Upper Cambrian Archaeocyatha from Antarctica

Abstract Reconnaissance geological mapping (1962–75) followed by detailed geological investigations (1979–80) in the Ellsworth Mountains of west Antarctica have established the existence of extensive Middle and Late Cambrian strata. Forms tentatively referred to Archaeocyatha have been examined by F...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geological Magazine
Main Authors: Debrenne, F., Rozanov, A. Yu., Webers, G. F.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1984
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0016756800029186
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0016756800029186
Description
Summary:Abstract Reconnaissance geological mapping (1962–75) followed by detailed geological investigations (1979–80) in the Ellsworth Mountains of west Antarctica have established the existence of extensive Middle and Late Cambrian strata. Forms tentatively referred to Archaeocyatha have been examined by F.D. and A.R., who concluded that, despite the commonly held opinion that the phylum became extinct at the boundary of the Lower and Middle Cambrian, the Ellsworth Mountains' forms represented Irregularian Archaeocyatha which survived in protected niches into the Late Cambrian. The age of the fauna containing the archaeocyaths is firmly dated by abundant trilobites including species of Homagnostus, Pseudagnostus, Kormagnostella, Erixanium and Onchopeltis .