Permian-Triassic insect diversity revealed by fossils from China

Abstract

Most of the research on Paleoentomology focuses on describing morphology and classification of one species of fossil insects. However, there is little information on the temporal diversity of insects during the Permian and Triassic periods. The end-Permian mass extinction (EPME) was the greatest biological and ecological crisis of the Phanerozoic Eon on Earth, while the pattern of recovery of terrestrial ecosystem is still unclear. In this paper, the population and distribution of insects in various regions of China before and after the fifth mass extinction were studied by counting the fossil literature data of insects from the Permian to Triassic. We found the genus diversity of the proto-orthoptera decreased after the mass extinction. The Blattoidea (cockroach) showed a brief trend of extinction after the mass extinction, but soon returned to prosperity; Hemiptera’s population was less affected by mass extinctions, with only minor fluctuations in diversity and subsequent prosperity beyond the Permian; The order Mecoptera is speculated to be an emerging species of the Triassic. Specific trend changes for the above four purposes may be affected by volcanic activity. Insect diversification can reflect changes in terrestrial ecology, providing a reliable example of changes in our current climate environment: scientists can predict the possible ecological impact of global warming through previous records, and take preventive measures to prevent the mass extinction of species again.