Coupled oceanic oxygenation and metazoan diversification during the early–middle Cambrian?

Abstract

Research Article| June 09, 2017 Coupled oceanic oxygenation and metazoan diversification during the early–middle Cambrian? Chao Li; Chao Li * 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China *E-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Chengsheng Jin; Chengsheng Jin 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Noah J. Planavsky; Noah J. Planavsky 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas J. Algeo; Thomas J. Algeo 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China3State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China4Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0013, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Meng Cheng; Meng Cheng 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Xinglian Yang; Xinglian Yang 5College of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Yuanlong Zhao; Yuanlong Zhao 5College of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Shucheng Xie Shucheng Xie 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Chao Li * 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Chengsheng Jin 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Noah J. Planavsky 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA Thomas J. Algeo 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China3State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China4Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0013, USA Meng Cheng 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China Xinglian Yang 5College of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China Yuanlong Zhao 5College of Resource and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550003, China Shucheng Xie 1State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China *E-mail: [e-mail] Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 03 Oct 2016 Revision Received: 06 Apr 2017 Accepted: 23 Apr 2017 First Online: 23 Jun 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2017 Geological Society of America Geology (2017) 45 (8): 743–746. https://doi.org/10.1130/G39208.1 Article history Received: 03 Oct 2016 Revision Received: 06 Apr 2017 Accepted: 23 Apr 2017 First Online: 23 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Chao Li, Chengsheng Jin, Noah J. Planavsky, Thomas J. Algeo, Meng Cheng, Xinglian Yang, Yuanlong Zhao, Shucheng Xie; Coupled oceanic oxygenation and metazoan diversification during the early–middle Cambrian?. Geology 2017;; 45 (8): 743–746. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G39208.1 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 The early–middle Cambrian (Fortunian to Age 4) is characterized by a significant increase in metazoan diversification. Furthermore, this interval is marked by a prominent environmental and ecological expansion of arthropod- and echinoderm-rich biotas. Recent redox work has suggested that this shift occurred during stable or decreasing marine oxygen levels, suggesting that these paleobiological and paleoecological transformations were decoupled from a redox control. We tested this idea by conducting new paleoredox analyses on Age 2–Age 4 Cambrian outer shelf (Jiuqunao-Wangjiaping), slope (Wuhe-Geyi), and basinal (Zhalagou) sections of the South China Craton. Multiple sections indicate that mid-depth waters transitioned from anoxic conditions during Cambrian Age 2 to stable oxic conditions during Cambrian Age 4. These findings suggest a stepwise expansion of oxic waters from shallow to deep settings during the early–middle Cambrian, consistent with a redox control of metazoan diversification and ecological expansion. More broadly, despite the surge in redox work over the past decade, this study highlights the need for continued coupled redox and paleontological studies to directly test models about the links between the evolution of animals, ecosystems, and marine redox conditions. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.