We report 7 mammalian and 16 pollen species from the top of the Shimagou Formation in Kumkol Basin of northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, whose age is latest Middle Miocene(about 12.5 Ma). We erect a new species of fossi...We report 7 mammalian and 16 pollen species from the top of the Shimagou Formation in Kumkol Basin of northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, whose age is latest Middle Miocene(about 12.5 Ma). We erect a new species of fossil rodent,Spermophilinus kumkolensis sp. nov. The micromammalian fauna from the Kumkol Basin shares high similarities with contemporary faunas from Europe and northern China, indicating the existence of active zoogeographic exchange between Europe and northern Asia. Trees are dominant in pollen fossils, and herbs and shrubs are minorities. Broadleaved Quercus and Fagus predominate in tree pollens. The flora reconstructed by pollens displays a mixture of evergreen broadleaved forest and dry and warm steppe landscape. Compared to the modern vegetation in Yunnan region, the latest Middle Miocene flora in the Kumkol Basin represents a distinct vertical distribution. The ecotypes of the latest Middle Miocene fauna and flora in the Kumkol Basin,as a whole, are markedly different from those of modern animals and vegetation, the past climate being more suitable than today.展开更多
Three kinds of artiodactyl footprints from Tunggur Formation are described: 1) four-toe footprint with all four subequal toes distinct;2) two-toe footprint with the posterior part joined and the anterior part distinct...Three kinds of artiodactyl footprints from Tunggur Formation are described: 1) four-toe footprint with all four subequal toes distinct;2) two-toe footprint with the posterior part joined and the anterior part distinct;3) two-toe footprint with the third and the forth digits completely distinct The anterior part of the four-toe footprint made by the third and the forth digits was about the same size and the same level as the posterior part of the footprint made by the second and the fifth digits. This kind of footprint described in the present paper was left by primitive aniodactyls. At present this field of investigation is lying fallow. Although most of the artiodactyls in Tunggur period left only two-toe footprint four-toe footprint reflects a relatively early stage of evolution from four-toe to two-toe artiodactyls since the first appearance of artiodactyls in Early Eocene.展开更多
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant Nos.XDB26030304,XDB26030300,XDA20070203&XDA19050100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.41625005)
文摘We report 7 mammalian and 16 pollen species from the top of the Shimagou Formation in Kumkol Basin of northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, whose age is latest Middle Miocene(about 12.5 Ma). We erect a new species of fossil rodent,Spermophilinus kumkolensis sp. nov. The micromammalian fauna from the Kumkol Basin shares high similarities with contemporary faunas from Europe and northern China, indicating the existence of active zoogeographic exchange between Europe and northern Asia. Trees are dominant in pollen fossils, and herbs and shrubs are minorities. Broadleaved Quercus and Fagus predominate in tree pollens. The flora reconstructed by pollens displays a mixture of evergreen broadleaved forest and dry and warm steppe landscape. Compared to the modern vegetation in Yunnan region, the latest Middle Miocene flora in the Kumkol Basin represents a distinct vertical distribution. The ecotypes of the latest Middle Miocene fauna and flora in the Kumkol Basin,as a whole, are markedly different from those of modern animals and vegetation, the past climate being more suitable than today.
基金grants from National Natural Science Foundation of Chinathe Academy of Finlandand the Waldemar von Frenckell Foundation+1 种基金国家重点基础研究发展计划项目(编号:2012CB821900)中国科学院化石发掘与修理特别支持费资助~~
基金the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Patterson Memorial Grant for fieldwork National Geographic Society Young Explorers Grant,United States Fulbright Program, Geological Society of Americathe Evolving Earth Foundation+1 种基金the National Basic Research Program of China(GrantNo.2012CB821900)the National Natural Science Foundationo f China(GrantNo.40730210)~~
文摘Three kinds of artiodactyl footprints from Tunggur Formation are described: 1) four-toe footprint with all four subequal toes distinct;2) two-toe footprint with the posterior part joined and the anterior part distinct;3) two-toe footprint with the third and the forth digits completely distinct The anterior part of the four-toe footprint made by the third and the forth digits was about the same size and the same level as the posterior part of the footprint made by the second and the fifth digits. This kind of footprint described in the present paper was left by primitive aniodactyls. At present this field of investigation is lying fallow. Although most of the artiodactyls in Tunggur period left only two-toe footprint four-toe footprint reflects a relatively early stage of evolution from four-toe to two-toe artiodactyls since the first appearance of artiodactyls in Early Eocene.
