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First published 2003
This edition published 2008
This is a translation of
The Jehol Biota, the Emergence of Feathered Dinosaurs, Beaked Birds and Flowering Plants
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Reconstruction of animal representatives
representatives of the Jehol Biota
1.
prima Ji
Ii et Ji,
Ii, 1996 ("
(.. feathered" dinosaur)
dinosaur)
Sinosauropteryx prima
Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens Hu, Wang, Luo et Li, 1997 (mammal)
2.
Psittacosaurus meileyingensis Sereno, Zhao, Cheng et Rao, 1988 (dinosaur)
(dinosaur)
3.
4.
Jeholomis prima
prima Zhou et Zhang, 2002 (bird)
Jeholornis
Caudipteryx dongi Zhou et Wang, 2000 (feathered dinosaur)
dinosaur)
5.
Callobatrachus sanyanensis Wang et Gao, 1999 (frog)
6.
Ii, 1995 (turtle)
Manchurochelys liaoxiensis Ji,
7.
8.
Jinzhousaurus yangi Wang et Xu, 2001 (iguanodon)
Lil, 2001 (pterosaur)
(pterosaur)
Haopterus gracilis Wang et Lti,
9.
(pterosaur)
Sinopterus dongi Wang et Zhou, 2002 (pterosaur)
10.
(crayfish)
Cricoidoscelosus aethus Taylor, Schram et Shen, 1999 (crayfish)
11.
Aeschnidium heishankowense (Hong, 1965) (dragonfly)
12.
Hyphalosaurus lingyuanensis Gao, Tang et Wang, 1999 (aquatic
(aquatic reptile)
13.
Lycoptera sp. (fish)
14.
15.
Protopteryxfengningensis Zhang et Zhou, 2000 (bird)
Protopteryxfengningensis
Protopsephurus liui Lu, 1994 (fish)
16.
°
17.
Araenidae indet. (spider)
18.
Confuciusomis
Confuciusornis sanctus Hou, Zhou, Gu et Zhang, 1995
1995 (bird)
19.
Ii, Luo, Yuan, Wible, Zhang et Georgi, 2002 (mammal)
Eomaia scansoria Ji,
Cfour-winged"
Microraptor gui Xu, Zhou, Wang, Kuang, Zhang et Du, 2003 ("
four-winged" dinosaur)
Yanomis
Yanornis martini Zhou et Zhang, 2001
2001 (bird)
20.
21.
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
A Panorama of the Jehol Biota . . .
. .4
Contributors
.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
.8
Choristoderes .
. . . . .
11
Mee-mann Chang
Mesozoic Pompeii . . . . . . .
.
.
19
Gastropods .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Hua-zhang Pan, Xiang-gen Zhu
Bivalves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
.37
'41
. . 89
. .
97
. . . . . .
99
Xiao-lin Wang, Zhong-he Zhou
. . . .
. .
.
. 109
--l
Xing Xu
Birds
.
-
Jun Liu
Pterosaurs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dinosaurs.
Xiao-lin Wang, Zhong-he Zhou
-
Jun Liu, Xiao-lin Wang
Squamates.
Introduction.
.
I
m
c..
m
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 129
%
o
...
o
Fu-cheng Zhang, Zhong-he Zhou, Lian-hai Hou
III
III
;::
III
Mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jin-hua Chen
Conchostracans .
44
.
Mei-zhen Cao, Yan-xia Hu
Shrimps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
.
.
s3
'
'
J9
. . . .
Jun Liu
162
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I79
Qin Leng, Shun-qing Wu, Else Marie Friis
.
,186
'
.
.
'
Wen-ben Li
. 77
Yuan Wang, Ke-qin Gao
Turtles.
Shun-qing Wu
Angiosperms . .
Spores and Pollen . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jun-feng Zhang, Hai-chun Zhang
Fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jiang-yong Zhang, Fan Jin
Amphibians . . . . . . . . . . .
. .
Qi-fei Wang, Hui-nan Lu, Jing-Ein Yang
Land Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Yan-bin Shen
Insects and Spiders.
Yuan-qing Wang, Yao-ming Hu, Chuan-kui Li
Charophytes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pei-ji Chen
Ostracods . . . . . . . . . . . .
. IJI
87
Selected References . .
List of Taxa . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
A Composite Picture of the Jehol Biota .
.
.
Abbreviation of Institutions and Organizations .
.
188
197
,207
. 208
CONTR IBUTORS
CONTRIBUTORS
of Geology
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
Cao, Mei-zhen
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Palaeontology,
Geology and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
Cao, Mei-zhen
39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
210008, China
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of Vertebrate
Chang, Mee-mann
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Chang, Mee-mann
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
of Geology
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
Chen, Jin-huaChen, Jin-hua
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Palaeontology,
Geology and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
210008, China
of Geology
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
Chen, Pei-ji Chen, Pei-ji
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Palaeontology,
Geology and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
210008, China
of Natural
History;
Box History;
50007, SE-104
05 Stockholm,
Friis, Else Marie
Swedish
Museum
of Natural
Box 50007,
SE-104 05Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Friis, Else Swedish
Marie Museum
and Space
Sciences,
Peking
University;
YifuBuilding
No.2, Peking
School of Earth
Gao, Ke-qin Gao, Ke-qin
School
of Earth
and Space
Sciences,
PekingBuilding
University;
Yifu No. 2, Peking
University, Beijing
100871,
China100871, China
University,
Beijing
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of Vertebrate
Hou, Lian-haiHou, Lian-hai
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
of Geology
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
Hu, Yan-xia Hu, Yan-xia
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Palaeontology,
Geology and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
39, East Beijing
Nanjing
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Road,
Nanjing
210008, China
Q
of Natural
History;
Central
Park West
at 79th
American Museum
Hu, Yao-mingHu, Yao-ming
American
Museum
of Natural
History;
Central
Park Street,
West atNew
79thYork,
Street, New York,
u
New York 10024,
New USA
York 10024, USA
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of Vertebrate
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
Jin, Fan
Jin, Fan
Leng, Qin
of Geology
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Leng, Qin Nanjing Institute
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Palaeontology,
Geology and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of Vertebrate
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
210008, China
Li, Chuan-kuiLi, Chuan-kui
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
Li, Wen-ben Li, Wen-ben
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
AcademyNo.
of Sciences; No.
39, East Beijing
Nanjing
210008,
China
39, Road,
East Beijing
Road,
Nanjing
210008, China
Liu, Jun
Liu, Jun American Museum
of Natural
History;
Central
Park West
at 79th
American
Museum
of Natural
History;
Central
Park Street,
West atNew
79thYork,
Street, New York,
New York 10024,
New USA
York 10024, USA
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
Institute of Vertebrate
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
100044, China
CONTRIBUTORS
CONTRIBUTORS
Lu, Hui-nan Lu, Hui-nan
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39, Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Pan, Hua-zhang
Pan, Hua-zhang
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Shen, Yan-binShen, Yan-bin
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Wang, Qi-fei Wang, Qi-fei
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Wang, Xiao-lin
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Wang, Xiao-lin
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Wang, Yuan Wang, Yuan
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
Wang, Yuan-qing
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Wang, Yuan-qing
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
Wu, Shun-qing
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Wu, Shun-qing
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Xu, Xing Institute of Vertebrate
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Xu, Xing
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Yang, Jing-linYang, Jing-lin
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Zhang, Fu-cheng
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Zhang, Fu-cheng
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No.Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
Nanjing
Instituteand
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Zhang, Hai-chun
Zhang, Hai-chun
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Institute of
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Zhang, Jiang-yong
Zhang, Jiang-yong
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No. Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Zhang, Jun-feng
Zhang, Jun-feng
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
Vertebrate Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese
Institute of
Zhou, Zhong-he
Zhou, Zhong-he
Institute of Vertebrate
Paleontology
and Paleoanthropology,
Chinese Academy
of Academy of
No. 142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Beijing
Sciences; No. Sciences;
142, Xi-Zhi-Men-Wai
Street, BeijingStreet,
100044,
China100044, China
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
Chinese
Academy of Sciences;
Nanjing
Instituteand
Zhu, Xiang-gen
Zhu, Xiang-gen
Nanjing Institute
of Geology
Palaeontology,
Chinese Academy
of Sciences;
No. 39,Road,
East Beijing
Nanjing
No. 39, East Beijing
NanjingRoad,
210008,
China210008, China
c..
o'",...
:z:
."
o
VI
VI
VI
Mee-nzann Chang
L
ast decade has witnessed a renewed interest in the Jehol Biota both
within the scientific community and among the general public
worldwide. The numerous research papers on the Jehol Biota,
published in the prestigious journals such as Natllre and Science, have generated
heated controversies among scientists and gained a widespread media frenzy.
Here is a perfect example of Stephen J. Gould meeting Thomas S. Kuhn: a
sudden "scientific revolution" has punctuated a long period of "normal
science," with John Ostrom's revival of Thomas H. Huxley's theory of
dinosaurian origin of birds as the new (or more precisely, renewed) paradigm.
....,
I
m
The discoveries of "feathered" dinosaurs in the Jehol Biota appear to have
"':rm"
provided the direct evidence in support of the paradigm and therefore aroused
,..o
public's intrigue in the notion of dinosaurs still being with us. Scientifically
""i=en
even more important is the Jehol Biota's well-preserved ancient biodiversity,
which contains enormous amount of information on the paleoecosystem as
well as many evolutionary issues.
We Chinese paleontologists have also had our turn of the wheel not only
in those fabulous fossil finds but also in our poise to join our country's drive
toward excellence in scientific research. To that end, I hope that this book
bears some fruits. In the remainder of this chapter, I will present a brief history
of the studies on the ]ehol Biota, an outline of its main components, and a
highlight of its scientific import.
"JehoI" is the transliteration of the two Chinese characters " !~;O[
" in
the Wade-Giles romanization system of the Chinese language, which was
used until 1979 when the spelling of proper nouns were officially adopted
using the Pinyin (Chinese phonetic alphabet) system of romanization in the
mainland of China. In the Pinyin system, these two characters are transliterated
to "Rehe". However, we must abide by the "International Stratigraphic
Guide" (1976) to continue to use the terms of]ehol Group and Jehol Biota
(or Fauna). The literal meaning of the two Chinese characters H'~ ;0[" is "Hot
River", derived from many hot springs in the area. What are now called
western Liaoning, northern Hebei and southeastern Inner Mongolia were
municipally included in Jehol Province (Fig. 1) before 1956, when the
provincial name was abolished. At present, the only historical reminder of the
."
o
en
II
two characters
engraved
on aengraved
stone tablet
Rehetablet
Hot Spring
"Jehol" is the "Jehol"
is the two
characters
on ainstone
in Rehe Hot Spring
°
;'9
)
/
W
of .the
summer
resort,
originally
built
for the emperors
of the
Qing of the Qing
\ Chengde
of the
Chengde
summer
resort,
originally
built for the
emperors
.... 7."° to escape
Dynasty
the to
midsummer
in the Forbidden
(Fig. 2). City (Fig. 2).
Dynasty
escape the heat
midsummer
heat in theCity
Forbidden
•
In his paper In
"Cretaceous
Mollusca from
North from
China"
(923),
the (1923), the
his paper "Cretaceous
Mollusca
North
China"
American geologist
Prof.
Amadeus
W.Amadeus
Grabau (Fig.
3) named
the3)fossilAmerican
geologist
Prof.
W. Grabau
(Fig.
named the fossilbearing strata
in the strata
vicinity
County
(nowCounty
Lingyuan
city
in
bearing
in of
theLingyuan
vicinity of
Lingyuan
(now
Lingyuan
city in
western Liaoning
Province)
"Jehol Series".
AndSeries".
while studying
thestudying the
western
LiaoningasProvince)
as "Jehol
And while
Map of the1 ea
tern
the China, the
Map
of China,
the eastern
in et (taken from
Ding,
Weng
inset {taken from Ding, Weng &
~o
Zeng, ed ., 1936.
ew Map
of New Map of
Zeng, eds.,
1936.
Province ofChina) howing the
Mesozoic stratigraphy
China in 1928,
he first
used the
nameused
"Jehol
Mesozoic of
stratigraphy
of China
in 1928,
he first
the Fauna".
name "Jehol Fauna".
In 1962, after
on various
bearing
the fossil
fishthe
Lycoptera
Inworking
1962, after
workingdeposits
on various
deposits
bearing
fossil fish Lycoptera
Q°
Provincesof China) showing the
from different
areas
of western
Zhi-wei
Gu Zhi-wei
(Fig. 4), Gu
a (Fig. 4), a
from
different
areas Liaoning,
of westernProf.
Liaoning,
Prof.
comparable area of the "Jehol
comparable area of the "Jehol
Province" ( haded ar a), after
Province" {shaded area), after
which the Biota was named.
which the Biota was named.
malacologist malacologist
from the Nanjing
of Geology
Palaeontology,
used
from Institute
the Nanjing
Instituteand
of Geology
and Palaeontology,
used
the name "Jehol
for the
strata for
containing
conchosrracan
EOJeJtheria Eosestheria
the Group"
name "Jehol
Group"
the stratathe
containing
the conchostracan
middendorfii middendorfii
(previously known
as Bairdestheria
middendorfii),middendorfi'i),
insect larva insect larva
(previously
known as Bairdestheria
Ephemeropsis and
fish Lycoptera.
Accordingly,
he called the he
biota
"Jehol
Ephemeropsis
and fish
Lycoptera. Accordingly,
called
the Biota"
biota "Jehol Biota"
or, in short, the
E.-E.-L.
(Fig. 5).
or, in
short, Biota
the E.-E.-L.
Biota (Fig. 5).
The late Mesozoic
Jehol
Biota and
comparable
it had a wide
The late
Mesozoic
Jeholthose
Biota
and those to
comparable
to it had a wide
12
distribution over
northernover
China,
Mongolia,
regiori of Siberia,
distribution
northern
China,Transbaikalian
Mongolia, Transbaikalian
region of Siberia,
II
2
>_
{' .a:~-"9.~:
>
present-day Europe.
ThisEurope.
late Mesozoic
oasis
provided
favorable
conditions
present-day
This late
Mesozoic
oasis
provided
favorable conditions
A
i
-
i,
for many ancient
animals
and animals
plants toand
thrive.
A series
of NE/SWfor many
ancient
plants
to thrive.
A series oriented
of NE/SW- oriented
~t:{ {'>>
It was probably
because
of the
frequent
volcanic
eruptions
numerous
It was
probably
because
of the
frequent
volcanicthat
eruptions
that numerous
i
-
:~]
2,
@qg;~
-!i~)
.......
}!~,,
the Yanshan
Orogeny
(mountain-building
fault basins developed
fault basinsduring
developed
during the
Yanshan
Orogeny (mountain-building
episode), andepisode),
were filled
and volcanic
fluvial-lacustrine
deposits.
andwith
werethick
filledvolcanic
with thick
and fluvial-lacustrine
deposits.
/
A,£7:
Korea, and Japan
(Fig.
The (Fig.
size of
of the that of the
Korea,
and6).
Japan
6).this
Thearea
sizealmost
of thisapproaches
area almostthat
approaches
o,~4] i: -
plants and animals
wereanimals
rapidlywere
buried
and consequently,
preserved aspreserved as
plants and
rapidly
buried and consequently,
exquisite fossils.
Theirfossils.
catastrophic
misery has turned
our bestinto
luckour best luck
exquisite
Their catastrophic
misery into
has turned
today: we have
collected
not collected
only complete
skeletons
burskeletons
also soft parts,
today:
we have
not only
complete
but alsosuch
soft parts, such
as feathers, and
featherlike
as preserved
impressions,
and not onlyand not only
as feathers,
andstructures
featherlikepreserved
structures
as impressions,
gizzard stones
bur also
stomach
contents,
especially
in especially
Chaoyanginand
Beipiao and Beipiao
gizzard
stones
but also
stomach
contents,
Chaoyang
regions of western
regionsLiaoning.
of western Liaoning.
,x~.:
~-: ':~
-
-i*i:?{!~}
'/
¢:.
The earliest studied
fossilstudied
from the
Jehol
Biota
western
is aLiaoning is a
The earliest
fossil
from
the in
Jehol
BiotaLiaoning
in western
small fish found
the found
vicinity
City.
The material
wasmaterial
collectedwas collected
smallinfish
in of
theLingyuan
vicinity of
Lingyuan
City. The
named and
in 1880
by in
a French
ichthyologist,
H. E.
by L'Abbe David,
and David,
by L'Abb6
named
1880 by
a French ichthyologist,
H. E.
Sauvage, as Sauvage,
Prolebias davidi,
thendavidi,
thought
to thought
be a Tertiary
then
to becyprinodont
a Tertiary cyprinodont
as Prolebias
: (~iib,
......
>,{< : ~¢"}' i :
(pupfish). It (pupfish).
was not until
1901
renowned
ichthyologist
A.
It was
notwhen
until the
1901
when theBritish
renowned
British ichthyologist
A.
,.
S. Woodward
fish to the
Lycoptera,
a genus
endemic
Lycoptera,
a B e n u s endemic
S. reassigned
Woodwardthe
reassigned
theMesozoic
fish to the
Mesozoic
to Siberia, Mongolia,
northernand
China.
To date,
the To
described
fossils
of the fossils of the
to Siberia,and
Mongolia,
northern
China.
date, the
described
plants,
nearly
90 species
vertebrates,
60 species
Jehol Biota include
over include
Jehol Biota
overof60
species
of plants,
nearlyof90
species of vertebrates,
:;:!
iT;
c..
:z:
'"
.....
o
o
VI
VI
~
I]
~2
. . 2 The Rehe Hot Spring in the Chengde slimmer resort. The two red characters on the stone tablet are '1ehol" in traditional Chinese.
The Rehe Hot Spring in the Chengde summer resort. The two red characters on the stone tablet are "Jehol" in traditional Chinese.
almost aspecies
thousand
species of invertebrates.
WithBiota
the Jehol
onbeing
some keyonissues
evolution
as origin
andasearly
of major of major
and almost and
a thousand
of invertebrates.
With the Jehol
beingBiota
origindiversification
and early diversification
someinkey
issues insuch
evolution
such
hotbed of paleontological
present,
that
number is increasing
groups likegroups
birds (Hou
et a1.,1995),
and angiosperms
(flowering (flowering
a hotbed ofa paleontological
research at research
present, at
that
number
is increasing
like birds
(Houetmammals,
al.,1995), mammals,
and angiosperms
rapidly.
rapidly.
plants), origin
of avian
flight,
tempo
and mode
evolution,
paleobiogeography,
plants),
origin
ofavian
flight,
tempoofand
mode ofevolution,
paleobiogeography,
paleoecology,
and paleoenvironments.
The Jehol
Biotathe
possesses
the dualthat
qualities
entice an unbridled
paleoecology,
and paleoenvironments.
The Jehol Biota
possesses
dual qualities
entice that
an unbridled
The most The
notable
theamong
recent the
fossil
findings
western
fossils are extremely
from professionals
and lay
persons
alike. are
Theextremely
mostamong
notable
recent
fossilfrom
findings
from western
enthusiasm enthusiasm
from professionals
and lay persons
alike.
The fossils
Liaoning are
of course
"feathered"
dinosaurs. Feathers
never been
Liaoning
arethe
of course
the "feathered"
dinosaurs.had
Feathers
had never been
well beautiful,
preserved, and
beautiful,
and They
abundant.
have implications
important implications
well preserved,
abundant.
have They
important
view had not
was not until 1973 when Prof.
John Ostrom
,
the small theropod Deino
view had not received general acceptance. Ie was not until 1973 when Prof.
and found
of Archaeopteryx,
John Ostrom at the Yale University studied the small theropod Deinoll)'chm,
theand
earlie:
|s might be the
found that its skeleton was astonishingly similar to that of Archaeopteryx,
the earliest bird. And he suggested that small theropods might be the
with
birds of bitds. Despite the many skeletal
e more
convincing
ancestors
characters
that than
reiareactuallydinosaurs
seeing
are convinced
that
withthe
birds, for most people, nothing canTo
bethose
more who
convincing
than actually
;, the
feathered
dinosaurs
from
To those
who are
convinced
that
seeing the dinosaurs covered with feathers.
870-1946),
western
L direct descendants of dinosaurs,
noking
Howeverl
a vocal
the gun,.'
feathered
dinosaurs
from
birds are
minority
Ii insists that
birds
came from
a
gun".
However,
a vocal
western Liaoning are nothing bur the "smoking
3 Amadeus W. Grabau (1870-1946),
minority
insistsfeathers
that birds
from a
i Besides,
and came
featherlike
primitive
it of leading paleornithologists still
(Courtesy:
all American geologist who
proposed
primitive group of reptiles called thecodonts.
Besides,
feather/ike
}arently
couldfeathers
not fly.and
Then
what
the Jehol Fauna in J928. (Courtesy:
Yuan-lin Sun! PKU)
arestructures were found on dinosaurs that apparently could nor fly. Then what
for courtship,
are those feathers for? Were they for insulation,tgmate:
' for
" camouflage,
~ Did the proto-birds
or for defense? And how did the avian flight originate?
the proto-birds
aing on theDid
ground
and then
on thefrom
ground
attaintheir
theirwings
flight capability by walking and running
raising
~rby gliding
the and
tree then
to
raising
wings
learn
howtheir
to fly
( to fly ("ground-up" theory), or by gliding from the tree to
learn how to fly ("tree-down" theory)? We cannot expect that all these
questions,
togeth
questions, tOgether with the origin of birds, be answered JUSt with the
discoveries of new
discoveries of new materials. More careful and synthetic work has to be done
before more persua
ersuasive h
otheses emerge on more solid ground.
before more persuasive hypotheses emerge on more solid ground. Admittedly,
this
:hinese mala-
mor
" trulyexcmng .....
:e~o~ ~dlesS sensational, but it" is
this kind of work is more tedious and less sensational, bur it is truly exciting
and intellectually stimu
ins. ~on LtrariWise, clever argumentation and reli ....
and intellectually stimulating. Contrariwise, clever argumentation and reli4 Zhi-wei Gu (b.1918), a Chinese malahO proposed
gious war are bound tO d~trii~ental to the progress in science.
cologist of the NIGP who proposed
gious war are bound to be detrimental to the progress in science.
962.
The fossil
~ , ~ats'e~, .~ciallyangiosperms,
. . . . . . . from western Lhoning are atso~.
.........
the E.-E.-L. Biota in 1962.
The fossil plants, especially angiosperms, from western Liaoning are also
_
very interesting. T ~ ~ordsofangiosperms can ~ traced back to the works ~- '
very interesting. The records of angiosperms can be traced back to the works
discovered previously in animals other than birds. Yet, feathers or featherlike
f,
ofH. ~
ofH. Yabe and S. Endo in 1930s. They described Potamogeton jeholensis. Due
to the
structures have been found abundantly associared with a number of dinosaurs
to the poor preservation of the material, little attention was paid to their work.
~dipteryx,
Later,
S. Miki (19~4) questioned the identification of Potamogeton, and ~: ~i
from Liaoning such as Sinosauropteryx (Chen er al.,1998), Caudipteryx,
Later, S. Miki (1964) questioned the identification of Potamogeton, and
the plant a:i ~nun~ln-~ instea& ~ore recently, Zheng~yao ~aol
Beipiaosallms, Protarchaeopteryx, Sinomithosallrlls, and Microraptor. If we only considered
considered the plant as Rammctl/fIS instead. More recently, Zheng-yao Cao
say without
others (I997) and Shu-ying Duan (:1997) reported monocots and
look at the skeletons of these creatures, dinosaur workers would say without and
and others (1997) and Shu-ying Duan (1997) reporred monocots and
ad
hesitation that they are dinosaurs. Yet all of them bear feathers or feather/ike fructificat
(Cyperaceae)a, and
fructification with carpels. Cao et al.'s Liaoxia chenii(Cyperaceae)
oglsts
soon
, ~chan
.,~gu":..((.)ramineae)
.(Gramineae)
We~
structures. Though somewhat bewildered at first, many paleontologists soon Eragrosite
Eragrosites
changii
werelater
laterdes~nated
designatedas._gnetales,
as gnetales,a group
a groupofof
•
7
realized how significant these discoveries were: the feathers and featherlike gymnospermi:
~ - @ g ~ Wu
( I ~(1999)
9 ) ! a ~andS hShuang-xing
ua~-~
Guo
gymnosperm,byby~ uShun-qing
Guoan~
and~a~-~i
Xiang-:I i~i~
structures found in those dinosaurs betrayed the dinosaurs' affinity to birds!
wu Wu (2000) while Duan's Chaoyangia /iangii is probably also a gnetalean,
In fact, about 130 years ago, Thomas H. Huxley thought the dinosaur
not an angiosperm. Similar forms have been found in the Lower Cretaceous
was the direct ancestor of birds. And a few daring scientists even predicted
strata of Mongolia and were described by V. A. Krassilov (1982) under other
that feathers would sooner or later be found on dinosaurs. But that point of
names: Cypel'acites sp., Potamogeton-like spike, and Gurvamlla dictyptera.
is regarded
the oldest
record
of the
genus.
Thegenus.
genusThe
is atgenus
present
Archaefructus
liaoningensisliaoningensis
was described
Ge Sun,byD.Ge
L. Sun,
Dilcher
andDilcher
others anditothers
it is as
Archae/ructus
was by
described
D. 1.
regarded
as the
oldest
record
of the
is at present
(1998) as an
angiosperm
although this
is not yet
accepted byaccepted
surviving
in California.
For lackingFor
cone
and the
leafand
cuticular
(1998)
surviving
only in California.
lacking
cone
the leafstructure,
cuticular structure,
as an angiosperm
although
thisunquestionably
is not yet unquestionably
by only
most paleobotanists.
Its age, however,
not bemay
the not
Latebe
Jurassic,
these as
it these
must be it
treated
caution
at present.
More
recently,
Zhou
and Zhou and
most paleobotanists.
Its age,may
however,
the LateasJurassic,
must with
be treated
with
caution at
present.
MoreZhi-yan
recently,
Zhi-yan
authors suggested,
but is morebut
likely
to belikely
the same,
Early
Shao-lin Zheng
(2003)
reported
the ovulate
organs
of Ginkgo
the from the
is more
to bei.e.,
the the
same,
i.e.,Cretaceous,
the Early Cretaceous,
authors suggested,
Zheng
(2003)that
reported
that the
ovulate
organs from
of Ginkgo
Shao-lin
as that of the
earlyofangiosperms
previously previously
discovered discovered
from Europe,
Mongolia
Yixian Formation
show striking
to those oftothe
extant
species
as that
the early angiosperms
from
Europe, Mongolia
Yixian Formation
showsimilarities
striking similarities
those
of the
extant species
Sinocarpusdecussatus
and westernand
North
America.
more definite
angiosperm
Ginkgo biloba,
indicating
a morphological
stasis in Gin~ego's
western
NorthAAmerica.
A more
definite angiosperm
Sinocarpus decussatus
Ginkgo
biloba, indicating
a morphological
stasis inreproductive
Ginkgo's reproductive
was described
recently by
Qin Leng
and Leng
E. M.and
FriisE. (2003).
structure for
over 100formillion
years.
Withyears.
ever increased
better-preserved
was described
recently
by Qin
M. FriisAnother
(2003). Another
structure
over 100
million
With everand
increased
and better-preserved
significant significant
plant from plant
the Jehol
is a gymnosperm
Sequoiajeholensis.
specimens,
we anticipate
thorough
research ofresearch
the Jeholof the Jehol
fromBiota
the Jehol
Biota is a gymnosperm
SequoiaAnd
jeholensis.
And specimens,
we more
anticipate
morepaleobotanical
thorough paleobotanical
.....
I
m
<til
..o
:z:
o
"
C/I
C/I
;::
C/I
15
.5
Three representatives of the Jehol Biota in the early studies, the conchostracan Eosestheria (Upper left),
5 Three representatives
of the Jehol Biota in the early studies, the conchostracan Eosestheria(Upper left),
insect larva Ephemeropsis (Upper Right) and fish Lycoptera (Lower). (Photo: IVPPj
insect larva Ephemeropsis(Upper Right) and fish Lycoptera(Lower). (Photo: IVPP)
Biota in Biota
the near
future
well. as well.
in the
nearasfuture
others. Although
thislist
faunal
is far
from complete,
glimpse at
others. Although
this faunal
is far list
from
complete,
it catchesit acatches
glimpsea at
the vast panorama
of the
Jeholwhich
Biota,awaits
whichfurther
awaitsexploration.
further exploration.
The diversity,
abundance,
and exquisite
preservation
of the Jehol
Biota
the vast panorama
of the Jehol
Biota,
The diversity,
abundance,
and exquisite
preservation
of the
Jehol Biota
The
Jeholalso
Biota
has significant
on reconstructing
the
make it make
one ofita one
handful
of extraordinary
"Fossil-Lagerstatten"
(strata (strata The Jehol
Biota
has also
significant
bearingsbearings
on reconstructing
the
of a handful
of extraordinary
"Fossil-Lagerstiitten"
relationships
among
thelandmasses,
ancient landmasses,
i.e., paleobiogeography.
containing
abundant
and welland
preserved
fossils) infossils)
the world.
relationships
among the
ancient
i.e., paleobiogeography.
During During
containing
abundant
well preserved
in the Recently
world. Recently
theof
lifetime
of the
Jehol
thepart
eastern
part ofwas
Eurasia
was anarea.
isolated area.
describeddescribed
vertebrate
fossils include
fishes,
salamanders,
the lifetime
the Jehol
Biota,
theBiota,
eastern
of Eurasia
an isolated
vertebrate
fossils bony
include
bonyarchaic
fishes,frogs,
archaic
frogs, salamanders,
It was separated
the part
western
part of by
Eurasia
by theStrait,
Turgaiand
Strait, and
aquatic reptiles,
early mammals,
etc. Thereetc.
areThere
also areItalso
was separated
from thefrom
western
of Eurasia
the Turgai
aquatic lizards,
reptiles,turtles,
lizards,dinosaurs,
turtles, dinosaurs,
early mammals,
fromAmerica
North America
by the comparatively
wideStrait
Bering
Strait
(Fig. 7). paleoabundantabundant
invertebrates:
mollusks,mollusks,
ostracods,
conchostracans,
insects and
by the comparatively
wide Bering
(Fig.
7). Paleoinvertebrates:
ostracods,
conchostracans,
insectsfrom
and North
Qinling
and
Dabie Mountains
on the southern
of this
must have
Qinling and
Dabie
Mountains
on the southern
border ofborder
this area
mustarea
have
some
kind ofthat
barrier
that prevented
the exchange
of organisms
acted as acted
some as
kind
of barrier
prevented
the exchange
of organisms
and
south.toOwing
to this isolation,
Jehol
Biota consists
between between
the norththe
andnorth
south.
Owing
this isolation,
the Jeholthe
Biota
consists
many endemic
forms,
seen on
other continents,
and not
of many of
endemic
forms, not
seen not
on other
continents,
and not even
seeneven
in seen in
is a fish
never
the southern
part of
China.
For example,
part of China.
For
example,
Lycoptera Lycoptera
is a fish never
found
in found
any in any
the southern
otherout
places
of the distribution
area
of the
JeholFishes
Biota.such
Fishes
other places
of theoutdistribution
area of the
Jehol
Biota.
as such as
polyodontid
Protopsephurus
and Yanosteus
well as amiiformes
Sinamia were
polyodontid
Protopsephurus
and Yanosteus
as well asasamiiformes
Sinamia were
neverinfound
in their contemporaneous
else. In Late
never found
their contemporaneous
deposits deposits
anywhereanywhere
else. In Late
Cretaceous,
the Asian-Alaskan
Land came
Bridge
came into
when thewhen
Asian-Alaskan
Land Bridge
into
Cretaceous,
however,however,
many
formstorelated
to the aforementioned
fishestostarted
existence,existence,
many forms
related
the aforementioned
fishes started
appearto appear
and in
develop
North America
of their
close relatives
still
and develop
NorthinAmerica
(Fig. 8). (Fig.
Some8).
of Some
their close
relatives
still
Hiodon (mooneye)
North as
America
as relics
even
For instance,
survive insurvive
North in
America
relics even
today.
Fortoday.
instance,
Hiodon (mooneye)
.6
Amia (bowfin)
to Sinamia,
(paddlefish)
to
to Lycoptera,
is relatedistorelated
Lycoptera,
Amia (bowfin)
to Sinamia,
Po/yodon Polyodon
(paddlefish)
to
Distribution oftheJehol Biota (green area) at its peak period.
m6
Distribution of the Jehol Biota (green area) at its peak period.
Protopsephurus
and Yanosteus;
a few
other
fishes
seem to
Protopsephurus
and Yanosteus;
and a fewand
other
fishes
seem
to adopt
theadopt
Norththe North
as theirday
present
day refugium.
Youthem
can find them
AmericanAmerican
freshwaterfreshwater
system assystem
their present
refugium.
You can find
else nowadays,
and hardly
you canfind
hardly
their relatives
ancient relatives
in
and you can
theirfind
ancient
in
nowhere nowhere
else nowadays,
Biota.
other
parts
of theeither.
world,Yet
either.
they occurred
in the
Jehol
other partS
of the
world,
they Yet
occurred
in the Jehol
Biota.
This
is This is
another
aspect showing
Jeholscientific
Biota's scientific
importance.
another aspect
showing
the Jeholthe
Biota's
importance.
Asage
for of
thethe
age
of the
Jeholthe
Biota,
thehas
debate
for several
J ehol
Biota,
debate
lastedhasforlasted
several
As for the
aretwo
mainly
two different
age" the Late
There areThere
mainly
different
opinions opinions
about theabout
age: the Late
decades. decades.
Jurassic
(ca. 145 years
millions
years
before or
present,
or versus
145 Ma)
145 Ma)
theversus
Early the Early
Jurassic (ca.
145 millions
before
present,
Cretaceous
(ca. 125
Ma). Recently,
C. C.III
Swisher
III et al.2002)
(1999,
C. C. Swisher
et al. 0999,
and2002) and
Cretaceous
(ca. 125 Ma).
Recently,
Ching-hua
Lo et al.dated
(1999)
theFormation
Yixian Formation
respectively.
The
Ching-hua
Lo et al. (999)
thedated
Yixian
respectively.
The
former suggested
age of125
around
125 Ma
(Early Cretaceous)
using single
former suggested
an age ofan
around
Ma (Early
Cretaceous)
using single
140 crystal
.
sanidine
dating.
And the
used
for the 4°Ar/39Ar
sam'd'me crysta
Ar/39 Ar 4°Ar/39Ar
datmg.
And
the latter
usedlatter
biotite
forbiotite
the 4°Arj39Ar
laser single-grain
fusionand
method
camean
upage
with
age of147
around
of an
around
Ma 147 Ma
laser single-grain
fusion method
cameand
up with
(Late Jurassic).
Many from
workers
frominstitutions
various institutions
are interested
in the
(Late Jurassic).
Many workers
various
are interested
in the
. . 7 Paleogeographic map of the world in the Early Cretaceous. (Modified frolll
dating,
and the
work
is still underway.
The
debate
would probably
is still
underway.
The debate
would
probably
go on for go on for
dating, and
the work
Fenton, Rich & Rich, 1989)
some
But expect
we canbetter
expectresults
betterwith
results
with
more dating
refined dating
Buttime.
we can
more
refined
some time.
7 Paleogeographic map of the world in the Early Cretaceous. (Modified from
andsampling
careful sampling
and laboratory
work
in futute.
the near future.
techniquestechniques
and careful
and laboratory
work in the
near
Fenton, Rich & Rich, 1989)
This book
book provides
provides the
the Biota's
Biota's temporal and
and spatial
spatial relationships,
relationships,
This
Asian-Alaskan
Land Bridge
showcases some
some of
of its most
most wonderful fossils,
fossils, and
and summarizes
summarizes our
our preliminary
showcases
understandings of
of them. In
In aa book that involves many authors
authors and
and covers
covers
understandings
groups, it isis almost inevitable
inevitable that inconsistencies in age
many taxonomic groups,
and stratigraphic
stratigraphic correlations
correlations exist. In most
most chapters,
chapters, the Jehol
assignments and
few
Group includes the Yixian and JJiufotang
iufotang Formations only, whereas in a few
other chapters the scope of the Group varies to include certain strata either
overlying or underlying those formations. We cannot overstate scientific
impacts of the JJehol
ehol Biota on recent progress in paleontology. We hope that
our readers will find the following pages visually pleasing, scientifically
interesting, and intellectually rewarding.
It is worth noting that the Chinese names have, over the years, confused
our overseas colleagues and bibliographers
bibliographers alike. To ease the situation,
situation, we
decide to list the Chinese names according to the English convention, i.e., the
custom with surname
surname first. To
first name first -~ a a reversal of the Chinese custom
Ancient
Landmass
P
Subduction lone
..('
further ease the pronunciation
pronunciation and potential
potential confusion, we hyphenate
hyphenate the first
name with
with two characters,
characters, e.g., Shu-an
Shu-an Ji. Without
Without the hyphen, "Shuan"
"Shuan"
name with only one
could be misconstrued
misconstrued as a single syllable, i.e., a first name
8 Paleogeographic map of the world in the Late Cretaceous. (From: http://www.scotese.com)
8 Paleogeographic map of the world in the Late Cretaceous. (From: http://www.scotese.com)
character.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Needless
Needless to say, in a project
project as vast as this,
there
there are numerous
numerous unsung
unsung heroes behind
behind the
the contributors
contributors to this volume. I
would like to name
name just
just a few whose assistances
assistances are particularly
particularly appreciated:
appreciated:
E. M. Friis for her help
help with
with Chapter
Chapter 19 and her willingness
willingness in joining
joining in to
add
add Chapter
Chapter 20, Zhi-yan
Zhi-yan Zhou
Zhou for his generosity
generosity in providing
providing much-needed
much-needed
consultation
consultation on
on fossil plants,
plants, Er-mi
Er-mi Zhao,
Zhao, Zhe-xi
Zhe-xi Luo, and
and Ke-qin
Ke-qin Gao
Gao for
helping
helping with
with figures for amphibian,
amphibian, mammal,
mammal, and
and choristodere
choristodere chapter,
chapter,
respectively,
respectively, Dong
Dong Ren for supplying
supplying information
information and
and providing
providing figures on
on
insects,
lizards. We
insects, and
and Shu-an
Shu-an Ji
Ji for offering
offering figures
figures for some
some of
of the
the Jehol
Jehollizards.
We
express
express our
our heartfelt
heartfelt appreciation
appreciation to
to Xiao-lian
Xiao-lian Zeng
Zeng and
and Anderson
Anderson Yang
Yang for
their
their elegant
elegant artwork.
artwork. We
We would
would also
also like
like to
to express
express our
our gratitude
gratitude to
to the
the
Chaoyang
Chaoyang City
City Government
Government and
and Land
Land and
and Resources
Resources Bureau
Bureau of
of Liaoning
Liaoning
Province
Province for their
their support
support in
in facilitating
facilitating our
our fieldwork,
fieldwork, and
and to
to the
the Museum
Museum
of
of Natural
Natural Science
Science (Taiwan)
(Taiwan) for supporting
supporting and
and participating
participating in
in our
our research
research
work
work (Fig.
(Fig. 9).
9). This
This project
project isis financed
financed by
by the
the grants
grants from
from the
the Chinese
Chinese
Academy
Academy of
ofSciences,
Sciences, the
the National
National Natural
Natural Science
Science Foundation
Foundation of
of China,
China, the
the
Ministry
Ministry of
of Science
Science and
and Technology
Technology of
of China,
China, and
and the
the National
National Geographic
Geographic
Society
Society of
of the
the US.
US.
9 The IVPP field team joined by Prof. Yen-nian Cheng (back row, 2nd from the right) and
9 The
IVPPfield
joined by
Yen-nian
(back
2nd fromatJianshangou,
the right) and
his crew
from team
the Museulll
ofProf.
Natural
HistoryCheng
(Taiwan)
in row,
an excavation
his
crew from
the Museum
of Natural
History
Jianshangou,
western
Liaoning
in May, 1999,
when the
vice (Taiwan)
presidentin
ofan
theexcavation
CAS, Prof. at
Yi-yu
Chen (back
row, 6thLiaoning
from the
and the
deputy
mayor
of the Chaoyang
City,
Xiao-kun
Chen
western
inright)
May, 1999,
when
the vice
president
of the CAS,
Prof.Mr.
Yi-yu
Chen (back
7th
theand
right)
fossil
site.Chaoyang City, Mr. Xiao-kun Chen
(back6th
row,
row,
from
thefrom
right)
the visited
deputy the
mayor
of the
(back row, 7th from the right) visited the fossil site.
ZhOll
Xioo-/in Wang. Zhont:-he
.
l
..
..
.
.
T
P mpeii but
d the historical city 0
, 1748 , the
' 79 AD not only destroye
'
unt Vesuvius In
, was rediscovered In
he eruptIon of Mo
I When the lost cIty
. . ns Just as
the death of many peop e.
'shes of the volcamc eruptlo .
also caused
'11 f,
d lying in the thICk a
bers of the Jehol
d ' als were Stl oun
AD so were the mem
, 'ed b y the volcanic eruptions
of79,'
window through which we
people an
PompeII..,s resl'de nts were VICtlmlZ
Th' "Mesozoic Pompell.... has provIded us a
am~
IS
'II' years ago.
C
ceous
reta
. h I' d over one hundred ml JOn
'and quickly radiated
,
relatively short time
,
onderfullife t at Ive
can observe t e IIW
h J hoi Biota developed In a
f
trial vertebrates dunng
aking tee
d' tions 0 terres
e of the largest ra la
d fossils, and thus
Geologica y s p e ,
onproduced nu merous beautifully preserve
in a large area in East Asia. JIt hrepresents
I Biota has
Biota in the Early
h
eriod The e 0
I /'f,
. I te
y
of the terrestria I e.
f Liaoning Province In a
d de several
revealed many evolutlona.r evendt: thered dinosaurs in the western part 0
the Cretaceous P , '
~
.
fb rds an lea
I . worldwide. In the last eca,
h
The discoverIes 0
normous attention of paleonto oglsts ,
ion by workers mainly from t e
I calities have been found in thIS reg
d he N anjing Institute of
1980s and 1990s attracte .e
b' d and dinosaur 0
I
dozens of major Ir
I
o
y (IVPP) an
t
h
nd Paleoanthropo og
, hb .ng areas of nort ern
e Paleonto ogy a
' I n the nelg OrI
Institute of Verte rat
NIGP) Chinese Academy ofSCIences.
mous Region). there were
b
te;n Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol Auhtonfio crews of the IVPP have
,
d he sout eas
,
1997 t e Ie
Hebei Province an t
. 'I
those from Liaoning. Since
,
Fld' in Liaoning, Fengmng
d' veries sImI ar to
"
Chaoyang, UXIn
also important ISCO
I
scale excavations in Belplao,
f' 'fkant vertebrate specimens
launched about half a dozen arge-M golia and collected hundreds 0
birds and mammals.
.
'heng in Inner o n ,
'd
rosaurs, dinosaurs,
,
.
d
in Hebel and N Ingc
tic reptiles, IIzar s, pte
.
d aleontologlsts an
hibians,
turtles,
aqua
.
.
h
ar
worldWIde
an
p
d h dreds of Visitors eac ye
including fishes, amp
has since hoste
un
I£
Geology and Palaeontology ( h
sl~m
o
Western Liaomng
Ok
with ample rainfal or
.
T
g
laypersons
alI e.
.
when the climate In t he area was warm,
t cor animals and plants
ed
at
a
time
, I env ironmen (I
hehJehol Biota emer
'ded
an
Idea
bl
Ode and
h I
'matic background
proVI
iS
f the water bodies were proba y WI
at
ons Suc C
h of t e seas
most
.
widespread. orne 0
tions were frequent
·
and
differentiate.
Lakes
were
.
s
of
the
lakes.
Volcanic
erup
to t rIve
.
I
the margin
.
I k depOSIts.
., A
flourishing a ong
deep. The plants were
ed in rather deep a e
,
d olcanic actiVIties. t
b tes were preserv
d the Increase v
that time. Most verte ra
the Jehol Biota witnesse
. and were responsible
h E rly Cretaceous,
h Yixian Formation
,
Throughout t e a
d ' the deposition of t e
f h Yixian Formation
'
tions occurred UrIng
The volcanic rocks 0 t e d
least three major erup
'lcanic eruption cycles.
tion were mainly forme
' 'f!
t lake depoSlt-vo
, f h Yixian Forma
'd
d ' s The lake depOSIts 0 t e l l _ s i z e d intermediate-aCl
for the four slgm ICan
mainly consist of basalts and an. eS.lte. ediate-basic eruptions although sma
at the Interva Is between t he nnaJor Internn
°
--i
I
m
c..
rn
:z:
o
~
."
o
en
en
;:
en
I~