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Hidden treasures of the Mesozoic Era: How could such rare species exist in this biota?
In northeastern China about 133 million to 120 million years ago, there existed a vibrant ecosystem, which is the Jehol Biota. This system, located in the Lower Cretaceous period, presents ancient biological species and their ecological environments to us one by one, and has attracted enthusiastic attention from scientists and paleontologists.
The Erho Biota is known as a treasure in stone because of its distinctive and perfect fossil preservation conditions.
The fossils of the Erho Biota mainly come from the Yixian Formation and Jiufotang Formation. These shale sediments are mixed with volcanic ash and other sediments, providing researchers with precious fossil samples. The study pointed out that the past ecological environment of this area was dominated by wetlands and lakes, and did not include river or marine ecology.
Origin and Evolution
Some scientists have proposed that the Erho Biota evolved from the early Daohugou Biota, and there is no clear boundary between the two. Nonetheless, differences of opinion persist as to the absolute age of Daohugou. The latest research points out that index fossils of the early Erho biota include salmon and other ancient species, showing the process of biological evolution.
Behind the preservation of fossils
The fossils of the Erho Biota are in excellent preservation condition, with many fossils retaining complete skeletons, soft tissues and even color patterns. This is due to the volcanic ash brought by the volcanic eruption, which quickly buried the remains and created an oxygen-free environment, effectively preventing predation by other animals.
Diversity and uniqueness
Compared with many other fossil assemblages, the Erho Biota has extremely high species diversity and individual numbers. From fish, amphibians to reptiles and even early mammals, everything here seems to show a colorful picture of ancient life.
The Erho Biota not only showcases the biodiversity of wetlands and forests, but also provides valuable insights into ancient climate and geographic changes.
The significance of the research
The study of the Erho biota can be said to have revealed a corner of the Mesozoic ecosystem. This not only helps us understand biological evolution at that time, but also allows geologists to better understand important periods in Earth's history.
Final Thoughts
Today's technological advances allow us to study these ancient ecosystems in greater depth, but there are still many unknowns waiting to be discovered. What would our world look like if these species could reappear in modern times?
