New Data of Macrofossils in the Ediacaran Wenghui Biota from Guizhou, South China

Abstract

The abundance and diversity of macrofossils in the Ediacaran have attracted much attention. The upper Doushantuo macrobiotas in South China, including the Miaohe biota from Hubei and the Wenghui biota from Guizhou, are mainly preserved as the carbonaceous compressions and dominated by macroscopic algae and metazoans. Here, we describe 10 genera and 10 species (including 6 new genera and species) of macrofossils from the Wenghui biota. At present, the Wenghui biota yields macrofossils in more than 31 genera and 33 species, excluding those given no image and established on a few unascertained specimens. Based on the occurrence and distribution of macrofossils in both Miaohe and Wenghui areas, the middle‐late Ediacaran (back shales of the upper Doushantuo Formation) in South China can be subdivided into two assemblage biozones in biostratigraphy: (i) the Protoconites–Linbotulitaenia–Eoandromeda–Anomalophton assemblage biozone characterized by abundant and diverse macrofossils and by the ranges of Protoconites, Linbotulitaenia and Anomalophton; and (ii) the Baculiphyca–Gesinella–Cucullus–Beltanelliformis assemblage biozone characterized by the acme of the longer macrofossils Baculiphyca and Gesinella, and by few shorter and discoidal macrofossils.

Ediacaran macroalgal holdfasts and their evolution: a case study from China

“…; Sharma & Shukla ; Wang et al . , b), was considered by Walter et al . () to bear a cylindrical body fixed onto a sediment surface with an unknown attachment.…”

“…Walter et al ., : A, WH 62‐0602; B, close‐up of A, showing the rounded terminus at the innermost end of the coiled ribbon; C, WH 59‐0521. D–F, Tongrenphyton komma Wang et al ., : D, WH ‐P‐0424; E, close‐up of D, showing the tapering rhizome; F, WH 57‐0431. G–K, Sectoralga typical Hu in Ding et al ., , emend.…”

“…This type of holdfast is differentiated from the Grypania ‐type holdfast by its tapering rhizome. Tongrenphyton Wang et al ., , a comma‐like macroalga, is composed of an unbranching axis, many filaments growing perpendicularly or sub‐perpendicularly on the axis, and a tapering rhizome extended by its axis (see Wang et al . ) (Fig.…”

“…A, B), is preserved as carbonaceous compressions (more than 32 genera and 34 species) (Wang et al . , ), including macroscopic algae, metazoans and trace fossils (e.g. Zhao et al .…”

A rare disc-like holdfast of the Ediacaran macroalga from South China

“…Discussion.-The fixing organ of the Precambrian macroalga was briefly described by most researchers as holdfast or rhizoid (e.g., Du, 1982;Xiao, 1991, 1992;Steiner et al, 1992;Steiner, 1994;Chen et al, 1994aChen et al, , 2000Zhu and Chen, 1995;Yuan et al, 1995Yuan et al, , 1999Yuan et al, , 2002Yuan et al, , 2011Ding et al, 1996;Chen and Wang, 2002;Xiao et al, 2002;Wang et al, 2007Wang et al, , 2016aTang et al, 2008aTang et al, , 2009Singh et al, 2009). The Ediacaran macroalgal holdfast was divided by Wang and Wang (2006b) into stem-holdfast (upper part of the expanded thallus substrate), pedicel-holdfast (lower part of the expanded thallus substrate), and filament-rhizoid (grow on the expanded thallus substrate).…”