What is the significance of the discovery of Luoping biota?

The origin of the Luoping biota fossil is 10. In 2007, it was accidentally discovered by researchers of Chengdu Geological Survey Center of China Geological Survey when collecting specimens in Daaozi Village, Luoping, Yunnan. With the development of scientific research activities, more than 20,000 kinds of fossils including plants, carnivorous fish and large reptiles have been found in Luoping.

The age of Luoping biota is the Triassic Anne period, which is the most typical representative of marine ecological restoration. It records the life restoration history and life radiation history of the earth, and also witnessed the vicissitudes of the ancient ocean. Luoping has a variety of biological categories, and has preserved relatively complete marine reptiles, echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves, gastropods and plant fossils.

According to research, during the Triassic period, Luoping area was a marine carbonate platform environment, and the warm water temperature attracted a large number of fish, including odontosaurus and sauropods. Animals related to fish include amphibians, reptiles, echinoderms, arthropods, bivalves and gastropods, as well as plant remains brought into the sea by rivers. However, similar to the fate of Guanling fauna in Guizhou, volcanic eruption and crustal uplift led to the silent disappearance of these lives.

Figure 2-6 Fossil Origin of Luoping Biota (Photography/Luotuanjie)

Because Luoping biota was in the stage of rapid radiation after extinction at the end of Permian and in the stage of slow recovery at the beginning of Triassic, it is of great significance to discuss the recovery, evolution and radiation of Triassic marine organisms, the reconstruction of ancient marine fauna and the ancient environment at that time. At the same time, the rich and colorful fish fossils found in Luoping biota also fill the gap in the Middle Triassic fish fossil records in this area.