Geology Department Major Collection and Research Results I. The New Important Research Result (1958) excavated from the Guanling Formation “A Triassic female marine reptile Keichousaurus hui gave near Sinyi, the province of Gueijhou, China in the birth to live young (viviparous) 230 million years ago” late Middle Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian, 230 million Finally, the truth is revealed. Pregnant reptiles years ago). These specimens are extraordinarily well illustrate how their prehistoric ancestors gave birth. preserved. They provide clear evidence of sexual The two extremely rare fossils of pregnant dimorphism in Sauropterygians, and indicate that marine reptiles from middle Triassic of the Mesozoic Sauropterygians and their close relatives did give Era are carefully housed in the NMNS indicating birth to live young in water (viviparity). The that this type of marine reptiles gave birth to live findings further help researchers imply that the young (viviparity). Therefore, paleontologists presence of a movable pelvis (the attachment denied the possibility that they came ashore to between the pelvic girdle and the sacrum) in hatch eggs. The fossil reptiles Keichousaurus hui had Pachypleurosaurus from evolution revealed a possible been expedited by the evolution of a movable reproductive pattern. It can be explained that other pelvis, which helped the mothers bear live young. related Sauropterygian marine reptile species also Each fossil specimen preserved to six embryos. had a movable pelvis (good for adaptation and This fossil discovery has been the first evidence movement), which answers questions about their to directly prove and elaborate on the reproduction reproductive method. The anatomical feature of the strategies and methods among Sauropterygians Keichousaurus specimens enabled them to bear (including Ichthyosaur and Plesiosaurus). offspring in the dangerous ocean. Sauropterygians were the largest and the most Dr. Cheng, Yen-nien worked on the two diverse group of animals amongst the marine specimens with Dr. Wu, Xiao-chun at the National ■Gravid specimens of Keichousaurus hui Yong and the reptiles in geological history. They lived from 250 to Museums of Canada in Ottawa and Dr. Ji Qiang drawings of the specimens 65 million years ago dominating almost the entire from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Mesozoic Era. Since the first description of a Beijing, and published the results in Volume 432 of Plesiosaurus in 1821, thousands of related Nature in November 2004. After three months of Sauropterygian marine reptile specimens have been dedicated prepared by Dr. Cheng it is easy to see collected all over the world (including the Mesozoic the embryos in one of the specimens. The other in China). However, no direct evidence has been specimen was generously lent from the Pa- detected to determine whether they came on shore leowonders Mineral and Fossil Museum, situated in to hatch eggs (oviparity) like sea turtles, or gave Banciao, Taipei for our research purpose. The study birth in the water to live young (viviparity) like the indicated that the embryos were in a Ichthyosaurs (1846) and Mosasauroids (2001). malpresentation (breech presentation) which led Even though many scientists have proposed the paleontologists to believe that the mothers died hypotheses and speculations about viviparity, which of dystocia. occurred in Plesiosaurus, Pachypleurosaurs Why did the reptiles go back to the sea? How (including the Keichousaurus in this report) and did they use locomotion to move in the water? How Nothosaurus, there has not been direct and effective did they search for food? How did they reproduce evidence to prove that they are right so far. and nurture offspring and grow? Were they This study is based on the two gravid endothermic? Why did the Sauropterygians go specimens (NMNS-cyn2002-01 and NMNS- extinct? The answers to these questions need VL191, respectively) of Keichousaurus hui Yong further investigation. 119 蒐藏研究雙年報(92 - 93年) Biennial Report of Collection and Research (2003 - 2004) II. Important Rock and Mineral Specimens from research papers and journals concerning geology Donations over the last two years. The Museum was even Geological specimens are either collected by more impressed and touched by Professor Chen's the staff or purchased from foreign or domestic generosity to send the aforementioned items over specimen dealers. Some specimens are also donated on trucks at his own cost. Among the specimens, from college/university professors, enthusiastic there are andesite and basalt from Taiwan, Taiwan's amateurs, students or the public. Over the past two offshore islands, Sea of Japan, and the Philippine years, the Museum has received more than four Sea; granite from Kinmen and Matzu as well as thousand pieces of geological specimens resulting in sediment from shallow- and deep seas around a diverse and abundant collection, and the Museum Taiwan. Part of the collection is the crucial rock expresses its gratitude for the generous donations and mineral specimens from other countries (such from all over the world. Here are some examples of as the mantle peridotite xenoliths found in the donations the Museum has accepted: Antarctic), and the deep-sea manganese nodules (1)Donation made by Professor Chen, Ju-chin are rare and precious. Dr. Ho, kung-suan received a phone call from Professor Chen was a pioneer devoting his Professor Chen, Ju-chin in June 2004, indicating studies on the manganese nodule in Taiwan. The that he would like to contribute all the rock and manganese nodules are deposited by enrichment of mineral specimens, academic journals, and research manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, lead, papers and books he had collected throughout his molybdenum, vanadium, and titanium. These life to the Museum. This has been his second metallic elements are essential alloy materials in the philanthropic contribution since 2003. industry, which are now in large demand in this ■Mineral specimen from purchase: Professor Chen, a respectable figure in the high-tech era. Therefore, manganese nodules are Calcite crystal on matrix, from regarded as an important mineral resource. “R/V Elmwood Mine, Smith County, fields of geology and oceanography, Tennessee, U.S.A., Zhang, J. Y. specializes in geochemistry, marine Chiu-Lien” the first marine exploration ship in photo. geology, and petrology. He has Taiwan, discovered manganese nodules ap- devoted himself in the Institute of proximately 10-20 centimeters across on the Oceanography at the National Taiwan Philippine Sea floor 2,900 and 5,700 meters deep to University after completion of his the east of Taiwan. Professor Chen and his students studies in the U.S. He not only is a carefully studied the mineral composition, chemical good teacher, but also chaired the characteristics, and growth rates and published second-term director of Institute and many research papers regarding the discovery. the president of Geological Society of Professor Chen was also of Dr. Ho advisor and China located in Taipei. He is a remarkable has collaborated with and always supported the researcher and keeps good interpersonal Geology Department. The Department would like relationships with people, setting an to express its deepest gratitude to him for he has outstanding example for the later generations. donated his collected specimens and complete Professor Chen has donated more than geological journals for the Museum's permanent 560 important domestic and foreign collection. The Museum carefully preserves and specimens, powder, and thin sections of manages these properties for the generations to rocks and minerals, sediments, and deep- come. sea manganese nodules as well as 800 120 Geology Department (2)Donation made by Professor Yen, Tsang-Po consuming studies will not be carried on and will be In spring 2004, Professor Ma, Guo-fong at the wasted. To prevent similar disasters from repeating National Central University mentioned that themselves, the National Central University Professor Yen, Tsang-Po left some specimens and donated these specimens to NMNS, and we are literatures in the Institute of Geophysics, National grateful for its generosity. Central University. She asked if the Museum would (3)Donation made by Professor Yang, Houng-yi like to take them in. We were extremely thrilled and Professor Yang, Houng-yi is a well-known took the offer without a second thought. petrologist in Taiwan. He dedicated more than 30 Professor Yen remains a prominent figure in years to teaching in the Department of Earth the field of geology dedicating himself to field Sciences at the National Cheng Kung University surveys of igneous, metamorphic rocks, and mineral after earning his doctoral degree from Ohio State deposits. Yen started his studies in geology since the University. On January 31, 2004, he retired with Japanese occupation, and his collection must have honors. During decades of teaching and research, been significant. Dr. Gong, Shou-yeh and Wang, he focused on petrology, geochemistry, and Shih-wei spent two days sorting the collection in refractory materials. In recent years, he led one of Jhongli in April, 2004 . the NSC's large-scale integrated projects—a study Professor Yen's collection of minerals, rocks, on the mineralogy of igneous and metamorphic Mineral specimen from purchase: and sections totals more than 700 pieces among ■ rocks in the Cilian suture zone. He should be given Native copper, 16 x 33 cm, from which include the very rare native gold from Keweenaw Peninsula,