Quantonenpollenites,a pollen taxon which was assumed to be angiosperm,is of great significance in confirming the geological age of its bearing strata.Aims to clarify the taxonomic affiliation of Quantonenpollenites,we...Quantonenpollenites,a pollen taxon which was assumed to be angiosperm,is of great significance in confirming the geological age of its bearing strata.Aims to clarify the taxonomic affiliation of Quantonenpollenites,we investigated the external morphology and internal structure using Light Microscopy(LM),Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM).According to TEM observations,the exine of Quantonenpollenites pollen is unstratified with the absence of a columellar layer,and the exine is tightly connected with the intine.Based on comprehensive morphological evidence,especially the lack of columellar layer which is typical characteristics existing in almost all angiosperm pollen,the botanical affinity of Quantonenpollenites should be attributed to gymnosperms rather than angiosperms as previously thought.Through comparative analysis,it may have a close affinity with Ephedra,but further analytical data are still needed for verification.As a characteristic palynological type of the Quantou Formation in the Songliao Basin,the occurrence of Quantonenpollenites has indicative significance for determining the age of the hosting strata.By systematically clarifying the phylogenetic affiliation of Quantonenpollenites,together with the other associated palynomorphs,this study provides crucial reference materials for defining the stratigraphic age range of the Quantou Formation(Cenomanian to early Turonian),improves the resolution of stratigraphic age calibration of the Quantou Formation,and provides key paleontological evidence for the refined division of the terrestrial Cretaceous chronostratigraphic framework in the Songliao Basin.展开更多
We report new material of the zalambdalestid,Zhangolestes jilinensis,from the Quantou Formation(lower Upper Cretaceous,Cenomanian to Turonian),Gongzhuling City,Jilin Province,NE China.Using micro-CT-scan,the material ...We report new material of the zalambdalestid,Zhangolestes jilinensis,from the Quantou Formation(lower Upper Cretaceous,Cenomanian to Turonian),Gongzhuling City,Jilin Province,NE China.Using micro-CT-scan,the material is shown to include dentocranial and postcranial elements recovered from the same matrix block containing the holotype specimen.The CT-images also show the labial and internal structures of the holotype fragment of the lower jaw of Z.jilinensis.Based on the preservation,relative size,and tooth wear,the new material and the holotype lower jaw likely belong to the same individual animal,whereas the hypodigm mandibular fragment assigned to Z.jilinensis in the original study is thought now to belong to a different individual,potentially representing a different species,which,if true,would increase the eutherian diversity in the Late Cretaceous Changchunsaurus Fauna.Furthermore,the new CT-images show that the incisor morphology is diverse within zalambdalestids and probably evolved independently from the enlarged incisors in placental mammals,such as Glires.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2906701)National Natural Science Foundation of China (42372041, 42072027)China Geological Survey (DD20221646)
文摘Quantonenpollenites,a pollen taxon which was assumed to be angiosperm,is of great significance in confirming the geological age of its bearing strata.Aims to clarify the taxonomic affiliation of Quantonenpollenites,we investigated the external morphology and internal structure using Light Microscopy(LM),Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM).According to TEM observations,the exine of Quantonenpollenites pollen is unstratified with the absence of a columellar layer,and the exine is tightly connected with the intine.Based on comprehensive morphological evidence,especially the lack of columellar layer which is typical characteristics existing in almost all angiosperm pollen,the botanical affinity of Quantonenpollenites should be attributed to gymnosperms rather than angiosperms as previously thought.Through comparative analysis,it may have a close affinity with Ephedra,but further analytical data are still needed for verification.As a characteristic palynological type of the Quantou Formation in the Songliao Basin,the occurrence of Quantonenpollenites has indicative significance for determining the age of the hosting strata.By systematically clarifying the phylogenetic affiliation of Quantonenpollenites,together with the other associated palynomorphs,this study provides crucial reference materials for defining the stratigraphic age range of the Quantou Formation(Cenomanian to early Turonian),improves the resolution of stratigraphic age calibration of the Quantou Formation,and provides key paleontological evidence for the refined division of the terrestrial Cretaceous chronostratigraphic framework in the Songliao Basin.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42122010,42072017)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CAS(Y2023017)+1 种基金the National Mineral Rock and Fossil Specimens Resource Center(NCSTI-RMF20240203)China Geological Survey(DD20230221)。
文摘We report new material of the zalambdalestid,Zhangolestes jilinensis,from the Quantou Formation(lower Upper Cretaceous,Cenomanian to Turonian),Gongzhuling City,Jilin Province,NE China.Using micro-CT-scan,the material is shown to include dentocranial and postcranial elements recovered from the same matrix block containing the holotype specimen.The CT-images also show the labial and internal structures of the holotype fragment of the lower jaw of Z.jilinensis.Based on the preservation,relative size,and tooth wear,the new material and the holotype lower jaw likely belong to the same individual animal,whereas the hypodigm mandibular fragment assigned to Z.jilinensis in the original study is thought now to belong to a different individual,potentially representing a different species,which,if true,would increase the eutherian diversity in the Late Cretaceous Changchunsaurus Fauna.Furthermore,the new CT-images show that the incisor morphology is diverse within zalambdalestids and probably evolved independently from the enlarged incisors in placental mammals,such as Glires.
