Posongchong Formation

Posongchong Formation
Stratigraphic range: Pragian
TypeGeological formation
UnderliesPojiao Formation
OverliesMeitan Formation
Location
RegionYunnan
CountryChina

The Posongchong Formation is an early Devonian formation from China. It preserves a wide range of plant and fish fossils, many being only known from this formation.

Paleobiota

Plants

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon

Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text
crossed out taxa are discredited.

Plants
Genus Species Higher taxon Notes Images
Adoketophyton A. subverticillatum, A. parvulum, A. pingyipuensis Lycophyta? Formerly placed within Zosterophyllum
Reconstruction of Adoketophyton
Amplectosporangium A. jiangyouense, A. unilaterale, A. unilaterale forma minor incertae sedis A. unilaterale was formerly placed within Oricilla
Baragwanathia B. sp. Drepanophycales Only known from leafy stems, cannot be placed in a species
B. longifolia fossil
Catenalis C. digitata Tracheophyta incertae sedis Intermediate between algae and vascular plants
Celatheca C. beckii Lyginopteridales? One of the earliest known seed plants
Cervicornus C. wenshanensis Sphenopsida? Sporangia unknown, may be synonymous with Estinnophyton
Demersatheca D. contigua Zosterophylls Only known from fertile axes
Dibracophyton D. acrovatum Barinophytopsida incertae sedis Relatively unusual with dichotomous branching "leaves"
Discalis D. longistipa Zosterophyllales Bears spines on its main axes, somewhat resembles Sawdonia
Distichophytum D. sp. Zosterophyllales Only known from a fragmentary specimen
D. ovatum reconstruction
Estinnophyton E. yunnanense Sphenopsida? Possibly a stem-sphenopsid
Eophyllophyton E. bellum Eophyllophytopsida (Euphyllophytes) Oldest plant with megaphyllous leaves
Eophyllophyton fossil
Guangnania G. cuneata Zosterophyllopsida? Unclear whether it truly is a zosterophyll, somewhat similar to Yunia
Gumuia G. zyzzata Zosterophyllales One of the most well-known Posongchong plants
Halleophyton H. zhichangense Drepanophycales Another possible species also known from the formation
Hedeia H. sinica Progymnospermopsida? Resembles both seed plants and trimerophytes
Hicklingia cf. Hicklingia sp. Zosterophyllales Resembles the type species of the genus, but bears a few differences from it
Hueberia H. zhichangensis Drepanophycales? Also resembles Leclercqia, however lack of anatomy means its position is unclear.
Huia H. recurvata Rhyniopsida? Likely related to Renalia
Ornicephalum O. sichuanense Zosterophyllopsida Formerly classed within Zosterophyllum
Pauthecophyton P. gracile Trimerophyta Related to Psilophyton
Polythecophyton P. demissum Progymnospermopsida? Likely related to Hedeia and Aneurophytales
Psilophyton P. primitivum Trimerophyta One of the most widespread basal vascular plants
P. crenulatum fossil
Ramoferis R. amalia Zosterophyllales Closely resembles Zosterophyllum
Riccardiothallus R. devonicus Aneuraceae Earliest simple thalloid liverwort known
Stachyophyton S. yunnanense Tracheophyta incertae sedis Divergent from other plants due to its leaf-like branches and other features
Stachyophyton fossil
Wenshania W. zhichangensis Zosterophyllales Closely resembles Zosterophyllum
Yunia Y. dichotoma, Y. guangnania Zosterophyllopsida? Possibly closer to euphyllophytes than zosterophylls?
Y. dichotoma reconstruction
Zhenglia Z. radiata Protolepidodendrales? May preserve the earliest lycophyte ligulae
Zosterophyllum Z. australianum, Z. ramosum, Z. minifertillum, Z. tenerum Zosterophyllales Known from numerous other localities
Reconstruction of Zosterophyllum sp.

Animals

Animals
Genus Species Higher taxon Material Notes Images
Arquatichthys A. porosus Dipnomorpha Only known from scales and skull material
Brevipetalichthys B. gracilis Petalichthyida
Euporosteus E. yunnanensis Actinistia Earliest known anatomically modern coelacanth
E. yunnanensis fossil
Gantarostrataspis G. gengi Gantarostrataspidae (Galeaspida) Bears an unusual sensory system
G. sp. indet. A partial rostral process.
Gumuaspis G. rostrata Huananaspidae Resembles Laxaspis
Huananaspis H. wudinensis Huananaspidae Also known from the Nagaoling Formation
Lungmenshanaspis L. yunnanensis Huananaspidae (Galeaspida) From a different locality to the "main" Posongchong Formation, yet correlates with it in age
Reconstruction of both Lungmenshanaspis species
Macrothyraspis M. longicornis Macrothyraspidae (Galeaspida) Bears unusually long cornual and rostral processes
M. longilanceus Complete rim of the ventral headshield.
Osteolepiformes indet. Unapplicable Osteolepiformes Cannot be placed within a genus
Paleolophus P. yunnanensis Dipnoi One of the earliest lungfish, shows rapid evolution of various skull characteristics
Panjiangosteus P. eurycephala Antarctaspidae
Petalichthyida Indeterminate Petalichthyida An incomplete vental head shield wall.
Qingmenaspis Q. microculus Galeaspida incertae sedis Bears similar unornamented regions to osteostracan "lateral fields"
Qingmenodus Q. yui Onychodontidae The first onychodont to preserve the otoccipital region of the skull
Skull material (A-D) and life reconstruction (E)
Rhegmaspis R. xiphoidea Gantarostrataspidae (Galeaspida) Likely quite active as shown by its streamlined head shield
Reconstruction of various galeaspids (Rhegmaspis at the top)
Sanqiaspis S. rostrata Sanqiaspididae (Galeaspida) Species also known from Vietnam
S. zhaotongensis Partial headshield.
Sarcopterygii Indeterminate Sarcopterygii Two scales.
Tungsenia T. paradoxa Tetrapodomorpha Most basal and earliest known tetrapodomorph
Tungsenia reconstruction
Wenshanaspis W. zhichangensis Zhaotongaspididae (Galeaspida) Differentiated by its cornual processes
W. sp. An incomplete headshield
Yangfanyu Y. anachoresis Euantiarcha (Antiarchi)
Yiminaspis Y. shenme Wuttagoonaspidae Suggests a Chinese origin of the family
Yiminaspis reconstruction
Yunnanolepidoidei Indeterminate Yunnanolepidoidei An incomplete dorsal trunk shield wall.
Zhaotongaspis Z. janvieri Zhaotongaspididae (Galeaspida) Bears the highest quantity of branchial fossae known in agnathans
Zhaotongaspis restoration

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Hao, Shou gang; Xue, Jin zhuang (2013). The early Devonian Posongchong flora of Yunnan: a contribution to an understanding of the evolution and early diversification of vascular plants. Beijing: Science press. ISBN 978-7-03-036616-0.
  2. 1 2 3 Edwards, Dianne; Li, Cheng-Sen (November 2018). "Diversity in affinities of plants with lateral sporangia from the Lower Devonian of Sichuan Province, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 258: 98–111. Bibcode:2018RPaPa.258...98E. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2018.07.002.
  3. ↑ Shougang, Hao; Beck, Charles B. (1 April 1991). "Catenalis digitata , gen. et sp.nov., a plant from the Lower Devonian (Siegenian) of Yunnan, China". Canadian Journal of Botany. 69 (4): 873–882. Bibcode:1991CaJB...69..873S. doi:10.1139/b91-113.
  4. ↑ Hao, Shougang; Gensel, Patricia G. (1995). "A New Genus and Species, Celatheca beckii, from the Siegenian (Early Devonian) of Southeastern Yunnan, China" (PDF). International Journal of Plant Sciences. 156 (6): 896–909. Bibcode:1995IJPlS.156..896H. doi:10.1086/297312. JSTOR 2475120.
  5. ↑ Li, Cheng-Sen; Hueber, Francis M. (April 2000). "Cervicornus wenshanensis, gen. et sp. nov, a Pragian (Early Devonian) plant with forked leaves from Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 109 (2): 113–119. Bibcode:2000RPaPa.109..113L. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(99)00046-9. PMID 10767437.
  6. ↑ Wang, Yao; Xu, Hong-He; Wang, Yi (June 2020). "Morphology, nomenclature and potential paleophytogeographic implication of Demersatheca contigua (Zosterophyllopsida) from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan and Guangxi, southwestern China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 277 104209. Bibcode:2020RPaPa.27704209W. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2020.104209.
  7. ↑ Hao, Shou-Gang; Xue, Jin-Zhuang; Zhu, Xiao; Wang, De-Ming (February 2012). "A new genus of Early Devonian plants with novel strobilar structures and vegetative appendages from the Posongchong Formation of Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 171: 73–82. Bibcode:2012RPaPa.171...73H. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2011.11.005.
  8. ↑ Shou-Gang, Hao (January 1989). "A new zosterophyll from the Lower Denovian (Siegenian) of Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 57 (3–4): 155–171. Bibcode:1989RPaPa..57..155S. doi:10.1016/0034-6667(89)90018-3.
  9. ↑ Hao, Shou-Gang; Wang, De-Ming; Wang, Qi (October 2004). "A new species of Estinnophyton from the Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation, Yunnan, China; its phylogenetic and palaeophytogeographical significance". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 146 (2): 201–216. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2004.00327.x.
  10. ↑ Shou-gang, Hao (1988). "A New Lower Devonian Genus from Yunnan, with Notes on the Origin of Leaves". Acta Botanica Sinica. 30 (4).
  11. ↑ Wang, De-Ming; Hao, Shou-Gang (October 2002). "Guangnania cuneata gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan Province, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 122 (1–2): 13–27. Bibcode:2002RPaPa.122...13W. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(02)00089-1.
  12. ↑ Shou-gang, Hao (1989). "Gumuia zyzzata A New Plant from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China". Acta Botanica Sinica. 31 (12).
  13. ↑ Li, Cheng-Sen; Edwards, D. (October 1997). "A new microphyllous plant from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan Province, China". American Journal of Botany. 84 (10): 1441–1448. Bibcode:1997AmJB...84.1441L. doi:10.2307/2446142. JSTOR 2446142. PMID 21708551.
  14. 1 2 Hao, Shougang; Gensel, Patricia G. (April 1998). "Some new plant finds from the Posongchong Formation of Yunnan, and consideration of a phytogeographic similarity between South China and Australia during the Early Devonian". Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences. 41 (1): 1–13. Bibcode:1998ScChD..41....1H. doi:10.1007/BF02932414.
  15. ↑ Yang, Nan; Li, Cheng-Sen; Edwards, Dianne (December 2009). "Hueberia zhichangensis gen. et sp. nov, an early Devonian (Pragian) plant from Yunnan, China". Palynology. 33 (1): 113–124. doi:10.1080/01916122.2009.9989668.
  16. ↑ Xue, Jin-Zhuang (1 March 2013). "New material of Hueberia zhichangensis Yang, Li & Edwards, a basal lycopsid from the Early Devonian of Yunnan, China". Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen. 267 (3): 331–339. Bibcode:2013NJGPA.267..331X. doi:10.1127/0077-7749/2013/0318.
  17. ↑ Bao-yin, Geng (1985). "Huia Recurvata --- A New Plant from Lower Devonian of Southeastern Yunnan China". Acta Botanica Sinica. 27 (4).
  18. ↑ Xue, Jin-Zhuang; Hao, Shou-Gang; Zhu, Xiao; Wang, De-Ming (September 2012). "A new basal euphyllophyte, Pauthecophyton gen. nov., from the Lower Devonian (Pragian) of Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 183: 9–20. Bibcode:2012RPaPa.183....9X. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2012.07.009.
  19. ↑ Shou-gang, Hao; Gensel, Patricia G.; De-ming, Wang (August 2001). "Polythecophyton demissum, gen. et sp. nov., a new plant from the Lower Devonian (Pragian) of Yunnan, China and its phytogeographic significance". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 116 (1–2): 55–71. Bibcode:2001RPaPa.116...55S. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(01)00062-8.
  20. ↑ Hao, Shougang; Xue, Jinzhuang (August 2011). "A New Zosterophyll Plant, Ramoferis gen. nov., from the Posongchong Formation of Lower Devonian (Pragian) of Southeastern Yunnan, China". Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition. 85 (4): 765–776. Bibcode:2011AcGlS..85..765H. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.2011.00482.x.
  21. ↑ Guo, Cai-Qing; Edwards, Dianne; Wu, Peng-Cheng; Duckett, Jeffrey G.; Hueber, Francis M.; Li, Cheng-Sen (June 2012). "Riccardiothallus devonicus gen. et sp. nov., the earliest simple thalloid liverwort from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 176–177: 35–40. Bibcode:2012RPaPa.176...35G. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2012.03.012.
  22. ↑ Bao-yin, Geng (1983). "Stachyophyton gen. Nov. Discovers from Lower Devonian of Yunnan and Its Significance". Acta Botanica Sinica. 25 (6).
  23. ↑ Zhu, Wei-Qing; Kenrick, Paul (April 1999). "A Zosterophyllum-like plant from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan Province, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 105 (1–2): 111–118. Bibcode:1999RPaPa.105..111Z. doi:10.1016/S0034-6667(98)00070-0.
  24. ↑ Shou-Gang, Hao; Beck, Charles B. (July 1991). "Yunia dichotoma, a lower devonian plant from Yunnan, China". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 68 (3–4): 181–195. Bibcode:1991RPaPa..68..181S. doi:10.1016/0034-6667(91)90022-U. hdl:2027.42/29227.
  25. ↑ Shougang, Hao; Deming, Wang; Qi, Wang; Jinzhuang, Xue (February 2006). "A New Lycopsid, Zhenglia radiata gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Devonian Posongchong Formation of Southeastern Yunnan, China, and Its Evolutionary Significance". Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition. 80 (1): 11–19. Bibcode:2006AcGlS..80...11H. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.2006.tb00789.x.
  26. ↑ Lu, Jing; Zhu, Min (December 2019). "The postparietal shield of the Pragian dipnomorph Arquatichthys and its implications for the rhipidistian cranial anatomy". Palaeoworld. 28 (4): 543–549. doi:10.1016/j.palwor.2019.07.004.
  27. ↑ Zhu, Min; Yu, Xiaobo; Lu, Jing; Qiao, Tuo; Zhao, Wenjin; Jia, Liantao (10 April 2012). "Earliest known coelacanth skull extends the range of anatomically modern coelacanths to the Early Devonian". Nature Communications. 3 (1): 772. Bibcode:2012NatCo...3..772Z. doi:10.1038/ncomms1764. PMID 22491320.
  28. 1 2 Junqing, Wang; Nianzhong, Wang (1992). "EARLY DEVONIAN GALEASPID AGNATHA FROM SOUTHEAST OF YUNNAN, CHINA". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 30 (3).
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Xian, Z.-M.; Mo, X.; Guan, Q.; Zhao, Y.-T.; Xue, Q.-Y.; Li, Q.; Liu, J.-P.; Zhu, M. (2026). "Early Devonian fish material from Posongchong Formation of Guangnan, Yunnan, China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 64 (2): 151–166. doi:10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260206.
  30. ↑ Yuhai, Liu (1973). "川滇泥盆纪的多鳃鱼和大瓣鱼化石" (PDF). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (in Mandarin). 11 (2): 132–143.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  31. ↑ Shurong, Zhang; Xianren, Shan; Zhikun, Gai (2023). "New findings of huananaspid fishes from the Lower Devonian in Nanning, Guangxi and their stratigraphic and biogeographic significances". Journal of Palaeogeography. 25 (2): 341–355. doi:10.7605/gdlxb.2023.02.021.
  32. 1 2 Junqing, Wang; Junhang, Fan; Zhu, Min (1996). "EARLY VERTEBRATE FOSSILS FROM THE EARLY DEVONIAN OF ZHAOTONG DISTRICT, NORTHEASTERN YUNNAN". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 34 (1).
  33. ↑ Wang, Junqing; Gai, Zhikun; Zhu, Min (2005). "A NEW SPECIES OF MACROTHYRASPIS (GALEASPIDA, AGNATHA) FROM WENSHAN, YUNNAN, CHINA". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 43 (4).
  34. ↑ Qiao, Tuo; Cui, Xindong; Zhao, Wenjin; Liu, Chengxi; Li, Maokun; Lu, Jing; Choo, Brian; Zhu, Min (December 2025). "A new fossil fish sheds light on the rapid evolution of early lungfishes". Current Biology. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.032.
  35. ↑ Xue, Q.; Guan, Q.; Xian, Z.; Mo, X.; Zhao, Y.; Li, Q.; Zhu, Y.; Zhu, M. (2026). "A new antarctaspid (Placodermi, Arthrodira) from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology e2621682. doi:10.1080/02724634.2026.2621682.
  36. ↑ Jiang, Pan; Shitao, Wang (1981). "New discoveries of polybranchiaspids from Yunnan province, China" (PDF). Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 19 (2).
  37. ↑ Lu, Jing; Zhu, Min (22 January 2010). "An onychodont fish (Osteichthyes, Sarcopterygii) from the Early Devonian of China, and the evolution of the Onychodontiformes". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 277 (1679): 293–299. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0708. PMC 2842670. PMID 19515665.
  38. ↑ Gai, Zhi-Kun; Zhu, Min; Jia, Lian-Tao; Zhao, Wen-Jin (2015). "A streamlined jawless fish (Galeapida)[sic] from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China and its taxonomic and paleoecological implications". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 53 (2).
  39. ↑ Gai, Zhi-Kun; Jiang, Wen-Yu; Zhao, Wen-Jin; Li, Qiang; Shi, Xiao-Dong; Zhu, Min (March 2022). "Redescription of the Sanqiaspidae (Galeaspida) from the Lower Devonian of South China and its biostratigraphic significance". Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments. 102 (1): 173–191. Bibcode:2022PdPe..102..173G. doi:10.1007/s12549-021-00486-z.
  40. ↑ Lu, Jing; Zhu, Min; Long, John A.; Zhao, Wenjin; Senden, Tim J.; Jia, Liantao; Qiao, Tuo (23 October 2012). "The earliest known stem-tetrapod from the Lower Devonian of China". Nature Communications. 3 (1): 1160. Bibcode:2012NatCo...3.1160L. doi:10.1038/ncomms2170. PMID 23093197.
  41. ↑ Zhao, Wenjin; Zhu, Min; Jia, Liantao (2002). "New discovery of galeaspids from Early Devonian of Wenshan, southeastern Yunnan, China". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 40 (2): 97–113.
  42. ↑ Zhu, Min; Gai, Zhikun (April 2007). "Phylogenetic relationships of galeaspids (Agnatha)". Frontiers of Biology in China. 2 (2): 151–169. doi:10.1007/s11515-007-0022-6.
  43. ↑ Xian, Z.; Xue, Q.; Zhao, Y.; Li, Q.; Zhu, M. (2026). "The earliest euantiarch from the Pragian (Early Devonian) of Guangnan, Yunnan Province, China". The Science of Nature. 113 (6) 134. doi:10.1007/s00114-026-02186-0.
  44. ↑ Dupret, Vincent (2008). "A New Wuttagoonaspid (Placodermi, Arthrodira) from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan (South China): Origin, Dispersal, and Paleobiogeographic Significance" (PDF). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 28 (1): 12–20. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2008)28[12:ANWPAF]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634. JSTOR 30126329.
  45. ↑ Jiuqing, Wang; Min, Zhu (1994). "ZHAOTONGASPIS JANVIERI GEN. ET SP. NOV., A GALEASPID FROM EARLY DEVONIAN OF ZHAOTONG， NORTHEASTERN YUNNAN". Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 32 (4).