Fossil liberation: a model to explain high biodiversity in the Triassic Cassian Formation

Roden V, Hausmann IM, Nützel A, Seuß B, Reich M, Urlichs M, Hagdorn H, Kießling W (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Palaeontology Wiley

Article Number: pala.12441

DOI: 10.1111/pala.12441

Abstract

With 1429 animal species, the Triassic Cassian Formation in the Dolomites, Southern Alps (Italy), yields the highest species richness reported from any spatially constrained pre‐Quaternary formation known to science. The high preserved diversity is partly attributable to a high primary diversity governed by the tropical setting, increasing alpha diversity, and the breadth of habitats spurring beta diversity. More important is the excellent preservation of fossils and the ease with which they can be extracted from the poorly lithified sediments. We propose the term ‘liberation Lagerstätten’ to capture this preservational window. In contrast to conservation Lagerstätten, liberation Lagerstätten like the Cassian Formation originate from normal marine conditions but low‐grade diagenesis. Molluscs contribute substantially to species richness, comprising 67% of all invertebrate species in the Cassian Formation. The gastropod dominance (39% of all species) is nearly as great as in Recent tropical settings, contradicting the concept of a substantial Cenozoic rise.

Authors with CRIS profile

Vanessa Roden Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt Barbara Seuß Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt Wolfgang Kießling Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt

Related research project(s)

Exploring biodiversity evolution in tropical seas based on comparisons of the Triassic fauna of the Cassian Formation with modern faunas May 1, 2015 - May 1, 2018

Involved external institutions

Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie DE Germany (DE) Muschelkalkmuseum Hagdorn DE Germany (DE) Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart (SMNS) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Roden, V., Hausmann, I.M., Nützel, A., Seuß, B., Reich, M., Urlichs, M.,... Kießling, W. (2019). Fossil liberation: a model to explain high biodiversity in the Triassic Cassian Formation. Palaeontology. https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12441

MLA:

Roden, Vanessa, et al. "Fossil liberation: a model to explain high biodiversity in the Triassic Cassian Formation." Palaeontology (2019).

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