New keratose sponges after the end-Permian extinction provide insights into biotic recoveries.

Wu, Siqi; Reitner, Joachim; Harper, David A T; Yu, Jianxin; Chen, Zhong-Qiang

Abstract

We challenge the prevailing view that the end-Permian extinction impeded the Triassic evolution of sponges. Here, we report a deep-water community dominated by abundant keratose sponges in the lowest Triassic strata from Southwest China. The sponge fossils occur as dark elliptical imprints in mudstone with distinct oscula on their tops. The structure of preserved fibers suggests closest affinity with the extant Dictyoceratida, an aspiculate demosponge. The exceptional preservation plays a crucial role in retaining their exquisite structures. Sedimentary, taphonomic, pyrite framboid, and trace elemental analyses indicate that the sponges proliferated in an oxygen-poor habitat, demonstrating the high tolerance of sponges to severe conditions. Sponge proliferation is a signal of environmental upheaval but they also stabilized the ecosystem, driving the first phase of biotic recovery after the end-Permian extinction.

Citation

Wu, S., Reitner, J., Harper, D. A. T., Yu, J., & Chen, Z.-Q. (2023). New keratose sponges after the end-Permian extinction provide insights into biotic recoveries. Geobiology, 22(1), Article e12582. https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12582

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 6, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 27, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 27, 2023
• Deposit Date: Apr 11, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 25, 2024
• Journal: Geobiology
• Print ISSN: 1472-4677
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e12582
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gbi.12582
• Keywords: Biodiversity, Ecosystem, end-Permian extinction, Keratosis, environmental stress, keratose sponge, recovery, Humans, China, Trace Elements, Southwest China, Fossils
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2314034