南漳-远安动物群的科学价值

The Scientific Values of Nanzhang-Yuan’an Fauna

南漳-远安动物群发现于中国湖北远安鹰子山—南漳古井一带下三叠统嘉陵江组上部,主要特点为含有大量形态特异的湖北鳄类化石。南漳-远安动物群因产出数量丰富且保存精美的化石资源而具有重要的科学研究、科学普及和旅游开发价值。它代表了三叠纪早期海生爬行动物下海进程中的重要环节,是生物演化过程中重要阶段的突出例证,符合《世界文化与自然遗产保护公约》中所规定的世界自然遗产应满足的标准。因此南漳-远安动物群具备申报世界自然遗产的潜力。

Nanzhang-Yuan’an Fauna is found in the upper part of Jialingjiang Formation(Early Triassic)in Yingzishan-Nanzhang Gujing area of Yuan’an,Hubei,China.It is characterized by highly differentiated fossils of Hupehsuchia,accompanied by marine reptiles,such as sauropterygia and ichthyosauria.Nanzhang-Yuan’an Fauna is of great value to scientific research,scientific popularization,and tourism development because of its abundant and well-preserved fossil resources.The fossils found in Nanzhang-Yuan’an Fauna represent the key stage in the evolution of marine reptiles,which is a prominent example in the process of organic evolution.This feature meets the standard of World Natural Heritage stipulated in the Convention for the protection of world cultural and natural heritage,and has therefore obvious potential to be declared as a wo rld natural heritage.