Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The utility of late Early to Middle Cambrian small shelly fossils from the western Mediterranean

  • Published:
Geosciences Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

New data on Cambrian small shelly fossils from Germany and Sardinia, and Spain are discussed with respect to their stratigraphical, paleogeographical, and paleoecological value. It is shown that these small shelly assemblages represent very useful tools for reconstruction of geological processes and of the Perigondwanan history in the Mediterranean area, especially, if trilobites are absent or hard to recover from the rocks. The German and Sardinian assemblages reflect distinct ecological conditions on shallow platform and shelf areas and mirror any changes in these habitats. Thus, lateral and vertical transitions from restricted inner platform to deep subtidal conditions are documented by characteristic successions of Sardinian assemblages. German assemblages show clearly distinct paleogeographic/ecological developments. The reorganization of the ecosystems is linked to shelf-wide processes which can be stratigraphically correlated in their single phases (e.g., drowning of platforms, breakup of the Perigondwanan realm, origin of terranes). Broader paleogeographic relationships of small shelly fossils to the Far East and Australia are proposed and support earlier controversial assumptions based on trilobites. Because of the small shelly fossils distribution patterns, a pre-Late Cambrian separation of terranes from the so called European shelf of western Gondwana is unlikely. During the Early to Middle Cambrian a rather uniform and weakly differentiated facies belt across most of the European shelf is indicated, and this contradicts earlier concepts of more-or-less isolated depositional basins. Despite recent progress in knowledge of Mediterranean small shelly fossil assemblages, further improvements will lead to a better understanding and a much more detailed picture of the Cambrian history of Perigondwana and its relationships to other paleocontinents.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander, E.M., Jago, J.B., Rozanov, A. Yu. and Zhuravlev, A. Yu., 2001, The Cambrian biostratigraphy of the Stansbury basin. Russian Academy of Sciences, Transactions of the Palaeontological Institute, 282, Mocow, 344 p.

  • Álvaro, J.J., Elicki, O., Debrenne, F. and Vizcaino, D., 2002, Small shelly fossils from the lower Cambrian Lastour. Formation, southern Montagne Noire, France. Geobios, 35, 397–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Álvaro, J.J., Elicki, O., Rushton, A.W.A. and Shergold, J.H., 2003, Palaeogeographical controls on the Cambrian trilobite immigration and evolutionary patterns reported in the western Gondwana margin. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 195, 5–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandel, K., 1986, The reconstruction ofHyolithes kingi as annalid worm from the cambrian of Jordan. Mitteilungen des Geologisch-Paläontologischen Institutes der Universität Hamburg, 61, 35–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bechstädt, T. and Boni, M., 1989, Tectonic control on the formation of a carbonate platform: the Cambrian of southwestern Sardinia. SEPM Special Publications, 44, 107–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bechstädt, T. and Boni, M., eds., 1994, Sedimentological, stratigraphical and ore deposits field guide of the autochthonous Cambro-Ordovician of southwestern Sardinia: Memorie descrittive della carta geologica d'Italia, vol, XLVIII. Servizio Geologico Nazionale, 434 p.

  • Bengtson, S., Conway Morris, S., Cooper, B.J., Jell, P.A. and Runnegar, B.N., 1990, Early Cambrian fossils from South Australia Memoir 9 of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, Brisbane, 364 p.

  • Boogaard, M., van den, 1983, The occurrence ofHadimopanella oezgueli Gedik in the Lancara Formation in NW Spain. Proceedings of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschapen B 86, 331–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M.D., 1989a, China and the Palaeotethyan Belt (India, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia). In: Cowie, J.W. and Brasier, M.D. (eds.), The Precambrian-Cambrian boundary, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 40–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M.D., 1989b, Towards a biostratigraphy of the earliest skeletal biotas. In: Cowie, J.W. and Brasier, M.D. (eds.), The Precambrian-Cambrian boundary, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 117–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M.D., 1990, Nutrients in the early Cambrian. Nature, 347, 521–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M.D., 1992, Nutrient-enriched waters in the early skeletal fossil record. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 149, 621–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brasier, M.D. and Singh, P., 1987, Microfossils and Precambrian-Cambrian boundary stratigraphy at Maldeota, Lesser Himalaya. Geological Magazine, 124, 323–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock, G.A., Engelbretsen, M.J., Jago, J.B., Kruse, P.D. Lauri, J.R., Shergold, J.H. Shi, G.R. and Sorauf, J.E. 2000, Palaeobiogeographic affinities of Australian Cambrian faunas In. Wright, A.J., Young, G.C., Talent, J.A. and Lauri, J.R. (ededs.), Palaeobiogeography of Australian faunas and floras. Memoir 23 of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, Brisbane, 1–61.

  • Buschmann, B., Elicki, O. and Jonas, P., The Cadomian unconformity in the Saxo-Thuringian Zone, Germany: Palaeogeographic affinities of Ediacaran (terminal Neoproterozoic) and Cambrian strata. Precambrian Research, in press.

  • Cherchi, A. and Schroeder, R., 1984, Middle Cambrian foraminifera and other microfossils from SW Sardinia. Bolletino della Societá Paleontologica Italiana, 23, 149–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Courjault-Radé, P., Debrenne, F. and Gandin, A., 1992. Palaeogeographic and geodynamic evolution of the Gondwana continental margins during the Cambrian Terra Nova, 4, 657–667.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrenne, F. and Zhuravlev, A.Yu, 1992. Regular archaeocyaths. Cahier de paléontologie, CNRS editions, Paris, 282 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Debrenne, F. and Zhuravlev, A.Yu, 1997, The Cambrian food web, a brief review. Geobios, 30, 181–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doré, F. and Reid, R.E., 1965,Alloma tripodophora nov. gen, nov. sp., nouvelle éponge du Cambrien inférieur de Carteret (Manche) Comptes Rendus Sommaires des Séances de la Société géologique de France, 20–21.

  • Elicki, O., 1992, Faziesanalyse der kambrischen Karbonate Deutschlands Ph.D. thesis, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, 174 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 1994, Lower Cambrian carbonates from eastern Germany palaeontology, stratigraphy and palaeogeography. Neues jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 191, 69–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 1996, Die Gastropoden und Monoplacophoren der unterkambrischen Görlitz-Fauna. Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 464, 145–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 1997, Biostratigraphic data of the German Cambrian—present state of knowledge. Freiberger Forschungshefte C, 466, 155–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 1998, First report ofHalkieria and enigmatie globular fossils from the Central European Marianian (Lower Cambrian, Görlitz Syncline, Germany). Revista Española de Paleontologia, No. extr. Homenaje al Prot. Gonzalo Vidal, 51–64.

  • Elicki, O., 1999a, Palaeoecological significance of calcimicrobial communities during ramp evolution: an example from the Lower Cambrian of Germany. Facies, 41, 27–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 1999b, Beitrag zur Lithofazies und zur Lithostratigraphie im Unterkambrium von Doberlug-Torgau. Freiberger Forschungshefte C, 481, 107–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 2001, Fazies und Genese kambrischer Knollenkalke des nördlichen Iglesiente (Gutturu Pala, SW-Sardinien, Italien). Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie, Teil I, 1-2, 33–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 2002, First record of Cambrian pelagiellids from Sardinia. Freiberger Forschungshefle, C, 497, 19–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., 2003, Das Kambrium Sachsens. Veröffentlichungen des Museums für Naturkunde Chemnitz, 26, 41–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O. 2004a, The Cambrian fauna from the Dead Sea: biofacies, habitats and palaeobiogeographic relations. 74th Annual Meeting of the Palaeontological Society of Germany (Abstract), Göttingen Oct. 2–8, 72–73.

  • Elicki, O. 2004b, Facies and micro-faunal investigations in the Cambrian of Jordan (Middle East): first results. 9th International Conference of the Cambrian Stage Subdivision Working Group (Abstract), Taebaek, Korea, Sept. 16–21, 36.

  • Elicki, O. and Debrenne, F., 1993, The Archaeocyatha of Germany. Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 450, 3–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O. and Schneider, J., 1992, Lower Cambrian (Atdabanian/Botomian) Shallow-marine Carbonates of the Gôrlitz Synclinorium (Saxony, Germany). Facies, 26, 55–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O. and Wotte, Th., 2003, Cambroclaves from the Cambrian of Sardinia (Italy) and Germany: constraints for the architecture of western Gondwana and the palaeogeographical and paleoecological potential of cambroclaves. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 195, 55–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O. and Pillola, G.L., 2004, Cambrian microfauna and palecology of the Campo Pisano Formation at Gutturu Pala (northern Iglesiente, Sardinia). Bolletino della Società Paleontologica Italiana, 43, 383–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elicki, O., Hamann, Y. and Münzberger, P., 2003, Biofazies, Paläoökologie und Ablagerungsmodell des Finalstadium einer kambrischen Karbonatplattform-Entwicklung: die Fauna der Campo Pisano Formation SW-Sardiniens. Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 499, 1–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Remolar, D.C., 1999, Las calizas fosforiticas del Ovetiense Infrior de la Sierra de Córdoba, España. Boletin de la Real Sociedad Española de Historia Natural (Seccion Geológica), 95, 15–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Remolar, D.C., 2001a, Nota sobre la distribución estratigráfica deHadímropanella Gedik, 1977 (microescleritos de paleoscolécidos), en el Cámbríco. Revista Española de Micropaleontologia, 33, 113–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Remolar, D.C., 2001b, Latest Neoproterozoic to Middle Cambrian body fossil record in Spain. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 123, 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Remolar, D.C., 2001c, Chancelloridae del Ovetiense Inferior de la Sierra de Córdoba, España. Revista Española de Paleontologia, 16, 39–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Remolar, D.C., 2002, First record ofTanmolina Fonin & Smirnova, 1967 (Tommotiida) from the Lower Cambrian Pedroche Formation, southern Spain. Revista Española di Micropaleontologia, 34, 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freyer, G., 1977, Das Unterkambrium von Görlitz, seine geologische Erforschung und Fossilführung—ein Überblick. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Görlitz, 51, 7, 18–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freyer, G., 1981a, Die Cruzianen von Hainichen bei Borna und das Alter ihrer Fundschichten. Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 363, 51–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freyer, G., 1981b, Die unterkambrische Brachiopodenfauna des Görlitzer Schiefergebirges. Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Görlitz, 54, 5, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freyer, G. and Suhr, P., 1987, Über Archaeocyathinen-Funde und den lithologischen Aufbau des Unterkambriums im Gebiet von Torgau. Zeitschrift für geologische Wissenschaften, 15, 665–680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freyer, G. and Suhr, P., 1992, Über Algengemeinschaften aus der unterkambrischen Zwethauer Folge des Gebietes von Torgau. Freiberger Forschungsheft, C 445, 49–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gedik, I., 1989, Hadimopanellid biostratigraphy in the Cambrian of the western Taurids: a new biostratigraphic tool in the subdivision of the Cambrian system. Geological Bulletin of Turkey, 32, 65–77, (in Turkish with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geyer, G., 1986, Mittelkambrische Mollusken aus Marokko uns Spanien. Senckenbergiana lethaea, 67, 1-4, 55–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geyer, G. and Elicki, O., 1995, Lower Cambrian trilobites from the Görlitz Synclinorium (Germany)—review and new results. Palâontologische Zeitschrift, 69, 87–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gozalo, R. and Hinz-Schallreuter, I., 2002, Biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of the Cambrian genusHipponicharion (Ostracoda), Paâontologische Zeitschrift, 76, 65–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gubanov, A.P., 2002, Early Cambrian palaeogeography and the probable Iberia-Siberia connection. Tectonophysics, 352, 153–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gubanov, A.P., Fernández-Remolar, D.C. and Peel, J.S., 2004a. Early Cambrian molluscs from Sierra de Córdoba (Spain). Geobios, 37, 199–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gubanov, A.P., Skovsted, C.B. and Peel, J.S., 2004b,Anabarella australis (Mollusca, Helcionelloida) from the Lower Cambrian of Greenland. Geobios, 37, 719–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi, B. 1995, Precambrian-Cambrian deposits in Iran. Treatise on the geology of Iran 20, 346 p. (in Farsi with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, Z., 1992, The Lower Cambrian fossil record of China. In: Lipps, J.H. and Signor, P.W. (eds.), Origin and early evolution of the metazoa, Plenum Press, New York and London, p. 311–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerber, M., 1988, Mikrofossilien aus unterkambrischen Gesteinen der Montagne Noire, Frankreich Palaeontographica, Abteilung A, 202, 127–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landing, E., 1988, Lower Cambrian of Eartern Massachusetts stratigraphy and small shelly fossils. Journal of Paleontology, 62, 661–695.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landing, E., 1991, Upper Precambrian through Lower Cambrian of Cape Breton Island: faunas, paleoenvironments, and stratigraphic revision. Journal of Paleontology, 65, 570–595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landing, E., 1992, Lower Cambrian of southeastern Newfoundland In: Lipps, J.H. and Signor, P.W. (eds.), Origin and early evolution of the Metazoa, Topics in Geobiology, 10, 283–309.

  • Landing, E., 2005, Early Paleozoic Avalon-Gondwana unity: an obituary-response to “Palaeontological evidence bearing on global Ordovician-Silurian continental reconstructions” by R.A. Fortey and L.R.M. Cocks. Earth-Science Reviews, 69, 169–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landing, E., Nowlan, G.S. and Fletcher, T.P., 1980, A microfauna associated with Early Cambrian trilobites of the Callavia Zone, northern Antigonish Highlands, Nova Scotia. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 17, 400–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landing, E. and Westrop, S.R., 2004, Environmental patterns in the origin and diversification loci of Early Cambrian skeletalized metazoan: evidence from the Avalon microcontinent. In: Lipps, J.H. and Waggoner, B.M. (eds.), Neoproterozoic-Cambrian biological revolutions. The Paleontological Society Papers, 10, 93–105.

  • Landing, E., Myrow, P., Benus, A.P. and Narbonne, G.M., 1989, The Placentian series: appearance of the oldest skeletized faunas in southeastern Newfoundland. Journal of Paleontology, 63, 739–769.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauri, J.R., ed, 2004, Cambro-Ordovician studies I. Memoir 30 of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, Brisbane, 266 p.

  • Linnemann, U., Gehmlich, M., Tichomirowa, M., Buschmann, B., Nasdala, L., Jonas, P., Lützner; H and Bomback, K., 2000, From Cadomian subduction to Early Palaeozoic rifting: the evolution of Saxo-Thuringia at the margin of Gondwana in the light of single zircon geochronology and basin development (Central European Variscides, Germany). In: Franke, W., Haak, V., Oncken, O. and Tanner, D. (eds.), Orogenic processes: quantification and modelling in the Variscan Belt. Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 179, 131–153.

  • Loi, A., Pillola, G.L. and Leone, F., 1995, The Cambrian and Early Ordovician of south-western Sardinia. In: Cherchi, A. (ed.), “Sardinia 95” 6th Paleobenthos International Symposium, guidebook. Rendiconti del Seminario della Facolta di Scienze dell Universitá di Cagliari, suppl, vol LXV, 63–81.

  • Matthews, S.C. and Missarzhevski, V.V., 1975, Small shelly fossils of late Precambrian and early Cambrian age: a review of recent work. Journal of the Geological Society of London, 131, 289–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mergl, M. and Elicki, O., 2004, Cambrian brachiopods from the Iglesiente area (Campo Pisano Formation, southwestern Sardinia). Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 110, 3, 581–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Missarzhevski, V.V., 1989, Oldest skeletal fossils and stratigraphy of Precambrian and Cambrian boundary beds. Publications of the Geological Institute, Academy of Sciences USSR, 443, Moscow, 240 p. (in Russian).

  • Mostler, H., 1985, Neue heteractinide Spongien (Calcispongea) aus dem Unter— und Mittelkambrium Südwestsardiniens. Berichte des naturwissenschaftlich-medizinischen Vereins Innsbruck, 72, 7–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, J.B., Pisarevsky, S.A., Nance, R.D. and Keppie, J.D., 2004, Neoproterozoic-Early Paleozoic evolution of peri-Gondwanan terranes: implications for Laurentia-Gondwana connections. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 93, 659–682.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillola, G.L., 1991, Trilobites du Cambrien inférieur du SW de la Sardaigne, Italie. Palaeontographica Italica, 78, 1–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pillola, G.L., Leone, F. and Loi, A., 2002, The Cambrian and Early Ordovìcìan of SW Sardínía (Italy). Rendiconti della Società Paleontologica Italiana, 1, 37–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yi, Q. and Bengtson, S., 1989, Palaeontology and biostratigraphy of the Early Cambrian Meishucunian stage in Yunnan province, South China. Fossils and Strata, 24, 1–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasetti, F., 1972, Cambrian trílobites faunas of Sardínia: Atti della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Classe di Scienze fisiche matematicha e naturali, Memorie serie VIII, volume, XI, Sezione II, 1–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mambetov, A.M. and Repina, L.N., 1979, The Lower Cambrian of the Talasskiy Alatau and its correlation with the sections of Maly Karatau and the Siberian platform. In: Zhuravlea, I.T. and Meshkova, N.P. (eds.), Biostratigraphy and palaeontology of the Lower Cambrian of Sibería. Nauka, 98–138. (in Russian)

  • Sarmiento, G.N., Fernandez-Remolar, D. and Göncüoglu, M.C., 2001, Cambrian small shelly fossils from the Cal Tepe Formation, Taurus Mountains. Turkey. Coloquios de Paleontologia, 52, 117–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sdzuy, K., 1957, Alter und tiergeographische Stellung des Mittelkambriums von Doberlug. Geologie, 6-5, 465–475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sdzuy, K., 1962, Nette kambrische Fossilien aus Bohrungen im Gebiet von Doberlug. Geologie, 11, 1087–1101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sdzuy, K., 1969, Unter-und Mittelkambrische Porifera (Chancelloria und Hexactinellida). Paläontologische Zeitschrift, 43, 115–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sdzuy, K., 1970, Mittelkambrische Fossilien aus neuen Bohrungen bei Doberlug und bei Delitzsch. Geologie, 19, 1066–1091.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sdzuy, K., 1972, Das Kambrium der acadobaltischen Faunenprovinz— Gegenwârtiger Kenntnisstand und Probleme. Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie, Teil II, Heft 1–2, 1–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shergold, J.H., Feist, R. and Vizcaino, D., 2000, Early Late Cambrian trilobites of Australo-Sinian aspect from the Montagne Noire, southern France. Palaeontology, 43, 599–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skovsted, C.B., 2003, The Early Cambrian fauna of North-East Greenland. Ph.D. thesis, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 234 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, G., Palacios, T., Maczydłowska, M. and Gubanov, A.P., 1999, Age constraints from small shelly fossils on the early Cambrian terminal Cadomian Phase in Iberia. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 121, 137–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walliser, O.H., 1958,Rombocorniculum comleyense n.gen, n.sp. Palâontologische Zeitschrift, 32, 176–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrona, R., 2004, Cambrian microfossils from glacial erratics of King George Island, Antarctica. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 49, 13–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhuravlev, A.Yu., 2001, Biotic diversity and structur during the Neoproterozoic-Ordovician transition. In: Zhuravlev, A. Yu. and Riding, R. (eds.), The ecology of the Cambrian radiation Columbia University Press, p. 173–199.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Institute, Department of Paleontology, Freiberg University, 09599, Freiberg, Germany

    Olaf Elicki

Authors
  1. Olaf Elicki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olaf Elicki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Elicki, O. The utility of late Early to Middle Cambrian small shelly fossils from the western Mediterranean. Geosci J 9, 161–171 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02910577

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02910577

Key words

Search

Navigation