Taphonomy of a Middle Cretaceous Assemblage of Large Dicotyledonous Angiosperm Logs in the Zuni Basin, New Mexico

最近在新墨西哥州的Turonian Moreno Hill组中发现了大量被子植物化石。这一发现是白垩纪为数不多的保存着大型双子叶树干化石的遗址之一。该遗址的独特性质因其与一种不寻常的北美恐龙群的联系而增强，这种恐龙群似乎与亚洲有密切关系。本研究项目的目的是对这一极不寻常的化石原木组合进行地层学研究，以重建古代被子植物森林的地貌、古环境、分类组成和沉积历史。这些信息将揭示早期阔叶林的性质，并为非典型恐龙动物群提供三维古生物背景。

9901708ChinLarge numbers of fossil angiosperm logs have recently been discovered in the Turonian Moreno Hill Formation of New Mexico. This find represents one of the few Cretaceous sites known where large fossil dicotyledonous tree trunks have been preserved. The distinctive nature of the site is enhanced by its association with an unusual North American dinosaur fauna that appears to have Asian affinities. The intent of this research project is to conduct a taphonomic study of this highly unusual fossil log assemblage in order to reconstruct the physiognomy, paleoenvironment, taxonomic composition, and depositional history of the ancient angiosperm forest. This information will shed light on the nature of early broad-leaved forests and provide a three-dimensional paleocological context for an atypical dinosaur fauna.