New occurence of the Cambrian (Stage 4, Series 2) Guanshan Biota in Huize, Yunnan, South China

A new occurrence of the Cambrian (Stage 4, Series 2) Guanshan Biota has been identified in Huize, Yunnan, South China, approximately 100 km north of previously reported sites. This discovery expands the paleogeographic distribution of the Guanshan Biota and strengthens its connections to both the younger Chengjiang Biota and the older Kaili Biota, as well as the coeval Burgess Shale community. The study examines the lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Zhujiaqing section, revealing representatives from various phyla, including sponges, palaeoscolecids, arthropods, brachiopods, echinoderms, vetulicolians, and potential new taxa such as a novel species of Vetulicola. This finding enhances our understanding of the evolutionary relationships between these significant Cambrian fossil assemblages.

Liu, J. N., Ou, Q., Han, J., Zhang, Z. F., He, T. J., Yao, X. Y., Fu, D. J., & Shu, D. G. (2012). New occurence of the Cambrian (Stage 4, Series 2) Guanshan Biota in Huize, Yunnan, South China. Bulletin of Geosciences, 125–132. https://doi.org/10.3140/bull.geosci.1229