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Fossils and matgrounds from the Neoproterozoic Longmyndian Supergroup, Shropshire, UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2005

DUNCAN MCILROY
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Newfoundland A1B 3X5, Canada
T. PETER CRIMES
Affiliation:
Department of Earth Sciences, Liverpool University, Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GP, UK
JOHN C. PAULEY
Affiliation:
Pauley Geoconsultants Ltd. The Old Schoolhouse, Auchleven, Premnay, Insch, Aberdeenshire AB52 6QE, UK

Abstract

Body and trace fossils of Ediacaran affinity are described from strata of the late Neoproterozoic Longmyndian Supergroup exposed near Church Stretton, Shropshire, UK. The almost spherical soft-bodied Ediacaran fossil Beltanelliformis brunsae Menner occurs rarely in the Burway Formation, but much smaller, simpler, discoidal structures are common in both the Burway and Synalds formations and are referred to Beltanelliformis minutae sp. nov. Similar discoidal structures, but with a distinct central depression, are included in Intrites punctatus Fedonkin and are common at several horizons. Two blocks with numerous examples of Medusinites aff. asteroides (Sprigg) Glaessner & Wade were recovered from the Burway Formation. The purported Ediacaran body fossil ‘Arumberia’ Glaessner & Walter is common at several horizons but its biogenicity is not accepted herein. ‘Arumberia’ is thus treated along with evidence for microbially bound sediment surfaces or matgrounds that have been suggested by several authors to be necessary for some types of Ediacaran preservation. The assemblage of simple trace and body fossils along with matgrounds is typical of latest Neoproterozoic time, though some elements range into the Phanerozoic.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© 2005 Cambridge University Press

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