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Title
Shelly fossils from the lower Cambrian White Point Conglomerate, Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Claybourn, Thomas M
Brock, Glenn A
Jago, James B
Skovsted, Christian B
Publication Date
2019
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Early Online Version
Open Access
Yes
Abstract
The lower Cambrian (Series 2) White Point Conglomerate (WPC) on Kangaroo Island, South Australia contains exotic clasts representing a diverse array of lithologies, including metamorphics, chert, sandstone, and abundant carbonates, notably archaeocyath-rich bioclastic limestone. Acetic acid digestion of the WPC bioclastic limestone clasts reveals a diverse shelly fauna. This assemblage includes abundant organophosphatic brachiopods such as Cordatia erinae Brock and Claybourn gen. et sp. nov., Curdus pararaensis, Eodicellomus elkaniformiis, Eohadrotreta sp. cf. E. zhenbaensis, Eoobolus sp., Kyrshabaktella davidii, and Schizopholis yorkensis. Additional shelly taxa include the solenopleurid trilobite Trachoparia? sp., the tommotiids Dailyatia odyssei, Dailyatia decobruta Betts sp. nov., Kelanella sp., and Lapworthella fasciculata, spines of the bradoriid arthropod Mongolitubulus squamifer, and several problematica, such as Stoibostrombus crenulatus and a variety of tubular forms. The upper age limit for the WPC is constrained by biostratigraphic data from the overlying Marsden Sandstone and Emu Bay Shale, which are no younger than the Pararaia janeae Trilobite Zone (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4). The shelly fossil assemblage from the WPC limestone clasts indicates an upper Dailyatia odyssei Zone (= Pararaia tatei to lower P. janeae trilobite zones), equivalent to the Atdabanian-early Botoman of the Siberian scheme. This contrasts with the previously suggested late Botoman age for the limestone clasts, based on the diverse archaeocyath assemblage. The minor age difference between the WPC and its fossiliferous limestone clasts suggests relatively rapid reworking of biohermal buildups during tectonically-active phases of deposition in the Stansbury Basin.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 64(3), p. 489-522
Publisher
Polska Akademia Nauk, Instytut Paleobiologii
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
2019-08-23
Place of Publication
Poland
ISSN
1732-2421
0567-7920
File(s)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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