Palaeobotanist, Research Professor of Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS), born in Shanghai, graduated in 1954 from Department of Geology, Nanjing University, as a postgraduate in NIGPAS during 1956-1961. Elected Academician in 1995.
Visiting Scientist of Department of Botany, Reading University and London University, and Department of Geology, Manchester University during 1980-1982(two years). (exchange programme of CAS & Royal Society of United Kindom) .
Visiting Scientist of Forschungsinstitut Naturhistorisch Museum Senckenberg in 1990 (three months).(supported by Max-Planck Foundation) .
Visiting Professor of Paleobotanical Laboratory, Claude-Bernard University, Lyon 1 from 1996-1998 (three months). (supported by Claude-Bernard University, Lyon 1) .
Visiting Professor of Paleobotanical Department, Swedish Museum of Natural History in 2002 (one month). (exchange programme of CAS & Royal Academy of Sciences, Sweden) .
1983-1991 Vice-President of Palaeobotanical Society of China.
1992- 2006 President of Paleobotanical Society of China.
1984-1993 Vice-President of Paleobotanical Committee, Botanical Society of China.
1987-1992 Vice-Chairman of International Organization of Paleobotany (IOP).
1986-1996 Regional Representative of IOP.
1993-2006? Committee member of International Association of Plant Taxonomy (IAPT), Committee for fossil plants.
1979-2006 Member of Editorial Board of “Acta Palaeontologica Sinica”.
1988-1993 Member of Editorial Board of “Acta Botanica Sinica”.
1989-1993 Member of Editorial Board of “Chinese Journal of Botany”.
1977-1999 Member of Editorial Board of “Journal of Stratigraphy”.
2000-2005 Editor-in-Chief of “Journal of Stratigraphy”.
2006- Member of Editorial Board of “Journal of Stratigraphy”.
1986-1989 Member of Editorial Board of “Palaeontologia Sinica”.
1989- Editor-in-Chief of “Palaeontologia Sinica”.
2006- Member of Editorial Board of “Palaeoworld”
2008- Member of Editorial Board of “Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology”
2008-? Member of Editorial Board of “Palaeontology”
2016- Editor in Chief of “Palaeobotanica Sinica”.
Honors and Awards:
I. Outstanding Research Award, Academia Sinica
(1) 3rd class prize for Progress in Science and Technology in 1986 for “Early Liassic plants from Southwestern Hunan, China”. Palaeontologia Sinica, n.s.A, no. 7, whole no. 165 (1984)
(2) 1st class prize for Natural Sciences in 1994 for “Studies on Mesozoic ginkgoaleans”
(3) 2nd class prize for Natural Sciences in 1996 for “Stratigraphy and Palaeontology of Fildes Peninsula King George Island, Antarctica” (collaborated with Shen Yanbin et al.)
(4) 2nd class prize for Natural Sciences in 1997 for “Fossil Floras of China through Geological Ages” (collaborated with Prof. Li Xingxue et al.)
II. Prize for Scientific and Technological progress of Jiangsu Province
2nd class prize in 2010 for “Diversity Changes of Mesozoic floras in China”
III. Birbal Sahni Centenary Award, Birbal-Savitri Sahni Foundation, 1996
IV. National Outstanding Scientific Researcher, nominated by the State Council in 1991
V. Honorary Member, Palaeobotanical Section, American Botanical Society, 1989-present
Important Publications:
Chow, T. Y., 1956. Notes on Girvanella-remains from Chuanshan Limestone of Lungtan district, with remarks on the Globulites. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 4(3): 323-330, 1 pl [in Chinese with English summary]
Chow, T. Y., 1961. Fossil flora of the Lungtan Series,
Sze, H. C., Chow, T. Y., 1962. Mesozoic continental deposits of
Chow, T. Y., 1963. Ferns, conifers and unclassified fructifications. In: Sze, H. C., Lee, H. H. (eds.) Mesozoic Plants from
Chow, T. Y.,1974. （one of the five authors）In: Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Academia Sinica, Botanical of Botany, Academia Sinica (eds.) Palaeozoic Flora of
Chow Tse-yen,Tsao Chenyao, 1977. On eight species of conifers from the
Cretaceous of East China with reference to their taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationship. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 16(2): 165-181, 5pls [in Chinese with English summary]
Yang Xuelin, Li Baoxian, Li Wenben, Zhou Zhiyan, Wen Shixuan, Chen Peiji and Ye Meina, 1978. Younger Mesozoic continental strata of the Jiaohe Basin, Jilin. Acta Stratigraphica Sinica, 2(2): 131-145, 3pls [in Chinese]
Zhou Zhiyan,
Zhou Zhiyan, Li Baoxian, 1979. A preliminary study of the Early Triassic plants from the Qionghai district,
Zhou Zhiyan, Chen Peiji, Li Baoxian, Li Wenben, Wen Shixuan, Zhang Lujin, Ye Meina, Liu Zhaosheng, Li Zaiping, Yang Xuelin, 1978. Younger Mesozoic non-marin deposits of the Yanbian area, eastern
Zhou Zhiyan, Chen Guanya, San Wen, Zhang Chuanbo, Zhang Qingbo, Zhang Wu, Pu Ronggan, 1980. Younger Mesozoic deposits and plant assemblages of
Chen Jinhua, Zhou Zhiyan, Pan Huazhang,
Zhou Zhiyan, Li Peichuan, 1980. A palaeobotanical approach to the classification, correlation and geological ages of the non-marine deposits of
Zhou Zhiyan, 1981. Some Late Triassic and Early Jurassic pteridosperms from
Li Xingxue, Zhou Zhiyan, Guo Shuangxing, 1981. Development and Evolution of the
Zhou Zhiyan,1983. Stalagma samara, a new Podocarpaceous conifer with monocolpate pollen from the Upper Triassic of Hunan,
Zhou Zhiyan, 1983. A heterophyllous Cheirolepidiaceous conifer from the Cretaceous of East China. Palaeontology, 26：789-811, pls. 75-80
Zhou Zhiyan, 1983. Quarternary record of Azolla pinnata in
Zhou Zhiyan, 1984. Early Liassic Plants from southeastern
Batten, D. J., Creber, G. T., Zhou Zhiyan, 1984. Fossil Plants and other organic debris in Cretaceous sediments from deep sea drilling project Leg 80: Their paleoenvironmental significance and source potential. Initial Reports of DSDP, 80: 629-641, 7pls
Li Xingxue, Ye Meina, Zhou Zhiyan, 1986. On Rhipidiocladus - a unique Mesozoic coniferous genus from northeastern
Zhou Zhiyan, Liu Xiuying, 1987. Scleropteris tibetica, a Schizeaceous fern from the Lower Cretaceous of East Tibet (
Zhou Zhiyan, 1987. Application of electron microscopy in palaeobotanical studies. In: Mu Xinan (ed.) New techniques and methods in palaeontology.
Zhou Zhiyan, 1987. Elatides harrisii, sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous of Liaoning,
Li Xingxue, Ye Meina, Zhou Zhiyan, 1987. Late Early Cretaceous flora from Shansong,
Zhou Zhiyan，Zhang Bole，1988. Two new ginkgolaean female reproductive organs from the Middle Jurassic of Henan Province. Chinese Science Bulletin ( Kexue Tongbao), 33(4): 1201-1203，1textfig
Barale，G.，Zhou Zhiyan, 1988. On the presence of the genus Sinoctenis Sze in the Upper Triassic flora from
Zhou Zhiyan, 1989. Late Triassic plants form Shaqiao,
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole. 1989. A Middle Jurassic Ginkgo with ovule-bearing organs from
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole. 1989. A sederitic Protocupressinoxylon with insect borings and frass from the Middle Jurassic,
Zhou Zhiyan, 1989. “Evolutionary cladistics and the origin of angiosperms.”- translated from Hill, C. R. , Crane, P. R. In: Joysey, K. A. Friday, A. E. (eds.) Problems of Phylogenetic Reconstruction, 1982,
Zhou Zhiyan, 1990. Phylogenetic interrelationships and evolutionary trends of Mesozoic ginkgoaleans. In: Rong Jiayu, Fang Zongjie, Wu Tongjia (eds.) Selected Papers of Theoretical Palaeontology.
Zhou Zhiyan,Li, Haomin,
Zhou Zhiyan, 1991. Phylogeny and evolutionary trends of Mesozoic ginkgoaleans – a preliminary assessment. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 68: 203-216
Liu Yusheng, Zhou Zhiyan, Li Haomin, 1991. The first discovery of fossil Cycas in
Zhou Zhiyan, 1992. Whole-plant studies and reconstruction in palaeobotany. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 31(1): 117-126 [in Chinese with English summary]
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole, 1992. Baiera hallei Sze and associated ovule-bearing organs from the Middle Jurassic of Henan,
Zhou Zhiyan, Kirchner, M., 1992. Carbonized wood of Hirmerella from the Basal Liassic in Grossbellhofen,
Zhou Zhiyan, 1993. Comparative ultrastructure of fossil and living ginkgoacean megaspore membranes. Review Palaeobotany and Palynology, 78: 167-182, 5pls
Zhou Zhiyan,1993. Evolutionary cladistics – a commentary from a palaeobotanist.In: Mu Xinan (ed.) Modern Theories and Hypotheses in the Study of Paleontology.
Zhou Zhiyan, 1994. Heterochronic origin of Ginkgo biloba type ovule organs. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 33(2): 1-9, 1pl [in Chinese with English summary]
Zhou Zhiyan,Li, Haomin, 1994. Some late Cretaceous plants from
Zhou Zhiyan,Li, Haomin, 1994. Early Tertiary ferns from
Zhou Zhiyan,Li, Haomin, 1994. Early Tertiary gymnosperms from
Zhou Zhiyan, Wu Yimin, 1994. Upper Gondwana plants from the Puna Formation, southern Xizang (
Zhou Zhiyan, 1995. On some Cretaceous psendofrenelopsids with a brief review of Cheirolepidiaceous conifers in
Li Xingxue, Zhou Zhiyan, Cai Zhongyang, Sun Ge, Ouyang Shu, Deng Longhua (eds), 1995. Fossil floras of
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole, 1996. A Jurassic species of Arctobaiera (Czekanowskiales) with leafy long and dwarf shoots from the Middle Jurassic Yima Formation of Henan,
Zhang Bole, Zhou Zhiyan, 1996. A new species of Rhaphidopteris Barale (Gymnospermae) and its taxonomic position. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 35(5): 528-543, 3pls [in Chinese with English summary]
Zhou Zhiyan,1997. A conceptual revolution in historical biogeography. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 36(1): 132-134 [in Chinese]
Zhou Zhiyan, 1997. Mesozoic ginkgoalean megafossils - a systematic review. In Hori, T. et al., (eds.) Ginkgo biloba - A Global Treasure from Biology to Medicine. Springer-Verlag,
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole, 1998. Tianshia patens gen. et sp. nov., a new type of leafy shoots associated with Phoenicopsis from the Middle Jurassic Yima Formation,
Zhou Zhiyan, Guignard, G., 1998. Leaf cuticular ultrastructure of two czekanowskialeans from the Middle Jurassic Yima Formation of Henan,
Barale, G., Thévénard, F., Zhou Zhiyan, 1998. Discovery of Nilssoniopteris in the Middle Jurassic Yima Formation of Henan, Central China. Geobios, 31(1): 13-20, 2pls
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole, 2000. On the heterogeneity of the genus Rhaphidopteris Barale with description of two species from the Jurassic Yima Formation of Henan,
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Lujin, Chen Jinhua, 2000. The continental Triassic. In: Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology,
Zhou Zhiyan, Thévénard, F, Barale, G., Guignard, G., 2000. A new xeromorphic conifer from the Cretaceous of East China, Palaeontology, 43(3): 561-572, 3pls
Thévénard, F.，Guignard, G.，Gomez, B., Zhou Zhiyan，2000. Genre Glenrosa, example de plantes xérophytes ou accommodation physiologique? Monografias de
Zhou Zhiyan, Wu Xiangwu, Zhang Bole, 2000. Tharrisia, a new fossil leafy organ genus, with description of three Jurassic species from China. Palaeontographica B, 256, 95-109, 7pls
Zhou Zhiyan, Zhang Bole, Wang Yongdong, Guignard, G., 2002. A new Karkenia (Ginkgoales) from the Jurassic Yima Formation,
Zhou Zhiyan, Wu Xiangwu, et al. (Compilers), 2002. Chinese Bibliography of Palaeobotany (Megafossils) (1865-2000).
Zhou Zhiyan, 2003. Mesozoic ginkgoaleans: phylogeny, classification and evolutionary trends. Acta Botanica Yunnanica, 25(4); 377-396 [in Chinese with English abstract)
Zhou Zhiyan, Zheng Shaolin, 2003. The missing link in Ginkgo evolution. Nature, 423: 821-822
Zheng Shaolin, Zhou Zhiyan, 2004. A new Mesozoic Ginkgo from western
Deng Shenghui, Yang Xiaoju, Zhou Zhiyan, 2004. An Early Cretaceous Ginkgo ovule-bearing organ fossil from
Guignard, G., Zhou Zhiyan, 2005. Comparative studies of leaf cuticle ultrastructure
between living and the oldest known fossil Ginkgos in
周志炎，吴向午，2006. 早中生代银杏目的辐射和分异。见：戎嘉余（主编），方宗杰，周忠和，詹仁斌，王向东，袁训来(副主编)，生物的起源、辐射与多样性演变—华夏化石记录的启示. 北京：科学出版社. 510-549，904-906
Zhou Zhiyan, Wu Xiangwu, 2006. The rise of ginkgoalean plants in the early Mesozoic: a data analysis. Geological Journal, 41:363-375.
Wu Xiangwu, Yang Xiaoju, Zhou Zhiyan, 2006. Ginkgoalean ovulate organs and seeds sociated with Baiera furcata-type leaves from the Middle Jurassic of Qinghai Province, China. Review of Palaeobtany and Palynolgy, 138:209-225
Zhou Zhiyan,Zheng Shaolin, Zhang Lijun, 2007. Morphology and age of Yimaia (Ginkgoales) from
Wu Xiang-Wu，Zhou Zhi-Yan，WANG Yong-Dong. Nomenclatural notes on some ginkgoalean fossil plants from
周志炎，2007.中国古植物命名中若干值得重视的问题，兼述维也纳法规中的有关规定。古生物学报，4：387-393。
刘秀英、杨小菊，周志炎，2007. 西藏东部晚中生代植物。北京：地质出版社。 1-123，24图版。
Yang, X.J., Friis, E.M., Zhou, Z.Y. 2008 Ovulate organs of Ginkgo ginkgoidea (Tralau) comb. nov., and associated leaves from the Middle Jurassic of Scania,
Zhi-Yan, Zhou, 2009. An overview of fossil Ginkgoales. Palaeoworld, 19, 1-22.
Cheng Quan, Ge Sun and Zhiyan Zhou+, A new Tertiary Ginkgo (Ginkgoaceae) from the Wuyun Formation of Jiayin, Heilongjiang, northeastern China and its paleoenvironmental implications. Amer. J. Bot. 97(3):446-457.
Gongle Shi, Zhiyan Zhou+, Zhiming Xie, 2010. A nw Cephalotaxus and associated epiphyllous fungi from the Oligocane of Guangxi,
全成、周志炎，2010. 黑龙江渐新世银杏大化石及其古气候和植物地理意义。古生物学报，49( 4) : 439- 442.
Gongle Shi, Zhiyan Zhou+, Zhiming Xie, 2011. Cupressus foliage shoots and associated seed cones from the Oligocene Ningming Formation of Guangxi,
Zhiyan Zhou+, Cheng Quan, and Yu-Sheng (Christopher) Liu, 2011. Tertiary Ginkgo ovulate organs with associated leaves from
Gongle Shi, Zhiyan Zhou+, Zhiming Xie, 2012. A new Calocedrus from
Hill, C.R., X. J. Yang, Z. Y. Zhou, J. C. Doyal, 2012. Exceptionally preserved conifer twigs of Pseudofrenelopsis from the marine Lower Cretaceous of Yorkshire, England. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica 51:395-410.
Caroline Mairot, *Ga？tan Guignard, *Xiao-Ju Yang,, Zhi-Yan Zhou, 2014. Cuticle micro- and ultrastructure of Suturovagina Chow et Tsao (Cheirolepidiaceae): Taxonomic and palaeoecological implications. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 205, 9–21
Batten, D. J., Zhou, Z., Li, W. 2014. Plant remains from Early Cretaceous deposits on the Goban Spur, Bay of Biscay, North Atlantic Ocean, and their palaeoenvironmental significance. Palaeoworld, 23,162–186.
*Yang, Xiaoju, Wu Xiangwu, Zhou Zhiyan, 2014. On the nomenclatural problems of some Chinese ginkgoalean fossil plants.Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 53 (3), 263-273.