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A new type of Precambrian megascopic fossils: the Jinxian biota from northeastern China

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Abstract

Precambrian fossils are crucial for our understanding of the evolution of early organisms. Megascopic body fossils are more important because they potentially represent macroorganisms. However, the Precambrian fossil record is sparse and dominated by microfossils and microbial structures. Here we show a new type of megascopic fossils recovered from the Xingmincun Formation (probably Neoproterozoic age), northeastern China. The specimens are flat, flexible (easily corrugated) and discoidal in outline. Concentric or spiral ridges are preserved on both sides. Petrographical thin section examination indicates that the specimen consist of a thin layer of microcrystalline quartz grains (about 20–30 μm thick) wrapped by an outer sheath, composed primarily of chlorites. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with an x-ray energy dispersive spectrometer system (EDX) analysis shows microstructures and relative element abundance of the fossils, but contributes little in solving their biological affinities. The fossils have previously been linked to discoidal impressions of the Ediacara biota. Close examination on new materials indicates that they are radically different from either the Ediacara impressions or any other Precambrian megascopic remains. Concentric or spiral ridges may result from rhythmic growth and the presence of twin specimens may suggest that the organisms undergo asexual reproduction or inhibition of growth in one direction. Referring them to any known fossil or living group has proved to be difficult. We conclude that they represent a distinct group of Precambrian megascopic organisms regardless of their affinities remaining problematic.

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Acknowledgements

We thank D. H. Erwin, E. L. Yochelson, N. J. Butterfield, S. Conway Morris, G. M. Narbonne, G. E. Budd, J. Hannibal, J. G. Gehling, M. Steiner and G. Helmus for scientific discussions, X.-D. Li, Y.-J. Yang, G.-R. Zhang, B. Zhou and W. Bai for field assistance, and G. Hundertmark for technical assistance. We are also grateful to M. Wilmsen and an anonymous referee for reviewing the manuscript. XZ appreciates the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for the financial support of one-year research stay in Germany. Grants from the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC 40402005 and 40332016) and a Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of PR China (FANEDD 200326) are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Geology, and State Key Laboratory for Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xian, 710069, PR China

    Xingliang Zhang & Hong Hua

  2. Abteilung Geobiologie, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Goldschmidtstr. 3, 37077, Göttingen, Germany

    Joachim Reitner

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  1. Xingliang Zhang
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Correspondence to Xingliang Zhang.

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Zhang, X., Hua, H. & Reitner, J. A new type of Precambrian megascopic fossils: the Jinxian biota from northeastern China. Facies 52, 169–181 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-005-0027-z

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