Age constraints on the fossil fishes (Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage) from the Lower Cretaceous of Zhejiang Province, South China

• Published in: Cretaceous research 2022-10, Vol.138, p.105263, Article 105263
• Main Authors: Gao, Hai-Long, Xu, Guang-Hui, Fu, Yan-Zhe, Cai, Chen-Yang, Tang, Zeng-Cai, Zheng, Shu-Can, Zhao, Xu-Dong, Gao, Jian, Huang, Di-Ying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chawan Formation; early Cretaceous; Fossil-fishes; Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage; South China
• ISSN: 0195-6671; 1095-998X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105263

Fossil fishes (Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage) are well known in the Upper Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary strata in the coast of South China, but the precise age remains uncertain. In this study, we provide LA-ICP-MS UPb zircon ages (ca. 120 Ma) for the volcaniclastic layers overlying the fossil-layer in the Chawan Formation at Linhai City, Zhejiang Province, Southeast China. Our results imply that the Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage lived in the early Aptian. The Chawan Formation in Southeast China and Jiufotang Formation in Northeast China are coeval strata, while their fish faunas are taxonomically different because of possible physical barrier. Considering the fact that Paraclupea chetungensis may have broad salinity tolerance, the discovery of the fossil fishes implies the study area was once affected by the transgressive events or close to the sea during the early Aptian. •The Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage lived in the early Aptian.•Fishes in South China are different from those of Jehol biota in North China.•Mesoclupea-Paraclupea assemblage is older than Diplomystus-Wakinoichthys assemblage.•The discovery of Paraclupea chetungensis maybe imply the influence of sea water.