Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 363, Issue 6433, Pages 1338-+Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.aau8800
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Funding
- National Key Research and Development Program [2017YFC0603101]
- Natural Science Foundation of China [41621003, 41890840, 41720104002, 41772011]
- Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences [XDB26000000]
- 111 Project [D17013]
- US-NSF [EAR-1554897]
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Burgess Shale-type fossil Lagerstatten provide the best evidence for deciphering the biotic patterns and magnitude of the Cambrian explosion. Here, we report a Lagerstatte from South China, the Qingjiang biota (similar to 518 million years old), which is dominated by soft-bodied taxa from a distal shelf setting. The Qingjiang biota is distinguished by pristine carbonaceous preservation of labile organic features, a very high proportion of new taxa (similar to 53%), and preliminary taxonomic diversity that suggests it could rival the Chengjiang and Burgess Shale biotas. Defining aspects of the Qingjiang biota include a high abundance of cnidarians, including both medusoid and polypoid forms; new taxa resembling extant kinorhynchs; and abundant larval or juvenile forms. This distinctive composition holds promise for providing insights into the evolution of Cambrian ecosystems across environmental gradients.
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