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New multicellular algal fossils and acritarchs in Doushantuo chert nodules (Neoproterozoic; Yangtze Gorges, south China)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Shuhai Xiao
Shuhai Xiao*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118,
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Extract

The late Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation in South China contains several exceptionally preserved biotas in its cherts, phosphorites, and black shales (Xiao et al., 1998b, 2002; Zhang et al., 1998). The three taphonomic windows—silicification, phosphatization, and carbonaceous compression—responsible for most of the preservation of nonbiomineralizing organisms in geologic history are all open in the Doushantuo Formation. In combination, these three taphonomic windows have the potential to give us a clearer and more complete picture of late Neoproterozoic biodiversity. Comparison across the three also allows us to evaluate possible taphonomic biases and paleoecological heterogeneity. To accomplish these, however, a more thorough paleontological investigation of each taphonomic facies is necessary.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 78 , Issue 2 , March 2004 , pp. 393 - 401
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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