Endolithic Cyanobacteria from the Middle Cambrian of North Greenland

Abstract

Borings in carbonate grains attributed to the endolithic cyanobacterium Eohyella are described from the Middle Cambrian Henson Gletscher Formation of North Greenland. Four morphotypes are recognised, both in thin section and as three-dimensional phosphatic replicas etched from the host rock with acetic acid. The borings are described in open nomenclature due to the lack of detail concerning cell shape and size. The assemblage indicates a diversity of euendoliths in the Middle Cambrian which can be readily compared with living species of Hyella and other described fossil Eohyella.

Keywords:

• Endoliths
• Cyanobacteria
• Eohyella
• Cambrian
• Greenland