(in Chinese with English abstract).
[11] Gao K.Q.,2007. Phylogenetic and ecomorphic diversity and biogeographic evolution of Choristodera as a distinct diapsida clade.Journal of Palaeogeography, 9, 541-550(in Chinese with English abstract).
[12] Gao K.Q., Fox R.C., 2005. A new choristodere (Reptilia: Diapsida) from the Lower Cretaceous of western Liaoning Province, China, and phylogenetic relationships of Monjurosuchidae.Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 145, 427-444.
[13] Gao K.Q., Ksepka D.T., 2008. Osteology and taxonomic revision ofHyphalosaurus(Diapsida: Choristodera) from the Lower Cretaceous of Liaoning, China. Journal of Anatomy, 212, 747-768.
[14] Gao K.Q., Ksepka D., Hou L.H., Duan Y., Hu D.Y., 2007. Cranial morphology of an Early Cretaceous monjurosuchid (Reptilia: Diapsida) from Liaoning Province of China and evolution of the choristoderan palate.Historical Biology, 19, 215-224.
[15] Gao K.Q., Tang Z.L., Wang X.L., 1999. A long-necked diapsid reptile from the Upper Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous of Liaoning Province, northeastern China.Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 37, 1-8 (in English with Chinese abstract).
[16] Guo Z.F., Wang X.L., 2002. A study on the relationship between volcanic activities and mass mortalities of the Jehol vertebrate fauna from Sihetun, western Liaoning, China.Acta Petrologica Sinica, 18, 117-125 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[17] He H.Y., Wang X.L., Zhou Z.H., Wang F., Boven A., Shi G.H., Zhu R.X., 2004. Timing of the Jiufotang Formation (Jehol Group) in Liaoning, northeastern China and its implications.Geophysical Research Letters, 31, L12605.
[18] Ji Q., Ji S.A., Cheng Y.N., You H.L., Lü J.C., Yuan C.X., 2004. The first fossil soft-shell eggs with embryos from Late Mesozoic Jehol Biota of western Liaoning China.Acta Geoscientica Sinca, 25, 275-285(in Chinese with English abstract).
[19] Ji Q., Wu X.C., Cheng Y.N., 2010. Cretaceous choristoderan reptiles gave birth to live young.Naturwissenschaften, 97, 423-428.
[20] Jiang B.Y., Fursich F.T., Sha J.G., Wang B., Niu Y.Z., 2011. Early Cretaceous volcanism and its impact on fossil preservation in Western Liaoning, NE China.Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 302, 255-269.
[21] Jin F., 2001. Review of the ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dates of the Jehol Group by Smith et al.Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 39, 151-156(in Chinese, English abstract).
[22] Liu J.,2004. A nearly complete skeleton ofIkechosaurus pijiagouensis sp. nov.(Reptilia: Cheristodera) from the Jiufotang Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Liaoning, China. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 42, 120-129(in English with Chinese abstract).
[23] Liu Y.Q., Kuang H.W., Peng N., Xu H., Zhang P., Wang N.S., An W., 2015. Mesozoic basins and associated palaeogeographic evolution in North China.Journal of Palaeogeography, 4(2), 189-202.
[24] Lu A.P.,2003. Comments on structural evolution depositional environment and minerals of non-coal energy.Journal of Liaoning Technical University, 22, 606-608(in Chinese with English abstract).
[25] Pan Y.H., Sha J.G Zhou Z.H., Fürsich F.T., 2013. The Jehol Biota: Definition and distribution of exceptionally preserved relicts of a continental Early Cretaceous ecosystem.Cretaceous Research, 44, 30-38.
[26] Pan Y.H., Sha J.G Zhou Z.H., Fürsich F.T., Wang Y.Q., Zhang X.L., Yao X.G., 2012. Dynamics of the lacustrine fauna from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, China: implications of volcanic and climatic factors.Lethaia, 45, 299-314.
[27] Smith P.E., Ewensen N.M., York D., Chang M.M., Jin F., Lin J.L., Cumbaa S., Russell D., 1995. Dates and rates in ancient lakes: ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar evidence for an Early Cretaceous age for the Jehol Group, northeast China.Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 32, 1426-1431.
[28] Song S.S., Suo Y.H., Li S.Z., Ding X.S., Han X., Tian Z.H., Fu X.J., 2024. Early Cretaceous paleogeomorphic evolution and migration of Jehol Biota in North China.Journal of Palaeogeography(Chinese Edition), 26, 172-191 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[29] Swisher C.C., Wang X.L., Zhou Z.H., Wang Y.Q., Jin F., Zhang J.Y., Xu X., Zhang F.C., 2002. Wang, Y., Further support for a Cretaceous age for the feathered-dinosaur beds of Liaoning, China: new⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of Yixian and Tuchengzi Formations.Chinese Science Bulletin, 47, 135-138(in Chinese with English abstract).
[30] Swisher C.C., Wang Y.Q., Wang X.L., Xu X., Wang Y., 1999. Cretaceous age for the feathered dinosaurs of Liaoning, China.Nature, 400, 58-61
[31] Wang S.E.,1990. Origin, evolution and mechanism of the Jehol fauna.Acta Geologica Sinica(English Edition), 64, 350-360.
[32] Wang T.H., Gong E.P., Chen X.H., Cui Y., Gao F., Huang W.T., 2018. Sedimentary characteristics and environmental evolution of Dakangpu layer of Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation in western Liaoning.Geological Bulletin of China, 37, 1166-1175(in Chinese with English abstract).
[33] Wang W.L., Zhang H., Zhang L.J., Zheng S.L., Yang F.L., Li Z.T., Zheng Y.J., 2003. Stratigraphic sequence of the Yixian Formation of Yixian-Beipiao Region, Liaoning—A study and establishment of stratotype of the Yixian Stage.Journal of Stratigraphy, 27, 227-233(in Chinese with English abstract).
[34] Wang W.L., Zhang L.J., Zheng S.L., Zheng Y.J., Zhang H., Li Z.T., Yang F.L., 2004. A new study on the stratotype and biostratigraphy of the Yixian Stage in the Yixian-Beipiao Region, Liaoning—Establishment and study of the stratotype of the Yixian Stage.Acta Geologica Sinica, 4, 433-447(in Chinese with English abstract).
[35] Wang W.L., Zhang L.J., Zheng S.L., Ren D., Zheng Y.J., Ding Q.H., Zhang H., Li Z.T., Yang F.L., 2005. The age of the Yixianian Stage and the boundary of Jurassic—Cretaceous ——The establishment and study of stratotypes of the Yixianian Stage.Geological Review, 51, 234-242(in Chinese with English abstract).
[36] Wang X.L., Wang Y.Q., Xu X., Wang Y., Zhang J.Y., Zhang F.C., Jin, F, Gu G., 1999. Record of the Sihetun vertebrate mass mortality events western Liaoning, China: Caused by volcanic eruptions.Geological Review, 45, 458-467(in Chinese with English abstract).
[37] Wu Z.J., Gao F.L., Pan Y.Q., Wang X., 2018. Division and correlation of the Jiufotang Formation and their rare fossil-bearing beds in western Liaoning, China.Geoscience, 32, 758-765(in Chinese with English abstract).
[38] Xu X., Zhou Z.H., Wang. Y., Wang M., 2019. Study on Jehol Biota: Recent advances and future prospects. Science China: Earth Sciences, 49,1491-1511 (in Chinese).
[39] Yu Z.Q., Wang M., Li Y.J., Deng C.L., He H.Y., 2021. New geochronological constraints for the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Jianchang Basin, NE China, and their implications for the late Jehol Biota.Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 583, 10657.
[40] Zhang L.D., Zhang, C.J, Peng Y.D., Jia B., Chen S.W., Xing DH., Ding Q.H., Zheng Y.J., 2002. Regional Geological Survey Report of Beipiao City, Shangyuan County, Yixian County and Dizang Temple at 1:50000. Shenyang: Shenyang Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, China Geological Survey (in Chinese).
[41] Zhang L.J.,2013. Main geological background during the evolution of Jehol Biota from western Liaoning.Global Geology, 32, 447-462(in Chinese with English abstract).
[42] Zhang L.J., Ji S.A., Wang L., Wang M.Y., 2021. Geoheritage and geological background of Jinzhou Fossil and Granite National Geopark in western Liaoning Province.Acta Geoscientica Sinica, 42, 701-714 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[43] Zhang L.J., Yang Y.J., Zhang L.D., Guo S.Z., Wang W.L., Zheng S.L., 2007. Precious fossil-bearing beds of the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in western Liaoning Province, China.Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 81, 357-364.
[44] Zhang L.J., Zhang L.D., Yang Y.J., Guo S.Z., Wang W.L., Zheng Y.J., Ding Q.H., Chang L., 2012. Division of the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation and its ostracod fossils in Jianchang basin, western Liaoning.Geology and Resources, 21, 81-920 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[45] Zhang H.F., Zheng J.P., 2003. Geochemical characteristics and petrogenesis of Mesozoic in North China: a case study of Fuxin, Liaoning Province.Chinese Science Bulletin, 48, 603-609 (in Chinese with English abstract).
[46] Zhang H., Liu X.-M., Yuan H.L., Hu Z.C., Diwu C.R., 2006. U-Pb isotopic age of the lower Yixian Formation in Lingyuan of western Liaoning and its significance.Geological review, 52, 63-71(in Chinese with English abstract).
[47] Zhang Q., Wang Y.L., Jin W.J., Li C.D., 2008. Eastern China Plateau during the Late Mesozoic: evidence, problems and implication.Geological Bulletin of China, 27, 1404-1430(in Chinese with English abstract).
[48] Zhang W., Gao K.Q., 2014. Early Cretaceous evolution of choristoderes in western Liaoning based on geographic and stratigraphic evidence.Journal of Palaeogeography (Chinese Edition), 16, 205-216 (in Chinesewith English abstract).
[49] Zhang X.L., Sha J.G., 2012. Sedimentary laminations in the lacustrine Jianshangou Bed of the Yixian Formation at Sihetun, western Liaoning, China.Cretaceous Research, 36, 96-105.
[50] Zhao Y., Zhang S.H., Xu G., Yang Z.Y., Hu J.M., 2004. The Jurassic major tectonic events of the Yanshanian intraplate deformation belt.Geological Bulletin of China, 23, 854-863(in Chinese with English abstract).
[51] Zhong Y.T., Huyskens M. H., Yin Q.Z., Wang YQ., Ma Q., Xu Y.G., 2021. High-precision geochronological constraints on the duration of ‘Dinosaur Pompeii’ and the Yixian Formation. National Science Review, 8, nwab063.
[52] Zhou Z.H.,2006. Adaptive radiation of the Jehol Biota and its evolutionary ecological background. In: Rong, J.Y., Fang, Z.J., Zhou, Z.H.(Eds.), Originations,Radiations and Biodiversity Changes-Evidences from the Chinese Fossil Record. Science Press, Beijing, China, pp. 705-732, 939-941.
[53] Zhou Z.H., Meng Q.R., Zhu R.X., Wang M., 2021. Spatiotemporal evolution of the Jehol Biota: Responses to the North China Craton destruction in the Early Cretaceous.PNAS, 118, 34 e2107859118.
[54] Zhou Z.H., Wang Y., 2010. Vertebrate diversity of the Jehol Biota as compared with other lagerstätten.Science China Earth Sciences, 40, 1250-1265.
[55] Zhou Z.H., Wang Y., Xu X., Ren D., 2017. The Jehol Biota: An exceptional window into Early Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems. In: Fraser, N.C. and Sues, H.D.(Eds.), Terrestrial Conservation Lagerstätten: Windows into the Evolution of Life on Land. Dunedin Academic Press, Edinburgh, Scotland, pp. 169-214.
[56] Zhu R.X., Zhou Z.H., Meng Q.R., 2020. Destruction of the North China Craton and its influence on surface geology and terrestrial biotas.Chinese Science Bulletin, 65, 2954-2965 (in Chinese with English abstract).