Miaolingian

Miaolingian is a unit of geologic time, specifically an epoch of the Cambrian Period. It is the third epoch of the Cambrian, following the Terreneuvian and the Series 2 epochs and preceding the Paibian. The Miaolingian epoch began approximately 509 million years ago and ended around 497 million years ago. This period is characterized by significant evolutionary developments, particularly the diversification of marine life.

Fossils from the Miaolingian are found in rock formations worldwide, providing insights into the paleogeography and life forms of the time. Key events during this epoch include the rise of trilobites, which became abundant and diverse, and the continued evolution of other marine invertebrates such as brachiopods, archaeocyathids, and early arthropods. The Miaolingian represents a crucial phase in the Cambrian Explosion, a period of rapid evolutionary innovation.

The boundaries of the Miaolingian are defined by specific biostratigraphic markers, relying on the first appearance of certain fossil species. The base of the Miaolingian is marked by the appearance of the trilobite species Olenoides serratus. The top of the Miaolingian is defined by the first appearance of the trilobite species Saukianda. Understanding the Miaolingian is essential for reconstructing the history of life on Earth and the geological evolution of the planet during the Paleozoic Era.