Precambrian Research, 29 (1985) 15--32

Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands

15

S T R O M A T O L I T E A S S E M B L A G E S O F T H E L A T E P R E C A M B R I A N

IN C H I N A

LIANG Y U Z U O ' , ZHU SHIXING ~ , ZHANG L U Y I ' , CAO RENGUAN ' , GAO ZHENJIA' and BU DE'AN n

' Geological and Mineral Bureau of Inner Mongolia A u tonomous Region, Hohho t Inner Mongolia (People's Republic of China)

: Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Jintang Highway 26, Tianjin (People's Republic of China)

~ Xi'an Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, E. Yuyi Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi (People's Republic o f China)

Yunnan Institute of Geology, Kunming, Yunnan (People's Republic of China)

"Institute of Geology, Geology and Mining Bureau of Xinjiang Uygur Aut. Reg., Uri~mqi, Xinjiang (People's Republic of China)

Shenyang Institute of Geology and Mining, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shenyang, Liaoning (People's Republic o f China)

(Received May 16, 1984; revision accepted September 14, 1984)

ABSTRACT

Liang, Y., Zhu, S., Zhang, L., Cao, R., Gao, Z. and Bu, D., 1985. Stromatolite assem- blages of the late Precambrian in China. Precambrian Res., 29 :15- -32 .

The late Precambrian as used in this paper, is represented by the sections in the Jixian (Chihsien) and Yangtze Gorges. These rocks correspond to the middle--late Proterozoic of some authors and range in age from c. 1900 to 600 Ma. The succession can be sub- divided into four systems; the Changcheng, Jixian, Qingbaikou and Sinian Systems, all of which yield abundant stromatolites. Based on the latest studies, we suggest a new six- fold classification scheme -- Supertype, Type, Subtype, Family, Genus and Species, and refer the stromatolites to 13 families and 50 genera, including some material pub- lished already in China.

The stromatolites of the late Precambrian of China may be represented by elements from Yanshan, southern Liaodong peninsula and Kaiyang of Guizhou, etc. They are subdivided into eight stromatolite assemblages and correlated throughout most of China.

INTRODUCTION

T h e u t i l i z a t i o n o f s t r o m a t o l i t e s f o r l a t e P r e c a m b r i a n s t r a t i g r a p h i c sub-

d i v i s i o n a n d c o r r e l a t i o n has a r o u s e d m u c h i n t e r e s t . T h e p r a c t i c e in C h i n a

s h o w s t h a t t h i s u t i l i z a t i o n in b i o s t r a t i g r a p h y m u s t f o r t h e m o m e n t , be m o r e

d e s c r i p t i v e t h a n g e n e t i c . In th i s p a p e r , o n t h e basis o f p u b l i c a t i o n s b o t h a t

0301-9268/85/$03.30 © 1985 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.

16

TABLE I

Stromatolitic classification of the middle--late Proterozoic in China

Super-type Type Subtype Family

Name

Cylindrical-stromatolites Large (including conical stro- scale matolites, etc.)

CONOPHYTONACEAE

COLONNELLACEAE

KUSSIELLACEAE

GYMNOSOLENACEAE

Small scale

Strato-stromatolites Large scale Small scale

Cylindrical-strato stroma- Large tolites (including column- scale conical and strato- conical )

TUNGUSSIACEAE

STRATIFERACEAE

MICROSTRATIFORMACEAE

OMACHTENIACEAE

GRUNERIACEAE

JACUTOPHYTONACEAE

Small With obvious scale synchronicity

of growth

STRATICONOPHYTONACEAE

PSEUDOGYMNOSOLENACEAE

SINOCONOPHYTONACEAE Without ob- vious synchronicity

*Mostly published stromatolite genera of middle--late Proterozoic in China.

home (Liang Yuzuo, 1962, 1976, 1980; Cao Reiji et al., 1974, 1980; Liang Yuzuo et al., 1976, 1983; Cao Reiji and Zhao Wenjie, 1979, 1981; Zhu Shixing et al., 1978; T.I.G.M.R. et al., 1979; Zhu Shixing and Da Rulin, 1980; Zhang Luyi et al., 1980, 1982; Gao Zhenjia and Miao Changquan, 1981; Zhu Shixing, 1982; Qiu Shuyu and Liu Hongfu, 1982, etc.) and abroad (Wacott, 1914; Pia, 1927; Krasnopeeva, 1946; Rezak, 1957; Korol-

17

Character

Genus*

Name Character Species

Conical laminae without branching Arched laminae mostly without branching Arched laminae with simple parallel branching

Arched laminae with coarse parallel branching

Arched laminae with divergent branching

Jointly-arched and corrugated laminae Jointly-arched laminae

Arched laminae chiefly with parallel branching Arched laminae chiefly with divergent branching Conica and arched; chiefly with divergent branching Jointly-conical laminae

Chiefly arched laminae with coarse parallel branching and divergent branching Conical laminae mostly without branching

Conophyton, Tabuloconigera Confusoconophy ton Colonnella, CoUumnacollenia, Paraconophyton, Cryptozoon Kussiella, Tielingella, Jurusania, Boxonia, Yanshania, Pang- jiapuella, PseudotielingeUa Gymnosolen, Katavia, Eucap- siphora, Minjaria, Chihsienella, Pseudochihsienella, Parainzeria Tungussia, Baicalia, Gaoyuz- huangia, Anabaria, Petaliforma, Kotuikania, Linella, Patomia, Nordia, Tilemsina

Stratifera, Irregularia, Xiayin- gella Microstratiforma

Omachtenia

Gruneria, Svetliella, Parmites, Xiaohongyuella Conocodomenia, Jacutophyton

Straticonophy ton

Pseudogymnosolen, Yangzhuangia, Scyphus, Microstylus, Xiaoqin- lingella

Sinoconophyton, Straticonophyton, Microconophy ton

Classification Classification mainly based mainly based on the partic- on the differ- ular differences ences of micro- of stromatolite structure and columns, or macro-structure variation of columnar wall, and the pattern of, branching

y u k , 1960 ; Maslov, 1960 ; Vologdin , 1962 ; Dona ldson , 1963 ; Raaben , 1964 ; Logan e t al., 1964 ; K o m a r , 1966; Szulczewski , 1968 ; H o f m a n n , 1969 ; Walter , 1972 ; and K r y l o v ' s (1963) s c h e m e o f c lass i f icat ion and no- m e n c l a t u r e ) , we have suggested a s ix-fold c lass i f ica t ion s cheme - - S u p e r t y p e , T y p e , S u b t y p e , Fam i l y , Genus and Species in o rde r to s y s t e m a t i z e the clas- s i f icat ion o f s t roma to l i t e s . In the p re sen t work , which includes publ i shed

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19

material for China, they are referred to 13 families and 50 genera (see Table I).

The upper Precambrian, formerly called the Sinian Suberathem, and ranging in age from 1900 to 600 Ma, is widely distributed in China (see Fig. 1). It may be divided into two portions; the middle--upper Proterozoic (1900--1000 Ma) which includes a lower Changcheng System and an upper Jixian System and the upper Proterozoic (1000--6000 Ma), which includes a lower Qingbaikou System and an upper Sinian System (Table II). The four systems, the lower three in particular, yield abundant stromatolites. Based on all the available data, the Precambrian stromatolites in China may

'FABLE Il

Subdivision and stromatolite assemblages of the upper Precambrian

Age (Ma) Classification Assemblages

600 Upper

800

1000

Proterozoic

Sinian System Upper Series Lower Series

Qingbaikou Jing'eryu Fm. System

Xiamaling Fm.

Kaiyang assemb. (VIII) _ _ Xingmincun assemb. (VII)

Xiahuayuan assemb. (VI)

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1900

Middle Jixian Tieling Fm. Tieling assemb. (V) System Hingshui-

zhuang Fm. Wumishan Fm. Shanpoling assemb. (IV) Yangshuang Fm. Mopanyu assemb. (III)

Chang- Gaoyuzhuang cheng Fm. System Dahongyu Fm.

Tuanshanzi Fm. Gaoyuzhuang assemb. (II) Proterozoic Chuanlinggou Tuanshanzi assemb. (I)

Fm. Changzhougou Fm.

Fig. 1. Sketch map of the distribution of upper Precambrian and stromatolites of China: (A) old landmass; (B) middle--late Proterozoic seas; (C) conjectural seas; (D) possible tensional zone of the continental crust; (E) boundary fault and strike-slip fault. Rep- resentative districts of stromatolitic distribution: (1) Yanshan Mts. (Jixian area); (2) Fanhe basin of northern Liaoning; (3) Liaodong peninsula; (4) northern Jiangsu and Anhui; (5) Wutai-Taihangshan Mts.; (6) Yinshan Mts.; (7) borders of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan; (8) borders of Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia; (9) Mt. Helanshan; (10) Bayan- xibie area of western Nei Monggol; (11) Mt. Beishan; (12) Qilian Mts.; (13) Kuruktag; (14) Tekes area of western Xinjiang; (15) Mt. Shennongjia of Hubei; (16) Kunming area of central Yunnan. Biostratigraphic subdivisions are shown in Table III.

20

be represented by the elements from Yanshan, Southern Liaodong penin- sula and Kaiyang of Guizhou, etc. They are subdivided, in ascending order, into eight assemblages, which have been applied to correlation and sub- division of the upper Precambrian of China and may also play a role in inter- national correlations.

STROMATOLITE ASSEMBLAGES

Tuanshanzi assemblage (1, Fig. 2)

This assemblage, represented by Xiayingella and Gruneria, is found in the lower and middle horizons of the Tuanshanzi and Dahongyu Formation of the Changcheng System and locally {e.g., northwestern Hebei Province) in the Chuanlinggou Formation of the same System. It consists mainly of Xiayingella primigenia, X. xiayingensis, Gruneria sinensis, G. cf. biwabikia, Kussiella tuanshanziensis, Yanshania simplex, Cryptozoon haplum, Strati- fera, etc. The stromatolites in this assemblage are rather small with irregular shapes and simple parallel branching. The stromatolitic columns have no walls. The microstructure is chiefly banded. The microfabric is spot ted and of filiform type. The age of this assemblage is about 1800--1600 Ma.

Gaoyuzhuang assemblage (H, Fig. 2)

This assemblage occurs in the upper part of the Dahongyu Formation. Represented by Conophyton and Gaoyuzhuangia, its members are mainly Conophyton cylindricum, Con. garganicum, Tabuloconigera paraepiphyta, Confusoconophyton multiangulum and Gaoyuzhuangia sp., with some, Kussiella sp., Xiaohangyuella petalina, Conophyton dahongyuense, Jacuto- phyton sp., etc. This assemblage is distinguished by various conical strom- atolites and related types, most of them being of medium, large or even giant size. The columns have regular to irregular shapes with a complex parallel or divergent branching, and with discontinuous columnar walls. The micro- structure is mostly of banded or linear type, and the microfabrics are spotted or filiform.

The two assemblages mentioned above are widespread in the Yanshan Mountains. They also occur in the Yinshan Mountains of central Nei Mong- gol, to the west of central Bayanxibie Mountain, in the Beishan Mountains of Gansu Province near the border of Xinjiang, in Qilian Ranges along the border between Gansu and Qinghai and around Tekes County in western Tianshan, in Shennongjia Mountainlands of Hubei, and in central Yunnan. In those regions, the Gaoyuzhuan assemblage (II) is remarkably common but the Tuanshanzi assemblage (I) appears only in a few places.

21

• J i m

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Fig. 2. Representat ive e lements of Tuanshanzi and Gaoyuzhuang assemblages (I--II) : (1) Yanshania dahuashanensis Zhu (2) Gaoyuzhuangia gaoyuzhuangensis Zhu et al. (3) Pingguella wanzhuangziensis Zhu (4) Eucapsiphora multiramis Zhu (5) Gruneria cf. biwabikia Cloud et Semikha tov (6) Conophyton dahongyuense Liang et al. (7) Con. cylindricum (Grabau) Masl. (8) Con. garganicum Korolyuk.

22

Fig. 3. Representative elements of Mopanyu assemblage (III): (1) Pseudogymnosolen mopanyuense Liang et Tsao (2) P. condylose Liang et Liu (3.4) P. bulbosum Liang et Liu (5) P. epiphytum Zhao et al. (8--9) P. pandum Liang et Liu (6--7) Minglingella wanniangfenensis Xiao (10) Scyphus regularus Liang et Liu (11 ) S. parvus Liang.

I.., , / / - I ~ ~

23

Fig. 4. Representative elements of Mopanyu, Shanpoling and Tieling assemblages (III, IV and V): (1) Conophyton concellosum Liang et Tsao (2--3) Con. lituum Maslov (4--5) Con. luotuolingense Liang et al. (6) Chihsienella chihsienensis Liang et Tsao (7) C. palama Tsao et al. (8) Pseudotielingella chihsienensis Liang et Tsao.

24

Mopanyu as~mbi~e (III, Figs. 3, 4)

This assemblqe is reported at the top of the Gaoyuzhuang Formation and in the lower parts of the Yangghuang and Wumishan Formations. It is represented by Pscudo#ymnosolen-Scyphs. The stromatolite columns are very small, with PSEUDOGYMNOSOLENACEAE elements, and these are accompanied by some conical forms. The cimracteristics of PS]ZUDOGYM- NOSOLENACEAE are: (1) the stromatolite column is commonly <~ 2 cm (commonly 1 cm) in diameter; end (2) an obviously synchronous growth exists between sedimentary laminae. The elements in this family commonly have complex branching. Some genera have a pseudocolumnar structure. The microstructure is chiefly fine linear and coa@~iated clumpy types and the microfabric is mostly of filiform and spotted type. The representative members are: t~udol~mnosolen mopcmyuen~, P. pandum, P. epiphytum, P. condyioae, P. bulbosum, 2cyphus parvus, S. re~darus, S. irregularus, Minglingella u m n ~ e n e n s i s , M. heishan~ensis, Microstylus zimizhuang- ensis, Y a n g z h ~ columnaria and Conophyton concsllosum etc.

This assemblage is so stable on the Sinokorean pmmplatform that it can serve as a stratigr~phic index (see Fig. 1). It is very widespread, occurring in the upper part of the Jixian and Changcheng Systems in the Yanshan and T a l h ~ Mountains, the lower part of the S h ~ Group in the Yinshan Mountain of Nei Monggol, Jixian System in west~n Liaoning, and in northern Liaoning, D ~ i q i a o Formation in Liaodong Peninsula, and in the Longjiayuan Formation of the Luonan Group on the borders of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan provinces and among Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia. In mtd/tion, it is also found in the lower Kunyang Group in the southern part of the Kan~lian tectonic axis in the w e ~ r n part of the Yangtze paraptatform.

Shanpoling ~ m b l m g e (IV, Fig. 4)

This amemblqe, ~ oimmctm-ized by large and t iant elements, such as the genera Conol~yton mind J ~ t o p h y t o n , occtum mainly in the upper horizons of the W ~ F ~ o n . The strom~tolite columns are moldy more than 20--40 cm in diameter, and 50 cm to 1--2 m in height. The represen- tative elements are as follows: Conophyton lituum, Con. conicoforme, Con. shanpolingen#e, Jacutophyton fureatum, Petaliforma epicharia etc. In addi- tion, Pseudo/tymnoeo/en, ~ o a l / a , ~ and Stratifera are included.

This a s s e ~ is also represented in the Sinokorean parapiatform and seems insepmmble from the above mentioned Mopanyu a m m m b ~ , serving again as an index for the upper part of the Jixian System. It is also present in the Liaoyang, Luonan, Shinagan and Kunyang Groups, and where its characteristics are the same as those in the Yanshan region.

25

Tieling assemblage (V, Fig. 4)

This assemblage occurs at the top of the Wumishan Formation and in the upper parts of the Tieling Formation. It is typified by the abundance of diverging columnar types, Most show complbx branching, variation in forms, and have a sheath (special wall} apparently composed of a mucous substance. The representative elements are: Chihsienella and Baicalia genera, consisting mainly of Chihsienella chihsienensis, C. crispata, Tielingella tielingensis, Anabaria chihsienensis, Baicalia cf. baicalica, Scopulimorpha regularis, Paraconophyton inconspicum and Pseudochihsienella inconspica etc.

Besides the Yanshan region (Fig. 1), it is also found in the upper Luonan Group on the border areas of Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan, in the Wangquan- kou Formation in the Helanshan Mountains of Ningxia, in the Bayanxibie Group in the Bayanxibie Mountain of west Nei Monggol, in the Pingtoushan Group in Beishan Mountains in northern Gansu, in the Tuolainanshan Group in the Qilian Mts. and in the Ai'erjigan Group in the Kuruktag Hills of east Xinjiang etc.

Xiahuayuan assemblage (VI, Fig. 5).

The type section of this assemblage is located in the western Yanshan Mountains which is the upper part of the Xiamaling Formation of the Qing- baikou System. Columnar branching types are dominant with few conical stromatolites. These stromatolites exhibit digitation, budding, node diver- gence and there are other special forms. The microstructure is marked by coagulated patches and discontinuous banded types. The microfabric consists of spots and masses. This assemblage is dominated by Gymnosolen-Linella, the representative elements being Clavaphyton turbiformis, Gymnosolen confragosus, G. pseudocolumnaris, Inzeria tjomusi, Linella cf. avis, L. simica, L. ukka, L. inconspicua, Jurusania asymmetrica, Katavia karatavica and Qingbaikounia vaginata etc.

Xingmincun assemblage (VII, Fig. 5)

The type section is in the upper part of the Jinxian Subgroup of the Liaonan Group in southern Liaodong Peninsula and is mainly developed in the Majiatun, Cuijiatun and Xingmincun Formations. The representative elements are Xingmincunella and Gymnosolen genera, consisting mainly of Xingmincunella xingmincunensis, Boxonia cf. lissa, Cuijiatunia cuijiatun- ensis, Patomia qidingshanensis, Gymnosolen ramsayi, G. cf. fureatus, G. cf. levis etc. This assemblage is characterized by small but complex stromatol- ites, commonly constituting small reefs, the surfaces of which show complex decoration; the microstructure has bushlike algal prothallia.

The Xiahuayuan and Xingmincun assemblages are poorly developed in

26

Fig. 5. Representative elements of Xiahuayuan, Xingmincun and Kaiyang assemblages (VI, VII and VIII): (1) Boxonia xifengensis Zhu (2) Linella cf. simica Krylov (3) Jurus- ania asymmetrica Zhu et Du (4) Hunjiangia jinxianensis Duan et al. (5) Xingmincunella xingmincunensis Bu (6)Cuij i iatunia cuijiatunensis Bu (7)Inzer ia tjomusi Ktylov.

27

Yanshan Mts. and can only be seen in its westerly segment. It is best devel- oped in the southern Liaodong Peninsula, northern Jiangsu and Anhui. It is also found in the Haishenghala Formation in west Bayanxibie Mountain of Nei Monggol, in the Dahuoluoshan Group in the Beishan Mountains, the Gongcha Group in Qilian Mts., Pargang Group in the Kuruktag Hills, east Xinjiang, and in the upper Kunyang Group in central Yunnan.

Kaiyang assemblage (VIII, Fig. 5)

This assemblage is well-developed in the Doushantuo Formation of the Sinian System in Kaiyang District of Guizhou Province. The representative elements are: Stratifera and Boxonia, it mainly comprises Stratifera cf. pseudocolumnaris, Boxonia xifengensis, Gymnosolen cf. confragosus, Linella cf. simica, Patomia multigemia, Scopulimorpha sp. and Xifengia irregularis etc.

Typically, it is poorly developed, and characterized by primitive bedded, strato-columnar and dome-like types composed of phosphate and siliceous materials; columnar divergent types are confined to a few places. A rather complete assemblage is also reported from the Sinian System in the Shen- nongjia Mountainlands, Hubei Province, central Yunnan and Tekes county , Xinjiang.

CORRELATION

According to the features of the eight stromatolitic assemblages described above, the late Precambrian in much of China, can be systematically ar- ranged; the subdivisions and correlations are shown in Table III.

Preiss (1976) subdivided the late Precambrian stromatolites of the world into four assemblages (see Table IV}. This is still of considerable, significance.

Assemblage I chiefly contains Kussiella, Omachtenia and Conophyton cylindricum, about 1300--1700 Ma, corresponding to the Gaoyuzhuang assemblage (II) in China.

Assemblage II mainly contains the elements of Baicalia, Anabaria and Svetliella, 1350--900 Ma, corresponding to the Mopanyu, Sbanpoling and Tieling assemblages in China. The difference between them is that the ele- ments of the lower horizon in China are better developed so that two more assemblages could be distinguished from the Mopanyu and Shanpoling assemblages.

Assemblage III is represented by the elements of Gymnosolen, Minjaria, Boxonia, Inzeria and Jurusania, 1000--700 Ma, and may be correlated with the Xiahuayuan and Xingmincun assemblages of Qingbaikou System in China.

Assemblage IV is represented by the elements from Linella, Boxonia, Patomia and Aldania, 750--570 Ma, and may be correlated with the Kaiyang assemblage in China.

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Gan

su a

nd

Nin

gxia

(8

) (9

)

Xin

ji F

m.

Cam

bria

n

W.

Nei

Mon

ggol

B

eish

an

(Bay

anxi

bie)

M

t.

(10)

Qi-

lian

M

ts.

Kur

ukta

g W

. X

inji

ang

She

nnon

gjia

C

entr

al Y

unna

n H

ills

(T

ekes

) M

ts.

in H

ubei

(K

unm

ing)

(11)

(1

2)

(13)

(14)

Cam

bri

an

C

am

bri

an

L

. Cam

- bri

an

Gon

gcha

G

p.

VI

(15)

Tia

nzh

ush

an

mem

ber

Zhe

ngm

ugua

n H

ongs

han-

D

olon

ur G

p.

Kur

ukta

g S

inia

n S

inia

n F

m.

kou

Gp.

G

p.

Sys

tem

S

yste

m

~ _V

I..I I_

~ _ =

V

III

Hai

shen

ghal

a D

ahuo

luos

han

Par

gang

Gp.

Kus

hita

i M

acao

yuan

G

p.

Gp.

V

II

Gp.

F

ro.

VI

VI

VI

VI

Luo

nan

Wan

gqua

nkou

Bay

anxi

bie

Pin

gtou

shan

T

uola

inan

shan

A

i'er

jiga

n K

eksu

U

. S

henn

ongi

ia

Gp.

G

p.

Gp.

G

p.

Gp.

G

p.

Gp.

G

p.

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

V

IV

IV

IV

IV

IV

III

Hua

ngqi

kou

Nor

gong

B

aihu

D

angh

e Y

angj

i-

Tek

es

L.

She

nnon

gjia

G

p.

Gp.

G

p.

Gp.

bu

lak

Gp.

G

p.

Gp.

(16)

Mei

shuc

un

Fm

.

Sin

ian

Sys

tem

_

v~

t .

..

..

..

U

. K

unya

ng G

p.

VII

VI

IV

III

9~

L.

Kun

yang

Gp.

II

II

II

mm

The

ei

ght

stro

mat

olit

e as

sem

blag

es i

.e.,

Tua

nsha

nzi

asse

mbl

age

(I);

Gao

yuzh

uang

ass

embl

age

(II)

; M

opan

yu a

ssem

blag

e (I

II);

Sha

n-

poli

ng a

ssem

blag

e (I

V);

Tie

ling

ass

embl

age

(V);

Xia

huay

uan

asse

mbl

age

(VI)

; X

ingm

incu

n as

sem

blag

e (V

II};

Kai

yang

ass

embl

age

(VII

I).

bO

¢,

D

TA

BL

E I

V

Cor

rela

tion

ch

art

for

late

Pre

cam

bri

an s

tro

mat

oli

te a

ssem

blag

es o

f C

hina

an

d a

bro

ad

Abr

oad

(Pre

iss,

197

6)

Ass

emb.

(IV

) L

inel

la,

Box

onia

, 5

70

--

Pat

omia

, A

ldan

ia

750M

a

Ch

ina

(Lia

ng e

t al

., 1

983)

Kai

yan

g

Lin

ella

, B

oxon

ia,

Pat

omia

as

sem

b. (

VII

I)

60

0--

75

0Ma

Ass

emb.

(II

I)

Gym

noso

lcn,

Box

onia

. 7

00

-

Ass

emb.

(II

)

Ass

emb.

(I

Min

jari

a, I

nzer

ia,

1000

Ma

duru

sani

a

Bai

calia

, A

nab

a,-i

a,

90

0--

St

,'etli

ella

13

50M

a

Kus

siel

la,

Om

acht

enia

, 13

00--

C

onop

hyto

n cy

lind

ricu

m

1700

Ma

Xin

gm

incu

n

asse

mb.

(V

II)

Xia

hu

ayu

an

asse

mb.

(V

I)

Tie

ling

as

sem

b. (

V)

Sh

anp

oli

ng

as

sem

b. (

IV)

Mo

pan

yu

as

sem

b. (

III)

Gao

yu

zhu

ang

as

sem

b. (

II)

Tu

ansh

anzi

as

sem

b. (

1)

Xin

gmin

cune

lla,

Cui

jiat

unia

. G

ymno

sole

n, B

oxon

ia

70

0--

10

00 M

a G

ymno

sole

n, L

inel

la.

Kat

at,ia

. ln

zeri

a, J

urus

ania

, Q

ingb

aiko

uia

Chi

hsie

nell

a, B

aica

lia,

A

naba

ria,

T

ieli

ngel

la

1000

--

Con

ophy

ton,

dac

utop

hyto

n 14

00M

a

Pse

udog

ymno

sole

n, M

ingl

inge

lla,

Sc

yphu

s, C

on

op

hyl

on

con

cell

osum

Con

ophy

ton

cyli

ndri

cu m

. C

on.

14

00

--

garg

anic

um,

Tab

aloc

onig

era,

16

00M

a C

onfu

soco

noph

yton

, G

aoyu

- zh

uang

ia

Xia

ying

ella

, G

rune

ria,

1

60

0--

K

ussi

ella

, St

rati

fera

, 18

00M

a C

ryp

tozo

on

31

As fo r t h e T u a n s h a n z i a s s e m b l a g e in t h e l o w e s t h o r i z o n , m a r k e d b y t h e g e n e r a such as Gruneria, Xiayingella a n d Yanshania, t h e s t r o m a t o l i t e s m a y be c o r r e l a t e d w i t h t h o s e o f t h e e a r l y P r o t e r o z o i c A n i m i k i e G r o u p in N. A m e r i c a a n d t h e e a r l y P r o t e r o z o i c T e l a n s h i w a S y s t e m in S. A f r i c a .

CONCLUSION

T h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n a n d c o r r e l a t i o n o f l a t e P r e c a m b r i a n s t r o m a t o l i t e s in C h i n a a p p e a r to be o f s t r a t i g r a p h i c s i g n i f i c a n c e . We s h o u l d , h o w e v e r , p r o c e e d w i t h c a u t i o n . P a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n m u s t be p a i d to a p p l i c a t i o n in o t h e r p l aces .

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