Biostratinomic analysis of Lycoptera beds from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning, China
Pan YH, Fürsich F, Zhang JY, Wang YQ, Zheng XT (2015)
Publication Language: English
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Book Volume: 58
Pages Range: 537-561
Journal Issue: 3
DOI: 10.1111/pala.12160
Abstract
Little is known about the palaeoenvironments of the Early Cretaceous lakes of western Liaoning. Uncertainties exist especially about the water depth, water temperatures and annual temperature fluctuations. Here, we analyse the preservation of the most abundant fish of the lakes, the teleost Lycoptera, articulated skeletons of which occur in large concentrations suggestive of mass mortality. Taphonomic features such as degree of disarticulation, orientation patterns and displacement of skeletal elements reveal distinct preservational patterns. They suggest that the water temperature was low during winter and exhibited pronounced seasonal fluctuations. The depth of the lakes was not deep. Possible causes of the fish mortality are discussed, of which anoxia is favoured. This leads to a more refined palaeoenvironmental model for these palaeolakes, which harbour one of the most important Mesozoic Lagerstätten.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology
China (CN)
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
China (CN)
China (CN)
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
China (CN)
How to cite
APA:
Pan, Y.-H., Fürsich, F., Zhang, J.-Y., Wang, Y.-Q., & Zheng, X.-T. (2015). Biostratinomic analysis of Lycoptera beds from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning, China. Palaeontology, 58(3), 537-561. https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12160
MLA:
Pan, Yan-Hong, et al. "Biostratinomic analysis of Lycoptera beds from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, western Liaoning, China." Palaeontology 58.3 (2015): 537-561.
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