Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Background for the Plant Fossils

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Dawn Angiosperms

Part of the book series: Springer Geology ((SPRINGERGEOL))

Abstract

Most of the fossil materials documented in this book are from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of northeastern China. In this chapter, the author describes the geological and palaeobiological backgrounds in this region, which is very helpful for a complete understanding of the plant fossils to be documented in the later chapters. The Yixian Formation and Jiulongshan Formation are by far the most productive strata for early angiosperms, and, therefore, they are dealt with some details in this chapter. The geological background and age of the formations are briefly summarized. Species list and assemblages in various faunas and floras are given. For those not interested in details of the fossil floras and faunas, please feel free to skip certain sections in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Chang S-C, Zhang H, Renne PR, Fang Y (2009a) High-precision 40Ar/39Ar age of the Jehol Biota. Palaeogeogr Palaeoclimatol Palaeoecol 280:94–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang S-C, Zhang H, Renne PR, Fang Y (2009b) High-precision 40Ar/39Ar age constraints on the basal Lanqi Formation and its implications for the origin of angiosperm plants. Earth Planet Sci Lett 279:212–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang S-C, Zhang H, Hemming SR, Mesko GT, Fang Y (2014) 40Ar/39Ar age constraints on the Haifanggou and Lanqi formations: when did the first flowers bloom? Geol Soc Lond Sp Publ 378:277–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Ji Q, Liu DY, Zhang Y, Song B, Liu XY (2004) Isotope geochronology of the fossil-bearing beds in the Daohugou area, Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia. Geol Bull China 23:1165–1169

    Google Scholar 

  • Deng S, Yao Y, Ye D, Chen P, Jin F, Zhang Y, Xu K, Zhao Y, Yuan X, Zhang S (2003) Stratum introduction. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong C, Yang X, Zhou Z (2016) Fossil plants. In: Daohugou biota. Huang D Shanghai Sci Techn, Shanghai, pp 252–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan S (1998) The oldest angiosperm—a tricarpous female reproductive fossil from western Liaoning Province, NE China. Sci China Ser D Earth Sci 41:14–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Y, Zhang H, Wang B (2009) A new species of Aboilus (Insecta, Orthoptera, Prophalangopsidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Zootaxa 2249:63–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao K-Q, Ren D (2006) Radiometric dating of ignimbrite from Inner Mongolia provides no indication of a post-Middle Jurassic age for the Daohugou Beds. Acta Geol Sin (Eng Ver) 81:42–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo S-X, Sha J-G, Bian L-Z, Qiu Y-L (2009) Male spike strobiles with Gnetum affinity from the early Cretaceous in western Liaoning, Northeast China. J Syst Evol 47:93–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han G, Fu X, Liu Z-J, Wang X (2013) A new angiosperm genus from the lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, Western Liaoning, China. Acta Geol Sin 87:916–925

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han G, Liu Z, Wang X (2017) A Dichocarpum-like angiosperm from the early Cretaceous of China. Acta Geol Sin 90:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He CY, Münster T, Saedler H (2004a) On the origin of morphological floral novelties. FEBS Lett 567:147–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He HY, Wang XL, Zhou ZH, Wang F, Boven A, Shi GH, Zhu RX (2004b) Timing of the Jiufotang Formation (Jehol Group) in Liaoning, northeastern China, and its implications. Geophys Res Lett 31:L12605

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang D (ed) (2016) The Daohugou biota. Shanghai Sci Tech Publishers, Shanghai

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Lin Q-B (2007) A new soldier fly (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) from the lower Cretaceous of Liaoning Province, northeast China. Cretac Res 28:317–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A (2007a) A new Middle Jurassic “grylloblattodean” family from China (Insecta: Juraperlidae fam. n.) Eu J Entomol 104:937–840

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A (2007b) Oldest ‘libelluloid’ dragonfly from the Middle Jurassic of China (Odonata: Anisoptera: Cavilabiata). N Jb Geol Paläont Abh 246:63–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A (2008a) New ‘Grylloblattida’ related to the genus Prosepididontus Handlirsch, 1920 in the Middle Jurassic of China (Insecta: Geinitziidae). Alcheringa 32:395–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A (2008b) A new Middle Jurassic Aphid family (Insecta: Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Sinojuraaphididae Fam. nov.) from Inner Mongolia, China. Palaeontology 51:715–719

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A, Shen Y, Selden PA, Lin Q (2006) Discussions on the age of the Daohugou fauna—evidence from invertebrates. Prog Nat Sci 16:308–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Nel A, Azar D, Nel P (2008a) Phylogenetic relationships of the Mesozoic paraneopteran family Archipsyllidae (Insecta: Psocodea). Geobios 41:461–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D-Y, Zompro O, Waller A (2008b) Mantophasmatodea now in the Jurassic. Naturwissenschaften 95:947–952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang J, Ren D, Sinitshenkova ND, Shih C (2008c) New fossil mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Insect Sci 15:193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D, Selden PS, Dunlop JA (2009) Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) from the Middle Jurassic of China. Naturwissenschaften 96:955–962

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji Q, Li H, Bowe M, Liu Y, Taylor DW (2004) Early Cretaceous Archaefructus eoflora sp. nov. with bisexual flowers from Beipiao, Western Liaoning, China. Acta Geol Sin 78:883–896

    Google Scholar 

  • Ji Q, Liu Y, Chen W, Ji Sa LJ, You H, Yuan C (2005) On the geological age of Daohugou biota. Geol Rev 51:609–612

    Google Scholar 

  • Ji Q, Yuan CX (2002) Discovery of two kinds of protofeathered pterosaurs in the Mesozoic Daohugou biota in the Ningcheng region and its stratigraphic and biologic significance. Geol Rev 48:221–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang B, Sha J, Cai H (2007) Early Cretaceous nonmarine bivalve assemblages from the Jehol Group in western Liaoning, northeast China. Cretac Res 28:199–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimura T, Ohana T, Zhao LM, Geng BY (1994) Pankuangia haifanggouensis gen. et sp. nov., a fossil plant with unknown affinity from the middle Jurassic Haifanggou Formation, western Liaoning, Northeast China. Bull Kitakyushu Mus Nat Hist 13:255–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Leng Q, Friis EM (2003) Sinocarpus decussatus gen. et sp. nov., a new angiosperm with basally syncarpous fruits from the Yixian Formation of Northeast China. Plant Syst Evol 241:77–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leng Q, Friis EM (2006) Angiosperm leaves associated with Sinocarpus infructescences from the Yixian formation (Mid-Early Cretaceous) of NE China. Plant Syst Evol 262:173–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li N, Li Y, Wang L, Zheng S, Zhang W (2004) A new Weltrichia Braun in north China with a special bennettitalean male reproductive organ. Acta Bot Sin 46:1269–1275

    Google Scholar 

  • Li G, Shen Y, Batten DJ (2007) Yanjiestheria, Yanshania and the development of the Eosestheria conchostracan fauna of the Jehol Biota in China. Cretac Res 28:225–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang J, Vrsansky P, Ren D, Shih C (2009) A new Jurassic carnivorous cockroach (Insecta, Blattaria, Raphidiomimidae) from the Inner Mongolia in China. Zootaxa 1974:17–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin Q-B, Huang D-Y (2008) New Middle Jurassic Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) from Inner Mongolia, China. Ann Zool 58:521–527

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin Q-B, Huang D-Y, Nel A (2007) A new family of Cavilabiata from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation, China (Odonata: Anisoptera). Zootaxa 1649:59–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu M, Ren D, Shih C (2006a) A new fossil weevil (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Belidae) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. Prog Nat Sci 16:885–888

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X-Q, Li C-S, Wang Y-F (2006b) Plants of Leptostrobus Heer (Czekanowkiales) from the early Cretaceous and late Triassic of China, with discussion of the genus. J Integr Plant Biol 48:137–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu M, Lu W, Ren D (2007) A new fossil mordellid (Coleoptera: Tenebrionoidea: Mordellidae) from the Yixian Formation of Western Liaoning Province, China. Zootaxa 1415:49–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu M, Zhao Y-Y, Ren D (2008) Discovery of three new mordellids (Coleoptera, Tenebrionoidea) from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. Cretac Res 29:445–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Liu Y, Li P, Zhang H, Zhang L, Li Y, Xia H (2004) Daohugou biota-bearing lithostratigraphic succession on the southeastern margin of the Ningcheng basin, Inner Mongolia, and its geochronology. Reg Geol China 23:1180–1187

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Ren D (2008) Two new Jurassic stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) from Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Prog Nat Sci 18:1039–1042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nel A, Huang D-Y, Lin Q-B (2007) A new genus of isophlebioid damsel-dragonflies (Odonata: Isophlebioptera: Campterophlebiidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China. Zootaxa 1642:13–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Nel A, Huang D-Y, Lin Q-B (2008) A new genus of isophlebioid damsel-dragonflies with “calopterygid”-like wing shape from the Middle Jurassic of China (Odonata: Isophlebioidea: Campterophlebiidae). Eur J Entomol 105:783–787

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan G (1983) The Jurassic precursors of angiosperms from Yanliao region of North China and the origin of angiosperms. Chin Sci Bull 28:1520

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng Y-D, Zhang L-D, Chen W, Zhang C-J, Guo S-Z, Xing D-H, Jia B, Chen S-W, Ding Q-H (2003) 40Ar/39Ar and K-Ar dating of the Yixian Formation volcanic rocks, western Liaoning province, China. Geochimca 32:427–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrulevicius J, Huang D-Y, Ren D (2007) A new hangingfly (Insecta: Mecoptera: Bittacidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. Afr Invertebr 48:145–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren D, Oswald D (2002) A new genus of Kallihemerobiidae from the middle Jurassic of China (Neuroptera). Stuttgarter Beitr Naturkunde B 317:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Selden PA, Huang D-Y, Ren D (2008) Palpimanoid spiders from the Jurassic of China. J Arachnol 36:306–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sha J (2007) Cretaceous stratigraphy of northeast China: non-marine and marine correlation. Cretac Res 28:146–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shen Y-B, Chen P-J, Huang D-Y (2003) Age of the fossil conchostracans from Daohugou of Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia. J Stratigr 27:311–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Shih C, Liu C, Ren D (2009) The earliest fossil record of pelecinid wasps (Inseta: Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea: Pelecinidae) from Inner Mongolia, China. Ann Entomol Soc Am 102:20–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith JB, Harris JD (2001) A taxonomic problem concerning two diapsod genera from the lower Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, northeastern China. J Vertebr Paleontol 21:389–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun G, Dilcher DL, Zheng S, Zhou Z (1998) In search of the first flower: a Jurassic angiosperm, Archaefructus, from Northeast China. Science 282:1692–1695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun G, Zheng S, Dilcher D, Wang Y, Mei S (2001) Early angiosperms and their associated plants from Western Liaoning, China. Shanghai Technology & Education Press, Shanghai

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun G, Ji Q, Dilcher DL, Zheng S, Nixon KC, Wang X (2002) Archaefructaceae, a new basal angiosperm family. Science 296:899–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swisher CC, Wang YQ, Wang XL, Xu X, Wang Y (1999) Cretaceous age for the feathered dinosaurs of Liaoning. Nature 400:58–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swisher CC, Wang X, Zhou Z, Wang Y, Jin F, Zhang J, Xu X, Zhang F, Wang Y (2002) Further support for a Cretaceous age for the feathered-dinosaur beds of Liaoning, China: new 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Yixian and Tuchengzi formations. Chin Sci Bull 47:136–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan J, Ren D (2009) Mesozoic archostematan fauna from China. Science Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang W (1987) Early Mesozoic insects fossils from western Liaoning. In: Yu X, Wang W, Liu X, Zhang W, Zheng S, Zhang Z, Yu Q, Ma F, Dong GY, Yao P (eds) Mesozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology of western Liaoning. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp 202–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Zhang H, Zhang L, Zheng S, Yang F, Li Z, Zheng Y, Ding Q (2004) Standard sections of Tuchengzi stage and Yixian stage and their stratigraphy, palaeontology and tectonic-volcanic actions. Geol Pub House, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X (2010) Axial nature of cupule-bearing organ in Caytoniales. J Syst Evol 48:207–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Han G (2011) The earliest ascidiate carpel and its implications for angiosperm evolution. Acta Geol Sin 85:998–1002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Wang S (2010) Xingxueanthus: an enigmatic Jurassic seed plant and its implications for the origin of angiospermy. Acta Geol Sin 84:47–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Zhang H (2009a) A remarkable new genus of Procercopidae (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea) from the Middle Jurassic of China. C R Palevol 8:389–394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Zhang H (2009b) Tettigarctidae (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadoidea) from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China. Geobios 42:243–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Zheng S (2009) The earliest normal flower from Liaoning Province, China. J Integr Plant Biol 51:800–811

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Zheng S (2010) Whole fossil plants of Ephedra and their implications on the morphology, ecology and evolution of Ephedraceae (Gnetales). Chin Sci Bull 55:1511–1519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Duan S, Cui J (1997) Several species of Schizolepis and their significance on the evolution of conifers. Taiwania 42:73–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang W, Zhang H, Zhang L, Zheng S, Yang F, Li Z, Zheng Y, Ding Q (2004) Standard sections of Tuchengzi stage and Yixian stage and their stratigraphy, palaeontology and tectonic-volcanic actions. Geological Publishing House, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Duan S, Geng B, Cui J, Yang Y (2007a) Schmeissneria: a missing link to angiosperms? BMC Evol Biol 7:14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Duan S, Geng B, Cui J, Yang Y (2007b) Is Jurassic Schmeissneria an angiosperm? Acta Palaeontol Sin 46:486–490

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Kellner AWA, Zhou Z, de Almeida Campos D (2007c) A new pterosaur (Ctenochasmatidae, Archaeopterodactyloidea) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China. Cretac Res 28:245–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Ponomarenko AG, Zhang H (2009a) A new coptoclavid larva (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscoidea) from the Middle Jurassic of China, and its phylogenetic implication. Paleontol J 43:652–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Zhang H, Szwedo J (2009b) Jurassic Palaeontinidae from China and the higher systematics of Palaeontinoidea (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha). Palaeontology 52:53–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Liang J, Ren D, Shih C (2009c) New fossil Vitimotauliidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) from he Jehol Biota of Liaoning Province, China. Cretac Res 30:592–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Krings M, Taylor TN (2010a) A thalloid organism with possible lichen affinity from the Jurassic of northeastern China. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 162:567–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Zheng S, Jin J (2010b) Structure and relationships of Problematospermum, an enigmatic seed from the Jurassic of China. Int J Plant Sci 171:447–456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Ren D (2009) New fossil palaeontinids from the middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China (Insecta, Hemiptera). Acta Geol Sin 83:33–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu S-Q (1999) A preliminary study of the Jehol flora from the western Liaoning. Palaeoworld 11:7–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu K, Yang J, Tao M, Liang H, Zhao C, Li R, Kong H, Li Y, Wan C, Peng W (2003) The stratigraphic region of northeast China. Petroleum Industry Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y, Geng B-Y, Dilcher DL, Chen Z-D, Lott TA (2005) Morphology and affinities of an early Cretaceous Ephedra (Ephedraceae) from China. Am J Bot 92:231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu X (1987) New material of fresh-water genus Nippononaia (bivalvia) from western Liaoning, China. In: Yu X, Wang W, Liu X, Zhang W, Zheng S, Zhang Z, Yu Q, Ma F, Dong GY, Yao P (eds) Mesozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology of western Liaoning. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp 117–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu J-S, Dong G-Y, Yao P-Y (1987) The distribution and age of bivalves of the Jehol group. In: Yu X, Wang W, Liu X, Zhang W, Zheng S, Zhang Z, Yu Q, Ma F, Dong GY, Yao P (eds) Mesozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology of western Liaoning. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp 1–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J (2002) Discovery of Daohugou Biota (pre-Jehol Biota) with a discussion on its geological age. J Stratigr 26:173–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J (2006) New winter crane flies (Insecta: Diptera: Trichoceridae) from the Jurassic Daohugou Formation (Inner Mongolia, China) and their associated biota. Can J Earth Sci 43:9–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J (2007a) New mesozoic Protopleciidae (Insecta: Diptera: Nematocera) from China. Cretac Res 28:289–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J (2007b) Some anisopodoids (Insecta: Diptera: Anisopodoidea) from late mesozoic deposits of northeast China. Cretac Res 28:281–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J (2007c) New mesosciophilid gnats (Insecta: Diptera: Mesosciophilidae) in the Daohugou biota of Inner Mongolia, China. Cretac Res 28:297–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Lukashevich ED (2007) The oldest known net-winged midges (Insecta: Diptera: Blephariceridae) from the late mesozoic of northeast China. Cretac Res 28:302–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang K, Li J, Yang D, Ren D (2009) A new species of Archirhagio Rohdendorf, 1938 from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia of China (Diptera: Archisargidae). Zootaxa 1984:61–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Zheng S (1987) Early Mesozoic fossil plants in western Liaoning, Northeast China. In: Yu X, Wang W, Liu X, Zhang W, Zheng S, Zhang Z, Yu Q, Ma F, Dong GY, Yao P (eds) Mesozoic stratigraphy and palaeontology of western Liaoning. Geological Publishing House, Beijing, pp 239–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X-W, Ren D, Pang H, Shih C-K (2008) A water-skiing chresmodid from the Middle Jurassic in Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China (Polyneoptera: Orthopterida). Zootaxa 1762:53–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng S, Zhou Z (2004) A new Mesozoic Ginkgo from western Liaoning, China and its evolutionary significance. Rev Palaeobot Palynol 131:91–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng S-L, Zhang L-J, Gong E-P (2003) A discovery of Anomozamites with reproductive organs. Acta Bot Sin 45:667–672

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Zheng S, Zhang L (2007) Morphology and age of Yimaia (Ginkgoales) from Daohugou Village, Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia, China. Cretac Res 28:348–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Xin Wang

Authors
  1. Xin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wang, X. (2018). Background for the Plant Fossils. In: The Dawn Angiosperms. Springer Geology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58325-9_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation