Western Liaoning Province Research Articles

A new procercopid froghopper (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Procercopidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, western Liaoning Province, NE China

ABSTRACT A new procercopid species Stellularis kazuoensis sp. nov. is established and described from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in the Kazuo Basin, western Liaoning Province, NE China. It is characterised by the tegmen with singular RA, RP and M veins; vein M+CuA about half length of vein R; vein RA curved in apical area; and crossvein m-cua apicad of CuA2 end but basad of ir and r-m. The new species not only increases the diversity of Procercopidae but also provides more tegminal information of the genus Stellularis. The venational distinctions on tegmen between S. kazuoensis sp. nov. and the other species of Stellularis are schematically shown and discussed. The record of fossil insects from the Jiufotang Formation is also summarised.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Ecosystem Services and Driving Factors in Northeast China

Northeast China is an important ecological barrier in China, and an in-depth understanding of the spatial distribution in ecosystem services （ESs）, and the driving factors is crucial for realizing the subsequent management and protection of ESs. In the study, we quantitatively assessed the characteristics of spatial distribution in ESs in Northeastern China using the InVEST, RWEQ, and RUSLE models and identified the driving factors of ESs spatial distribution in conjunction with the geodetector based on meteorological data, remote sensing data, and socio-economic data. The results showed that the spatial distribution of ESs in Northeast China had obvious spatial heterogeneity. The high values of habitat quality （HQ）, carbon sequestration （CS） services, and soil conservation （SC） services were mainly distributed in the northern part of the four eastern leagues of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the northern part of Heilongjiang Province, and the eastern part of Northeast China, which were high in fraction vegetation cover, and low values were mainly found in southwestern and eastern Heilongjiang Province, western Jilin Province, and western Liaoning Province. The high values of the water yield （WY） service and wind prevention and sand fixation （WPSF） service were distributed in the east of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the east of Liaoning Province. The high values of WY services and WPSF services were distributed in the eastern part of Northeast China and the four eastern provinces of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. According to the geodetector results, slope had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of SC services with a q-value of 0.31, land use/cover change had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of HQ and CS services with q-values of 0.64 and 0.52, respectively, and fraction vegetation coverage and annual precipitation had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of WPSF and WY services with q-values of 0.24 and 0.64, respectively, and there were interactions among all the driving factors. The spatial distribution of ESs in Northeast China was mainly influenced by natural factors. The results will provide a scientific basis for subsequent management and enhancement of ESs in Northeast China.

Effects of Industrial Structure on the Green Utilization Efficiency of Urban Land: A Case Study of the Bohai Rim Region, China

The green utilization of urban land is a critical component of regional high-quality development. Enhancing the green utilization efficiency of urban land (GUEUL) is of great significance to improving the quality of ecological environment and achieving a green lifestyle and low-carbon production. With the process of urbanization, the industrial structure is constantly adjusted, which has an impact on the structure and efficiency of urban land utilization. Taking 43 cities in the Bohai Rim region as an example, the super-efficiency slack-based measure model with undesirable outputs (super-SBM-undesirable model) was employed to evaluate the GUEUL from 2006 to 2021, and the panel quantile model was used to explore the impact of industrial structure on GUEUL. The results showed that the GUEUL in the Bohai Rim region appeared a fluctuating upward trend from 0.664 in 2006 to 0.837 in 2021. High-value zones shifted from western Liaoning province and southern Shandong province to a “C”-shaped belt around the coastline and expanded continuously, while low-value zones decreased significantly. Furthermore, the influence of industrial structure on GUEUL was significantly positive, but there were significant differences among different efficiency levels. Industrial structure upgrading exerted the most significant effect on GUEUL improvement in low-value zones, while industrial structure rationalization was dominant in high-value zones, and the influence of industrial structure technologization was more significant in medium-low-value zones. Therefore, differentiated industrial structure adjustment policies should be formulated based on the actual condition of each city to improve GUEUL.

Siberian Jehol Biota

Abstract Volcanogenic-sedimentary and coal-bearing deposits, which contain abundant fossils of a lacustrine fauna and terrestrial flora, are widespread in the territory of Transbaikalia (Russia), Mongolia and Northeastern China. These ecosystems are known under the name ‘Jehol Biota’, which occurs in the Yixian and Jiufotang formations. The discovery of ‘feathered’ dinosaurs and of the earliest angiosperms in western Liaoning Province (China) made them world famous. The history of this biota began in the nineteenth century, when the discoveries in Transbaikalia of the remains of conchostracans, ostracods, insects, fish and plants collected during the expedition of A.F. Middendorf were described. The Barremian–Aptian sedimentary sequences of Transbaikalia (Russia), Mongolia and Northeastern China are very similar. The appearance and evolution of the Jehol Biota occurred against the background of extensive volcanism and tectonic revival, after which normal sedimentary rocks were deposited, culminating in relief peneplanation, swamp development and peat formation. The northern limit of the distribution of this biota is determined to be up to c. 54° modern north latitude. The existence of the Siberian Jehol Biota in extreme climatic conditions is confirmed, as was indicated for the Jehol Biota from NE China.

Source rock and climate model for the Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, Kazuo Basin, China: Geochemistry and petrography

The Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation, situated in western Liaoning Province, China, has attracted attention for abundant Jehol Biota fossils and the potential to improve understanding of the relationships among climate change, evolution of terrigenous organisms, and organic matter (OM) enrichment in lake systems during the Early Cretaceous. Based on organic petrology and biomarker analyses, this study investigated the depositional environment, OM sources, and enrichment mechanism of Jiufotang mudstone in the Kazuo Basin. Maceral composition shows that the OM source of Jiufotang mudstone shifted from mainly aquatic to terrigenous, and biomarkers such as abundant diterpenoids and retene indicate that terrigenous higher plants were mainly conifers during deposition of the Jiufotang Formation. Pr/Ph ratios (0.07–0.65) show that the studied section was deposited in anoxic bottom water that may be necessary for OM enrichment in lake systems. Gravity flows were accompanied by input of many clastic minerals and oxygenation of bottom waters, which is unfavorable for OM enrichment. Therefore, the best OM enrichment model for lake systems includes anoxic bottom water, stable water column stratification, low sedimentation rates, and high phytoplankton contributions. The climate changed from relatively dry to humid, which drove changes in the OM enrichment model in the lake. More importantly, the climate and terrigenous plant information obtained by biomarkers is useful to reconstruct the ecological environment of the Jehol Biota.

A new clam shrimp (Branchiopoda: Diplostraca: Spinicaudata) from the Upper Jurassic in the Jiyuan Basin, China and its biostratigraphic significance.

A new spinicaudatan species Triglypta jiyuanensis Liao & Huang sp. nov. is described from the Upper Jurassic Maao Formation in the Jiyuan Basin, northwestern Henan Province, China. The carapace of the new species is ornamented with punctae, linear arrangements of punctae, and radial lirae. The new species differs from those of the early Triglypta forms from the Middle Jurassic but closely resembles T. jianchangensis Wang, 2014 from the Upper Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of western Liaoning Province. Our study provides new biostratigraphic evidence supporting that the Maao and Tiaojishan formations can be correlated. Moreover, we suggest that the Yangshuzhuang Formation in the Jiyuan Basin could correlate to the Haifanggou and the Longmen formations in the Yanliao area.

Characteristics of microplastics in dryland soils after long‐term film mulching and the effect of cropping type in western Liaoning Province, China

AbstractMicroplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant environmental challenge on a global scale. In the semi‐arid region of western Liaoning, China, agricultural films have been widely utilized to enhance crop production over an extended period. However, there is a scarcity of research on the presence of MPs in the soil of farmlands in this area. Consequently, a total of 25 dryland soil samples from western Liaoning that had been mulched for more than 10 years and had been used to grow a variety of crops were gathered for the current study. The abundance, particle size, shape, and potential sources of MPs were examined, and the impact of different crop varieties on MPs characteristics was investigated. MPs abundance ranged from 6960 ± 1939 to 34,710 ± 9974 n kg−1, with the average and median of 14,305 ± 7015 and 12,270 ± 1621 n kg−1. MPs with sizes of less than 0.05, 0.05–0.1, and 0.1–0.4 mm were found in 42.7%, 33.8%, and 18.8% of cases, respectively. The most common shapes were fragments, microbeads, and films, with percentages of 47.1%, 22.3%, and 17.9%, respectively. A total of three polymers were found: polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in a proportion of 44.8%, 43.7%, and 11.5%, respectively. Based on the shape of the MPs, principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that the primary sources for MPs may be agricultural mulch, irrigation water, and the weathering of hard plastics like agricultural packaging. Compared to other crop types, soils growing sweet potato and peanut had significantly higher MP abundances. Moreover, soils growing sweet potato had significantly higher percentages of MPs with 0.05–0.1 mm particle size. Regardless of the crop type grown, fragments are the most common shape, while the proportion of other shapes varies depending on the crop type. The aforementioned findings suggest that MP pollution in farmland soil in western Liaoning is more severe and that the kind of crop cultivation affects the characteristics of MPs in the soil.

A quantitative analysis of leaf life span reveals the Mesozoic significant gymnosperm Xenoxylon as evergreen: First evidence from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in northeastern China

The Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning Province of China and adjacent regions, is one of the most spectacular Mesozoic terrestrial lagerstätten in East Asia. Diversified fossil wood has been reported for the last two decades for the Jehol Biota. However, little is known about the fossil wood from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in the Kazuo area of western Liaoning. Here, we report new fossil wood material from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Kazuo County of western Liaoning Province, northeastern China with well-preserved xenoxylean radial tracheid pitting and window-like cross-field pitting. Due to a novel combination of radial tracheid pitting, cross-field pitting and ray height, a new species, Xenoxylon kazuoense Xie, Wang, Tian et D.Uhl sp. nov., is recognized here belonging to the gymnosperm. Based on the well-preserved tree growth rings, we first perform a quantitative analysis of leaf life span for the Mesozoic common gymnosperm Xenoxylon. The result shows the tree X. kazuoense sp. nov. was evergreen with a leaf retention time (LRT) of 3–15 years. The discovery of this new species leads to a further understanding of the biodiversity of fossil wood in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and the leaf phenology of trees growing in this area during the Early Cretaceous.

A chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic framework for the Yanliao Biota of northeastern China: Implications for Jurassic terrestrial ecosystems and evolution

The terrestrial Yanliao Biota in northeastern China represents a Jurassic biodiversity hotspot. Abundant and diverse fossils include the oldest known representatives of several groups of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates that thrived in a forest ecosystem under a humid and warm climate. Since the early 21st century, discoveries associated with the Yanliao Biota have significantly improved our understanding of Jurassic terrestrial ecosystems. However, a robust chronostratigraphic framework is required to calibrate the biota with key evolutionary events and to improve understanding of possible links between evolution and tectonism. In this paper, we report novel 40Ar/39Ar ages for two tuff layers (161.4 ± 0.8 Ma and 161.6 ± 0.6 Ma) positioned directly above the less-studied but salamander fossil-rich beds in Reshuitang, near Lingyuan, Liaoning Province, China. These new age data improve knowledge of the timing of diversification of early salamanders. We also review all reported age data and summarize significant fossils from classic Yanliao outcrops. Our study indicates that the Reshuitang fossil beds were deposited slightly later than the well-known Daohugou fossil beds situated ∼15 km away in Inner Mongolia and somewhat earlier than the Linglongta fossil beds in western Liaoning Province. These findings advance understanding of the Jurassic world during an episode of pronounced climatic warming.

Establishing a Soil Health Assessment System for Quaternary Red Soils (Luvisols) under Different Land Use Patterns

The health status of Quaternary red soil is a comprehensive reflection of the production and ecological service functions, which directly affects agricultural productivity and ecosystem sustainability. Based on the Cornell Soil Health Assessment (CASH) system frame, a health evaluation system for Quaternary red soils was established including the soil’s physical, chemical, and biological indicators. The soil’s health status under different land use patterns (the buried Quaternary red soil, sparse forest and grassland, grassland, woodland, and arable land) was systematically diagnosed in the low hilly region of western Liaoning Province. The results showed significant differences in the soil health comprehensive index of the Quaternary red soils under different land use patterns (the whole soil), presenting a trend of woodland (0.64) > arable land (0.61) > grassland (0.49) > sparse forest and grassland (0.37) > buried Quaternary red soils (0.33). The woodland and arable land are at a healthy level, the grassland and sparse forest and grassland are at a sub-healthy level, and the buried Quaternary red soil is at an unhealthy level. The health status of the topsoil layer (A) under different land use patterns has a trend of woodland (0.86) > arable land (0.73) > grassland (0.70) > sparse forest and grassland (0.67). This is consistent with the overall health status of the profile, better than that of subsoil layer (B), which presents a trend of arable land (0.41) > grassland (0.40) > woodland (0.38) > sparse forest and grassland (0.34), with relatively poor soil health conditions. Overall, the soil health status of the four land use patterns is better than that of the buried Quaternary red soils, showing an evolution trend towards healthy soil. This indicates that at this stage, human land use activities have to some extent promoted the healthy development of Quaternary red soils. The Quaternary red soils of the woodland have a healthy status, and the land use pattern is suitable and can be scientifically recommended in low mountain and hilly areas.

A new pterosaur specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China: The oldest fossil record of Nurhachius

ABSTRACT The Istiodactylidae is one of three ornithocheiroid pterosaur lineages, characterised by a large nasoantorbital fenestrae and labiolingually compressed teeth. Their remains have been reported from Early Cretaceous rocks of northeastern China and Western Europe. A new istiodactylid pterosaur from the upper part of the Yixian Formation (Jingangshan Member) of the Jehol Group, distributed in western Liaoning Province and neighbouring areas, is described on the basis of an incomplete specimen including the partial skull, forelimb and hindlimb bones, and pelvis. This individual, here designated as a referred specimen of Nurhachius (Nurhachius sp.) is a skeletally almost mature pterosaur with an estimated wingspan of 1.6 m. This specimen is not only the geologically oldest known occurrence of Nurhachius, but also a new component of the pterosaur assemblage of the Jingangshan Member, and provides new information on the pelvis and hindlimb of istiodactylids and the palaeobiology of this clade. Considering previous reports of the istiodactylid remains and the geological ages of the strata that yielded them, it is suggested that different istiodactylids existed in Europe and China during the late Barremian.

Volcanic activity drives lacustrine carbon sequestration after Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a

The Mesozoic was punctuated by relatively brief periods of anomalous warmth associated with pulses of volcanism, intensified weathering, expansive marine anoxia, and increased organic carbon burial. These are known as oceanic anoxic events (OAEs). Several OAEs have also been linked to potentially synchronous episodes of increased carbon burial in lacustrine settings, attributed to increased weathering-derived nutrient fluxes. Here we present the Early Aptian oil shale sequences of western Liaoning Province, north China, combining sediment petrology, zircon U-Pb geochronology, carbon isotope chemostratigraphy, as well inorganic and organic geochemical palaeoenvironmental proxies to assess possible causal links to OAE1a. New zircon 206Pb/238U ages (121.06 ± 0.63 Ma, 119.72 ± 0.40 Ma, and 119.9 ± 0.65 Ma) for three tuffs and δ13Corg chemostratigraphic correlation show that the western Liaoning Province oil shale interval formed shortly after widespread marine black shale deposition characteristic of OAE1a had ceased. Elevated concentrations of alginite (dinoflagellate-derived organic matter) in oil shale samples which contain micron-thick tuff layers suggest that arc volcanism in north China was the major factor driving increased lacustrine carbon burial, via volcanic ash fertilisation. This is supported by high values of Babio, C27/C29 ααα-20R steranes, C28/C29 ααα-20R steranes, 4-methylsterane index, dinosterane index, and tetramethylsterane index in these layers, which imply that the input of volcanic ash contributed to a flourishing of brackish/saline-water adapted dinoflagellates, leading to the formation of organic-rich tuff laminae. This is a novel mechanism that is distinct to the processes known to have contributed to enhanced marine organic matter burial on a global scale during OAE1a. This research not only contributes to the study of lacustrine source rocks in north China, but also provides insights into the influence of intermediate-acidic volcanic eruptions on organic carbon burial more generally.

Spatial distribution characteristics of sediment connectivity and soil erosion in small watershed in brown soil hilly region of low mountains in western Liaoning Province, China.

Understanding the spatial distribution characteristics of soil erosion and sediment connectivity is important for formulating integrated watershed management measures. Based on the InVEST sediment delivery ratio model, we used the connectivity index and soil loss model to measure the spatial distribution characteristics of sediment connectivity and soil erosion in Erdaoling watershed of brown soil hilly region of low mountains in western Liaoning. By exploring slope, aspect and land use characteristics under different sediment connectivity levels and soil erosion levels, we analyzed the relationships among topography, land use, sediment connectivity, and soil erosion. The results showed that the average sediment connectivity in the watershed was -3.79, and that the average soil erosion was 614 t·km2·a-1. High connectivity was mainly found in sloping farmland, while low connectivity was mainly found in forest and grassland. The soil erosion intensity of 93.3% of the watershed area was below moderate, with only 1.1% of the area being above extremely strong. The higher the sediment connectivity level, the higher the proportion of the area <5° slope, while the area proportion of the rest slope was relatively stable. The proportion of cultivated land area increased, while the proportion of forest and grassland land area decreased. The area proportion on negative slope decreased, while that on positive slope increased. With increasing soil erosion intensity, the area proportion of slope <8° increased and the area proportion of the rest slope was relatively stable. The proportion of forest and grassland area decreased, while the proportion of other land use area increased. The proportion of slope area on positive slope increased, while that on negative slope decreased. Land use was a key factor influencing the spatial response relationship between soil erosion and sediment connectivity in this watershed.

The first discovery of Mesoraphidia amoena (Raphidioptera: Raphidiomorpha: Mesoraphidiidae) from the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Formation of China

A new snakefly specimen, identified as Mesoraphidia amoena (Raphidioptera: Raphidiomorpha: Mesoraphidiidae), is discovered from the Lower Cretaceous Laiyang Formation of Shandong Province, China. M. amoena was previously only known from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in western Liaoning Province, China. The discovery of M. amoena from Laiyang Formation further confirms the close relationship between these two formations. The fossil record of Mesoraphidia and its palaeogeographic distribution are also summarized.

Dinosaur teeth from the mid-Cretaceous Sunjiawan Formation of western Liaoning Province, China

ABSTRACT The mid-Cretaceous Sunjiawan Formation of western Liaoning Province, China has yielded a diverse of dinosaurs, yet without records of theropods. Recently, four isolated dinosaur teeth were discovered from the Sunjiawan Formation in Shuangmiao, Liangshuihe, Beipiao, Liaoning, China. They can be assigned to Tyrannosauroidea, Titanosauriformes and Hadrosauroidea based on morphological features. The tyrannosauroid tooth represents the first fossil record of Theropoda in the Sunjiawan Formation. The titanosauriform tooth is provisionally attributed to Borealosaurus considering that they are from the same horizon and locality. The hadrosauroid teeth represent a distinct taxon from Shuangmiaosaurus, the only known hadrosauroid from this formation. These findings increased the diversity of dinosaurs of the Sunjiawan Formation from three taxa to five.

Genesis of the recently discovered Daxiyingzi Rb–Be deposit on the northern margin of the North China Craton: Evidence from 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemical data

A new Rb–Be rare metal deposit has been discovered in the northern margin of the North China Craton in Fuxin City, western Liaoning Province, China. The Daxiyingzi Rb–Be deposit is a granitic pegmatite-type deposit and composed mainly of biotite granite, albite granite, and amazonite granitic pegmatite. Amazonite and beryl are the main ore minerals containing Rb and Be, and occur in the amazonite granitic pegmatite. We present integrated biotite 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, mineralogy, whole-rock geochemistry, and Nd–Pb isotope analyses of the Daxiyingzi ore-bearing granites to better understand their petrogenesis and geodynamic setting. Biotite separates in biotite granite and albite granite yield 40Ar/39Ar ages of 223.27 ± 2.39 and 223.37 ± 2.45 Ma, which we interpret as the metallogenic age of the deposit. The Daxiyingzi granites have high A/CNK ratios (1.01–1.11) and sufficient contents of SiO2 (74.68–79.42 wt%), total alkali (K2O + Na2O, 7.89–9.49 wt%), Li (64.0–300 ppm), Be (6.85–10.95 ppm), Nb (38.2–144 ppm), Ta (12.6–109 ppm), and Rb (60.8–1426 ppm). Depletion in Eu, Ba, Sr, P, and Ti and enrichment in Rb, Th, Nb, Ta, Nd, and Hf indicate that the granites are highly fractionated I-type granites. The Nd–Pb isotopic compositions [εNd(t) = −2.5 to −4.1; TDM2 = 1320–1202 Ma] of these granites suggest that they were derived from a single magma reservoir in an extensional orogenic setting at ∼223 Ma via high-temperature partial melting of Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic basement and the injection of mantle derived magma. As a peraluminous magmatic polymetallic deposit formed in an orogenic setting, the Daxiyingzi Rb–Be deposit represents a potential new direction for prospecting along the northern margin of the North China Craton.

Practical Research on Artificial Intelligence Algorithms, Paleontology, Data Mining, and Digital Restoration of Public Information.

This paper discusses the method of fossil digitization combining paleontology and art by using data mining. The aim of the study is to increase the creativity and vitality of museum exhibits and promote scientific exchange. The purpose of the study is to discuss how the interdisciplinary approach will benefit the communication of science and to realize the cooperative development of creative science popularization, art science popularization, dialogue science popularization, and communication science popularization through the cooperation between museums and institutions disseminating and researching science. The research method takes the Jehol Biota in western Liaoning Province of China as an example to explore the methods and approaches to transform museum resources into creative products. Through artificial intelligence data mining and digital reconstruction, data can be used for archaeological research but also for scientific popularization and scientific dissemination of the resources of art transformation. Research results: as the cornerstone to consolidate the digital development of society and economy, “the new infrastructure of artificial intelligence” will start a comprehensive digital transformation. Through the integration of multiple fields and disciplines, museums will change from resource dependence to focus more on market creation, which will promote museum's industry development.

Age of the Tuchengzi Formation in Western Liaoning Province and the Jurassic–Cretaceous Boundary from the Continuous Core Records of Well YD1, Jinyang Basin

The Tuchengzi Formation is widely distributed in western Liaoning Province with a clear top and bottom. It is the focal area for the delineation of the terrestrial Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary in China. Based on continuous core samples taken from well YD1, detailed lithostratigraphic sequences and zircon uranium–lead (U-Pb) dating WERE used to investigate the Tuchengzi Formation. The zircon U-Pb ages of the tuff samples taken from the First and Third Members of the Tuchengzi Formation ranged from 153.8 to 137.16 Ma, indicating that they were formed in the late Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. Dating results from the bottom of the Second Member of the Tuchengzi Formation indicate that the sedimentary time of the stratum is no later than 145.7 ± 2.1 Ma. We concluded that the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary of the Jinyang Basin in western Liaoning province may be located at the interface at a depth of 464 m in well YD1. This conclusion is consistent with the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary that has been presumed by other researchers based on paleontological assemblage features found in recent years, and can provide useful geological marker beds for the future study of the terrestrial Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary. In addition, the authors also systematically sorted the potential development areas and layers of the terrestrial Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary line, which may also provide useful geological marker beds for the future study of the terrestrial Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary.

Discovery of Early Cretaceous Sinuiju Biota in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and comparison with Jehol Biota in China

In recent years, some important fossils of the Jehol Biota of Early Cretaceous age in north-eastern China have been recorded from the Lower Cretaceous Sinuiju Formation in the Sinuiju area (north-western part of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This discovery indicates that the biota from the Sinuiju Formation can be related to those from the Yixian Formation in western Liaoning Province, China. The palaeontological evidence in the Sinuiju Basin shows that the Jehol Biota is more widely distributed than previously thought and the fossils composing the Jehol Biota include a greater variety of animal and plant taxa than earlier known. In previous studies, the age of the Sinuiju Formation was considered to be Late Jurassic–earliest Cretaceous on the basis of limited fossil evidence. In contrast, it is now considered to be earliest Cretaceous based on the new fossil finds. During a recent field survey, abundant fossils were collected from the lacustrine deposits of this formation. The discovery of the Sinuiju Biota adds significant new data to the study of the geographical distribution and diversity of the Jehol Biota in north-eastern Asia.

Gut Bacterial Diversity and Community Structure of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Welsh Onion-producing Areas of North China.

Gut microbiota play an important role in digestion, development, nutritional metabolism, and detoxification in insects. However, scant information exists on the gut bacterial variation, composition, and community structure of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), and how its gut microbiota has adapted to different geographical environments. Using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, we detected 3,837,408 high-quality reads and 1,457 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in 47 gut samples of S. exigua collected from ten sites in northern China. Overall, we identified 697 bacterial genera from 30 phyla, among which Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla. Gut bacterial alpha-diversity metrics revealed significant differences among these populations. We detected the highest alpha bacterial diversity in Xinming, northern Liaoning Province, and the lowest bacterial diversity in Zhangwu, western Liaoning Province. Beta diversity indicated that the gut microbial community structure of S. exigua in Liaoning Province was significantly different from that of other populations. There was a similar microbial community structure among populations in the adjacent province, suggesting that the environment influences bacterial succession in this pest. Finally, PICRUSt analysis demonstrated that microbial functions closely associated with the gut microbiomes mainly included membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism and replication, and amino acid metabolism.