Earth:Dengying Formation

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Dengying Formation
Stratigraphic range: Ediacaran
~551–541 Ma
Transition between uppermost Doushantuo Formation and lowermost Dengying Formation
TypeFormation
Sub-unitsSee: Members
UnderliesYanjiahe Formation[1]
OverliesDoushantuo Formation
Lithology
PrimaryDolomite
OtherChert, Limestone
Location
RegionYangtze Gorges
CountryChina

The Dengying Formation is an upper Ediacaran (551-541 Ma[2]) fossiliferous geologic formation found in South China. It was deposited on a shallow marine carbonate platform.[3] It also contains a rare example of Burgess Shale-type Preservation within the Ediacaran, in the form of the Tongshan Lagerstätte.[4]

Members

Listed by ascending age:

  • The Hamajing Member is characterized by light grey, medium- to thick-bedded dolomite, intercalated with thin layers of chert.[3]
  • The Shibantan Member is interpreted to represent a subtidal environment and is composed of dark grey, thin-bedded bituminous limestone. It is the most fossiliferous of the Dengying Formation members and has yielded several trace fossils, such as Lamonte,[5] as well as possible lobopodian trackways.[6]
  • The Baimatuo Member consists of light grey, thick-bedded dolomite.[3]

Traditionally, the Tianzhushan Member was considered to be the uppermost unit of the Dengying Formation. However, its small shelly fossils and Micrhystridium-like acritarchs are a shared characteristic with the Cambrian Yanjiahe Formation.[3] The Kuanchuanpu Formation also is occasionally placed as a member of the Dengying Formation,[7] however it is likely separate for the same reasons.

Paleobiota

The Dengying formation is unique from other Ediacaran formations in that its top is almost right up against the Ediacaran - Cambrian boundary, with more recent organisms being described that have striking similarities with Cambrian fauna, like Alienum. There are also a lot of ichnogenera in the form of burrows, something that is common in younger Ediacaran rocks the closer to the Cambrian boundary they are.

A recent paper has also found a rare example of Burgess Shale-type Preservation outside of the known range of all members, in what is known as the Tongshan Lagerstätte. This preserves a wide range of fossil forms, including the first rangeomorph fronds with Burgess Shale-type preservation.[4]

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Proarticulata

Genus Species Notes Images
Dickinsonia[8]
  • Dickinsonia sp.
Oval to elongated motile organism. Only one incomplete specimen is known.

Petalonamae

Genus Species Notes Images
Charniodiscus[9]
  • Charniodiscus sp.
Frondose organism.
Paracharnia[10]
  • P. denyingensis
Frondose organism.
Pteridinium[9]
  • Pteridinium sp.
Frondose organism.
Rangea[9]
  • Rangea sp.
Frondose organism.

Trilobozoa

Genus Species Notes Images
Lobodiscus[11]
  • L. tribrachialis
Tri-radial organism.

Porifera

Genus Species Notes Images
Helicolocellus[12]
  • H. cantori
Conical sponge, possible relations to hexactinelliid sponges.

incertae sedis

Genus Species Notes Images
Alienum[13]
  • A. velamenus
Vetulicolian-like organism.
Cloudina[14]
  • Cloudina sp.
Tubular organism.
Curviacus[15]
  • C. ediacaranus
Palaeopascichnid organism.
Conotubus[16]
  • C. hemiannulatus
Tubular organism.
Cycliomedusa[17]
  • C. jiangchuanensis
Discoid organism.
Eoandromeda[4]
  • E. octobrachiata
Discoid organism.
Gaojiashania[18]
  • G. cyclus
Tubular organism.
Hiemalora[9]
  • Hiemalora sp.
Discoid organism, possibly holdfasts of petalonamids.
Palaeorhopalon[14]
  • P. spiniferum
Tubular organism.
Palaeopascichnus[4]
  • P. linearis
Palaeopascichnid organism.
Protoconites[4]
  • P. minor
Curved conical organism, possible relations to Cnidaria.
Shufangtubulus[14]
  • S. inornatus
Tubular organism.
Sinotubulites[19][14]
  • Sinotubulites sp.
  • S. baimatuoensis
  • S. hexagonus
  • S. pentacarinalis
  • S. triangularis
Tubular organism.
Wutubus[9]
  • W. annularis
Tubular organism.
Yangtziramulus[20]
  • Y. zhangi
Enigmatic organism, affinities with other forms is unknown, although possibly related to the Petalonamae, like Charnia.
Yilingia[21]
  • Y. spiciformis
Bilterian animal of unknown affinities, with possible relations to Panarthopoda or Annelida.

Flora

Genus Species Notes Images
Longfengshania[17]
  • Longfengshania sp.
Thallus-like macroalgae.
Protocodium[22]
  • P. sinense
Codiacean alga.
Baculiphyca[4]
  • B. taeniata
Thallus-like macroalgae.
Zhongbaodaophyton[4]
  • Z. robustus
Branching macroalgae.
Doushantuophyton[4]
  • D. lineare
Branching macroalgae.
Chuaria[4]
  • Chuaria sp.
Enigmatic fossil, possibly synonymous with Tawuia.
Beltanelliformis[4]
  • B. brunsae
Cyanobacterial colony.
Longifuniculum[4]
  • L. dissolutum
Whip-like macroalgae.

Microorganisms

Genus Species Notes Images
Protolagena[23]
  • P. limbata
  • P. gaojiashanensis
  • P. papillatus
Vase-like microorganisms.
Sicylagena[23]
  • S. formosa
  • S. latistoma
Vase-like microorganisms.

Ichnogenera

Genus Species Notes Images
Lamonte[24]
  • L. trevallis
Burrows.
Helminthoidichnites
  • Helminthoidichnites isp.
Burrows.
Shaanxilithes
  • Shaanxilithes isp.
Junior synonym of Nenoxites.
Nenoxites
  • Nenoxites isp.
Movement traces.
Torrowangea
  • Torrowangea isp.
Burrows.

Undescribed

Genus Species Notes Images
ESEN 0013[4]
  • ???
Tubular organism, possible affinities to Metazoa.
Undescribed rangeomorph "ESEN 0016"[4]
  • ???
Frondose organism, 3 distinct lobe-like regions, consisting of a thick stalk and two petaloids, which are made up of tightly packed branches.
Fan-shaped rangeomorphs[4]
  • ???
Two frondose organisms with a similar appearance to Bradgatia, with one of the specimens, ESEN 0018, preserving with a possible holdfast.
Undescribed rangeomorph "ESEN 0019"[4]
  • ???
Frondose organism, with a similar appearance to Charniodiscus, consisting of a thick stalk and two petaloids, which are made up of tightly packed branches, also preserves a notable holdfast.
Undescribed rangeomorph "ESEN 0020"[4]
  • ???
Elongated frondose organism, with a similar appearance to Paracharnia, consisting of a thin stalk and two petaloids, which are made up of tightly packed branches, alongside a possible holdfast at its base.
Zhenba columns[25]
  • ???
Possible affinities with coralline algae.
Baseball bat-shaped form[4]
  • ???
Baseball bat-shaped form, possibly macroalgae.
Irregular circular form[4]
  • ???
Oblong-shaped form, possibly macroalgae.
Net-like form[4]
  • ???
Netted form, possibly macroalgae.
ribbon-like form[4]
  • ???
Ribbon like form, possibly macroalgae.
Bilateria indet.
  • Unapplicable
Known to have several pairs of appendages, but its exact affinity is unknown[26]

See also

References

  1. Dong, Lin; Xiao, Shuhai; Shen, Bing; Zhou, Chuanming; Guoxiang, Li; Yao, Jinxian (2009). "Basal Cambrian Microfossils from the Yangtze Gorges Area (South China) and the Aksu Area (Tarim Block, Northwestern China)". Journal of Paleontology 83 (1): 30–34. doi:10.1666/07-147R.1. Bibcode2009JPal...83...30D. http://jpaleontol.geoscienceworld.org/content/83/1/30.abstract. Retrieved 15 August 2014. 
  2. Condon, Daniel; Zhu, Maoyan; Bowring, Samuel; Wang, Wei; Yang, Aihua; Jin, Yugan (2005). "U–Pb ages from the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation, China". Science 308 (5718): 5–98. doi:10.1126/science.1107765. PMID 15731406. Bibcode2005Sci...308...95C. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Zhou, Chuanming; Xiao, Shuhai (2006). "Ediacaran .δ13C chemostratigraphy of South China". Chemical Geology 237 (1–2): 89–108. doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2006.06.021. 
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 Hou, Jin-bo; Wang, Xiang-dong; Hou, Zhang-shuai; Ramezani, Jahandar; Tang, Qing; Shen, Shu-zhong (19 November 2025). "The terminal Ediacaran Tongshan Lagerstätte from South China". Nature Communications 16 (1). doi:10.1038/s41467-025-65176-2. 
  5. Meyer, Mike; Xiao, Shuhai; Gill, Benjamin C.; Schiffbauer, James D.; Chen, Zhe; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai (2014). "Interactions between Ediacaran animals and microbial mats: Insights from Lamonte trevallis, a new trace fossil from the Dengying Formation of South China". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 396: 62–74. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.12.026. Bibcode2014PPP...396...62M. 
  6. Chen, Zhe; Chen, Xiang; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai; Xiao, Shuhai (June 2018). "Late Ediacaran trackways produced by bilaterian animals with paired appendages". Science Advances 4 (6). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao6691. PMID 29881773. Bibcode2018SciA....4.6691C. 
  7. Yao, Xiaoyong; Han, Jian; Jiao, Guoxiang (November 2011). "Early Cambrian epibolic gastrulation: A perspective from the Kuanchuanpu Member, Dengying Formation, Ningqiang, Shaanxi, South China". Gondwana Research 20 (4): 844–851. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2011.04.003. 
  8. Wang, Xiao-Peng; Chen, Zhe; Pang, Ke; Zhou, Chuan-Ming; Xiao, Shuhai; Wan, Bin; Yuan, Xun-Lai (December 2021). "Dickinsonia from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China". Palaeoworld 30 (4): 602–609. doi:10.1016/j.palwor.2021.01.002. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Chen, Zhe; Zhou, Chuanming; Xiao, Shuhai; Wang, Wei; Guan, Chengguo; Hua, Hong; Yuan, Xunlai (25 February 2014). "New Ediacara fossils preserved in marine limestone and their ecological implications". Scientific Reports 4 (1): 4180. doi:10.1038/srep04180. Bibcode2014NatSR...4.4180C. 
  10. Sun Weiguo (June 1986). "Late precambrian pennatulids (sea pens) from the eastern Yangtze Gorge, China: Paracharnia gen. nov.". Precambrian Research 31 (4): 361–375. doi:10.1016/0301-9268(86)90040-9. Bibcode1986PreR...31..361S. 
  11. Zhao, Mingsheng; Mussini, Giovanni; Li, Yulan; Tang, Feng; Vickers-Rich, Patricia; Li, Ming; Chen, Ailin (February 2024). "A putative triradial macrofossil from the Ediacaran Jiangchuan Biota". iScience 27 (2). doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.108823. PMID 38303714. Bibcode2024iSci...27j8823Z. 
  12. Wang, Xiaopeng; Liu, Alexander G.; Chen, Zhe; Wu, Chengxi; Liu, Yarong; Wan, Bin; Pang, Ke; Zhou, Chuanming et al. (27 June 2024). "A late-Ediacaran crown-group sponge animal". Nature 630 (8018): 905–911. doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07520-y. 
  13. Liu, Junping; Chen, Ailin; Li, Binglin; Tang, Feng; Zhao, Jiangtai; Chen, Ke (6 October 2024). "Problematic Ediacaran sail-shaped fossils from eastern Yunnan, China". Historical Biology: 1–7. doi:10.1080/08912963.2024.2403588. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Dai, Qiaokun; Hua, Hong; Luo, Jinzhou; Min, Xiao; Liu, Ziwei; Zhang, Song; Gong, Meng; Bai, Lin (April 2024). "A new silicified microfossil assemblage from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in South Shaanxi, China". Precambrian Research 403. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2024.107308. Bibcode2024PreR..40307308D. 
  15. Shen, Bing; Xiao, Shuhai; Zhou, Chuanming; Dong, Lin; Chang, Jieqiong; Chen, Zhe (November 2017). "A new modular palaeopascichnid fossil Curviacus ediacaranus new genus and species from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China". Geological Magazine 154 (6): 1257–1268. doi:10.1017/S001675681700036X. Bibcode2017GeoM..154.1257S. 
  16. Cai, Yaoping; Schiffbauer, James D.; Hua, Hong; Xiao, Shuhai (November 2011). "Morphology and paleoecology of the late Ediacaran tubular fossil Conotubus hemiannulatus from the Gaojiashan Lagerstätte of southern Shaanxi Province, South China". Precambrian Research 191 (1–2): 46–57. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2011.09.002. Bibcode2011PreR..191...46C. 
  17. 17.0 17.1 Zhao, Mingsheng; Zhang, Yupeng; Tang, Feng; Li, Yulan; Li, Ming; Zhong, Ling; Ren, Liudong (March 2025). "Enigmatic discoidal macrofossils with central ring from the Ediacaran Jiangchuan biota, Southwest China". Papers in Palaeontology 11 (2). doi:10.1002/spp2.70005. Bibcode2025PPal...11E0005Z. 
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  19. Cai, Yaoping; Xiao, Shuhai; Hua, Hong; Yuan, Xunlai (May 2015). "New material of the biomineralizing tubular fossil Sinotubulites from the late Ediacaran Dengying Formation, South China". Precambrian Research 261: 12–24. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2015.02.002. Bibcode2015PreR..261...12C. 
  20. Shen, Bing; Xiao, Shuhai; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai (July 2009). "Yangtziramulus zhangi new genus and species, a carbonate-hosted macrofossil from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China". Journal of Paleontology 83 (4): 575–587. doi:10.1666/08-042R1.1. Bibcode2009JPal...83..575S. 
  21. Chen, Zhe; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai; Xiao, Shuhai (19 September 2019). "Death march of a segmented and trilobate bilaterian elucidates early animal evolution". Nature 573 (7774): 412–415. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1522-7. PMID 31485079. Bibcode2019Natur.573..412C. 
  22. Chai, Shu; Aria, Cédric; Hua, Hong (21 September 2022). "A stem group Codium alga from the latest Ediacaran of South China provides taxonomic insight into the early diversification of the plant kingdom". BMC Biology 20 (1): 199. doi:10.1186/s12915-022-01394-0. PMID 36127662. 
  23. 23.0 23.1 Chai, Shu; Hua, Hong; Ren, Jinjie; Dai, Qiaokun; Cui, Zaihang (January 2021). "Vase-shaped microfossils from the late Ediacaran Dengying Formation of Ningqiang, South China: taxonomy, preservation and biological affinity". Precambrian Research 352. doi:10.1016/j.precamres.2020.105968. Bibcode2021PreR..35205968C. 
  24. Meyer, Mike; Xiao, Shuhai; Gill, Benjamin C.; Schiffbauer, James D.; Chen, Zhe; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai (February 2014). "Interactions between Ediacaran animals and microbial mats: Insights from Lamonte trevallis, a new trace fossil from the Dengying Formation of South China". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 396: 62–74. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2013.12.026. Bibcode2014PPP...396...62M. 
  25. Zhang, Yuan; Zhang, Xingliang (September 2022). "A possible erect coralline alga from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Zhenba area of South China". Journal of Paleontology 96 (5): 1209–1222. doi:10.1017/jpa.2022.33. Bibcode2022JPal...96.1209Z. 
  26. Chen, Zhe; Chen, Xiang; Zhou, Chuanming; Yuan, Xunlai; Xiao, Shuhai (June 2018). "Late Ediacaran trackways produced by bilaterian animals with paired appendages". Science Advances 4 (6). doi:10.1126/sciadv.aao6691.