亚洲地区晚侏罗至早白垩世陆地脊椎动物生态功能多样性演化

喻宇宸; 黄元耕; 冯学谦; 王向东; 赵赫; 郭镇; 李子珩; 黄鑫月; 曹田靖; 辛佰仑; 陈中强

doi:10.3799/dqkx.2025.232

Volume 51 Issue 2

Feb. 2026

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Article Navigation > Earth Science > 2026 > 51(2): 767-778

Yu Yuchen, Huang Yuangeng, Feng Xueqian, Wang Xiangdong, Zhao He, Guo Zhen, Li Ziheng, Huang Xinyue, Cao Tianjin, Xin Bailun, Chen Zhong-qiang, 2026. Evolution of Functional Diversity in Terrestrial Vertebrates from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in Asia. Earth Science, 51(2): 767-778. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2025.232

Citation:

Yu Yuchen, Huang Yuangeng, Feng Xueqian, Wang Xiangdong, Zhao He, Guo Zhen, Li Ziheng, Huang Xinyue, Cao Tianjin, Xin Bailun, Chen Zhong-qiang, 2026. Evolution of Functional Diversity in Terrestrial Vertebrates from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in Asia. Earth Science, 51(2): 767-778. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2025.232

Citation:

Yu Yuchen, Huang Yuangeng, Feng Xueqian, Wang Xiangdong, Zhao He, Guo Zhen, Li Ziheng, Huang Xinyue, Cao Tianjin, Xin Bailun, Chen Zhong-qiang, 2026. Evolution of Functional Diversity in Terrestrial Vertebrates from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in Asia. Earth Science, 51(2): 767-778. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2025.232

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Evolution of Functional Diversity in Terrestrial Vertebrates from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous in Asia

doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2025.232

1.
State Key Laboratory of Geomicrobiology and Environmental Changes, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
2.
State Key Laboratory ofGeological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China
3.
College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Received Date: 2025-02-13
Publish Date: 2026-02-25

Abstract

Abstract

During the Jurassic-Cretaceous (J-K) transition, global ecosystems underwent profound changes. Studies on biodiversity during this period indicate that approximately 20% of marine species went extinct in shallow-sea environments, while on land, crocodyliform diversity declined by 55%-75%, and tetrapods and pterosaurs experienced a 75%-80% reduction in diversity. Overall, larger-bodied taxa were disproportionately affected. However, the evolutionary trajectory of terrestrial ecological diversity during this pivotal transition remains poorly constrained.In Asia, stratigraphic successions spanning the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous are well developed and have yielded abundant vertebrate fossils, making the region a key area for reconstructing the evolutionary history of terrestrial ecological diversity across the J-K transition. In this study, we compiled occurrence data of vertebrate fossils from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous of Asia and integrated species-level ecological traits for analysis. Ecological classification was established based on habitat, diet, and body size, with body size data measured to refine trait differentiation. Resampling methods were applied to correct for sampling bias and uneven sample sizes.The results show that large-bodied saurischian dinosaurs (by approximately 50%-80%), turtles (about 40%-50%), and mammals (about 60%-70%) experienced marked declines in diversity across the J-K boundary, whereas freshwater fishes and some other reptilian groups were less affected. Analyses of ecospace structure reveal substantial adjustments in both species diversity and functional structure within Asian terrestrial ecosystems during the J-K transition. Furthermore, responses to environmental factors varied markedly among clades: overall, vegetation changes appear to have promoted increases in aquatic diversity, whereas climatic warming and increasing aridity exerted strong suppressive effects on the diversity of terrestrial groups.
- Early Cretaceous,
- taxonomic diversity,
- functional diversity,
- ecospace,
- biota,
- geobiology

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