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Trace fossil evidence for restoration of marine ecosystems following the end-Permian mass extinction in the Lower Yangtze region, South China
- Source :
-
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology . Jan2011, Vol. 299 Issue 3/4, p449-474. 26p. - Publication Year :
- 2011
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Abstract
- Abstract: Unlike the high-abundance, low-diversity macrofaunas that characterize many Early Triassic benthic palaeocommunities, ichnofossils were relatively common in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction worldwide. Ichnofossils therefore are a good proxy for ecosystem recovery after the end-Permian biotic crisis. This paper documents 14 ichnogenera and one problematic form from Lower Triassic successions exposed in the Lower Yangtze region, South China. Post-extinction ichnodiversity remained rather low throughout the Griesbachian–early Smithian period and abruptly increased in the late Smithian. However, several lines of evidence, including extent of bioturbation, burrow size, trace-fossil complexity, and tiering levels, indicate that diversification of ichnotaxa in the late Smithian did not signal full marine ecosystem recovery from the Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) mass extinction. Marine ichnocoenoses did not recover until the late Spathian in South China. The marginal sea provided hospitable habitats for tracemakers to proliferate in the aftermath of the end-Permian mass extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00310182
- Volume :
- 299
- Issue :
- 3/4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 57302781
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.11.023