MIOCENE EPOCH

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Context

The discovery of an exceptionally well-preserved fossil forest in Japan that dates back to the late Miocene epoch, a period that existed around 10.4 to 5 million years ago.

Details

• Researchers in Japan uncovered a well-preserved fossil forest from the late Miocene epoch.
• The fossil forest belongs to the Wataria parvipora species.
• The forest was first discovered during a severe drought in 1994.

Characteristics of Wataria parvipora

• Wataria parvipora is a wood-fossil with distinctive growth rings, abundant parenchyma rays, and no resin canals.
• 95% of the tree remains in the 2000 square meter fossil site belong to Wataria parvipora.
• Largest fossilized trunk found during the excavation process was around 137 centimeters in diameter.

Rarity of Complete Plant Fossils

• Complete plant fossils are seldom found in one piece due to detachment of different parts.
• Reconstructing plants is essential for establishing their taxonomic identity.

Findings and Taxonomic Identity

• The majority of surrounding leaves belonged to Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium, associated with the Malvaceae family.
• Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium is related to modern plants like cotton, cacao, and okra.
• Fossils of Byttneriophyllum tiliifolium have been found across Eurasia from the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.
• 98% of the fossil leaves found at the site belonged to Byttneriophyllum, indicating they were shed from the parent trees.

Significance of the Discovery

• The fossil forest provides valuable information to understand the missing links of the late Miocene epoch.
• It aids in reconstructing a "whole Eurasia plant" from that period.

About Late Miocene Epoch

• The Late Miocene is a sub-epoch within the Miocene Epoch, following the Middle Miocene and preceding the Early Pliocene.
• It spans a duration of about 5.4 million years, from approximately 10.4 million years ago to around 5 million years ago.

Climate

• During the Late Miocene, the Earth experienced a general trend of cooling and drying, transitioning from the warm and wet conditions of the Early Miocene.
• The Late Miocene Climate Transition (LMCT) marked the shift towards a more seasonal climate, with increased variability in temperature and precipitation.

Vegetation

• The vegetation during the Late Miocene exhibited significant changes due to the shifting climate.
• Tropical rainforests began to decline, giving way to more open woodlands and grasslands.
• The spread of grasslands was facilitated by the evolution of grazing animals like the ancestors of modern horses and elephants.

Fauna

• The Late Miocene witnessed the evolution of various mammalian species, including early hominids. Apes and hominids were present during this epoch, with some early human ancestors appearing around 7 million years ago.
• Large mammals like mastodons, rhinoceroses, and various species of carnivores roamed the continents.

Sea Level Changes

• During the Late Miocene, global sea levels fluctuate, leading to changes in marine environments and the formation of new land connections between continents.
• The isolation of water bodies and the creation of land bridges influenced the dispersal of species across different regions.

Tectonic Activity

• The Late Miocene was characterized by active tectonic movements, including the collision of the Indian subcontinent with the Asian plate, resulting in the formation of the Himalayan mountain range.
• Volcanic activity was also prevalent during this epoch, contributing to the shaping of landscapes and the release of greenhouse gases that affected the global climate.

Fossil Record

• The Late Miocene is well-documented in the fossil record, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary history of various plant and animal species.
• Fossilized remains of mammals, plants, and marine life from this period have been found in different parts of the world, helping scientists understand past ecosystems and environmental changes.

https://www.wionews.com/science/exquisitely-preserved-fossil-forest-from-late-miocene-epoch-found-in-japan-619245