Data for: Frond orientations with independent current indicators demonstrate the reclining rheotropic mode of life of several Ediacaran rangeomorph taxa ...
Fossils from the deep-sea Ediacaran biotas of Newfoundland are among the oldest architecturally complex soft-bodied macroorganisms on Earth. Most organisms in the Mistaken Point-type biotas of Avalonia — particularly the fractal-branching frondose Rangeomorpha — have been traditionally interpreted a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Dataset |
| Language: | English |
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Dryad
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f4x https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.dbrv15f4x |
| Summary: | Fossils from the deep-sea Ediacaran biotas of Newfoundland are among the oldest architecturally complex soft-bodied macroorganisms on Earth. Most organisms in the Mistaken Point-type biotas of Avalonia — particularly the fractal-branching frondose Rangeomorpha — have been traditionally interpreted as living erect within the water column during life. However, due to the scarcity of documented physical sedimentological proxies associated with fossiliferous beds, Ediacaran paleocurrents have been inferred in some instances from the preferential orientation of fronds. This calls into question the relationship between frond orientation and paleocurrents. In this study, we present an integrated approach from a newly described fossiliferous surface (the “Melrose Surface” in the Fermeuse Formation at Melrose, on the southern portion of the Catalina Dome in the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark) combining: (1) physical sedimentological evidence for paleocurrent direction in the form of climbing ripple cross lamination, ... : The data presented in this study were collected from a single fossiliferous surface of the Fermeuse Formation that crops out on the southeastern margin of the Catalina Dome, Bonavista Peninsula (see O’Brien and King 2005) (Fig. 2). A 0.1-0.6 mm thick ripple cross-laminated sandstone bed indicates a paleocurrent orientation of 102º SE. Data collection was grid-based, with 41 squares of approximately 1.5 x 1.5 m completely documented with respect to their paleontology. Grids were photographed and orientation data collected (nt = 208 specimens of five different taxa were measured: Fractofusus nf = 190, Pectinifrons np = 12, Bradgatia nb = four, Primocandelabrum npr = one, and Charniodiscus nc = one). Fragmental specimens of all studied taxa were excluded from the analysis due to analytical difficulties and potential to introduce sampling bias. Only Fractofusus was included in the statistical analysis due to the low numbers of well-preserved specimens of all other taxa. Morphometric traits were retrieved from ... |
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