Jiangshanian

Jiangshanian refers to a period in geological time, specifically within the Cambrian explosion. It is the third epoch of the Miaolingian Series, which itself is part of the Upper Cambrian. This epoch is named after the province of Jiangshan in China, where significant fossil discoveries have been made. The Jiangshanian epoch is characterized by a distinct assemblage of marine life, reflecting further diversification and specialization of organisms following the earlier Cambrian stages.

During the Jiangshanian, many familiar Cambrian groups continued to evolve and spread. Trilobites, a hallmark of the Cambrian, were diverse and widespread. Brachiopods, arthropods, and early mollusks also thrived in the shallow marine environments of the time. The fossil record from this period provides crucial insights into the development of complex ecosystems and the evolutionary innovations that occurred. The precise dating of the Jiangshanian is established through biostratigraphy, primarily using index fossils such as certain species of trilobites. Understanding this epoch helps geologists and paleontologists reconstruct the history of life on Earth and the environmental conditions that shaped it. The strata corresponding to the Jiangshanian are found in various locations globally, though the reference sections are often in Asia.