Numerical experiments: The climate model used is the fast air sea coupling model (FAMOUS) jointly developed by the British Meteorological Office and British universities The horizontal resolution of the atmospheric model in the FAMOUS model is 5 ° × 7.5 °, 11 layers in vertical direction; The horizontal resolution of the ocean model is 2.5 ° × 3.75 °, 20 layers in vertical direction The atmosphere and ocean are coupled once a day without flux adjustment The tests included the Middle Paleocene (MP,~60Ma BP, test name flat_60ma_1xCO2_sea_3d_ * * 100yr_mean. nc) and the Late Oligocene (LO,~25Ma BP, test name orog_25ma_1xCO2_sea_3d_ * * 100yr_mean. nc) The sea land distribution data is mainly taken from the global coastline basic data set (abbreviated as Gplates, website: http://www.gplates.org/ ）Considering that the initial uplift of Cenozoic terrains such as the Qinghai Tibet Plateau started at about 50~55 Ma (Searle et al., 1987), the global terrain height was set to 0 in the MP test to omit the role of plateau terrain. At 25 Ma, Greenland (Zachos et al., 2001) and the Qinghai Tibet Plateau (for example, Wang et al., 2014; Ding et al., 2014; Rowley and Currie, 2006; DeCells et al., 2007; Polisar et al., 2009) were revised The change of ancient latitude is also considered when reconstructing the ancient topography of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau (Besse et al., 1984; Chatterjee et al., 2013; Wei et al., 2013) At the same time, referring to the change of Cenozoic atmospheric CO2 (Beerling and Royer, 2011), the atmospheric CO2 concentration in the two periods of experiments was 280 ppmv (1 ppmv=1 mg L – 1) before the industrial revolution For simplicity, all land vegetation and soil properties are set to globally uniform values, that is, various land surface properties on each land grid point except Antarctica are assigned to the global average value of non glacial land surface before the industrial revolution, which is also convenient for highlighting the impact of land sea distribution and topographic changes In addition, since we mainly discuss the average climate state and its change in the characteristic geological period on the scale of millions of years, we can omit the influence of orbital forcing, that is, the Earth's orbital parameters are set to their modern values in all experiments Output time: All tests were integrated for 1000 years, using the average results of the last 100 years of each test. This data is helpful to explore the formation and evolution mechanism of the Cenozoic monsoon and drought.
LIU Xiaodong
There are 396 temperature-sensitive proxy data for the past millennium over the Northern Hemisphere, including 370 tree rings, 15 ice cores, 9 lake sediments and 2 historical documents; This data is derived from the global temperature proxy dataset released by PAGES2k Consortum in 2017; During the process of temperature assimilation in the past millennium (1000-2000 AD) in the Northern Hemisphere, the data were further screened, and only the data with annual resolution were retained; The proxy data contained in the dataset have passed strict quality inspection and temperature signal verification; The data set can be used to reconstruct the temperature of the Northern Hemisphere at the hemispherical and regional scales for the past millennium.
FANG Miao
Karakul lake is the distal proglacial lake of the Muztagh Ata glaciers in Xinjiang, and its material input is mainly affected by glacier changes. The Karakul lake sediment core was drilled in the deepest part of the Karakul Lake (38 ° 26.56 ′ N, 75 ° 03.65 ′ E, water depth of 19m) in June and July, 2013, by the research group of prof. Xubaiqing, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research. The length of the sediment core was 14.16m. This data set is the geochemical data of the lake sediment core, providing high-resolution (0.2mm) information of geochemical elements' contents. The element data was obtained using the nondestructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) measurements (Itrax Core Scanner, Sweden). The measurement was performed in the Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The element content in this data set changes obviously, among which the Zr element, Zr/Rb ratio and Rb/Sr ratio provides the long-term glacier change history in Muztagh Ata region, while Ti element provides the dust change history. These data are of great scientific significance for studying the long-term paleoclimate and environmental change histories in the the westerly-dominated region.
XU Baiqing, ZHANG Xiaolong
(1) Data content: data set of precipitation field of the three poles (Arctic, Antarctic and Qinghai Tibet Plateau) in the past millennium; (2) Data source and processing method: the data is independently produced by the author and is produced by assimilating the precipitation proxy data in the three polar regions through the paleoclimate data assimilation method; (3) Data quality description: there is a high degree of spatial-temporal consistency between the data set and the precipitation data sets measured by multiple instruments (correlation coefficient is above 0.35, P < 0.001; Nash efficiency coefficient is above 0.3). In addition, the correlation coefficient with multiple precipitation data series reconstructed based on proxy data is between 0.2 and 0.6 (P < 0.001); (4) It can be used to study the temporal and spatial changes of precipitation in the past millennium in the three polar regions.
FANG Miao
(1) Data content: Millennial temperature (near-surface air temperature anomaly based on the millinnial mean）datasets over the three poles, e.g., Arctic, Antarctic, and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; (2) Data sources and processing methods: These datasets were produced by the authors themselves using the paleoclimate data assimilationand approach based on climatic proxies over the three poles; (3) Description of data quality: There are high spatio-temporal consistency between these datasets and several instrumental gridded temperature datasets (correlation coefficient above 0.6, p <0.001; Nash efficiency coefficient above 0.5). In addition, the correlations between these datasets and several proxy-based temperature series are between 0.4 and 0.8 (p <0.001). (4) Data application achievements and prospects: These datasets can be used to investigate the temporal and spatial variations in temperature over the three poles during the past millennium.
FANG Miao
1) The data content is the exposure age of the Cosmogenic Nuclide 10Be of the moraine left by the glaciers around the Muztagh Ata peak in the Holocene, including the sampling location, 10Be concentration, calculation results, etc. 2) 10Be concentration data are from published literature. Referring to the latest 10Be yield in the world, three different yield correction methods are used to calculate the exposure age of moraine samples. 3) Compared with the chronological data of the original published literature, this data is more accurate, and the chronological results given by the three methods can be compared with each other, with better concentration within the error range. 4) The data can be used to understand the Holocene change law of glaciers in Pamir region and provide data support for chronological comparison of glacial evolution in the northwest of the plateau.
XU Xiangke, XU Baiqing
1) The data include annual scale oxygen isotope and accumulation records of ice cores from 1900 to 2011, which respectively reflect the temperature and precipitation changes in the study area; 2) For analysis, the ice core samples were first measured using Picaro δ 18O and as per δ The seasonal variation characteristics of 18O determine the age of ice core; The accumulation of ice cores is calculated according to the density of ice cores, the length of ice cores per year and the glacier flow model; 3) Professional laboratory personnel and front-line scientific research personnel operate and maintain the instrument to ensure the reliability of analysis data; 4) The data can be used to analyze the climate and environmental changes in the typical westerly region of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau over the past 100 years, and can be used to explore the evolution of glaciers in this period, providing scientific reference for predicting the future evolution of glaciers, changes in hydrology and water resources and their impact on human activities.
XU Baiqing
The data of Cenozoic plant macrofossils on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau includes leaves, seeds and fruits. It includes Latin and Chinese names of families, genera and species, times, places of origin, morphological descriptions, discussions, specimens and references. The species names are assigned according to the original literature. For fossil records revised by later research, the revised records were chosen; The age of the origin (fossil site) is assigned according to the latest literature. The terms and description paradigm of leaf shape description are referred to the book "Leaf Structure Manual"; The length, angle, and other measurement data in the description are derived from the original literature. The fossil records of the document are sorted alphabetically by Latin initials of families and genera. The data can provide important clues for studying the coupling relationship between the environmental climate changed and the evolution of vegetation and plant diversity in the Cenozoic Qinghai Tibetan Plateau.
ZHOU Zhekun , LIU Jia , CHEN Linlin , ROBERT Spicer , LI Shufeng , HUANG Jian , ZHANG Shitao , HUANG Yongjiang , JIA Linbo , HU Jinjin , SU Tao
This data is the plant diversity and distribution data of the chnab005 grid on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, including the Chinese name, Latin name, latitude and longitude, altitude, collection number, number of molecular materials, number of specimens, administrative division, small place, collector, collection time and creator of the plants in this grid. This data is obtained from e-Science website（ http://ekk.kib.ac.cn/web/index/#/ ）And partially complete the identification. This data has covered the list of plants in this flora and the specific distribution information. This data can be used not only to study the floristic nature of this region, but also to explore the horizontal and vertical gradient pattern of plants in this region. What is different from last year is that the grid with the most scientific research data this year has changed, which may be affected by the epidemic or the environment.
DENG Tao
This data is the runoff data of nalun hydrological station in the upper reaches of the SYR River from 1753 to May to August 2017 reconstructed based on tree ring data. It is obtained from the tree ring hydrological research jointly carried out by Urumqi desert Meteorological Institute of China Meteorological Administration and the Institute of water and Hydropower of the Kyrgyz National Academy of Sciences. The data can be used for scientific research such as water resources assessment and water conservancy projects in mountainous areas of Central Asia, and the observation time is the calibration period, The linear transformation equation of runoff and tree ring data is established to reconstruct the path quantity. Data period: 1753 to 2017. Data element: average runoff from May to August (m3 / s) Station location: 41.43 ° ″ n, 76.02 ° ″ e, 2039m
ZHANG Ruibo
Modern pollen dataset is essential for investigating the relationships between pollen and vegetation and climate, and for the pollen-based past vegetation and climate quantitative reconstructions. Asia has various landform types, climate systems and vegetation types, however, researches on pollen modern processes in Asia are generally restricted at regional scale, hitherto, an entire modern pollen dataset absent in Asia. Based on previous pollen data collection and modern pollen analysis (for special regions), authors have established a modern pollen dataset for Asia initially. The modern pollen dataset including 9165 sampling sites with 245 pollen taxa (at genus and family level), covering evenly the most of parts of Asia. This modern pollen dataset can be utilized in pollen-based past vegetation and climate reconstructions at board spatial-scale, and in reliability assessing for vegetation and climate models. The modern pollen dataset is relative to the literature: Cao, X., Tian, F., Herzschuh, U., Ni, J., Xu, Q., Li, W., Zhang, Y., Luo, M., Chen, F., 2022. Human activities have reduced plant diversity in eastern China over the last two millennia, Global Change Biology (accepted). More detail on processing is provided in this literature.
CAO Xianyong, TIAN Fang, XU Qinghai , NI Jian, HERZSCHUH Ulrike
Past vegetation and climate investigations using the pollen assemblages archived in various sediments have been performed for more than one century, hitherto, pollen is the most suitable proxy in reconstruction for the spatial-temporal patterns of past vegetation and climate at centennial- and global-scale, and a taxonomically harmonized and temporally standardized fossil pollen dataset is essential for these reconstructions. Following pollen data collection, taxonomic homogenization, and age–depth model revision, the pollen spectra were interpolated at a 100-year resolution, and the Holocene fossil pollen dataset was established for China. The Holocene pollen dataset includes 254 pollen spectra and 217 pollen taxa. Although the density of available pollen records is higher in the forest-steppe transition-zone, available pollen records are well distributed over all main vegetation types and climatic zones of China. The temporal range of the dataset covers the Holocene (from 11.5 to 0 cal. ka BP), with abundant pollen sites available between 8 and 2 cal ka BP. The Holocene pollen dataset is relative to the literature: Cao, X., Tian, F., Herzschuh, U., Ni, J., Xu, Q., Li, W., Zhang, Y., Luo, M., Chen, F., 2022. Human activities have reduced plant diversity in eastern China over the last two millennia, Global Change Biology (accepted). More detail on processing is provided in this literature.
CAO Xianyong, TIAN Fang, NI Jian, HERZSCHUH Ulrike
This data includes 50 14C dating data of 5 Lake cores (ANGREN jincuo, Yilong lake, guozhaco, bangdaco and gongzhucuo). The age control of lake sediment cores depends on radiocarbon isotope (14C) dating. The chemical treatment and analysis test of this batch of samples were completed in Miami beta laboratory and Peking University in the United States. The test time was 2018-2022. The test process was carried out in strict accordance with relevant standards. The data sheet includes the lake core sample number, laboratory sample number, dating sample depth, 14C dating results, dating error and corrected results, etc. Good chronological control is the basis of paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
HOU Juzhi, WU Duo
Understanding the modern relationships between pollen and vegetation, climate, and human land-use completely, is essential for quantitative reconstructions of past vegetation, climate and human impacts. supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition Program, we have collected more than 700 surface-soil samples together with detail vegetation survey. Hitherto, pollen analysis of 318 samples have been completed, and the submitted modern pollen dataset includes the pollen percentages of 24 common taxa, the sampling sites of the dataset cover the all vegetation types on the east and central Tibetan Plateau. The dataset can be utilized in establishment for pollen-climate, pollen-vegetation calibration-sets.
CAO Xianyong
This data includes carbonate oxygen isotope data and core age data of Xingyun Lake sediments. The first column: core depth, the second column: core age frame (CAL yr BP), and the third column: carbonate oxygen isotope data. The core of Xingyun Lake is 745cm long and 14ka old. There are 149 carbonate oxygen isotope data. The summer precipitation records in Xingyun Lake since the past 14 Ka have been reconstructed by using carbonate oxygen isotopes in the sediments of Xingyun Lake. The reconstruction results show that the summer precipitation of mingmingyun Lake Basin in early Holocene is high; Since the middle Holocene, summer precipitation has gradually decreased, which is mainly controlled by summer solar radiation.
WU Duo
1) Data content: The paleomagnetic data can establish the paleomagnetic time frame of huatougou section, and the grain size, magnetic indexes and geochemical indexes can restore the climate change in geological history. 2) Data sources and processing methods Data sources are experimental data. Paleomagnetic data: 2x2x2 cm cylindrical samples were drilled with a small gasoline drill and measured in a magnetic shielding chamber with a cryogenic superconducting magnetometer. Magnetic data: The samples collected in the field were ground into fine particles in a 2x2x2 non-magnetic plastic box with a mortar, and tested with a Kapobridge magnetometer, pulse magnetometer and rotary magnetometer. Grain size data: Analysis of decomposed samples using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyzer. Prior to analysis, organic matter was removed with hot hydrogen peroxide and then carbonate was removed with hydrochloric acid in accordance with standard Procedures of Lanzhou University. Geochemical data: Take a small amount of samples to be pounded with agate mortar and ground into powder, and then sieve with a 200-mesh sieve to ensure that the samples meet test standards. After all the samples were ground and sifted, the samples were placed lightly in the groove of the slide and scraped to be flush with the surrounding slide. A PANalytical X 'Pert Pro MPD Polycrystal X-ray diffractometer was used as the test instrument. 3) Data quality Sample collection and experimental processing were carried out in accordance with strict standards, and the data obtained were of reliable quality. 4) Data application achievements and prospects Two SCI papers were published using these data, one of which was Ni.
NIE Junsheng
The Cenozoic strata developed within and around the Tibetan Plateau, contain fruitful information on the tectonic evolution, paleoenvironment and paleoclimate changes. It's very significant on revealing the history of the uplift and deformation of the Tibetan Plateau and its relevant effects on the regional and even global environment and climate. This data set contains several well developed sections, which have been identified by the systematic geological survey. Depending on the tools (e.g. GPS, geological compass) in the fieldwork, we have finished the geological measurements and descriptions of these sections as well as the relevant geological maps. It includes a 90-m loess deposit of the Duikang section in the Linxia basin, several fluvial and lacustrine deposits (such as the 1890-m Dayu section in the Lunpola basin, the 300-m Shuanghe section in the Jianchuan basin, the 252-m Caijiachong section in the Qujing basin) and a 932-m saline lacustrine deposit with gypsolyte of the Jiangcheng section in the Simao basin. This data set provides a solid geological foundation for the following researches on stratigraphic chronology, tectonic evolution, paleoenvironment and paleoclimate, and so forth.
FANG Xiaomin , FANG Xiaomin, YAN Maodu, ZHANG Weilin, ZHANG Dawen
1) Data content: Element content and carbon and oxygen isotope analysis are important indexes for Miocene paleoclimate reconstruction in Tarim Basin 2) Data sources and processing methods Iron content: 4g samples were placed in vibration mill, grinding to less than 200 mesh, the samples were pressed in boric acid with hydraulic press, and finally measured in X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Isotope: The sample is dried at 40℃, then refined to less than 200 mesh, and reacts with 100% phosphoric acid to release CO2 gas in a gas source isophase mass spectrometer. 3) Data quality Sample collection and experimental processing were carried out in accordance with strict standards, and the data obtained were of reliable quality. 4) Data application achievements and prospects Published one SCI paper with this plan.
NIE Junsheng
Magnetic susceptibility and chromaticity data of the Oligocene Baiyanghe Formation in the southern margin of the Jiuxi Basin on the northeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau. The data are experimental data. The average sampling interval in the field is 1m, and a total of 437 pieces of magnetic susceptibility and chromaticity data were obtained. Magnetic susceptibility data was measured with a Bartington MS-2 portable magnetic susceptibility meter; chromaticity data was measured with a Konica Minolta CM-700 spectrophotometer. Sample collection, pre-processing and experimental procedures were carried out in accordance with strict standards, and the quality of the data obtained was reliable. The results show that the magnetic susceptibility and chromaticity values in the lower part of Baiyanghe Formation have consistent and obvious changes. Combined with the variation characteristics of the strata sedimentary facies in the profile, it is believed that a climate change event occurred in the early Baiyanghe Formation in the southern margin of the Jiuxi Basin. A large number of previous studies on stratigraphy, sedimentology and thermochronology revealed that there were no obvious tectonic events in the northeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau during this period, indicating that the climate change events in this area may be caused by regional climate changes. The climate information reflected by the magnetic susceptibility and chromaticity data of the Baiyanghe Formation in the southern margin of the Jiuxi Basin can provide data support for the study of the paleoclimate in the northeastern margin of the Tibet Plateau.
DAI Shuang
1) Data content: Paleomagnetic data can establish paleomagnetic time frame, magnetic and geochemical indicators can restore the climate change in geological history, and heavy mineral analysis can be used to trace provenance. 2) Data sources and processing methods Data sources are experimental data. Magnetic data: The samples collected in the field were ground into fine particles in a 2x2x2 non-magnetic plastic box with a mortar, and tested with a Kapobridge magnetometer, pulse magnetometer and rotary magnetometer. Carbon isotope data: The samples were dried at 40℃, then studied to less than 200 mesh, and reacted with 100% phosphoric acid to release CO2 gas in a gas source isophase mass spectrometer. Grain size data: Analysis of decomposed samples using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyzer. Prior to analysis, organic matter was removed with hot hydrogen peroxide and then carbonate was removed with hydrochloric acid in accordance with standard Procedures of Lanzhou University. 3) Data quality Sample collection and experimental processing were carried out in accordance with strict standards, and the data obtained were of reliable quality. 4) Data application achievements and prospects One SCI paper was published using the data, which was Ni.
NIE Junsheng
The Wuyu Basin is bounded by the Gangdese Mountains to the north and the Yarlung Tsangpo River to the south, and is a representative basin to study the Cenozoic tectonism of the southern Tibet. The sedimentary strata in the Wuyu Basin include the Paleocene-Eocene Linzizong Group volcanics and the Oligocene Rigongla Formation (Fm.) volcanics, the Miocene lacustrine sediments of the Mangxiang Fm. and Laiqing Fm. volcanics, the late Miocene-Pliocene Wuyu Fm., and the Pleistocene Dazi Fm. Five sandstone samples from the Mangxiang Fm., Wuyu Fm. and Dazi Fm. and one modern Wuyu reiver sand sample were collected for detrital zircon U-Pb dating using the LA-ICP-MS method. Detrital zircon U-Pb ages in the Mangxiang Fm. show a large cluster at 45-80 Ma; those in the Wuyu Fm. show a large cluster at 8-15 Ma and a subsidiary cluster at 45-70 Ma; those in the Dazi Fm. show three large clusters at 45-65 Ma, 105-150 Ma and 167-238 Ma; and those in modern Wuyu river show a large cluster at 8-15 Ma and a subsidiary cluster at 45-65 Ma (Figure 1). Late Cretaceous-early Eocene zircons in all samples are consistent with the most prominent stage of magmatism of the Gangdese Mountains; the 8-15 Ma zircons in the Wuyu Fm. and modern Wuyu river are consistent with the magmatism of the Laiqing Fm.; and the Triassic-Jurassic zircons in the Dazi Fm. are consistent with the magmatism of the central Lhasa terrane. The results of detrital zircon U-Pb ages and sedimentary facies analyses in the Wuyu Basin indicate that the southern Tibetan Plateau suffered multi-stage tectonism-magmatism since the India-Asia collision: (1) Paleogene Linzizong Group-Rigongla Fm. volcanics; (2) tectonism-magmatism at ~15 Ma ended the lacustrine sediments of the Mangxiang Fm. and resulted in volcanism of the Laiqing Fm.; (3) tectonism at ~8 Ma resulted in the volcanic rocks of the Laiqing Fm. becoming one of the main provenances for the overlying Wuyu Fm.; (4) the Wuyu Basin formed braided river and received sediments from the central Lhasa terrane to its north at ~2.5 Ma. The geomorphic pattern of the southern Tibet has gradually formed since the Quaternary.
MENG Qingquan MENG Qingquan
This dataset includes contents, stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates in the Qom section, Central Iran. Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from carbonates are important climatic proxies in paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The sediment samples were grounded and sieved through a 100 mesh screen, and then directly analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (MAT-252) with an automated carbonate preparation device (Kiel Ⅱ). C, O isotope ratios are converted to Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB) standards. Typical analytical errors for C, O isotope are within ±0.1‰ (±0.06‰ and ±0.08‰ for carbon isotope and oxygen isotope, respectively). The carbonate content was measured by neutralization titration with an accuracy of 0.5%. The ages of the data were obtained by linear interpolation based on magnetostratigraphy. Based on the carbonate concentrations and the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of the Qom Basin the Miocene paleoenvironmental evolution history can be well reconstructed, being useful for discussing the environmental effects of the uplift of the Arabia-Eurasia collision and the global climatic changes. This study aims to analyze the history of climate change in central Iran since the mid-late Miocene, and finally reveals the intensification of aridity in central Iran since 13 Ma.
SUN Jimin
This dataset includes contents, stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates in the Aksu section, Tajik Basin. Stable carbon and oxygen isotopes from carbonates are important climatic proxies in paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The samples are sampled from fine-grained sediments (siltstone, clay) in the late Eocene-early Oligocene continental strata of the Aksu section in the central Tajik Basin. The sediment samples were grounded and sieved through a 100 mesh screen, and then directly analyzed using an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (MAT-252) with an automated carbonate preparation device (Kiel Ⅱ). C, O isotope ratios are converted to Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB) standards. Typical analytical errors for C, O isotope are within ±0.1‰ (±0.06‰ and ±0.08‰ for carbon isotope and oxygen isotope, respectively). The carbonate content was measured by neutralization titration with an accuracy of 0.5%. The ages of the data were obtained by linear interpolation based on magnetostratigraphy. Based on the carbonate concentrations and the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of the Tajik Basin, the paleoenvironmental evolution history during the late Eocene and early Oligocene can be well reconstructed, being useful for discussing the environmental effects of the uplift of the Indo-Eurasia collision and the global climatic changes.
SUN Jimin
The Regional Estimates of Vegetation Abundance from Large Sites (REVEALS) model was developed by Sugita (2007) to correct for bias due to inter-taxonomic differences in pollen productivity and dispersion and estimate plant cover at a regional spatial scale based on pollen records. We provide the dataset of pollen-based REVEALS reconstruction for temperate and northern sub-tropical China over the Holocene. The REVEALS reconstruction was achieved using 94 selected pollen records from lakes and bogs at a 1˚x1˚ spatial scale and a temporal resolution of 500 years between 11.7 and 0.7 ka BP, and three recent time windows (0.7˗0.35 ka BP, 0.35˗0.1 ka BP, and 0.1 ka BP˗present). The dataset of pollen-based REVEALS reconstruction of Holocene plant cover for the study region includes the REVEALS proportions of plant cover (and related SEs) for 75 1˚x 1˚grid cells and 25 time windows for each grid cell for 27 taxa, two alternatives of aggregation of plant taxa to PFTs: ten PFTs and six PFTs, and three land-cover types. The metadata files providing details on the sites used in the REVEALS reconstruction for each grid cell and each time window. For instance, the original site names, modern vegetation zones, geographical coordinates (latitude and longitude in decimal degrees), elevation in meters above sea level, site types (bog or lake), basin sizes (radius and area), number of 14C radiocarbon dates or other types of dates, approximate temporal extent of the site. The dataset is suitable for palaeoclimate modeling, can be applied also in evaluating simulations of past vegetation from dynamic vegetation models and anthropogenic land cover change (ALCC) scenarios.
LI Furong
Recent paleobotanical investigations in Vietnam provide a good opportunity to improve our understanding of the biodiversity and paleoclimatic conditions in the geological past of Southeast Asia. Palms (Arecaceae) are a diverse family of typical thermophilous plants with a relatively low tolerance for freezing. In this study, we describe well-preserved fossil palm leaves from the Oligocene Dong Ho Formation of Hoanh Bo Basin, northern Vietnam. Characters of the fossil leaves, such as a fan-shaped costapalmate lamina, an unarmed petiole, a costa slightly enlarged at the base that then tapers distally into the blade, and well-preserved amphistomatic leaves with cuticles, suggest that they represent a new fossil species, which we herein designate Sabalites colaniae A. Song, T. Su, T. V. Do et Z.K. Zhou sp. nov. Together with other paleontological and palaeoclimatic evidence, we conclude that a warm climate prevailed in northern Vietnam and nearby areas during the Oligocene.
SU Tao
The West Kunlun region forms the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, and sedimentation in this region contributed to plateau formation and its northwards expansion, as well as the development of central Asian aridification. However, the stratigraphic dating framework in this region has been ambiguous, hampering the understanding of both tectonic and environmental evolution. Here, palynological analysis was performed on the Xialafudie Formation in the West Kunlun region. Together with the palynological assemblage and megafossils found in the study section, as well as regional stratigraphic comparison, we conclude that the Xialafudie Formation was deposited during the Pliocene, and not Early Cretaceous as previously reported. The palynological assemblage of the section is mainly composed of drought-tolerant herbs and shrubs, and the percentage of conifers and broadleaved trees is very low, indicating that a dry and cold environment prevailed in the West Kunlun region during the Pliocene. Comprehensively analysed palynological data from the Tarim Basin and its surroundings show that aridification intensified in this part of central Asia during the Pliocene, as a result of long-term global cooling and regional tectonism.
SU Tao
The growth of the Tibetan Plateau throughout the past 66 million years has profoundly affected the Asian climate, but how this unparalleled orogenesis might have driven vegetation and plant diversity changes in eastern Asia is poorly understood. We approach this question by integrating modeling results and fossil data. We show that growth of north and northeastern Tibet affects vegetation and, crucially, plant diversity in eastern Asia by altering the monsoon system. This northern Tibetan orographic change induces a precipitation increase, especially in the dry (winter) season, resulting in a transition from deciduous broadleaf vegetation to evergreen broadleaf vegetation and plant diversity increases across southeastern Asia. Further quantifying the complexity of Tibetan orographic change is critical for understanding the finer details of Asian vegetation and plant diversity evolution. *: Corresponding author
SU Tao
The Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) played a crucial role in shaping the biodiversity in Asia during the Cenozoic. However, fossil records attributed to insects are still scarce from the QTP, which limits our understanding on the evolution of biodiversity in this large region. Fulgoridae (lanternfly) is a group of large planthopper in body size, which is found primarily in tropical regions. The majority of the Fulgoridae bear brilliant colors and elongated heads. The fossil records of Fulgoridae span from the Eocene to Miocene in the Northern Hemisphere, and only a few fossil species from Neogene deposits have been reported in Asia so far. Here, we report a new fossil record of Fulgoridae from the middle Eocene Lunpola Basin, central QTP. The specimen is in lateral compression, with complete abdomen, thorax, and part of the wings preserved, while most of the head is missing. It belongs to the “lower Fulgoroidea” judging by several strong lateral spines on the hind tibia and a row of teeth at the apex of the second metatarsomere. This fossil specimen is assigned to Fulgoridae by comparison with nine families of the “lower Fulgoroidea”. The specimen represents the earliest Fulgoridae fossil record in Asia and was considered a new morphotaxon based on the peculiar legs and wings. Based on the modern distribution of fulgorid and other paleontological evidence, we suggest a warm climate with relatively low elevation during the middle Eocene in the central QTP. Therefore, this new fossil record not only provides important information on insect diversity in the middle Eocene, but also gives new evidence on the paleoenvironment in the core area of the QTP from the perspective of an insect.
SU Tao
This paper describes a plant megafossil assemblage from the Pliocene strata of Xiangzi, Zanda Basin in the western Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Twenty-one species belonging to 12 genera and 10 families were identified. Studies show that the Pliocene vegetation in Zanda Basin was mostly deciduous shrub composed of Cotoneaster, Spiraea, Caragana, Hippophae, Rhododendron, Potentilla fruticosa, etc. Leaf sizes of these taxa were generally small. Paleoclimate reconstruction using Coexistence Analysis and CLAMP showed that this area had higher temperature and precipitation in the Pliocene than today, and distinct seasonal precipitation variability was established. The reconstructed paleoelevation of Zanda Basin in the Pliocene was similar to modern times. In the context of central Asian aridification, the gradual drought in the area beginning in the late Cenozoic caused vegetation to transition from shrub to desert, and the flora composition also changed.
SU Tao
Sclerophyllous evergreen broad-leaved forests, mainly made up of sclerophyllous oak, Quercus section Heterobalanus (Øerst.) Menitsky, Fagaceae, represent the most typical forest type in the Hengduan Mountains. Their distribution pattern is closely related to the growth and formation of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The oldest fossil record of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus so far discovered is from the middle Miocene of the Gazhacun Formation in Namling County, southern Tibet. However, our recent discovery of leaf fossils from the upper Eocene of Lawula Formation in Markam Basin, southeastern Tibet, illustrates that their origin is nearly 20 Myr older than previously assumed. By integrating the results from geometric morphometrics, geographical range expansion, and ecological niche shifts of this section in what is now the QTP and the Hengduan Mountains, we infer that the leaves of Quercus sect. Heterobalanus were already adapted to cool and dry conditions in some local regions no later than in the late Eocene. Then, with the growth of the QTP and late Cenozoic global cooling, the expansion of cooler and drier habitats benefited the spread and development of this section and their leaves exhibited morphological stasis through stabilizing selection. Based on published fossil records and recent discoveries, we argue that Quercus sect. Heterobalanus appeared in the subtropical evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forests of the southeastern margin of what is now the QTP no later than in the late Eocene. Some taxa spread westwards along the Gangdese Mountains and later the Himalaya, and others spread eastwards and southeastwards, gradually becoming a dominant group of species in the Hengduan Mountains. This dispersal route is contrary to the previous “northwards hypothesis” of this section, and further supports the hypothesis of an East Asian origin for Quercus section Ilex Loudon.
SU Tao
This data including the GDGTs data and fatty acid data records of Xiada Co in the west of Qinghai Tibet Plateau during the past 2000 years. These data are obtained by the research team using organic geochemical methods. The Xiada Co sediment core was collected in the summer of 2014. The water depth of the sampling point (33.392°N、79.363°E，4373m) is about 19m. The extraction of biomarkers in lake sediments was carried out by ultrasonic extraction. The extraction and testing of compounds were carried out in the laboratory of environmental change and surface processes, Institute of Qinghai Tibet Plateau, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The detection instrument of wax fatty acid compounds in sediments is gas chromatography flame ion detector (GC-FID, model: Agilent 7890a). The test instrument for GDGTs compounds is HPLC-APCI-MS (Agilent 1200 HPLC + 6100 MS), which is tested by three chromatographic columns in series. The model of chromatographic column is (hypersil gold silica, 100 mm) × 2.1 mm, 1.9 μ m). 5-methyl bgdgts isomer and 6-methyl bgdgts isomer were effectively separated by silica gel column in series. This data can provide the climatic and environmental background of human activities in the western plateau of the late Holocene, provide a basis for understanding the process and mechanism of climate change in the western Qinghai Tibet Plateau in the past 2000, and provide boundary conditions for climate simulation.
HOU Juzhi, LI Xiumei
In order to find out the climate and environmental changes since the last interglacial period in Central Asia, the earth ring Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences, taking tree rings, lakes, stalagmites and loess as carriers, conducted in-depth research on their evolution from different aspects. The tree ring group collected tree ring samples and obtained the data of tree ring width in alagan, Yuli County, Xinjiang; The lake marsh formation collected lake marsh sediments in Kashgar basin and obtained 137cs-210pb, LOI δ 18O data; The stalagmites collected by the stalagmite formation in qiongguo cave, Qinghai Tibet Plateau have obtained carbon and oxygen isotopes, test age and element test data; The comprehensive group obtained the XRF and multi parameter data of peat in Longmucuo and dangyayongcuo lakes, the particle size of Longmucuo in Lop Nur, Xinjiang and Tibet, the magnetic susceptibility of peat in Kashgar and Longmucuo lakes, and the TOC data of Zhaosu; The Loess group obtained the OSL ages, MS and carbon epitope data of the Loess of xiaoerbu, Zhaosu and Qingshuihe in Xinjiang. It provides strong scientific data support for climate and environmental changes since the last interglacial period in Central Asia.
LI Qiang , LAN Jianghu , TAN Liangcheng , LIU Xingxing , SONG Yougui
The data includes natural remanence, thermal demagnetization and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy of paleomagnetic samples in altash section in Southwest Tarim. The data is mainly used for magnetic stratigraphy in altash section. Combined with the results of isotopic dating, the chronological framework of altash section is established according to the records of geomagnetic polarity reversal in rocks or sediments and the comparison with standard polarity columns. From 2020 to 2021, members of the research group mainly used drilling rigs to drill paleomagnetic directional samples on the profile at an interval of 1 m (back to the laboratory to be processed into a 2 cm cylinder), and collected directional hand samples in individual areas (back to the laboratory to be processed into a 2 cm * 2 cm * 2 cm cube). The paleomagnetic experimental testing instrument includes two parts: 1 Rock superconducting magnetometer is used to measure the remanence and rock magnetic parameters of paleomagnetic samples; 2. Mfk kappa bridge is used to measure the magnetic susceptibility and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy of geological samples. A total of 298 samples were selected at an interval of 10 m, of which 221 obtained stable remanence, with a success rate of 74%. According to the preliminary paleomagnetic results, the chronological framework of altash section in Southwest Tarim is established; After all the paleomagnetic results are tested, combined with the accurate isotopic age, the high-precision magnetic stratigraphic sequence in Southwest Tarim will be established.
ZHENG Hongbo
This data is the relevant data of biogeochemistry and stable isotope geochemistry of Qaidam Basin. This set of data is mainly based on the research means of paleontology, sedimentary strata and biogeochemistry of typical sections to explore the sedimentary, climatic and biological response of Qaidam basin to the uplift of Qinghai Tibet Plateau in Cenozoic. The data of paleontological isotope and oxygen isotope of the Dachaigou basin are the main biomarkers for the study of Paleontology in the Dachaigou basin. The preliminary research processing results show that the data quality is high
YUAN Feng
The fluctuation of a single lake level is a comprehensive reflection of water balance within the basin, while the regional consistent fluctuations of lake level can indicate the change of regional effective moisture. Previous researches were mainly focused on reconstructing effective moisture by multiproxy analyses of lake sediments, but lacked the quantitative studies on regional effective moisture variation. This dataset exhibits the Holocene effective moisture change in typical lake regions of the Tibetan Plateau and East and Central Asia, including Qinghai Lake, Chen Co, Bangong Co, etc., by constructing a virtual lake system, based on a lake energy balance model, a lake water balance model and a transient climate evolution model. The simulation results provide a new perspective for exploring the evolution of lakes on the millennial scale.
LI Yu
This dataset is the biome change data of the Tibetan Plateau since the last glacial maximum which was reconstructed by using a new method. Firstly, a random forest algorithm was applied to establish a pollen-biome classification model for reconstructing past vegetation changes of the Tibetan Plateau, and 1802 modern pollen assemblages from 17 vegetation zones in and around the Tibetan Plateau were used as the training set for the model development. The random forest model showed a reliable performance (accuracy > 76%) in predicting modern biomes from modern pollen assemblages based on a comparison with the observed biomes. Moreover, the random forest model had a significantly higher accuracy than the traditional biomization method. Then, the newly established random forest model is applied to the paleovegetation reconstruction of 51 fossil pollen sequences of the Tibetan Plateau. New age-depth models were developed for these fossil pollen records using the Bayesian method, and all fossil pollen records were linearly interpolated to 500-year time slices. Finally, the spatiotemporal changes of biomes on the Tibetan plateau over the past 22,000 years at an interval of 500 years were reconstructed by using the random forest model. This dataset can provide evidence for understanding the past variation of alpine vegetation and its mechanism; provide the basis for studying the impact of past climate change on vegetation on the Tibetan Plateau; and provide boundary conditions for climate simulation.
QIN Feng , ZHAO Yan, CAO Xianyong
The Cenozoic terrestrial chemical weathering records from the surrounding areas of the Tibetan Plateau are of great significance for understanding the relationship between Tibetan Plateau uplift, chemical weathering and global cooling. In this study, detailed mineralogical and geochemical analysis were performed on the early Cenozoic sediments from the Hongliugou section (54-26 Ma) in the Qaidam Basin, the Xiejia section in the Xining Basin (52-26 Ma) and the Caijiachong section in the Qujing Basin (46.6-36 Ma). Then a comprehensive chemical weathering history of the Early Cenozoic (54-26 Ma) in the northeastern and southeastern Tibetan Plateau was established. Specially, clay minerals of 315 samples from the Hongliugou section, 131 samples from the Xiejia section and 230 samples from the Caijiachong section were analyzed using Bruker D8+ X-ray diffraction analyzer. Major and trace elements of 310 samples from the Hongliugou section, 120 samples from Xiejia section and 201 samples from the Caijiachong section were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES; Leeman Labs Prodigy-H) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS; X-7; Thermo-Elemental, USA), respectively. While the hematite content of 835 samples from the Hongliugou section were determined using a Purkinje General TU1901 UV-VIS spectrophotometer. The regional chemical weathering intensity as suggested by clay mineral assemblage (i.e. (illite/smectite mixed layers + smectite)/illite), elemental geochemical indices (e.g., CIA) and hematite content shows a long-term decreasing trend in 54-26Ma, resembling the contemporary benthic oxygen isotopes variations, thus indicating that global temperature is the main controlling factor regulating the reginal chemical weathering in the early Cenozoic.
FANG Xiaomin , FANG Xiaomin, HAN Wenxia HAN Wenxia
Dating data of debris flow and dammed lake sediments in complex mountainous areas from 2019 to 2021. The data collection sites are complex mountainous areas prone to debris flow in the eastern and southern edges of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The experimental analysis is mainly completed in the salt lake chemical analysis and testing center of Qinghai Salt Lake Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the analysis and testing center of Chengdu Mountain Institute of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The instruments used include RIS ø TL / OSL – Da – 20 automatic luminescence instrument, etc. The age data set of debris flow sediments in typical complex mountainous areas is established, the formation age of debris flow sediments in complex mountainous areas is quantitatively studied, and the ancient debris flow disaster activity history in complex mountainous areas is determined.
HU Guisheng
This is Tibet Plateau (TP) annual near-surface temperature dataset during the past millennium with a 2° spatial resolution, which is produced using the paleoclimate data assimilation approach with EnSRF method, MPI-ESM-P model and 396 multi-proxies from the PAGES2k Consoritum. This dataset agrees well with several observational temperature datasets during the instrumental period, and has a similar level of reliability as the Twentieth Century Reanalysis which assimilates surface pressure observations. In addition, the dataset shows a high level of agreement with previous proxy-based reconstructions (average correlation of annual mean TP temperatures is r = 0.61). The dataset can be used to study the temperature variability over the TP and some regions of the TP during the past millennium (1000-2000 AD).
FANG Miao
Zijunbu site is an ancient human activity site about 120000 ~ 90000 years ago. There are a large number of stone tools and animal bones. The photoluminescence dating shows that the human activity time is the mis5 stage between 120-90ka. It is the earliest wilderness site on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. The section of the site is divided into 11 layers from top to bottom, of which the cultural layer is the ancient soil layer of 6-9 layers. The Paleoenvironment was reconstructed by particle size analysis, magnetic susceptibility, total organic (TOC) and calcium carbonate content. Compared with the published high-resolution climate curve, the results show that the East Asian summer monsoon was strengthened in the period occupied by paleohumans, and the climate was warm and humid, which was conducive to human survival.
ZHANG Dongju
Fossils of the ursid Indarctos from Withlacoochee River 4A of Florida (late early Hemphillian North American Land Mammal Age, Hh2, ~ 7.5–6.5 Ma) represent the best sample of this genus in North America, including both craniodental and postcranial specimens, yet only the skull has been described. In this study, we describe the other material of this bear from the same locality and review the records of Indarctos in North America. Indarctos from Withlacoochee River 4A has dental characters in accordance with those of typical Indarctos oregonensis, but has distinctly more slender postcranial bones. Indarctos from other localities of North America contains two morphs with regards to postcranial robustness, but lacks a clear geographic pattern. Indarctos from Withlacoochee River 4A shares traits with the Old World Indarctos zdanskyi and may be its descendant in the New World. The machairodont from Withlacoochee River 4A shows typical characters (e.g., presence of distinct P4 preparastyle and mandibular flange) that allow referral to Amphimachairodus rather than to Nimravides. Its morphology also shows a stronger affinity of this population to the Old World Amphimachairodus horribilis rather than to Hh3 Amphimachairodus coloradensis. Previously, most North American records of Amphimachairodus were late Hemphillian (Hh3–4, ~ 6.5–4.5 Ma), when it co-occurred with a different ursid, “Agriotherium.” The Withlacoochee River 4A specimens provide evidence that Amphimachairodus dispersed from Asia during the Hh2. The special morphology of Indarctos and the presence of Amphimachairodus in a Hh2 fauna suggest that the environment had begun to change before the significant fauna turnover between the early and late Hemphillian.
QIGAO Jiangzuo
By collecting the tree ring width data in the Qilian Mountain and its surrounding areas, a regional tree ring chronological network is established. On this basis, the variability of Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in the Qilian mountain area from May to August in recent 200 years is reconstructed by using the point by point reconstruction method, and the spatial resolution of the reconstruction is 0.5 * 0.5 degrees. All the data contained in this data set have passed the tests commonly used in tree ring climatology research, such as error reduction (RE), efficiency coefficient (CE) and correlation coefficient. The data can be used to analyze the temporal and spatial variation of drought in Qilian Mountain and its surrounding areas in the past 200 years.
DENG Yang
As one of the most complete archaic human fossils, the Harbin cranium provides critical evidence for studying the diversification of the Homo genus and the origin of Homo sapiens. However, the unsystematic recovery of this cranium and a long and confused history since the discovery impede its accurate dating. Here, we carried out a series of geochemical analyses, including non-destructive X-ray fluorescence (XRF), rare earth elements (REE), and the Sr isotopes, to test the reported provenance of the Harbin cranium and get better stratigraphic constraints. The results show that the Harbin cranium has very similar XRF element distribution patterns, REE concentration patterns, and Sr isotopic compositions to those of the Middle Pleistocene-Holocene mammalian and human fossils recently recovered from the Harbin area. The sediments adhered in the nasal cavity of the Harbin cranium have a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.711898, falling in the variation range measured in a core drilled near the Dongjiang Bridge, where the cranium was discovered during its reconstruction. The regional stratigraphic correlations indicate that the Harbin cranium was probably from the upper part of the Upper Huangshan Formation of the Harbin area, which has an optically stimulated luminescence dating constraint between 138 and 309 ka. U-series disequilibrium dating (n = 10) directly on the cranium suggests that the cranium is older than 146 ka. The multiple lines of evidence from our experiments consistently support the theory that the Harbin cranium is from the late Middle Pleistocene of the Harbin area. Our study also shows that geochemical approaches can provide reliable evidence for locating and dating unsystematically recovered human fossils, and potentially can be applied to other human fossils without clear provenance and stratigraphy records.
NI Xijun
A new species, Yuomys robustus of the ctenodactyloid rodent Yuomys, is described in the paper. It is from the Western margin of the Ordos Basin District in eastern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Yuomys robustus is characterized by a combination of features: large size, high tooth crown, having a postparacrista on M2 and lacking hypocone on P4. We also emended the diagnosis of type species of Yuomys, Y. cavioides. It is characterized by the absence of hypocone on P4, having a distinct ridge connecting the metaconule to the protocone on M1–M3, a postparacrista on M1, a mesostyle on M2, and a small ridge or spur on the mesial side of the protoloph on P4 and M1; the hypoconid smaller than the protoconid and is elongated, the paraconid absent and the mesostylid faintly visible on p4, but well developed on m1–m3; the talonid basin, sinusid, and posteroflexid are large and open on lower cheek teeth. The occurrence of Lophiomeryx angarae in the same stratigraphic layer as Y. robustus indicates that the horizon is possibly late Eocene in age, not early Oligocene as suggested by previous workers. Body mass estimations of Y. cavioides, Y. eleganes, and Y. robustus show that their weights are roughly in the range of 485–880 g, which is in between those of extant Myospalax and Ratufa. From the middle Eocene to the late Eocene, Yuomys exhibited a trend of gradually enlarging the cheek teeth, and increasing the tooth crown height and body mass.
LI Qiang
In eastern Asia, several Middle-Late Pleistocene human fossils, such as the Dali, Jinniushan, Hualongdong, and Harbin crania, evidently resemble each other and are phylogenetically closer to H. sapiens than to H. neanderthalensis or other archaic humans. The Harbin cranium is the best preserved of this group. It shows a mosaic combination of plesiomorphic and apomorphic features. Here, we suggest that the Harbin skull should be recognized as a new species of Homo.
NI Xijun
More than 100,000 years ago, several human species coexisted in Asia, Europe, and Africa - A completely preserved fossil human cranium discovered in the Harbin area provides critical evidence for understanding the evolution of humans and the origin of our species - The Harbin cranium has a large cranial capacity (1,420 mL) falling in the range ofmodern humans, but is combined with a mosaic of primitive and derived characters - Our comprehensive phylogenetic analyses suggest that the Harbin cranium represents a new sister lineage for Homo sapiens - A multi-directional “shuttle dispersal model” is more likely to explain the complex phylogenetic connections among African and Eurasian Homo species/populations
NI Xijun
Holding particular biological resources, the Tibetan Plateau is a unique geologic-geographic-biotic interactively unite and hence play an important role in the global biodiversity domain. The Tibetan Plateau has undergone vigorous environmental changes since the Cenozoic, and played roles switching from “a paradise of tropical animals and plants” to “the cradle of Ice Age mammalian fauna”. Recent significant paleontological discoveries have refined a big picture of the evolutionary history of biodiversity on that plateau against the backdrop of major environmental changes, and paved the way for the assessment of its far-reaching impact upon the biota around the plateau and even in more remote regions. Here, based on the newly reported fossils from the Tibetan Plateau which include diverse animals and plants, we present a general review of the changing biodiversity on the Tibetan Plateau and its influence in a global scale. We define the Tibetan Plateau as a junction station of the history of modern biodiversity, whose performance can be categorized in the following three patterns: (1) Local origination of endemism; (2) Local origination and “Out of Tibet”; (3) Intercontinental dispersal via Tibet. The first pattern is exemplified by the snow carps, the major component of the freshwater fish fauna on the plateau, whose temporal distribution pattern of the fossil schizothoracines approximately mirrors the spatial distribution pattern of their living counterparts. Through ascent with modification, their history reflects the biological responses to the stepwise uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The second pattern is represented by the dispersal history of some mammals since the Pliocene and some plants. The ancestors of some Ice Age mammals, e.g., the wholly rhino, Arctic fox, and argali sheep first originated and evolved in the uplifted and frozen Tibet during the liocene, and then migrated toward the Arctic regions or even the North American continent at beginning of the Ice Age; the ancestor of pantherines (big cats) first rose in Tibetan Plateau during the Pliocene, followed by the disperse of its descendants to other parts of Asia, Africa, North and South America to play as top predators of the local ecosystems. The early members of some plants, e.g., Elaeagnaceae appeared in Tibet during the Late Eocene and then dispersed and were widely distributed to other regions. The last pattern is typified by the history of the tree of heaven (Ailanthus) and climbing perch. Ailanthus originated in the Indian subcontinent, then colonized into Tibet after the Indian-Asian plate collision, and dispersed therefrom to East Asia, Europe and even North America. The climbing perches among freshwater fishes probably rose in Southeast Asia during the Middle Eocene, dispersed to Tibet and then migrated into Africa via the docked India. These cases highlight the role of Tibet, which was involved in the continental collision, in the ntercontinental biotic interchanges. The three evolutionary patterns
SHI Jingsong
The cranial appendage (headgear) is an iconic structure of modern ruminants, and four of the five extant pecoran families display morphological and physiological specialties. They probably share one origin from the same genetic basis, whereas the evolution of the cranial appendages is still debatable, especially in consideration of fossil taxa lacking headgear. Amphimoschus is an enigmatic pecoran that comprises no more than two species, mainly known from the late early/early middle Miocene of Western and Central Europe and considered not to possess any cranial appendages. Here, we present Amphimoschus xishuiensis sp. nov., discovered in the Tabenbuluk area, Gansu Province, China. The new species reveals the first evidence of cranial ornamentations in the genus, including a supraorbital bump, an antorbital protuberance and frontal thickening. In our phylogenetic analysis the genus was inferred as a basal member of the Bovoidea, and thus the cranial ornamentations of A. xishuiensis might provide insight into the early evolution of cranial appendages in Bovoidea. They could be interpreted as weapons to defend territories in intense intraspecific or interspecific competition during the late early Miocene.
DENG Tao
Owing to the scarcity of records, the Asian evolution and migration of Diaceratherium, a large extinct genus of rhinoceros of the Teleoceratini, remain unclear. The skeleton described herein, from the early Miocene Shanwang Basin in China, is identified as Diaceratherium shanwangense, a species originally defined based on upper cheek teeth. This skeleton features a large body, short horn-bearing nasal bones, moderately retracted nasal notch at the P3 level, and the metapodials that are less massive than those in other previously identified species of Diaceratherium. Mammalian fossils reported from the Oligocene–Miocene transition of the Old World, such as Dorcatherium and Amphicyon, have indicated a migration route between Europe and Eastern Asia via Southern and South-eastern Asia, namely along the southern margins of the Tibetan Plateau. However, the fossil remains of Diaceratherium reported in this study were discovered in eastern China, which represents the second accurate record of the genus in Asia (together with its presence in Kazakhstan). Consequently, given the temporal range and geological distribution of Diaceratherium, we propose that the expansion of this genus to the eastern part of the continent occurred via a route following the northern margins of the Tibetan Plateau, which if verified, represents an alternative expansion route differing from the established routes of other mammals.
DENG Tao
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