Sarcopterygians from the Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) of Nanning, Guangxi, China

doi:10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.241226

Abstract

Abstract:

Here we report a left cheek plate of Psarolepis, a postparietal shield of Youngolepis, a skull of Diabolepis, and a scale of Styloichthys from the Lianhuashan and Nahkaoling formations (Lochkovian, Lower Devonian) of Nanning, Guangxi. This marks the first report of Diabolepis and Styloichthys beside Qujing, Yunnan, and the latest occurrence of Psarolepis to date. The fossil community displays significant similarities to the Xujiachong Assemblage, and provides new data for the Lower Devonian stratigraphic correlation between southwestern China and northern Vietnam. Given the latest dating constraint based on the conodont evidence, we regard that the Xujiachong Assemblage has a much longer range than previously supposed, extending from the latest Lochkovian to the end of Pragian. We propose that the transition of the Nahkaoling and Lianhuashan formations in Nanning might correspond to the Guijiatun Formation in Qujing. The relatively large size of fish individuals from Guangxi is probably attributed to the increase in the oxygen content of the ocean.

Key words: Nanning,Guangxi, Lower Devonian, Lochkovian, Xujiachong Assemblage, Lianhuashan Formation, Nahkaoling Formation, Sarcopterygians

摘要：

记述了广西南宁下泥盆统莲花山组和那高岭组中发现的早期肉鳍鱼类化石，材料包括一件斑鳞鱼(Psarolepis)的左侧颊板骨，一件杨氏鱼(Youngolepis)的后顶甲，一件奇异鱼(Diabolepis)的颅顶甲和一枚蝶柱鱼(Styloichthys)鳞片。其中颊板骨标本代表了目前已知最晚的斑鳞鱼化石记录，奇异鱼和蝶柱鱼标本则是这两个属在云南曲靖以外的首次报道。这些材料丰富了徐家冲组合的生物面貌，为广西、云南和越南北部下泥盆统的地层对比提供了重要化石证据。根据最新的牙形石证据，广西南宁地区的徐家冲组合可能最早在晚洛霍考夫期就已出现，比其他地区该组合的出现时间更早。广西南宁的莲花山组与那高岭组的过渡地层可能与曲靖地区的桂家屯组时代相当。同时，南宁地区的鱼类化石标本较云南曲靖地区的有明显大型化趋势，可能与当时南宁地区鱼类的生活环境中氧含量高有关。

关键词: 广西南宁, 下泥盆统, 洛霍考夫期, 徐家冲组合, 莲花山组, 那高岭组, 肉鳍鱼类

CLC Number:

Q915.862

LI Mao-Kun, CUI Xin-Dong, ZHU Min, QIAO Tuo. Sarcopterygians from the Lochkovian (Lower Devonian) of Nanning, Guangxi, China. Vertebrata Palasiatica, 2025, 63(1): 1-19.

李懋坤, 崔心东, 朱敏, 乔妥. 2025, 63(1): 1-19, 广西下泥盆统的肉鳍鱼类化石. 古脊椎动物学报.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1 Locality and geological setting of the fossil sites A. location and geologic map of the fossil locality (based on the open geological data in the National Geological Archives of China: http://www.ngac.org.cn/Map); B. stratigraphic sequence of the Lower Devonian in the Nanning-Liujing district (modified after Kuang et al., 1989; Lu et al., 2023) ① Xianhu (22°48'50"N; 108°28'55"E); ② Wuxiangling (22°45'49"N; 108°17'52"E); Є. Cambrian;D1l. Lianhuashan Formation; D1n. Nahkaoling Formation; D1y. Yukiang Formation;D1m-D2. Lower Devonian Moding Formation and the Middle Devonian; D3. Upper Devonian;C. Carboniferous; K. Cretaceous; E. Paleogene; Q. Quaternary

Fig. 2 Photograph (A) and interpretative drawing (B) of Psarolepis sp. (IVPP V20340) Abbreviations: fo1-fo3. foramina; grp. groups of pores; Mx. maxillary; pc. preopercular canal; Pop. preopercular

Fig. 3 Comparison of osteichthyans cheek plates A. Mimipiscis toombsi (modified from Choo, 2012); B. Kenichthys campbelli (modified from Zhu and Ahlberg, 2004); C. Youngolepis sp. (modified from Chang, 1991; Cui et al., 2022);D. Guiyu oneiros (modified from Zhu et al., 2009); E. Psarolepis romeri (modified from Zhu et al., 1999);F. Psarolepis sp. (IVPP V20340) Abbreviations: fo1-fo3. foramina; grp. groups of pores; Mx. maxillary; pc. preopercular canal;pl. pit-line; Pop. preopercular

Fig. 4 Photograph (A), interpretative drawing (B), and 3D virtual model (C) of the scale of Styloichthys sp. (IVPP V33256) Abbreviations: e.a. anterior edge; e.d. dorsal edge; e.p. posterior edge; f.d. depressed field; p. peg; po. pores; r. ridges

Fig. 5 Photograph and comparison of postparietal shields in dipnomorphs A-B. Youngolepis sp. (IVPP V33255): A. photograph, B. reconstruction; C-D. Y. praecursor: C. V6553,D. V6183 (modified from Chang, 1982); E. Powichthys thorsteinssoni (modified from Jessen, 1975);F. Arquatichthys porosus (modified from Lu and Zhu, 2019) Abbreviations: grp. groups of pores; mpl, middle pit-line; ppl. posterior pit-line; Pp. postparietal;St. supratemporal; Ta. tabular

Fig. 6 Photograph and reconstructions of skull roofs and endocast of Diabolepis speratus A, B, D, E. IVPP V33254: A. photograph, B. interpretive drawing, D. 3D virtual model of recognizable structures of the endocast, E. interpretive drawing in lateral view;C. interpretive drawing of IVPP V7237 (modified from Chang and Yu, 1984) Abbreviations: c.pi. pineal canal; mpl. middle pit-line; nc. nasal capsule; om. orbital margin; pi. pineal;ppl. posterior pit-line; soc. supraorbital canal; soc.p. pores for supraorbital canal

Fig. 7 Dating and correlation of the Early Devonian stratigraphy from four selected section areas in South China Block Data are from Liao et al., 1978, 1979; Ma et al., 2009; Xue et al., 2018; Guo et al., 2019; Qie et al., 2019; Yu et al., 2020; Gai et al., 2022; Lu et al., 2023 Abbreviations: Da. Daliancun Member; Fm. Formation; Hen. Hengxian Member; Liu. Liukankou Member; Mb. Member; Mo. Moding Formation; Pri. Pridoli; Xi. Xishancun Formation; Yu. Yulungssu Formation

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