Late Cretaceous biota and the Cretaceous-Paleogene(K--Pg)Boundary in Jiayin of Heilongjiang,China

An international cooperative study of the Late Cretaceous biota and non-marine strata including the Cretaceous-Paleogene(K--Pg) boundary in Jiayin near the Heilongjiang River,China during 2002-2010,is summarized in this paper. The strata includes the Upper Cretaceous Yong'ancun-,Taipinglinchang-,Yuliang-zi-,and Furao formations,and the Paleocence Wuyun Formation consisting of Baoshantou Member and a Coalbearing Member. Seven palynological assemblages from Santonian to Paleocene are recognized,which is used for definition of the K--Pg boundary. Through the palynological analysis of three drilled boreholes (XHY-2005,2006,2008) in Xiaoheyan of western Jiayin,the K--Pg boundary is defined within 20. 00-20. 05 m in the borehole XHY-2006 (as a standard boundary) which is just between the top of Furao Formation (late Maasterichtian) and the base of Baishantou Member (early Danian) . These new research results are supported by paleo- magnetic,geochemical and other analyses,also. On the other hand,the presence of eight taxa of Maasterichtian dinosaurs (mostly hadrosaurids) have been recognized by the authors; and two mega-plant assemblages from the Yong'ancun Fm (Santonian) to Taipinglinchang Fm (Campanian) are confirmed. These research a-chievements indicate that the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene in Jiayin can be well correlated to the strata in the neighboring Zeya-Bureja basin,Russia. The K--Pg boundary definited in Jiayin is the first well documented non-marine K--Pg boundary in China. Also the related paleoclimate,paleoenvironment and the mass extinctions in this area during the Cretaceous-Paleocene transition are also discussed.

Antarctic Paleontological Heritage:Late Cretaceous–Paleogene vertebrates from Seymour(Marambio)Island,Antarctic Peninsula

Antarctica has significant environmental,scientific,historic,and intrinsic values,all of which are worth protecting into the future.This continent has a discrete number of places of scientific interest that exhibit great potential as natural heritage sites;its geodiversity is of fundamental importance to scientific values of the continent,and the pursuit of geological and paleontological knowledge has had a strong influence on its historical values.Seymour Island was once called the‘Rosetta Stone’of Southern Hemisphere paleobiology,because this small island provides the most complete and richly fossiliferous Late Cretaceous–Paleogene sequence in Antarctica.In particular,fossil vertebrates form part of the evidence used in reconstructing the history of life on Antarctica.Paleontological heritage is considered a subset of geo-heritage that embodies both natural and historical components which has received only indirect recognition.Seymour Island is an outstanding paleontological area with high heritage value of its Late Cretaceous/Paleogene vertebrates and should be considered for geo-conservation and protection.This paper reviews vertebrate fossil occurrences and outcrops on Seymour Island and discusses some threats to these fossil sites.

Late Cretaceous-Paleogene Palynostratigraphy from the Arkhara-Boguchan Brown Coal Mine of Zeya-Bureya Depression, Russia

A well-preserved Late Cretaceous-Paleogene palynological flora from the middle member of the Tsagajan Formation and the upper member of the Tsagajan Formation including the Kivda Beds is reported for the first time from the Arkhara-Boguchan brown coal mine, southeastern part of the Zeya-Bureya Basin. Four palynocomplexes were established for the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition. The climate and phytocoenoses were also analyzed,based on the detailed palynological data. The results are coincident with those of mega-flora studied by Akhmetiev et al. (2002).

Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the Wadi Natash volcanic field(WNVF),Egypt:Alkaline magmatism in a Late Cretaceous continental rift system

The Wadi Natash volcanic field(WNVF)in the south of the Eastern Desert of Egypt is a typical example of well-preserved intraplate alkaline magmatism during the Late Cretaceous,i.e.,prior to the Oligo-Miocene Red Sea rift.We compiled stratigraphic sections at two sectors;namely East Gabal Nuqra and West Khashm Natash(WKN)where the volcanic flows are intercalated with the Turonian Abu Agag sandstone with occasional paleosols when volcanic activity is intermittent.Peridotite mantle xenoliths are encountered in the first sector whereas flows in the second sector are interrupted by trachyte plugs and ring dykes.On a geochemical basis,the maifc melt originating from the lithospheric mantle beneath the WNVF practiced~5%partial melting of phlogopite-bearing garnet peridotite.Basalts dominate in the two sectors and highly evolved(silicic)rocks are confined to the WKN sector.Rejuvenation of ancient Precambrian fractures following the NW-SE and ENE-WSW trends facilitated the ascend of Late Cretaceous mantle-derived alkaline magma.Structurally,the WNVF developed at the eastern shoulder of the so-called"Kom Ombo-Nuqra-Kharit rift system"that represents a well-defined NW-trending intracontinental rift basin in the southern Eastern Desert.In such a structural setup,the Natash volcanic are confined to half-grabens at the East Gabal Nuqra sector whereas the West Khashm Natash sector is subjected to extensional stresses that propagated eastwards.The WNVF is a typical example of fluvial clastics(Turonian)intercalation with rift-related alkaline volcanic rocks in northeast Africa.

Microbiostratigraphy, microfacies and sequence stratigraphy of upper cretaceous and paleogene sediments, Hendijan oilfield, Northwest of Persian Gulf, Iran

Hendijan oilfield is located on Northwest of Pesian Gulf offshore of Iran and geologically in the Dezful embayment. In this study, the paleosedimentary depositional environment of the Early Cenomanian to Late Eocene deposits of the Sarvak, Ilam, Gurpi, Pabdeh and JahrumPabdeh Formations was evaluated using microbiostratigraphy, microfacies and D-INPEFA curves which are an accurate method in sequence stratigraphy in terms of regression and transgression of the sea. Also, we used limited elemental geochemical data of oxygen and carbon isotopes in compare with palaeontological data to infer the upper part, 10 m, of the Sarvak Formation. Statistical correlation analyses of geochemical data from upper part of the Sarvak Formation enable inference of differences in paleoconditions at this part and Sarvak Formation, and another Formation, Ilam, was distinguished. Palaentilogical analysis using planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils enables inference about time scale of each Formation. Petrographic data and different sediment textures support those inferences resulted from Gamma ray logs as D-INPEFA curves about different paleo-conditions that occurred during the development of the studied Formations. Synthesis of the analyses leads to the final interpretation that upper Cretaceous, Sarvak, Ilam and Gurpi Formations, at the Hendijan oil field were formed in a carbonate ramp that was likely closed to the open sea, where Gurpi Formation was deposited, by a shallow barrier that allowed seawater recharge into the basin and deep marine basin where Paleogene sediments, Pabdeh and Jahrum-Pabdeh, were deposited.

Boundary of Cretaceous and Paleogene continental deposits in Zeya-Bureya Basin,Amur(Heilongjiang)River region

It was conducted the comparison of palynological assemblages of the Middle Tsagayan,Upper Tsagayan subformations,Furao and Wuyun formations from Zeya-Bureya Basin of Amur (Heilongjiang) River region with assemblages obtained from the marine deposits of Northeast Russia,Sakhalin,Kuril,and Hokkaido Islands,dated by ammonites,foraminifers and other invertebrates. Based on detail correlation,the geological age of the terrestrial beds was defined. The guide fossils are recognized Marsypiletes cretacea,Tricolpites variexi- nus,Aquilapollenites conatus,A. stelkii,A. rombicus,Integricorpus bellum,Pseudointegricorpus clarireticula- tus,Triprojectus amoenus,Orbiculapollis lucidus,Wodehouseia aspera,Quercoidites minor,which had last oc- currence in the late Maastrichtian. The Danian palynofloras usually are dominated by Triatriopollenites plicoides and T. confusus. The species Anacolosidites subtrudens,Aquilapollenites proceros,A. spinulosus have last occurrence in the Danian. The K-T (K-Pg) boundary in the terrestrial deposits is defined in the base of the Upper Tsagayan Subformation and the base of the lower part of the Wuyun Formation. The latter is represented by aleuropelite to fine-grained sandstones. The change of taxonomical composition of palynospectra in similar environments could be determined by real change of flora at the Mesozoic and Cenozoic boundary,but not by changes of lithological facies or depositional environment,generally.

Stratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous──Paleogene deposits of northwestern Zeya──Burya sedimentary basin

In the northwestern Zeya──Bureya sedimentary basin, the authors studied coal deposits, including Ivanovsko-Erkovetskyu brown coal square on which is worked off largest Erkovetsky field of brown coal, extending to south flank of the Mesozoic──Cenozoic Belogor'e depression. The verified stratigraphic scheme of the coalfield sedimentary sequence is substantiated by palynological data on core samples from 18 boreholes sampled in the course of detailed prospecting and by paleobotanical analysis of sections in the Yuzhnyi sector of the coalfield. Sections of the Erkovtsy, Arkhara Boguchan, and Raichikha brown-coal mines are correlated. Stratigraphic subdivisions distinguished in the studied sedimentary succession are the middle and upper Tsagayan subformations (the latter incorporating the Kivda Beds), Raichikha and Mukhino formations.

Biostratigraphy and Mass Extinction Pattern across the Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary, Northern Alborz, Iran

High resolution sampling across the Cretaceous/Paleogene boundary (K/Pg) at the Galanderud section in northern Iran provides the most expanded and continuous section for us to consider biostratigraphy and the mass extinction pattern of Cretaceous planktic foraminifera. Based on planktic foraminifera, four biozones and five sub-biozones have been identified across the K/Pg boundary. These biozones include the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Biozone (Plummerita hantkeninoides subbiozone), the Guembelitria cretacea Biozone (including two sub-biozones: the Hedbergella holmdelensis and the Parvularugoglobigerina longiapertura), the Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina Biozone (including two subbiozones: the Parvularugoglobigerina Sabina and the Eoglobigerina simplicissima) and finely the Parasubbotina pseudobulloides Biozone. Planktic foraminiferal extinction occurred over a brief period, with 3% of the species disappearing in the late Maastrichtian, and 72% of the species becaming extinct at the K/Pg boundary. About 25% of the species survived into the early Danian. Extinction of 73% of the species at the K/Pg boundary is very compatible with the effect of a large asteroid impact.

Palynostratigraphy of Upper Cretaceous and boundary Paleogene deposits in West Siberian Plain

The article presents the results of many years of studies of the Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene sediments in the territory of West Siberian Plain. The heterogeneous structure of these sediments in different regions of the plain is shown. The lithological and palynological characteristics of a number of studied wells drilled in different years in Omsk and Kulunda Depressions, in Baraba Lowland and Bakchar Basin are given. The obtained palynological data allowed to substantiate the age of the deposits and to make suggestions concerning their depositional environment, and to clarify the subdivision of geological section into formations. The sections of the Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits in different lithofacial regions of the Western Siberia differ from each other in completeness, genesis, and paleontological characteristics. The Upper Cretaceous sediments in Western Siberia are represented by formations of both marine(Pokur, Kuznetzovo, Ipatovo, Slavgorod and Gan'kino Formations) and continental genesis(Lenkovo and Sym formations). The Paleogene sediments, with the exception of Oligocene, mostly have a marine genesis-these are Talitsa-, Marsyat-, Lulinvor-, Tavda-and Yurki formations, but there are also continental sediments(Ostrovnoje Formation). A large stratigraphic break in the Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene boundary deposits, covering a significant part of the Maastrichtian, Paleocene, Ypresian, and Lutetian stages of the Eocene, was established in the sourheast of the West Siberian Plain(Bakchar Basin, Baraba Lowland and Kulunda Depression). The most complete sections are located in the Omsk Depression, where the Upper Cretaceous Gan'kino Formation is covered by Talitsa and Lulinvor Formations of Paleogene age. The most important events occurring at the boundary of the Cretaceous and Paleogene in Western Siberia can be traced currently in a few sections located in the Trans-Ural area, since there was no sedimentation in the rest of the territory at that time.

A Research of the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundary in the Pingyi Basin, Shandong Province

The Bianqiao Formation (in the Pingyi Basin, Shandong Province, China) is a typical set of continuous lacustrine carbonate deposits during the Cretaceous-Paleogene period, which is considered as an ideal stratigraphic unit for KPB research. This study is based on the borehole PYZK01, which is located at Tongjiazhuang village in Bianqiao Town of Pingyi country. According to biostratigraphy research, the Bianqiao Formtion establishes one charophyte assemblage: Porocharaanluensis-Charayuntaishanensis var. acuta-Turbocharaspecialis, and one sporopollen assemblage: Deltoidosporaadriensis-Rugubivesiculites- Schizaeoisporites. This result indicates that the stratigraphic age during 0 - 12.25 m is the Paleogene, 37.8 m - 60 m is the Late Cretaceous, and 12.25 - 37.8 m is a transition stage from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleocene. By geochemical study, it was established carbon and oxygen isotopic strata in the drill. Through the magnetostratigraphy research, we find eight positive polarity zones and seven reversed polarity zones, build the magnetic polarity sequences of the borehole, and propose a contrast scheme with the international standard magnetic polarity time column. After comprehensive discussion, it is preliminarily believed that the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary is located at the depth of 31.98 m in PYZK01, namely, in the first section of the Bianqiao Fm.

A Titanosaurian Sauropod Dinosaur with Opisthocoelous Caudal Vertebrae from the Early Late Cretaceous of Liaoning Province, China

We describe a new titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur, Borealosaurus wimani gen. et sp. nov., based on a distinctive mid-distal caudal vertebra from the early Late Cretaceous Sunjiawan Formation exposed in the Shuangmiao village of Beipiao in Liaoning, China. We provisionally refer an isolated tooth crown, a middle caudal vertebra, and a right humerus from the same locality and horizon to this taxon. Borealosaurus is distinguished from other sauropods in its possession of opisthocoelous mid-distal caudal vertebrae. The occurrence of opisthocoelous caudals in Borealosaurus and the Mongolian sauropod Opisthocoelicaudia raises the possibility that these taxa pertain to an as-yet unrecognized titanosaurian subclade endemic to the Cretaceous Asia.

A New Protoceratopsid (Dinosauria: Neoceratopsia) from the Late Cretaceous of Inner Mongolia, China

An almost complete skull, which was collected from the Upper Cretaceous of the Bayan Mandahu area in Inner Mongolia, China by the Sino-Canadian Dinosaur Project, is described and assigned to a new genus of protoceratopsid dinosaur, Magnirostris dodsoni gen. et sp. nov. This new taxon is distinguished from other protoceratopsids by the robust rostral bone and the existence of incipient orbital horn cores. The existence of an additional antorbital fenestra indicates a close relationship between Magnirostris and Bagaceratops.

New Nodosaurid Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China

A new genus and species of nodosaurid dinosaur： Zhejiangosaurus lishuiensis gen. et sp. nov. is erected herein. It is characterized by the sacrum consisting of at least three true sacral vertebrae, 5 caudal dorsal vertebrae fused to form the presacral rod, wide divergence of long slender preacetabular process of the ilium from the middle line of the body, and the fourth trochanter located at the femoral mid-length.

A New Titanosauriform Sauropod from the Early Late Cretaceous of Dongyang,Zhejiang Province

A new titanosauriform sauropod Dongyangosaurus sinensis gen. et sp. nov. from the early Late Cretaceous of Dongyang County, Zhejiang Province, is erected based on a partial postcranial skeleton. It is characterized by complex laminae on the lateral surface of the neural spines and postzygapophyses of dorsal vertebrae, a distinct fossa on the ventral surfaces of the prezygapophyses of dorsal vertebrae, distinct fossae are also present on the lateral surface of the postzygapophysis of anterior caudal vertebrae; pubis is shorter than ischium, the small obturator foramen of pubis elongated, and nearly closed. The lamina complexity of dorsal vertebrae in Dongyangosaurus indicates that a higher diversity of titanosauriformes occurred during the early Late Cretaceous in China.

A Floating Astronomical Time Scale for the Early Late Cretaceous Continental Strata in the Songliao Basin, Northeastern China

A continuous terrestrial succession was recovered from the Songke-2(SK-2)borehole in the Songliao Basin,Northeastern China.This borehole provides a unique material for further research on the continental paleoclimate during Cretaceous greenhouse period,following a series of achievements of the Songke-1(SK-1)core.In this study,thorium(Th)logging data were chosen as a paleoclimate proxy to conduct a detailed cyclostratigraphic analysis.The Th series varies quasi-periodically;power spectra and evolutionary fast Fourier transformation(FFT)analysis reveal significant cycles in the Quantou(K2 q),Qingshankou(K2 qn),Yaojia(K2 y)and Nenjiang(K2 n)formations.The ratio of cycle wavelengths in these stratigraphic units is approximately 20:5:2:1,corresponding to long orbital eccentricity(405 kyr),short orbital eccentricity(100 kyr),obliquity(37 kyr),and precession cycles(22.5 kyr and 18.4 kyr).The durations of the K2 n,K2 y,K2 qn and K2 q are estimated as 6.97,1.83,5.30 and 4.52 Myr,respectively,based on the constructed^18.62 Myr"floating"astronomical time scale(ATS).Comparison of the durations between the SK-1 s and SK-2 boreholes exhibits a slight difference of 0.06 Myr and 0.459 Myr for K2 qn and K2 y.Nevertheless,our ATS of K2 n supports the chronostratigraphic frame constructed by the CA-ID-TIMS data of the SK-1 s borehole.This new"floating"ATS provides precise numerical ages for stratigraphic boundaries,biozones and geological events in the Songliao Basin,and can serve as a basis for correlation of strata and events between marine and terrestrial systems.

Late Cretaceous Aquatic Angiosperms from Jiayin,Heilongjiang,Northeast China

Three taxa of Late Cretaceous aquatic angiosperms, Queruexia angulata （Lesq.） Krysht., Cobbania corrugata （Lesq.） Stockey et al. and Nelumbites cf. extenuinervis Upchurch et al. from Jiayin of Heilongjiang, NE China, are described in detail. Among them, Cobbania and Nelumbites from the Upper Cretaceous in China are reported for the first time. The aquatic angiosperm assemblage of Queruexia-Cobbania-Nelumbites appears to imply a seasonal, warm and moist environment in the Jiayin area during the Santonian-Campanian time.

Late Cretaceous Foraminiferal Faunas from the Saiqu“mélange”in Southern Tibet

As one of the mélanges in the southern side of the Yarlung-Zangbo suture zone, the Saiqu mélange in southern Tibet is important for understanding the evolution of the Neo-Tethys ocean. The age of the Saiqu mélange, however, has been debated due to the lack of reliable fossil evidence in matrix strata. Based on lithological similarities with platform strata in southern Tibet and limited fossils from exotic blocks, previous studies variously ascribed the Saiqu mélange to be Triassic in general, Late Triassic, or Late Cretaceous. Here we reported planktonic foraminiferal faunas from the matrix strata of the Saiqu mélange. The new fossils yield a Late Cretaceous age, which is so far the best age constraint for the mélange. Regional stratigraphic correlation indicates that the Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds （CORBs） in Saiqu may be time equivalent to the CORBs of the Zongzhuo Formation in neighboring regions. Thus the Saiqu m^lange should be correlated to the Upper Cretaceous Zongzhuo Formation rather than the Triassic Xiukang Group, as previously suggested.

A New Somphospondylan Sauropod (Dinosauria, Titanosauriformes) from the Late Cretaceous of Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province of Southern China

A new somphospondylan sauropod （Dinosauria, Titanosauriformes）： Gannansaurus sinensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Late Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation of Ganzhou Basin, Jiangxi Province of southern China is erected based on one nearly complete dorsal vertebra and a mid-caudal vertebra. It is characterized by two centroprezygapophyseal lamina fossae; large, square-shaped concavity formed by centroprezygapophyseal lamina and dorsal margin of the centrum; large infraparapophyseal fossa; three openings present within the large lateral concavity, which occupy 65% length of the centrum; the posterior centroparapophyseal lamina （PCPL） and the anterior centroparapophyseal lamina （ACPL） weakly developed; the posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina （PCDL） separated by an infradiapophyseal fossa into two branches dorsally; parapophyseal and diapophyseal laminae cross to form ＂K＂ configuration. It shares some characters with the Early Cretaceous form-Euhelopus, indicating that it is more closely related to Euhelopus rather than to other titanosauriform sauropods. This means Gannansaurus may have a close phylogenetic relationship with Euhelopus.

A New Titanosaurian Sauropod from Late Cretaceous of Nei Mongol, China

A specimen collected from the Upper Cretaceous Erlian Formation of Nei Mongol （Inner Mongolia）, China, represents a new genus and species of titanosaurian sauropod. The new taxon is named and described on the basis of the holotype and the only known specimen, which comprises several dorsal, sacral, and caudal vertebrae, several dorsal ribs, one anterior chevron, and much of the pelvis. Diagnostic features of the new species include a thick ridge extending down from the postzygapophysis on the lateral surface of the neural arch of the posterior dorsal vertebrae, a transversely oriented accessory lamina present between the anterior centroparapophyseal limina and the lateral centraprezygapophyseal lamina of the posterior dorsal vertebrae, long, anteroventrally directed caudal rib that bears two distinctive fossae on its posterior margin on the anterior caudal vertebrae and a prominent vertical ridge above the pubic peduncle on the medial surface of the ilium, among others. The ilium is pneumatic, a feature not common among non-avian dinosaurs. The new taxon has an unusual combination of primitive and derived character states. Preliminary character analysis shows a complex character distribution within the Titanosauriformes. Recent titanosauriform discoveries suggest that a significant radiation occurred in Asia early in the titanosauriform evolution.

A New Sauropod Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Gaogou Formation of Nanyang,Henan Province

A new sauropod dinosaur Baotianmansaurus henanensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Cretaceous Gaogou Formation of Neixiang, Henan Province is erected. It is characterized by somphospondylous presacral vertebrae; a highly-developed lamina system on the dorsal vertebrae; transverse process supported by four laminae; and the dorsal portion of the anterior centroparapophyseal lamina is bifurcated, with a small branch extending to the ventral surface of the prezygapophysis. It represents a new titanosauriform sauropod.