Table of Content

15 March 2006, Volume 44 Issue 01

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Phylogenetic relationships of galeaspids (Agnatha)

Zhu Min, Gai Zhikun

2006, 44(01):  1-27. 

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We present the first parsimony analysis of the agnathan subclass Caleaspida based on the analysis of 53 morphological characters. Three most parsimonious cladograms (126 steps in length; CI = 0.508; RI = 0.801) were discovered. An amended classification of the Galeaspida is proposed corresponding to the present analysis. Our results suggest that hanyangaspids, xiushuiaspids and dayongaspids from the Llandovery-Wenlock of Silurian are basal galeaspids. Within the remaining galeaspids , three major monophyletic groups (the Eugaleaspidiformes, the Polybranchiaspidiformes and the Huananaspidiformes) are well supported. It is shown that the dorsal fenestrae of headshield evolved twice within the Galeaspida, one in the polybranchiaspidifonn lineage, and the other in the huananaspidiform lineage (nested within the Huananaspidae). The chronological distribution of galeaspids highlights two radiations of the group, one for basal galeaspids and eugaleaspids in the Telychian (Llandovery) of Silurian, and the other for polybranchiaspidiforms and huananaspidiforms in the Lochkovian of Early Devonian.

An overview of Triassic fishes from China

Jin Fan

2006, 44(01):  28-42. 

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The Triassic fishes are widely distributed in China. The freshwater ichthyofaunas mainly from northern China are characterized by primitive actinopterygians, and they are closest to those from Siberia and Middle Asia, and also contain some forms similar to the fishes from other regions of Laurasia and the Gondwanan continents. Most of the known fishes from the Ordos Basin are possibly of marine. The marine ichthyofaunas from southern China are characterized by " subholosteans" , and include the modern groups of halecomorphs and the basal forms of teleosts. The Middle-Late Triassic marine fish fauna is much more diversified than the Early Triassic one, and is closely related with the ichthyofaunas in western Tethys. The Lower Yangtze region of South China is probably the cradle of some Triassic fish groups ,e. g. Saurichthyidae. The Triassic fishes in China still await comprehensive investigations.

Phylogeny of Osteoglossomorpha

Zhang Jiangyong

2006, 44(01):  43-59. 

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Based on extensive morphological studies of the Chinese fossil osteoglossomorphs as well as the representatives of the major lineages of living osteoglossomorphs, I present the result of a cladistic analysis of 65 characters in 31 taxa, conducted using PAUP software ( version 4. Ob10) . Strict consensus tree of 16 equally parsimonious trees ( tree length of 206 steps, consistency index of 0. 4320 , retention index of 0. 7194) shows that the Chinese Early Cretaceous osteoglossomorphs (Jiuquanichthys, Lycoptera, Kuyangichthys, Jinanichthys, Tongxinichthys, Xixiaichthys, Kuntulunia and Huashia) are mostly stem-groups of the superorder at different levels; Eohiodon and Jiaohichthys are interpreted as sister group rather than generally accepted Eohiodon and Hiodon; Osteoglossiformes consists of Thaumaturus, Notopteroidei and Osteoglossoidei; Notopterids are more closely related to mormyrids than to osteoglossids; Ostariostoma is the sister group to Notopteridae; Osteoglossoidei is coextensive with Osteoglossidae; Paralycoptera is a sister group to Osteoglossinae + Phareodontinae] . The suggestion of a sister group relationship between Paralycoptera and [Osteoglossinae + Phareodontinae) extends the range of Osteoglossidae back to Early Cretaceous.

Advances in the study of fossil amphibians and squamates from China: a review of the past 15 years

Wang Yuan Susan E. Evans

2006, 44(01):  60-73. 

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The past fifteen years have witnessed an acceleration in the study of Chinese fossil amphibians and squamates. Sixteen (15 new) amphibian and twenty-two (11 new) squamate species have been reported across China, including the Oldest Chinese tetrapod Sinostega pani from the Late Devoman Of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the large stereospondyl amphibian Yuanansuchus laticeps from the Middle Triassic of Hubei Province, Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous lissamphibians (e.g., the anurans Callobatrachus sanyanensis and Mesophrune beipiaoensis, the caudates Jeholotriton paradoxus and Laccotriton subsolanus) from Northeast China, Paleogene lizards (e. g., Brevidensilacerta xichuanensis and Tinosaurus yuanquensis) from North China, and numerous lizards from the Late Cretaceous of Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia) Autonomous Region. Some previously described taxa have been revised, especially those of the Jehol Biota (e.g., Yabeinosaurus tenuis, long considered a small gracile lizard, but shown to be a large robust genus with all previous specimens juvenile). New important paleoherpetological localities have been discovered, such as Sihetun, Lujiatun of Beipiao City and Shuikouzi of Huludao City in Liaoning Province, Paozhanggou of Fengning County in Hebei Province, and Daohugou of Ningcheng County and Bayan Mandahu of Urad Houqi in Nei Mongol Autonomous Region. Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous amphibians and lizards from China have provided important information on the origin and early evolution of relevant groups, but phylogenetic studies on these taxa are at a preliminary stage.

Mesozoic birds of China—A synoptic review

Zhou Zhonghe, Zhang Fucheng

2006, 44(01):  74-98. 

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A synoptic renew of the discoveries and studies of the Chinese Mesozoic birds is provided in this paper 40Ar/ 39Ar dating of several bird-bearing deposits the Jehol Group has established a geochronological framework for the study of the early avian radiation- Chinese Mesozoic birds had lasted for at least 11 Ma during about 131 Ma and 120 Ma（Barremian to Aplian) of the middle and late Early Cretaceous. In order to further evaluate the Change Of the avian diversity in the Jehol Biota, six new orders and families are erected based on known genera and species, which brings the total number of orders of Chinese Mesozoic birds to 15 and highlights a remarkable radiation ever since the first appearance of birds in the Late Jurassic. Chinese Early Cretaceous birds had experienced a significant differentiation in morphology, flight, diel and habitat. Further examination of the foot of Jeholornis suggests this bird might not have possessed a fully reversed hallux. However, the attachment of metatarsal I to the medial side of metatarsal II does not preclude trunk climbing, a pre-adaptation for well-developed perching life of early birds. Arboreality had proved to be a key adaptation in the origin and early evolution of bird flight, and the adaptation to lakeshore environment had played an equally important role in the origin of ornithurine birds and their near-modem flight skill. Many Chinese Early Cretaceous birds had preserved the direct evidence of their diet, showing that the most primitive birds were probably mainly insectivorous and that specialized herbivorous or carnivorous (e.g., piscivorous) dietary adaptation had appeared only in later advanced forms. The only known Early Cretaceous bird embryo fossil has shown that precocial birds had occurred prior to altricial birds in avian history, and the size of the embryo and other analysis indicate it probably had a short incubation period. Leg feathers probably have a wide range of distribution in early birds, further suggesting that leg feathers had played a key role in the beginning stage of the flight of birds. Finally, the Early Cretaceous avian radiation can be better understood against the background of their unique ecosystem. The advantage of birds in the competitions with other vertebrate groups such pterosaurs had probably not only resulted in the rapid differentiation and radiation of birds but also the worldwide spreading of pterosaurs and other vertebrates from East Asia in the Early Cretaceous.

A brief summary of the Triassic Marine reptiles of China

Li Jinling

2006, 44(01):  99-108. 

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This paper presents a brief review of the Chinese Triassic marine reptiles. Seven biozonations from the upper Lower Triassic to the lower Upper Triassic are recognized. Discussions on the biogeographic and palaeoenvironmental implications of these reptiles are provided.