Advanced Search
  • Included in CSCD
  • Chinese Core Journals
  • Included in WJCI Report
  • Included in Scopus, CA, DOAJ, EBSCO, JST
  • The Key Magazine of China Technology
Volume 44 Issue 4
Aug.  2025
Turn off MathJax
Article Contents
Article Navigation >  CARSOLOGICA SINICA  > 2025  >  44(4): 876-886
CHEN Xi, SU Yong, CAI Hongmei, LI Yun, HU Haitao, WEI Jun, SHI Jingsong, SHAO Qingfeng. Report on the Middle Pleistocene and Early Holocene vertebrate fauna of Maoshan locality, Lipu, Guangxi[J]. CARSOLOGICA SINICA, 2025, 44(4): 876-886. doi: 10.11932/karst20250415
Citation: CHEN Xi, SU Yong, CAI Hongmei, LI Yun, HU Haitao, WEI Jun, SHI Jingsong, SHAO Qingfeng. Report on the Middle Pleistocene and Early Holocene vertebrate fauna of Maoshan locality, Lipu, Guangxi[J]. CARSOLOGICA SINICA, 2025, 44(4): 876-886. doi: 10.11932/karst20250415
shu

Report on the Middle Pleistocene and Early Holocene vertebrate fauna of Maoshan locality, Lipu, Guangxi

doi: 10.11932/karst20250415
  • 1.

    Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023,China

  • 2.

    Guilin Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology Research Center, Guilin, Guangxi 541001,China

  • 3.

    Lipu Cultural Relics Management Office, Lipu, Guangxi 546600,China

  • 4.

    Lipu Red Culture Heritage Center, Lipu, Guangxi 546600,China

  • 5.

    Lipu Library, Lipu, Guangxi 546600,China

  • 6.

    Zengpiyan Site Museum, Guilin, Guangxi 541003,China

  • 7.

    Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101,China

  • Received Date: 2024-08-30
  • Accepted Date: 2024-10-31
  • Rev Recd Date: 2024-09-21
    • Available Online: 2025-11-07
    Abstract
  • Karst caves in Guangxi contain a large number of Quaternary vertebrate fossils; however, research on taxonomy and biostratigraphy remains insufficient. Therefore, more detailed reports on fossil assemblages are essential. Between 2014 and 2016, the excavation of two caves (Cave A and Cave B) in Maoshan, Lipu, northern Guangxi, yielded over 200 vertebrate fossils, of which 151 were identified in taxonomy. These animal fossils originated from two distinct sedimentary formations: calcareous nodules and sandy clay. For the fossils in the calcareous nodules, the uranium-series age of four mammal teeth was determined to be 211 to 158.8 ka BP. For the fossils in the sandy clay, the carbon-14 age of a deer tooth was established as 8590±30 BP, with a calibration of 9563 to 9521 cal BP; the uranium series age of five additional animal teeth was determined to be 7 to 4.7 ka BP. When the sedimental characteristics, as well as the carbon-14 and uranium-series dating results, are taken into the consideration, the Maoshan fossil remains can be classified into two groups: the Middle Pleistocene fauna and the Early Holocene fauna.Morphological analyses have shown that the Middle Pleistocene fauna of Maoshan includes nine taxa: Hystrix brachyura, Panthera tigris, Ailuropoda melanoleuca baconi, Arctonyx collaris, Rhinocerotidae gen. et sp. indet., Sus scrofa, Muntiacus sp., Cervus nippon, and Rusa unicolor. While there are no significant morphological differences between these fossils and their modern-day counterparts, the sizes of Malayan porcupines (Hystrix brachyura), tigers (Panthera tigris), and greater hog badgers (Arctonyx collaris) are significantly larger than those of their Holocene counterparts. This suggests that the forest habitat at that time was more developed than during the Holocene.The Maoshan Early Holocene fauna is comprised of 20 species, including Viperidae gen. et sp. indet., Cuora sp., Rhizomys sp., Hystrix brachyura, Macaca sp., Hylobatidae gen. et sp. indet., Panthera tigris, Paguma larvata, Cuon alpinus, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, Arctonyx collaris, Arctonyx albogularis, Rhinoceros sondaicus, Sus scrofa, Muntiacus reevesi, Muntiacus gigas, Cervus nippon, Rusa unicolor, and Bubalus sp. The fauna is dominated by cerviae, including a large number of primates and small carnivores, as well as a small population of rhinoceroses and buffaloes. This composition reflects an ecological environment dominated by forests and a significant extent of wetlands. Thus we can speculate that the climate at that time was relatively warm and humid.The Maoshan Early Holocene fauna consists almost entirely of extant species. Several Holocene faunas containing extinct members of the “Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna” have been reported throughout southern China; however, their taxonomic identification or stratigraphic age remain uncertain. Available evidence suggests that the modern fauna of southern China originated in the Early Holocene and did not include any extinct species from the “Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna”.However, the Maoshan Early Holocene fauna contains a significant number of regionally extinct species, including giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), greater hog badgers (Arctonyx collaris), Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus), giant muntjacs (Muntiacus gigas), and wild buffalo (Bubalus sp.). These species underwent a gradual extinction from Guangxi after the Middle Holocene or were replaced by smaller related species. It reflects the profound ecological transformation caused by human activities, such as agricultural development and population growth.

     

    • FullText(HTML)
  • loading
    • References(41)
  • [1]
    周明镇. 华南第三纪和第四纪初期哺乳动物群的性质和对比[J]. 科学通报, 1957, 13: 394-400.

    Chow Mingzhen. Characteristic and correlation of the Tertiary and Early Quaternary mammalian faunas from Southern China[J]. Science Bulletin, 1957, 13: 394-400.
    [2]
    卡尔克 H. D. 关于中国南方剑齿象-熊猫动物群和巨猿的时代[J]. 古脊椎动物与古人类, 1961, 2: 83-108.

    Kahlke H. D. On the complex of the Stegodon-Ailuropoda-Fauna of Southern China and the Chronological position of Gigantopithecus blacki V. Koenigswald[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1961, 2: 83-108.
    [3]
    裴文中. 广西柳城巨猿洞及其他山洞的第四纪哺乳动物[J]. 古脊椎动物与古人类, 1962, 3: 211-218.

    PEI Wenzhong. Quaternary mammals from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave and other caves of Kwangsi[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1962, 3: 211-218.
    [4]
    李炎贤. 我国南方第四纪哺乳动物群的划分和演变[J]. 古脊椎动物与古人类, 1981, 19(1): 67-76.

    LI Yanxian. On the Subdivisions and Evolution of the Quaternary Mammalian Faunas of South China[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1981, 19(1): 67-76.
    [5]
    Wang Wei, Potts Richard, Yuan Baoyin, Huang Weiwen ,Cheng Hai , R Lawrence Edwards, Peter Ditchfield. Sequence of mammalian fossils, including hominoid teeth, from the Bubing Basin caves, South China[J]. Journal of Human Evolution, 2007, 52: 370-379. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.10.003
    [6]
    金昌柱, 郑家坚, 王元, 徐钦琦. 中国南方早更新世主要哺乳动物群层序对比和动物地理[J]. 人类学学报, 2008, 27(4): 304-317. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-3193.2008.04.003

    JIN Changzhu, ZHENG Jiajian, WANG Yuan, XU Qinqi. The Stratigraphic Distribution and Zoogeography of the Early Pleistocene Mammalian Fauna from South China[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2008, 27(4): 304-317. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-3193.2008.04.003
    [7]
    von den Driesch A. A guide to the measurement of animal bones from archaeological sites[M]. Peabody Museum Bulletin, 1976, 1: 1−137.
    [8]
    ZHANG Yingqi, JIN Changzhu, WANG Yuan, Alejandra ORTIZ, HE Kai, Terry HARRISON. Fossil gibbons (Mammalia, Hylobatidae) from the Pleistocene of Chongzuo, Guangxi, China[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 2018, 56(3): 248-263.
    [9]
    Tedford Richard H, Wang Xiaoming, Taylor Beryl E. Phylogenetic Systematics of the North American Fossil Caninae (Carnivora: Canidae)[J]. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 2009, 325: 1-218. doi: 10.1206/574.1
    [10]
    JIANGZUO Qigao, LIU Jinyi, JAN Wagner, CHEN Jin. Taxonomical revision of “Arctonyx” fossil remains from the Liucheng Gigantopithecus Cave (South China) by means of morphotype and morphometrics, and a review of Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene Meles fossil records in China[J]. Palaeoworld, 2017, 27: 282-300.
    [11]
    Guérin C. Les rhinocéros (Mammalia, Perissodactyla) du Miocène terminal au Pléistocène supérieur en Europe occidentale: comparison avec les espèces actuelles[M]. Documents des Laboratoire de Géologie Lyon, 1980, 79(1): 1-404.
    [12]
    JIANGZUO Qigao, LIU Jinyi. First record of the Eurasian jaguar in southern Asia and a review of dental differences between pantherine cats[J]. Journal of Quaternary Science, 2020, 35(6): 817-830. doi: 10.1002/jqs.3222
    [13]
    王令红, 林玉芬, 长邵武, 袁家荣. 湖南省西北部新发现的哺乳动物化石及其意义[J]. 古脊椎动物与古人类, 1982, 20(4): 350-358.

    WANG Linghong, LIN Yufen, CHANG Shaowu, YUAN Jiarong. Mammalian fossils found in Northwest part of Hunan Province and their significance[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1982, 20(4): 350-358.
    [14]
    江左其杲, 张贝, 邓里, 陈曦, 文军, 同号文. 江西萍乡杨家湾2号洞的食肉目: 兼论华南第四纪晚期有关食肉类牙齿鉴定[A]// 董为 编著. 第十六届中国古脊椎动物学学术年会论文集[C]. 北京: 海洋出版社, 2018: 119-146.

    JIANGZUO Qigao, ZHANG Bei, Deng Li, CHEN Xi, WEN Jun, TONG Haowen. Fossil Carnivora (Mammalia) from Yangjiawan Cave 2, Pingxiang, Jiangxi, with remarks about the tooth identification of Quaternary carnivores[A]// Dong Wei eds. Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Chinese Society of Vertebrate Paleontology[C]. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 2018: 119-146.
    [15]
    Helgen M K, Lim N T-L, Helgen L E. The hog-badger is not an edentate: systematics and evolution of the genus Arctonyx (Mammalia: Mustelidae)[J]. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 154(2): 353-385. doi: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00416.x
    [16]
    严亚玲, 王元, 朱敏, 张颖奇, 秦大公, 金昌柱. 广西崇左中晚更新世的犀类化石: 兼论华南地区第四纪独角犀的系统演化[J]. 第四纪研究, 2023, 43(3): 777-792. doi: 10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2023.03.08

    YAN Yaling, WANG Yuan, ZHU Min, ZHANG Yingqi, QIN Dagong, JIN Changzhu. New rhino remains from Middle to Late Pleistocene of Chongzuo, Guangxi with discussion on Quaternary Rhinoceros evolution in Southern China[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2023, 43(3): 777-792. doi: 10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2023.03.08
    [17]
    SUN Jijia, ZHANG Bei, CHEN Xi, DENG Li, WEN Jun, TONG Haowen. New fossils of Late Pleistocene Sus scrofa from Yangjiawan Cave 2, Jiangxi, China[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 2021, 59(1): 64-80.
    [18]
    林明昊. 河南淅川龙山岗遗址动物遗存分析[D]. 济南: 山东大学, 2011.

    LIN Minghao. Analyses of Faunal Remains from Longshangang Site in Xichuan County, Henan Province[D]. Jinan: Shandong University, 2011.
    [19]
    张贝. 中国南方中晚更新世鹿类化石研究[D]. 北京: 中国科学院大学, 2021.

    ZHANG Bei. The research on Mid-Late Pleistocene cervid fossils from southern China[D]. Beijing: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021.
    [20]
    陈曦. 广西左江流域新石器时代贝丘遗址动物考古学研究报告[A]//广西文物保护与考古研究所. 广西左江花山考古(2013~2016)[M]. 北京: 文物出版社, 2021, 896-925.
    [21]
    Samuel T Turvey, James Hansford, Selina Brace, Victoria Mullin, GU Shengxiao Gu, SUN Guoping. Holocene range collapse of giant muntjacs and pseudo-endemism in the Annamite large mammal fauna[J]. Journal of Biogeography, 2016, 43(11): 2250-2260. doi: 10.1111/jbi.12763
    [22]
    Stimpson C M, Utting B, O'Donnell S, Huong N T M, Kahlert T, Manh V, Khanh P S, Rabett R J. An 11 000-year-old giant muntjac subfossil from Northern Vietnam: implications for past and present populations[J]. Royal Society open science, 2019, 6: 181461. doi: 10.1098/rsos.181461
    [23]
    袁家荣, 莫林恒, 陈利文, 等. 高庙遗址出土动物遗存的整理与研究[A]//湖南省文物考古研究所. 洪江高庙[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2022, 1322-1542.
    [24]
    吕鹏. 广西邕江流域贝丘遗址的动物考古学研究[D]. 北京: 中国社会科学院研究生院, 2010.

    Lü Peng. Zooarchaeological study of shell midden sites along Yongjiang River, Guangxi[D]. Beijing: Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 2010.
    [25]
    魏丰, 吴维棠, 张明华, 等. 浙江余姚河姆渡新石器时代遗址动物群[M]. 北京: 海洋出版社, 1990: 42-43.

    Wei Feng, Wu Weitang, Zhang Minghua, et al. The fauna from the Neolithic site at Hemudu, Zhejiang[M]. Beijing: China Ocean Press, 1990: 42-43.
    [26]
    徐余瑄, 薛祥煦. 牛科[A]//古脊椎动物研究所高等脊椎动物组(编). 东北第四纪哺乳动物化石志[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 1959, 60-71.
    [27]
    邹松林, 陈曦, 张贝, 赵克良, 文军, 邓里, 同号文. 江西萍乡上栗县晚更新世哺乳动物化石发现[J]. 人类学学报, 2016, 35(1): 109-120.

    ZOU Songlin, CHEN Xi, ZHANG Bei, ZHAO Keliang, WEN Jun, DENG Li, TONG Haowen. Preliminary Report on the Late Pleistocene Mammalian Fauna from Shangli County, Pingxiang, Jiangxi Province[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2016, 35(1): 109-120.
    [28]
    李有恒, 韩德芬. 广西桂林甑皮岩遗址动物群[J]. 古脊椎动物与古人类, 1978, 16(4): 244-254.

    LI Youheng, HAN Defen. Fauna at the Zengpiyan site in Guilin, Guangxi[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1978, 16(4): 244-254.
    [29]
    袁靖. 水陆生动物遗存的研究[A]//中国社会科学院考古研究所, 广西壮族自治区文物工作队, 桂林甑皮岩遗址博物馆, 等. 桂林甑皮岩[M]. 北京: 文物出版社, 2003: 297-346.
    [30]
    广西柳州白莲洞洞穴科学博物馆. 柳州白莲洞[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2009: 125-135.
    [31]
    王令红, 彭书琳, 陈远璋. 桂林宝积岩发现的古人类化石和石器[J]. 人类学学报, 1982, 1(1): 30-35.

    WANG linghong, PENG Shulin, CHEN Yuanzhang. On the human fossils and stone artifacts found in Baojiyan Cave, Guilin[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 1982, 1(1): 30-35.
    [32]
    王頠, 黄超林, 谢绍文, 鄢成林. 广西平乐鸡母岩发现的晚更新世人类牙齿化石[J]. 第四纪研究, 2011, 31(4): 699-704. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-7410.2011.04.13

    WANG Wei, HUANG Chaolin, XIE Shaowen, YAN Chenglin. Late Pleistocene hominin teeth from the Jimuyan Cave, Pingle County, Guangxi, South China[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2011, 31(4): 699-704. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-7410.2011.04.13
    [33]
    马安成, 汤虎良. 浙江金华全新世大熊猫-剑齿象动物群的发现及其意义[J]. 古脊椎动物学报, 1992, 30(4): 295-312.

    MA Ancheng, TANG Huliang. On discovery and significance of a Holocene Ailuropoda-Stegodon fauna from Jinhua, Zhejiang[J]. Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 1992, 30(4): 295-312.
    [34]
    SHENG Guilian, Nikolas Basler, JI Xueping, Michael Hofreiter, LAI XuLong, Axel Barlow. Paleogenome Reveals Genetic Contribution of Extinct Giant Panda to Extant Populations[J]. Current Biology, 2019, 29(10): 1695-1700.
    [35]
    文焕然, 文榕生. 再探历史时期中国野象的变迁[J]. 西南师范大学学报, 1990, 15(2): 224-232.

    Wen Huanran, Wen Rongsheng. Approaching again the wild Elephas maximus in China in the Period History[J]. Journal of Southwest Teachers University, 1990, 15(2): 224-232.
    [36]
    文焕然, 何业恒, 高耀亭. 中国野生犀牛的灭绝[J]. 湖北大学学报(自然科学版), 1981, 1: 50-60.
    [37]
    王运辅, 刘旻, 杨华, 李大地. 重庆巨梁沱遗址小食肉类遗存及生业意义[J]. 人类学学报, 2022: 1-15: DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0004.

    WANG Yunfu, LIU Wen, YANG Hua, LI Dadi. Remains of small carnivores and their subsistence significance from the Juliangtuo site of Chongqing[J]. Acta Anthropologica Sinica, 2022: 1-15: DOI: 10.16359/j.1000-3193/AAS.2022.0004.
    [38]
    陈曦, 杨清平, 江左其杲. 广西左江流域新石器时代贝丘遗址动物考古学研究[J]. 南方文物, 2019, 2: 155-164. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-6275.2019.04.016

    Chen Xi, Yang Qingping, Jiangzuo Qigao. Zooarchaeological research on the faunas of Shell Midden sites along the Zuojiang River[J]. Cultural Relics in Southern China, 2019, 2: 155-164. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-6275.2019.04.016
    [39]
    陈曦, 伍苏明, 王宣波, 徐秋元, 师宏伟, 李权, 江左其杲. 江苏沭阳唐代江獭的发现: 兼论江獭分布变迁[J]. 第四纪研究, 2023, 43(3): 868-877. doi: 10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2023.03.14

    CHEN Xi, WU Suming, WANG Xuanbo, XU Qiuyuan, SHI Hongwei, LI Quan, JIANGZUO Qigao. Discovery of Tang Dynasty smooth-coated otter(Lutrogale perspicillata) in Shuyang, Jiangsu, with discussion on its shifting historical distribution[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2023, 43(3): 868-877. doi: 10.11928/j.issn.1001-7410.2023.03.14
    [40]
    Turvey S T, Crees J J, Li Zhipeng, Jon Bielby, Yuan Jing. Long-term archives reveal shifting extinction selectivity in China's postglacial mammal fauna[J]. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2017, 284: 20171979. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.1979
    [41]
    王绍武. 全新世气候变化[M]. 北京: 气象出版社, 2011: 1-283.

    Wang Shaowu. The Holocene Climate Change[M]. Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 2011: 1-283.
    • Relative Articles
    • Supplements(0)
    • Cited By
  • 加载中

Catalog

    通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com
    • 1. 

      沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院 沈阳 110142

    1. 本站搜索
    2. 百度学术搜索
    3. 万方数据库搜索
    4. CNKI搜索
    Get Citation
    PDF(4639.0KB)
    XML

    Article Metrics

    Article views (4) PDF downloads(0) Cited by()
    Proportional views
    Related

    Website Copyright © CARSOLOGICA SINICA 桂ICP备05009877号-1

    Sponsor: Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences Sponsored by: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences Address: No.50, Qixing Road, Guilin, Guangxi

    Post Code: 541004 Tel: 0773-5812949 7796657 Email: zgyr@mail.cgs.gov.cn; zgyrbjb@163.com

    Supported by: Beijing Renhe Information Technology Co., Ltd.    

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return