Skip to content Skip to navigation

Article: Fossil liberation: a model to explain high biodiversity in the Triassic Cassian Formation

Palaeontology - Vol. 63 Part 1 - Cover Image
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume: 63
Part: 1
Publication Date: January 2020
Page(s): 85 102
Author(s): Vanessa Julie Roden, Imelda M. Hausmann, Alexander Nützel, Barbara Seuss, Mike Reich, Max Urlichs, Hans Hagdorn, and Wolfgang Kiessling
Addition Information

How to Cite

RODEN, V.J., HAUSMANN, I.M., NüTZEL, A., SEUSS, B., REICH, M., URLICHS, M., HAGDORN, H., KIESSLING, W. 2020. . Palaeontology, 63, 1, 85-102. DOI: /doi/10.1111/pala.12441

Author Information

  • Vanessa Julie Roden - GeoZentrum Nordbayern Section Palaeobiology University Erlangen‐Nürnberg Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen Germany
  • Imelda M. Hausmann - SNSB – Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Imelda M. Hausmann - Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Alexander Nützel - SNSB – Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Alexander Nützel - Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Alexander Nützel - GeoBio‐Center Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Barbara Seuss - GeoZentrum Nordbayern Section Palaeobiology University Erlangen‐Nürnberg Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen Germany
  • Mike Reich - SNSB – Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Mike Reich - Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Mike Reich - GeoBio‐Center Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Richard‐Wagner‐Str. 10 80333 München Germany
  • Max Urlichs - Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Rosenstein 1 70191 Stuttgart Germany
  • Hans Hagdorn - Muschelkalkmuseum Ingelfingen Schlossstraße 11 74653 Ingelfingen Germany
  • Wolfgang Kiessling - GeoZentrum Nordbayern Section Palaeobiology University Erlangen‐Nürnberg Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen Germany

Publication History

  • Issue published online: 24 December 2019
  • Manuscript Accepted: 08 May 2019
  • Manuscript Received: 08 January 2019

Funded By

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Grant Numbers: KI 806/14‐1, SE 2283/2‐1, NU 96/13‐1

Online Version Hosted By

Wiley Online Library
Get Article: Wiley Online Library [Pay-to-View Access] |

Abstract

With 1429 animal species, the Triassic Cassian Formation in the Dolomites, Southern Alps (Italy), yields the highest species richness reported from any spatially constrained pre‐Quaternary formation known to science. The high preserved diversity is partly attributable to a high primary diversity governed by the tropical setting, increasing alpha diversity, and the breadth of habitats spurring beta diversity. More important is the excellent preservation of fossils and the ease with which they can be extracted from the poorly lithified sediments. We propose the term ‘liberation Lagerstätten’ to capture this preservational window. In contrast to conservation Lagerstätten, liberation Lagerstätten like the Cassian Formation originate from normal marine conditions but low‐grade diagenesis. Molluscs contribute substantially to species richness, comprising 67% of all invertebrate species in the Cassian Formation. The gastropod dominance (39% of all species) is nearly as great as in Recent tropical settings, contradicting the concept of a substantial Cenozoic rise.

PalAss Go! URL: http://go.palass.org/kpb | Twitter: Share on Twitter | Facebook: Share on Facebook | Google+: Share on Google+