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The Chengjiang Biota inhabited a deltaic environment

Author

Listed:
  • Farid Saleh

    (Yunnan University
    Yunnan University)

  • Changshi Qi

    (Yunnan University
    Yunnan University
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Luis A. Buatois

    (University of Saskatchewan)

  • M. Gabriela Mángano

    (University of Saskatchewan)

  • Maximiliano Paz

    (University of Saskatchewan)

  • Romain Vaucher

    (Simon Fraser University
    University of Lausanne)

  • Quanfeng Zheng

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xian-Guang Hou

    (Yunnan University
    Yunnan University)

  • Sarah E. Gabbott

    (University of Leicester)

  • Xiaoya Ma

    (Yunnan University
    Yunnan University
    University of Exeter)

Abstract

The Chengjiang Biota is the earliest Phanerozoic soft-bodied fossil assemblage offering the most complete snapshot of Earth’s initial diversification, the Cambrian Explosion. Although palaeobiologic aspects of this biota are well understood, the precise sedimentary environment inhabited by this biota remains debated. Herein, we examine a non-weathered core from the Yu’anshan Formation including the interval preserving the Chengjiang Biota. Our data indicate that the succession was deposited as part of a delta influenced by storm floods (i.e., produced by upstream river floods resulting from ocean storms). Most Chengjiang animals lived in an oxygen and nutrient-rich delta front environment in which unstable salinity and high sedimentation rates were the main stressors. This unexpected finding allows for sophisticated ecological comparisons with other Burgess Shale-type deposits and emphasizes that the long-held view of Burgess Shale-type faunas as snapshots of stable distal shelf and slope communities needs to be revised based on recent sedimentologic advances.

Suggested Citation

  • Farid Saleh & Changshi Qi & Luis A. Buatois & M. Gabriela Mángano & Maximiliano Paz & Romain Vaucher & Quanfeng Zheng & Xian-Guang Hou & Sarah E. Gabbott & Xiaoya Ma, 2022. "The Chengjiang Biota inhabited a deltaic environment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-29246-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29246-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gengo Tanaka & Xianguang Hou & Xiaoya Ma & Gregory D. Edgecombe & Nicholas J. Strausfeld, 2013. "Chelicerate neural ground pattern in a Cambrian great appendage arthropod," Nature, Nature, vol. 502(7471), pages 364-367, October.
    2. Xiaoya Ma & Xianguang Hou & Gregory D. Edgecombe & Nicholas J. Strausfeld, 2012. "Complex brain and optic lobes in an early Cambrian arthropod," Nature, Nature, vol. 490(7419), pages 258-261, October.
    3. Peiyun Cong & Xiaoya Ma & Xianguang Hou & Gregory D. Edgecombe & Nicholas J. Strausfeld, 2014. "Brain structure resolves the segmental affinity of anomalocaridid appendages," Nature, Nature, vol. 513(7519), pages 538-542, September.
    4. Romain C. Gougeon & M. Gabriela Mángano & Luis A. Buatois & Guy M. Narbonne & Brittany A. Laing, 2018. "Early Cambrian origin of the shelf sediment mixed layer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-7, December.
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