Burgess Shale-type microfossils from the middle Cambrian Kaili Formation, Guizhou Province, China

Harvey, T. H. P. and Ortega-hernandez, J. and Lin, J-P and Yuanglong, Zhao and Butterfield, Nicholas J. (2011) Burgess Shale-type microfossils from the middle Cambrian Kaili Formation, Guizhou Province, China. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 57 (2). pp. 423-436. ISSN ISSN: 0567-7920 EISSN: 1732-2421 DOI https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0028

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Abstract

Diverse carbonaceous microfossils, including exceptionally preserved remains of nonbiomineralizing metazoans, are reported from a basal middle Cambrian interval of the Kaili Formation (Guizhou Province, China). The application of a gentle acid maceration technique complements previous palynological studies by revealing a larger size-class of acritarchs, a richer assemblage of filamentous microfossils, and a variety of previously unrecovered forms. Metazoan fossils include Wiwaxia sclerites and elements derived from biomineralizing taxa, including chancelloriids, brachiopods and hyolithids, in common with previously studied assemblages from the early and middle Cambrian of Canada. In addition, the Kaili Formation has yielded pterobranch remains and an assemblage of cuticle fragments representing “softbodied” worms, including a priapulid-like scalidophoran. Our results demonstrate the wide distribution and palaeobiological importance of microscopic “Burgess Shaletype” fossils, and provide insights into the limitations and potential of this largely untapped preservational mode.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Acta Palaeontologica Polonica's publishers policy on copyright may be found here: http://www.app.pan.pl/copyright-policy.html
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2011AREP; IA63; phd;
Subjects:	04 - Palaeobiology
Divisions:	04 - Palaeobiology
Journal or Publication Title:	Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Volume:	57
Page Range:	pp. 423-436
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0028
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	17 Jun 2011 23:13
Last Modified:	03 Sep 2013 15:47
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/2095

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