Page 185 - Introduction to Paleobiology and The Fossil Record

172 INTRODUCTION TO PALEOBIOLOGY AND THE FOSSIL RECORD

System Formation 37–40 number Lithology/age 250 δ 13 C (scaled from –2 to 5 parts per thousand)
Bed

Early Triassac Yinkiang 29–30 250.2±0.2
36
33
250.4±0.5
31
28
251
27 250.7±0.3 C
26
25 251.4±0.3 B
24 A
23
22 252
Late Permian Changhsing 18–19 252.3±0.3
21
20
17
15–16
12–14
253
10–11
8–9
7 253.4±0.2
1–6
255
(a) –2 02 4 0 50 100 150 200 250 300

10 cm 10 cm
(b) (c)
Figure 7.7 The end-Permian mass extinction in China. (a) The pattern of extinction of 333
species of marine animals through 90 m of sediments spanning the PT boundary in the Meishan
section, showing radiometric ages and carbon isotopes. Three extinction levels, A, B and C are
identified. Vertical lines are recorded stratigraphic ranges of marine species in the sections. (b, c)

Block diagrams showing typical species in China at the very end of the Permian (b), and
immediately after the crisis (c). (a, based on Jin et al. 2000; b, c, drafted by John Sibbick.)