Age constraints on a Neogene tropical rainforest in China and its relation to the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum

Zheng, Daran; Shi, Gongle; Hemming, S. R.; Zhang, Haichun; Wang, Weiming; Wang, Bo; Chang, Shaohua

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.01.019

Cited by 43 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…However, the Zhangpu amber biota is unique because it is noncommercially extracted and consequently lacks any anthropogenic selective bias. Moreover, its precise age and climate are well-constrained by radioisotopic dating ( 9 ) and associated plant compression/impression fossils, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ages of basalt samples underlying and overlying the fossil layers are 14.8 ± 0.6 and 14.7 ± 0.4 Ma, respectively ( Fig. 1 ) ( 9 , 31 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we report an exceptionally rich middle Miocene biota preserved in amber and associated sedimentary rocks from the Fotan Group [~14.7 million years (Ma) ago] ( 9 ) in southeastern China ( Fig. 1 and fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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The mid-Miocene Zhangpu biota reveals an outstandingly rich rainforest biome in East Asia

Wang

Shi

et al. 2021

Sci. Adv.

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During the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum [MMCO, ~14 to 17 million years (Ma) ago], global temperatures were similar to predicted temperatures for the coming century. Limited megathermal paleoclimatic and fossil data are known from this period, despite its potential as an analog for future climate conditions. Here, we report a rich middle Miocene rainforest biome, the Zhangpu biota (~14.7 Ma ago), based on material preserved in amber and associated sedimentary rocks from southeastern China. The record shows that the mid-Miocene rainforest reached at least 24.2°N and was more widespread than previously estimated. Our results not only highlight the role of tropical rainforests acting as evolutionary museums for biodiversity at the generic level but also suggest that the MMCO probably strongly shaped the East Asian biota via the northern expansion of the megathermal rainforest biome. The Zhangpu biota provides an ideal snapshot for biodiversity redistribution during global warming.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ages of basalt samples underlying and overlying the fossil layers are 14.8 ± 0.6 and 14.7 ± 0.4 Ma, respectively ( Fig. 1 ) ( 9 , 31 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The mid-Miocene Zhangpu biota reveals an outstandingly rich rainforest biome in East Asia

Wang

Shi

et al. 2021

Sci. Adv.

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“…Fossil leaves were collected from the Fotan Group, which is exposed in the Lindai Village of Fotan Town and located at the northeast corner of Zhangpu County, Fujian Province, in southeastern China (24°12′27″N, 117°53′24′′E; Figure 1). The geological age of the Fotan Group correlates with the Middle Miocene based on the results from 40 Ar/ 39 Ar analyses of basaltic rocks (Zheng et al, 2019) and palynological assemblage (Zheng & Wang, 1994). The sedimentary rocks of the Fotan Group consist of arenaceous conglomerate rocks, sandstone, and mudstone interbedded with lignite and diatomite.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The diversity of Smilax (Smilacaceae) leaves from the Middle Miocene in southeastern China

Jia

Sun

et al. 2020

Geological Journal

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The Fotan flora represents a tropical rainforest biome and is known by its abundance of fossil plant remains, which mainly include leaves and fruits. In this article, we describe three Smilax (Smilacaceae) fossil taxa, S. fujianensis sp. nov., S. zhangpuensis sp. nov., and Smilax sp., from the Middle Miocene of Fujian Province, in southeastern China. Three morphotypes were examined for their gross morphological characteristics and cuticular structures, with especial reference to the venation patterns and stomata complexes. These new Miocene species increase the known diversity of the genus Smilax in low‐latitude regions and contribute to a better understanding of its interspecific variability. Smilax is sensitive to climatic change, and their spatial and temporal distribution fluctuates in response to the periods of warming or cooling in the Cenozoic. Moreover, Smilax primarily grows in warm and moist forests.

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“…mentary layers, and occurs widely throughout eastern and western Fujian (Zheng et al, 2019). The geological age of the amber-bearing layers is constrained by the overlying basalt with an age of 14.7 ± 0.4 Ma (Zheng et al, 2019). The paleoclimate and local paleoenvironment are summarized by Wang et al (2021).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stingless bees in Miocene amber of southeastern China (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

et al. 2021

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Among the many inclusions from the exceptionally rich fossiliferous amber of Zhangpu, China (Middle Miocene: Langhian), stingless bees (Apinae: Meliponini) are particularly common, analogous to the merely slightly older amber sites of Mexico and the Dominican Republic. While there is a large number of workers in Zhangpu amber, only two species are represented. The systematics and morphology of the tribe Meliponini is outlined, including a revision to terms of orientation and direction when discussing surfaces and features of appendages, all in order to better discuss the traits of the fossils as well as place them into a broader context in the global systematics of stingless bees. The two amber species are representative of two Old World genera of Meliponini: Tetragonula Moure and Austroplebeia Moure. While the former is widespread across southern Asia, Malesia, Papuasia, and Australia, the latter is today known only from New Guinea and Australia. Neither genus occurs in the environs of Zhangpu today. Tetragonula (Tetragonula) florilega Engel, new species, is a generally typical species of the subgenus although it intermingles traits otherwise found in two large species groups of non-Australian Tetragonula s.str. The species of Austroplebeia from Zhangpu is sufficiently distinct to place in a new subgenus, Anteplebeina Engel. Austroplebeia (Anteplebeina) fujianica Engel, new species, shares a long list of character states with Austroplebeia s.str., including the presence of yellow maculation on the face, mesoscutum, mesoscutellum, and metepisternum, found only in this clade among Asiatic Meliponini. Nonetheless, the species differs in the length of the malar space and various features of wing venation. Keys are provided to the genera in Zhangpu amber and the subgenera of both genera. The diversity of stingless bees in amber is discussed, as well as the presence of these two fossils in the Middle Miocene of mainland Asia in relation to prior divergence time estimates, phylogenetic relationships, as well as the paleogeography of the region and potential biogeographic hypotheses. The biological association of stingless bees with resins, particularly the collection of dipterocarp resins, is discussed as Zhangpu amber is a Class II resin likely produced by an extinct species of Dipterocarpaceae (Malvales). Also discussed are the ecological preferences of modern Tetragonula and Austroplebeia relative to the reconstructed paleoenvironment of the Zhangpu amber rainforest. Emendations to the classification of Meliponini are appended, with the following new taxa proposed: Atrichotrigona Engel, new subgenus of Axestotrigona Moure; Lispotrigona V.H. Gonzalez & Engel, new subgenus of Nannotrigona Cockerell; Asperplebeia Engel, new genus; Nanoplebeia Engel, new subgenus of Plebeia Schwarz; Aphaneuropsis Engel, Koilotrigona Engel, Necrotrigona Engel, Dichrotrigona Engel, Nostotrigona Engel, Ktinotrofia Engel, all new subgenera of Trigona Jurine; Chapadapis Engel, new subgenus of Schwarziana Moure. The following higher groups are also established: Hypotrigonina Engel, new sutribe; Heterotrigonitae Engel, new infratribe; Trigoniscitae Engel, new infratribe.

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Age constraints on a Neogene tropical rainforest in China and its relation to the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum

Cited by 43 publications

References 62 publications

The mid-Miocene Zhangpu biota reveals an outstandingly rich rainforest biome in East Asia

The mid-Miocene Zhangpu biota reveals an outstandingly rich rainforest biome in East Asia

The diversity of Smilax (Smilacaceae) leaves from the Middle Miocene in southeastern China

Stingless bees in Miocene amber of southeastern China (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

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