Lesson 8 – Making Fossils
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The Jurassic Fossil Wood Diversity from Western Liaoning, NE China
Jiang et al. Journal of Palaeogeography (2019) 8:1 https://doi.org/10.1186/s42501-018-0018-y Journal of Palaeogeography RESEARCH Open Access The Jurassic fossil wood diversity from western Liaoning, NE China Zi-Kun Jiang1,2, Yong-Dong Wang2,3*, Ning Tian4,5, Ao-Wei Xie2,6, Wu Zhang7, Li-Qin Li2 and Min Huang1 Abstract Western Liaoning is a unique region in China that bears diverse types of Jurassic plants, including leaves, fern rhizomes, and wood, providing significant proxy for vegetation and palaeoenvironment reconstruction of the well-known Yanliao Flora in East Asia. In particular, the silicified wood is very abundant in the fossil Lagerstätte of the Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation in Beipiao, western Liaoning. Previous and recent systematic investigations documented a high diversity of the Jurassic wood assemblages. These assemblages are dominated by conifers, followed by cycads and ginkgoaleans. In total, about 30 species belonging to 21 genera of fossil wood have been recorded so far, which are represented by Cycadopsida, Ginkgopsida, Coniferopsida, and Gymnospermae incertae sedis. The evolutionary implications of several distinctive fossil wood taxa as well as palaeoclimate implications are summarized based on their anatomical structures and growth ring patterns. This work approaches the vegetation development and evolutionary significances of the wood taxa and their relatives, and provides clues for the further understanding of the diversity of the Jurassic Yanliao Flora in East Asia. Keywords: Fossil wood, Diversity, Evolution, Tiaojishan Formation, Jurassic 1 Introduction 2004;Wangetal.,2009). Among these localities, western Fossil floras are a significant record for the vegetation Liaoning is a well-known fossil Lagerstätte with diverse and for the palaeoenvironment reconstructions of the and well-preserved fossil plant foliages and wood (Zhang Mesozoic. -
The Earliest Record of Fossil Solid-Wood-Borer Larvae—Immature Beetles in 99 Million-Year-Old Myanmar Amber
Palaeoentomology 004 (4): 390–404 ISSN 2624-2826 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/pe/ PALAEOENTOMOLOGY Copyright © 2021 Magnolia Press Article ISSN 2624-2834 (online edition) PE https://doi.org/10.11646/palaeoentomology.4.4.14 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9F96DA9A-E2F3-466A-A623-0D1D6689D345 The earliest record of fossil solid-wood-borer larvae—immature beetles in 99 million-year-old Myanmar amber CAROLIN HAUG1, 2, *, GIDEON T. HAUG1, ANA ZIPPEL1, SERITA VAN DER WAL1 & JOACHIM T. HAUG1, 2 1Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Biocenter, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany 2GeoBio-Center at LMU, Richard-Wagner-Str. 10, 80333 München, Germany �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-4229 �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6963-5982 �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6509-4445 �[email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7426-8777 �[email protected]; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8254-8472 *Corresponding author Abstract different plants, including agriculturally important ones (e.g., Potts et al., 2010; Powney et al., 2019). On the Interactions between animals and plants represent an other hand, many representatives exploit different parts of important driver of evolution. Especially the group Insecta plants, often causing severe damage up to the loss of entire has an enormous impact on plants, e.g., by consuming them. crops (e.g., Metcalf, 1996; Evans et al., 2007; Oliveira et Among beetles, the larvae of different groups (Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, partly Eucnemidae) bore into wood and are al., 2014). -
How Old Is the Earth?
How old is the earth? From Refuting Evolution, a handbook for students, parents, and teachers countering the latest arguments for evolution by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D., F.M. First published in Refuting Evolution, Chapter 8 Evolutionists fallaciously think that billions of years of time makes particles-to-people evolution possible. So Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science presents what it claims is evidence for vast time spans. This is graphically illustrated in a chart on pages 36–37: man’s existence is in such a tiny segment at the end of a 5-billion-year time-line that it has to be diagrammatically magnified twice to show up. On the other hand, basing one’s ideas on the Bible gives a very different picture. The Bible states that man was made six days after creation, about 6,000 years ago. So a time-line of the world constructed on biblical data would have man almost at the beginning, not the end. If we took the same 15-inch (39 cm) time-line as does Teaching about Evolution to represent the biblical history of the earth, 1 man would be about /1000 of a mm away from the beginning! Also, Christians, by definition, take the statements of Jesus Christ seriously. He said: ‘But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female’ (Mark 10:6), which would make sense with the proposed biblical time-line, but is diametrically opposed to the Teaching about Evolution time-line. This chapter analyzes rock formation and dating methods in terms of what these two competing models would predict. -
Oxygen Isotopes of East Asian Dinosaurs Reveal Exceptionally Cold Early Cretaceous Climates
Oxygen isotopes of East Asian dinosaurs reveal exceptionally cold Early Cretaceous climates Romain Amiota,1,2, Xu Wangb, Zhonghe Zhoua, Xiaolin Wanga, Eric Buffetautc, Christophe Lécuyerd,2, Zhongli Dingb, Frédéric Fluteaue, Tsuyoshi Hibinof, Nao Kusuhashig, Jinyou Moh, Varavudh Suteethorni, Yuanqing Wanga, Xing Xua, and Fusong Zhangb aKey Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 142 Xi Zhi Men Wai DaJie, Beijing 100044, China; bKey Laboratory of Cenozoic Geology and Environment, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Beitucheng Xilu, Beijing 100029, China; cCNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) 8538, Laboratoire de Géologie de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24, Rue Lhomond, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France; dCNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche) 5125, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 2, Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France; eInstitut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 1 Rue Jussieu, 75238 Paris Cedex 05, France; fShiramine Institute of Paleontology, Kuwajima, Hakusan, Ishikawa 920-2502, Japan; gDepartment of Earth's Evolution and Environment, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan; hFaculty of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074, China; andiDepartment of Mineral Resources, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Edited by Paul E. Olsen, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, and approved November 4, 2010 (received for review August 3, 2010) Early Cretaceous vertebrate assemblages from East Asia and parti- sanidine crystals from tuff beds within the Yixian Formation cularly the Jehol Biota of northeastern China flourished during a and the base of the overlying Jiufotang Formation gave an age period of highly debated climatic history. -
Mississippi Geology 2
~ THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES- ~( miSSISSippi. ~ geology Bureau of Geology 2525 North West Street Volume 2, Number 2 • -.,.-.... Jackson, Mississippi 39216 December 1981 FOSSIL WOOD FROM THOMPSON CREEK, YAZOO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI Will H. Blackwe ll Department of Botany and Department of Geology Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and George H. Dukes Route 2, Box 127 Brandon, Mississippi Introduction Fossil wood is a common commodity in Mississippi, even to the point that it has been designated as the "state stone." There is interest in it commercially (e.g., jewelry), as a popular collector's item among "rockhounds," and sc ientifically. Yet, available information is all too often deficient in detail (and sometimes even accuracy). This is especially true when such "hard nosed" questions as the fo ll owing are posed concerning a particular fossil wood specimen: 1) Exactly what kind of wood is it, botanically?, 2) Precisely where did it come from?, 3) How old is it, geo logically?, and 4) What is the mecha nism by which it became petrified? Certain identification, and literature providing other exact information, is typi cally lacking (or else not generally avai lable) for collec tions of petrified wood from a giveo site (outstanding exceptions are the works of E. W. Berry many years ago, e.g., Berry, 1916, 1924). Fossil wood is without question Cross section of fossil red maple (x 68) from Thompson one of Mississippi's rich natural treasures, and yet, sur- Creek. prisingly, so very little is actually known about it. This is a in particular (Fig. 1). Thompson Creek is now a rather fact which has bothered the authors of this paper for some famous local ity being as it is the site of a relatively recent time, especially since both of us grew up and received discovery of a fossi l whale (archaeocete) of Eocene Age our college educations in Mississippi, and sinc-e betA ~'lave (55 million- years B.P., approximate), which has su-bs-«? maintained an interest in southeastern fossil plant material. -
The Scientific Investigation of Fossil Wood
•THE DEPARTMENT• OF ENVIRONMENTAL• QUAUTY• miSSISSIPPI Bureau of Geology geolo 2525 North West Street P. 0. Box 5348 Volume 10, Number 1 Jackson, Mississippi 39296-5348 September 1989 published February 1990 THE SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF FOSSIL WOOD Will H. Blackwell Joe H. Marak Department of Botany and Department of Geology Miami University Miami University Oxford, Ohio 45056 Oxford, Ohio 45056 INTRODUCTION more reliable than accepting an account of where the material came from from a second party. Taking photographs of the Sufficient interest has developed in fossil wood in the wood " in place" in the field is a sound practice. A perma southeastern United States to suggest that information on how nent record book should be kept. It is well to label each to approach its study is in order. This paper consequently specimen of fossil wood with an identifying mark (number deals with a number of topics directly related to the scientific and/or lettering system) and keep such information in the investigation of fossil wood, including: how to collect and record book. It is often possible to write directly on the curate specimens, how wood is fossilized (i.e., the preserva specimens in pen or pencil. We have found the best way to tion states), how fossil wood is thin-sectioned for microscopic store specimens is in brown paper sandwich bags, which may examination, and how it is studied and photographed under be labelled as well. It is a good idea to keep all bags from the microscope. Information on literature and publication of a given collection site together in a labelled box, or on the results is also given. -
Mineralogy of Non-Silicified Fossil Wood
Article Mineralogy of Non-Silicified Fossil Wood George E. Mustoe Geology Department, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA; [email protected]; Tel: +1-360-650-3582 Received: 21 December 2017; Accepted: 27 February 2018; Published: 3 March 2018 Abstract: The best-known and most-studied petrified wood specimens are those that are mineralized with polymorphs of silica: opal-A, opal-C, chalcedony, and quartz. Less familiar are fossil woods preserved with non-silica minerals. This report reviews discoveries of woods mineralized with calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various iron and copper minerals, manganese oxide, fluorite, barite, natrolite, and smectite clay. Regardless of composition, the processes of mineralization involve the same factors: availability of dissolved elements, pH, Eh, and burial temperature. Permeability of the wood and anatomical features also plays important roles in determining mineralization. When precipitation occurs in several episodes, fossil wood may have complex mineralogy. Keywords: fossil wood; mineralogy; paleobotany; permineralization 1. Introduction Non-silica minerals that cause wood petrifaction include calcite, apatite, iron pyrites, siderite, hematite, manganese oxide, various copper minerals, fluorite, barite, natrolite, and the chromium- rich smectite clay mineral, volkonskoite. This report provides a broad overview of woods fossilized with these minerals, describing specimens from world-wide locations comprising a diverse variety of mineral assemblages. Data from previously-undescribed fossil woods are also presented. The result is a paper that has a somewhat unconventional format, being a combination of literature review and original research. In an attempt for clarity, the information is organized based on mineral composition, rather than in the format of a hypothesis-driven research report. -
The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey
E PALEONT ON O T LO S G W I O C L A L L E National Y Park The Yellowstone Service Department of the Interior Paleontological Survey SURVEY Vincent L. Santucci Yellowstone Center for Resources National Park Service Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming YCR-NR-98-1 1998 How to cite this document: Santucci, V. L. 1998. The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey. Yellowstone Center for Resources, National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming,YCR-NR-98-1. Current address for Vincent L. Santucci is National Park Service, P.O. Box 592, Kemmerer, WY 83101. The Yellowstone Paleontological Survey To Lt. Col. Luke J. Barnett, III “Uncle by blood, brother in spirit!” Vincent L. Santucci Yellowstone Center for Resources National Park Service Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming YCR-NR-98-1 1998 Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 Stratigraphy .................................................................................................... 4 Fossil Chronology........................................................................................... 6 Taxonomy ..................................................................................................... 12 Localities ...................................................................................................... 15 Interpretation ................................................................................................ 19 Paleontological Resource Management....................................................... -
Occurrence of Sciadopitys-Like Fossil Wood (Coniferales) in the Jurassic of Western Liaoning and Its Evolutionary Implications
Letter Geology February 2012 Vol.57 No.6: 569572 doi: 10.1007/s11434-011-4850-z SPECIAL TOPICS: Occurrence of Sciadopitys-like fossil wood (Coniferales) in the Jurassic of western Liaoning and its evolutionary implications JIANG ZiKun1,3, WANG YongDong1*, ZHENG ShaoLin2,4, ZHANG Wu2 & TIAN Ning4 1 Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; 2 Shenyang Center of China Geological Survey, Shenyang Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Shenyang 110034, China; 3 Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; 4 Institute of Palaeontology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China Received July 5, 2011; accepted October 8, 2011; published online November 19, 2011 The genus Sciadopitys, containing a single species (S. verticillata), is the only extant representative of the Family Sciadopityaceae (Coniferales), and is a remarkable living fossil. Although some leafy fossils have been ascribed to Sciadopityaceae, fossil xylem material with a close affinity to this family is very rare, and there have been no fossils found showing both pith and primary xylem structures, which are of great importance for wood identification. Thus, it has been difficult to use fossils for the understanding of wood anatomy evolution in the sciadopityaceous plants over geological time. In this note we briefly report on Sciadopitys-like fossil wood found in the Middle Jurassic of western Liaoning, which bears well-preserved Protosciadopityoxylon-type secondary xylem, endarch primary xylem and heterogeneous pith. This is the first report of fossil specimens of the Sciadopityaceae with such detailed preservation of wood structures. The discovery provides precise anatomical evidence for reconstructing the evolu- tionary history and geographical distribution of Sciadopityaceae, as well as contributing to understanding of the fossil diversity of the Jurassic Yanliao Flora in northern China. -
Jade State News WYOMING STATE MINERAL and GEM SOCIETY, Inc
Jade State News WYOMING STATE MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY, Inc. - P.O. Box 697, CODY, WYOMING 82414 Volume 2015, Issue 2 yoming is a state rich in after the town of Eden, Wyoming. W fossil wood and has sever- Eden is located in the west- al petrified forests. The major central part of the state and is in petrified forests in Wyoming are the center of the 80 mile long ar- (1) the Eden Valley and Blue For- ea where the fossil wood is est areas of southwestern Wyo- found. Three collecting areas are ming, (2) the Wiggins Fork area well known. in Absaroka Mountains near Du- (A) The Blue Forest collecting bois, and (3) in the Yellowstone area is located in the west National Park region in north- end of the deposit about 30 western Wyoming. (4) As a result miles west of Farson. The May 2015 of the erosion of these major are- fossil wood found in this area Inside this issue: as, petrified wood was deposited is known for the light blue by streams and can be found agate surrounding many of scattered throughout Wyoming. the pieces. ((sections 28, 29, Directory of Officers and Page 2 (1) Eden Valley Petrified Wood 30, 31, 32 and 33, T24N, Affiliated Clubs R110W ) The petrified wood from one of (B) The Big Sandy Reservoir col- WSMGS Updates Page 3 & 5 Wyoming’s petrified forests is known to collectors as Eden Val- lecting area is located north Historian’s Report Page 4 ley Petrified Wood and is named of Farson and northeast Wyoming Petrified Forests Pages 1 & 5 thru 7 Geological Maps of Pages 8 Wyoming & 9 Wyoming Gemstones Pages 10 And Fossils And 11 Macro Photography Hints Page 11 Club News and Announce- Page 12 ments Rockhounding Rules Pages 13 on public land And 14 Article continued second column page 5 President: Stan Strike Cheyenne Mineral & Gem Society: 2132 Gail Lane, Cody, WY 82414 Mail: P.O. -
Petrified Wood: the Anatomy of Arborescent Plant Life Through Time
The Anatomy of Arborescent Plant Life Through Time Mike Viney Collectors of petrified wood focus on permineralized plant material related to arborescent (tree-like) plant life. Evidence for the first fossil forest occurs in the Devonian. Fossil forest composition changes through geologic time, reflecting variety in evolutionary strategies for constructing a tree form. It is helpful and informative to study the anatomy of various trunk designs. Evolutionary adaptations for trunk structure can be recognized by the arrangement of tissues and organs. A quick survey of plant organs and tissues will enhance our discussion of the various evolutionary strategies for constructing a tree form. Plants are made of four types of organs: roots, stems, leaves, and reproductive structures. In turn, these organs are composed of three basic tissue systems: the ground tissue system, the vascular tissue system, and the dermal tissue system. Ground tissues including parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma are involved in photosynthesis, storage, secretion, transport, and structure. Parenchyma tissue produces all other tissues. Living parenchyma cells are involved in photosynthesis, storage, secretion, regeneration and in the movement of water and food. Parenchyma cells are typically spherical to cube shaped. Collenchyma tissue provides structural support for young growing organs. Living collenchyma cells are elongated cylinders and help to make up the familiar string-like material in celery stalks and leaf petioles. Sclerenchyma tissue provides support for primary and secondary plant bodies. Sclerenchyma cells often have lignified secondary walls and lack protoplasm at maturity. Elongated slender sclerenchyma cells known as fibers make up well known fibrous material such as hemp, jute, and flax. -
U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey a Computer
U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey A Computer-Assisted Annotated Bibliography and Preliminary Survey of Nevada Paleobotany by Howard E. Schorn1 - 2 , Christopher J. Bell3, Scott W. Starratt4, and DerekT. Wheeler 1 Open-File Report 94-441A (Paper Copy) Open-File Report 94-44IB (Macintosh® Version) Open-File Report 94-441C (Microsoft DOS® Version) 1994 1 Museum of Paleontology,University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 ^U.S. Geological Survey Volunteer In Science ^Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 4u.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. CONTENTS Introduction 1 Explanation of the Printed Citation 2 Content of the Bibliography 4 Acknowledgments 6 Acronyms Used 6 Bibliography 7 Appendices 155 Appendix A: Bibliography Cross-Referenced by Quadrangle 158 Appendix B: Bibliography Cross-Referenced by County/Quadrangle 166 Appendix C: Bibliography Cross-Referenced by Geologic Unit 169 Appendix D: Bibliography Cross-Referenced by Age 173 Appendix E: Bibliography Cross-Referenced by Subject 177 INTRODUCTION Fossils are a significant part of Nevada's natural resources. This bibliography presents literature related to the paleobotanical part of that fossil resource. It is intended to be a ready source of basic information for planning groups of the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Department of Transportation, Nevada Parks and Recreation, the Nevada State Museum, and geologists, paleontologists and all others interested in the study, management and conservation of this part of Nevada's natural heritage.