Size variation of conodonts during the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) global warming event

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2013 Size variation of conodonts during the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) global warming event Yanlong Chen; Yanlong Chen * 1Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 26, 8010 Graz, Austria2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China *E-mails: yanlong.chen@edu.uni-graz.at; jiangliuis@hotmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard J. Twitchett; Richard J. Twitchett 3School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Haishui Jiang; Haishui Jiang * 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China *E-mails: yanlong.chen@edu.uni-graz.at; jiangliuis@hotmail.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sylvain Richoz; Sylvain Richoz 4Austrian Academy of Sciences c/o Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 26, 8010 Graz, Austria Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Xulong Lai; Xulong Lai 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chunbo Yan; Chunbo Yan 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yadong Sun; Yadong Sun 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Xiaodan Liu; Xiaodan Liu 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lina Wang Lina Wang 2State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Hubei 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2013) 41 (8): 823–826. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34171.1 Article history received: 25 Oct 2012 rev-recd: 27 Feb 2013 accepted: 06 Mar 2013 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Yanlong Chen, Richard J. Twitchett, Haishui Jiang, Sylvain Richoz, Xulong Lai, Chunbo Yan, Yadong Sun, Xiaodan Liu, Lina Wang; Size variation of conodonts during the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) global warming event. Geology 2013;; 41 (8): 823–826. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G34171.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Final recovery of marine ecosystems after the end-Permian mass extinction took several million years, partly due to inhospitable environments and three episodes of further extinction that occurred during the Early Triassic: in the late Griesbachian, near the Smithian-Spathian boundary (SSB), and in the late Spathian. The SSB crisis coincides with an episode of extreme warmth, but has been little studied. This study represents the first stratigraphic and paleoecological analysis of the SSB crisis in the Nanpanjiang Basin, south China, which is a key area for Permian–Triassic studies. A comprehensive, high-resolution stratigraphic framework comprising six conodont zones is provided. Conodonts are an extinct group of marine chordates with a feeding apparatus composed of microscopic “tooth-like” elements. They are one of the fastest-evolving fossil groups, sensitive to environment stress, and are thus an ideal organism to test ecological responses to past episodes of climatic change. Detailed size measurements of 441 conodont elements of the closely related genera Neospathodus, Triassospathodus, and Novispathodus show for the first time that this clade suffered a temporary, but significant, size reduction during the SSB crisis, followed by gradual and steady size increase during the early Spathian. Size reduction of conodonts was caused by an episode of global warming, further strengthening the link between morphological and climatic changes recorded in the fossil record. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.