Doushantuo Fossils: Life on the Eve of Animal Radiation

Abstract

Doushantuo Fossils: Life on the Eve of Animal Radiation. Xun-lai Yuan, Shu-hai Xiao, Lei-ming Yin, Andrew H. Knoll, Chuan-ming Zhou and Xi-nan Mu, eds. 2002. The University of Science and Technology of China Press, Hefei, 171 p. (In Chinese, with English summary) ISBN 7-312-01399-6/Q.32. The Neoproterozoic (1,000 ∼ 540 Ma) is a defining time in the history of eukaryote life: spiny acritarchs appeared in abundance, accompanied by a steadfast increase of macroscopic algae. Emergence of metazoan animals in the Neoproterozoic foreshadows a succession of crucial events in the history of early life: diversification of the Ediacaran organisms, and the Cambrian radiation of most animal phyla. Some of the best seats in the paleontological theater to view this high evolutionary drama of early eukaryote life are in the fossil sites of the Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation of China, which yielded some spectacular fossils of acritarchs, macroscopic algae, and fossilized animal embryos. Doushantuo Fossils is the latest synthesis by several active paleontologists who have contributed much to our understanding of an important paleontological treasure of China. For the last several years, the dazzling discoveries from the Doushantuo Formation have come at such a rapid pace that many paleontologists were caught by delightful surprise. The new fossils also begged new questions for which there are not yet any definitive answers. Taking stock of what has been accomplished in the past and gauging what can be explored in the future, this book on the Doushantuo fossils provides a timely review of a topic that is inherently interesting to all who care about the early evolution of life. Chapter 1, “Origin of Life and Early Life on Earth,” is a primer for a general audience, with an overview of the Chinese fossil records on the early history of life. Professionals will find the basic scientific substance …