A small trace fossil assemblage from the ?middle Cambrian Pantapinna Sandstone, Flinders Ranges, South Australia and its paleoenvironmental significance

Abstract

Four ichnospecies, Dimorphichnus isp., Monomorphichnus isp. A, M. isp. B and cf. Nereites isp., are described from the upper part of the ?middle Cambrian Pantapinna Sandstone, Balcoracana Creek, Flinders Ranges, South Australia. They occur on the base of fluted sandstones, thus indicating a short period of open marine influence within what has generally been interpreted as a fluvial to marginal marine succession.

本文描述了采自南澳大利亚弗林德斯山脉Balcoracana Creek中寒武世Pantapinna砂岩上半部分的四个遗迹种：Dimorphichnus isp.、Monomorphichnus isp.A、M.isp.B和cf.Nereites isp.。他们出现在凹槽砂岩底部，从而标示在通常被解释为河流至边缘海的地层序列之内的短期海洋影响。

KEY WORDS:

• Cambrian
• Pantapinna Sandstone
• Lake Frome Group
• trace fossils
• fluted sandstones
• marine environment

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Warren and Barbara Fargher kindly allowed access to the trace fossil locality. Logistic and financial support was provided by the University of South Australia. John Cann (University of South Australia) is thanked for technical advice. Barry Cooper (University of South Australia) is thanked for comments on an earlier version of this paper. The reviewers, Jim Gehling and Wolfgang Preiss, are thanked for constructive comments on the original version of this paper.