What specific term describes the extraordinary fossil preservation quality of the Tiaojishan Formation site?
Answer
Lagerstätte
The Tiaojishan Formation, where *Xiaotingia* was discovered, is classified as a Lagerstätte. This German term denotes a site exhibiting extraordinary fossil preservation, far exceeding typical expectations for fossil recovery. This high fidelity of preservation, often involving fine layers from volcanic ash or sediment deposition in shallow lakes, captured delicate structures like feathers and skin impressions. This level of preservation is crucial because it moves the scientific discussion beyond just skeletal structure to include aspects like plumage, which is central to understanding early bird evolution.
Related Questions
In which geological formation were the remains of *Xiaotingia zhengi* recovered?To what epoch do the sedimentary rocks containing *Xiaotingia zhengi* date?What feature was evidenced on the forelimbs of *Xiaotingia* found at the Tiaojishan site?What specific term describes the extraordinary fossil preservation quality of the Tiaojishan Formation site?What structures are compared between *Xiaotingia* and *Archaeopteryx* to aid in resolving taxonomic placement?How does the age of *Xiaotingia* compare temporally to the *Archaeopteryx* fossils found in Solnhofen, Germany?What was the initial taxonomic classification assigned to *Xiaotingia* by researchers?Which specific location within the Tiaojishan Formation yielded fossils vital for understanding avian relatives in the Jurassic?What potential function, other than powered flight, is suggested for the pennaceous feathers of *Xiaotingia*?What environmental condition likely resulted in the exceptional preservation of soft tissues in the Tiaojishan Formation?