Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-12T22:09:32.843Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Revised biochronology of the Lower Cambrian of the Central Iberian zone, southern Iberian massif, Spain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2010

SÖREN JENSEN ,
TEODORO PALACIOS  and
MONICA MARTÍ MUS
SÖREN JENSEN*
Affiliation:
Área de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, E-06071 Badajoz, Spain
TEODORO PALACIOS
Affiliation:
Área de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, E-06071 Badajoz, Spain
MONICA MARTÍ MUS
Affiliation:
Área de Paleontología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, E-06071 Badajoz, Spain
*
*Author for correspondence: soren@unex.es
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Trilobites from the upper unit of the Lower Cambrian Pusa Formation (south-central Spain) substantially antedate other Iberian trilobites, according to widely published correlation schemes, and arguably would be among the earliest trilobites globally. These trilobites, previously only briefly mentioned in texts, are here described and illustrated, and their biochronological context examined. The Pusa Formation trilobites are treated in open nomenclature but with suggested affinity to the genus Abadiella. They are associated with small shelly fossils, including Pelagiella sp., chancellorid spicules and Cupitheca sp., and unidentfied archaeocyathans. Trace fossils from the upper unit of the Pusa Formation, down-section of the trilobites, include Dactyloidites isp. and Rusophycus isp., the latter representing the lowest occurrence of this ichnogenus in the region. This biostratigraphical context demonstrates that the Pusa Formation trilobites are substantially younger than had traditionally been thought. In terms of Iberian regional stages they are Ovetian, not Corduban as previously thought. As a consequence of the data presented here, the definitions of Iberian Lower Cambrian regional stages are discussed and a substantially revised correlation between key Lower Cambrian strata of the Central Iberian and Ossa Morena zones is proposed.

Keywords

Lower CambrianSpaintrace fossilstrilobites
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 147 , Issue 5 , September 2010 , pp. 690 - 703
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alpert, S. P. 1976. Trilobite and star-like trace fossils from the White–Inyo Mountains, California. Journal of Paleontology 50, 226–39.Google Scholar
Álvaro, J. J. & Vizcaïno, D. 1999. Biostratigraphic significance and environmental setting of the trace fossil Psammichnites in the Lower Cambrian of the Montagne Noire, France. Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France 170, 821–8.Google Scholar
Babcock, L. E. & Peng, S. 2007. Cambrian chronostratigraphy: current state and future plans. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 254, 62–6.Google Scholar
Bandres, A., Eguíluz, L., Gil Ibarguchi, J. I. & Palacios, T. 2002. Geodynamic evolution of a Cadomian arc region: the northern Ossa-Morena zone, Iberian massif. Tectonophysics 352, 105–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brasier, M. D., Perejón, A. & San José, M. A. 1979. Discovery of an important fossiliferous Precambrian–Cambrian sequence in Spain. Estudios Geológicos 35, 379–83.Google Scholar
Cabanás, G. 1966. Notas estratigráficas de la provincia de Córdoba. Con una nota sobre un nuevo fósil del Cambriano por Bermudo Meléndez. Notas y Comunicaciones del Instituto Geológico y Minero de España 90, 77–84.Google Scholar
Courtessole, R. & Jago, J. B. 1980. Biostratigraphie du Cambrien inferiéur de Cabardes (versant sud de la Montagne Noir, France Méridionale). Mémoire de la Société d'Etudes Scientifiques de l'Aude, 26 pp.Google Scholar
Crimes, T. P. & Anderson, M. M. 1985. Trace fossils from the late Precambrian–early Cambrian strata of southeastern Newfoundland (Canada): temporal and environmental implications. Journal of Paleontology 59, 310–43.Google Scholar
Crimes, T. P., Legg, I., Marcos, A. & Arboleya, M. 1977. ?Late Precambrian–low Lower Cambrian trace fossils from Spain. In Trace Fossils 2 (eds Crimes, T. P. & Harper, J. C.), pp. 91–138. Geological Journal Special Issue no. 9. Liverpool: Seel House Press.Google Scholar
Debrenne, F. & Debrenne, M. 1995. Archaeocyaths of the Lower Cambrian of Morocco. In Morocco ‘95. The Lower–Middle Cambrian standard of Western Gondwana (eds Geyer, G. & Landing, E.), pp. 121–45. Beringeria Special Issue no. 2.Google Scholar
Díez Balda, M. A. 1986. El complejo esquisto–grauvaquico las series paleozoicas y la estructura hercínica al sur de Salamanca. Acta Salmanticensia, Ciencias no. 52, 162 pp.Google Scholar
Fedonkin, M., Liñán, E. & Perejón, A. 1985. Icnofósiles de las rocas precámbrico–cámbricas de la Sierra de Córdoba. España. Boletín de la Real Sociedad Española de Historia Natural, Sección Geológica 81, 125–38.Google Scholar
Fernández-Remolar, D. C. 1999. Las calizas fosforíticas del Ovetiense inferior de la Sierra de Córdoba, España. Boletín de la Real Sociedad Española de Historia Natural, Sección Geológica 95, 15–45.Google Scholar
Fernández-Remolar, D. C. 2005. Primer registro de los géneros Actinotheca Xiao y Zou, 1984, y Conotheca Missarzhevsky, 1969, en el Cámbrico inferior de la península Ibérica. In Jornadas Aragonesas de Paleontología 8 (eds Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Liñán, E. & Valenzuela–Río, J. I.), pp. 71–88. Zaragoza: Institución Fernando el Católico.Google Scholar
Fürsich, F. T. & Bromley, R. G. 1985. Behavioural interpretation of a rosetted spreite trace fossil: Dactyloidites ottoi (Geinitz). Lethaia 18, 199–207.Google Scholar
Gabaldón López, V., Hernández Urroz, J., Lorenzo Álvarez, S., Picart Boira, J., Santamaría Casanovas, J. & Solé Pont, F. J. 1987. Sedimentary facies and stratigraphy of Precambrian–Cambrian phosphorites on the Valdelacasa anticline, Central Iberian Zone. In Phosphate Deposits of the World, Vol. 2 (eds Notholt, A. J. G., Sheldon, R. P. & Davis, D. F.), pp. 422–8. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Liñán, E. 1996. Significant ichnological data during the Neoproterozoic– early Cambrian transition in Iberia. In II Field Conference of the Cambrian Stage Subdivision Working Groups, Field trip guide and Abstracts (eds Liñán, E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Gozalo, R.), pp. 101–2. Zaragoza: Universidad de Zaragoza.Google Scholar
Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Palacios, T., Fernández–Remolar, D. & Liñán, E. 2000. The lowermost Cambrian in the Valdelacasa Anticline (central Spain): some new palaeontological data. In Cambrian from the southern edge (eds Aceñolaza, G. F. & Peralta, S.), pp. 95–6. Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica, Miscelánea 6, Tucumán.Google Scholar
Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Liñán, E., Mayoral, E., Dies, M. E., Gozalo, R. & Muñiz, F. 2006. Trace and soft body fossils from the Pedroche Formation (Ovetian, Lower Cambrian of the Sierra de Córdoba, S Spain) and their relation to the Pedroche event. Geobios 39, 443–68.Google Scholar
Geyer, G. & Landing, E. 2004. A unified Lower–Middle Cambrian chronostratigraphy for West Gondwana. Acta Geologica Polonica 54, 179–218.Google Scholar
Geyer, G. & Shergold, J. H. 2000. The quest for internationally recognized divisions of Cambrian time. Episodes 23, 188–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gil Cid, M. D. 1988. Redlichidae del Cámbrico Inferior de Los Navalucillos (Toledo). Boletín Geológico y Minero 94, 584–91.Google Scholar
Gozalo, R., Liñán, E., Palacios, T., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Mayoral, E. 2003. The Cambrian of the Iberian peninsula: an overview. Geológica Acta 1, 103–12.Google Scholar
Gubanov, A. P., Fernández-Remolar, D. C. & Peel, J. S. 2004. Early Cambrian molluscs from the Sierra de Córdoba (Spain). Geobios 37, 199–215.Google Scholar
Hall, J. 1852. Palaeontology of New York. Volume II. Containing descriptions of the organic remains of the Lower Middle Divison of the New York System (equivalent to the Middle Silurian rocks of Europe). Albany: C. van Benthuysen, 362 pp.Google Scholar
Hall, J. 1886. Note on some obscure organisms in the roofing slate of Washington County, New York. Trustees of the State Museum of Natural History, 39th Annual Report, p. 160.Google Scholar
Herranz, P., San José, M. A. & Vilas, L. 1977. Ensayo de correlación del Precámbrico entre los Montes de Toledo occidentales y el Valle del Matachel. Estudios Geológicos 33, 327–43.Google Scholar
Hollingsworth, J. S. 2007. Fallotaspidoid trilobite assemblage (Lower Cambrian) from the Esmeralda Basin (western Nevada, U.S.A.): The oldest trilobites from Laurentia. In South Australia 2006: Papers from the XI International Conference of the Cambrian Stage Working Group Subdivision (eds Laurie, J. R., Paterson, J. R. & Jago, J. B.), pp. 123–40. Memoirs of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists no. 33. Brisbane: Association of Australasian Palaeontologists.Google Scholar
Hollingsworth, J. S. 2008. The first trilobites in Laurentia and elsewhere. In Advances in trilobite research (eds Rábano, I., Gozalo, R. & García-Bellido, D.), pp. 171–7. Cuadernos del Museo Geominero no. 9. Madrid: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España.Google Scholar
Hua, H., Chen, Z., Yuan, X., Zhang, L. & Xiao, S. 2005. Skeletogenesis and asexual reproduction in the earliest biomineralizing animal Cloudina. Geology 33, 277–80.Google Scholar
Hupé, P. 1953. Contribution a l'etude du Cambrien inferieur et du Précambrien III de l'Anti–Atlas Marocain. Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc 103, 41–296, 335–57, 385–402.Google Scholar
Hupé, P. 1960. Sur le Cambrien inférieur du Maroc. In Late pre-Cambrian and Cambrian stratigraphy. Report of the Twenty–First Session. International Geological Congress (eds Asklund, B. & Paulsen, C.), pp. 75–85. Copenhagen: Det Berlingske Bogtrykkeri.Google Scholar
Jago, J. B., Lin, T. & Dunster, J. N. 2002. A new species of the trilobite Abadiella from the Lower Cambrian of the eastern Officer Basin, South Australia. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica 41, 428–33.Google Scholar
Jell, P. A. 1990. Trilobita. In Early Cambrian fossils from South Australia (Bengtson, S., Conway Morris, S., Cooper, B. J., Jell, P. A. & Runnegar, B. N.), pp. 257–322. Memoirs of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists no. 9. Brisbane: Association of Australasian Palaeontologists.Google Scholar
Jensen, S., Palacios, T., Martí Mus, M., Contreras Sánchez, M. & Cortijo, I. 2006. New fossil finds from the Ediacaran–Cambrian of central Iberia. 21 Reunion des Sciences de la Terre, Dijon, Abstracts volume, p. 35.Google Scholar
Jensen, S., Palacios, T. & Martí Mus, M. 2007. A brief review of the fossil record of the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition in the area of Montes de Toledo–Guadalupe, Spain. In The Rise and Fall of the Ediacaran biota (eds Vickers-Rich, P. & Komarover, P.), pp. 223–35. Geological Society of London, Special Publication no. 286.Google Scholar
Landing, E. 2007. Ediacaran–Ordovician of East Laurentia – geologic setting and controls on deposition along the New York promontory region. In Ediacaran–Ordovician of East Laurentia (ed. Landing, E.), pp. 5–24. New York State Museum Bulletin no. 510.Google Scholar
Liñán, E. & Gámez Vintaned, J. A. 1993. Lower Cambrian palaeogeography of the Iberian Peninsula and its relations with some neighbouring European areas. Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France 164, 831–42.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Perejón, A. & Sdzuy, K. 1993. The Lower–Middle Cambrian stages and stratotypes from the Iberian Peninsula: a revision. Geological Magazine 130, 817–33.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Gozalo, R., Palacios, T., Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Ugidos, J. M. & Mayoral, E. 2002. Cambrian. In The Geology of Spain (eds Gibbons, W. & Moreno, T.), pp. 17–29. London: The Geological Society.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Perejón, A., Gozalo, R., Moreno-Eiris, E. & de Oliveira, J. T. 2004. The Cambrian System in Iberia. Cuadernos del Museo Geominero no. 3, 63 pp.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Dies, M. E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Gozalo, R., Mayoral, E. & Muñiz, F. 2005. Lower Ovetian (Lower Cambrian) trilobites and biostratigraphy of the Pedroche Formation (Sierra de Córdoba, southern Spain). Geobios 38, 365–81.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Gozalo, R., Dies, M. E. & Mayoral, E. 2006. Events and biostratigraphy in the Lower Cambrian of Iberia. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften 157, 597–609.Google Scholar
Liñán, E., Gozalo, R., Díes Álvarez, M. E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Zamora, S. 2008. Nuevos trilobites del Ovetiense inferior (Cámbrico Inferior bajo) de Sierra Morena (España). Ameghiniana 45, 123–38.Google Scholar
Liñán Guijarro, E. 1978. Bioestratigrafia de la Sierra de Córdoba. Tesis Doctorales de la Universidad de Granada no. 191, 212 pp. (published thesis).Google Scholar
Luchinina, V. A. & Meshkova, N. P. 1969. Pervaya nakhodka Dactyloidites asteroides v nizhnem kembrii Sibiri. In Biostratigrafiya i paleontologiya nizhnego kembriya sibiri i dalnego vostoka (ed. Zhuravleva, I. T.), pp. 180–1. Moscow: Nauka.Google Scholar
Martí Mus, M., Palacios, T. & Jensen, S. 2008. Size of the earliest mollusks: did small helcionellids grow to become large adults? Geology 36, 175–8.Google Scholar
Moreno, F., Vegas, R. & Marcos, A. 1976. Sobre la edad de las series Ordovícicas y Cámbricas relacionadas con la discordancia “Sárdica” en el anticlinal de Valdelacasa (Montes de Toledo, España). Breviora Geológica Astúrica 20, 8–15.Google Scholar
Moreno-Eiris, E. 1987. Arqueociatos y características sedimentológicas de las calizas de Peña Hueca, Los Navalucillos (Montes de Toledo, España). Boletín de la Real Sociedad Española de Historia Natural, Sección Geológica 82, 185–209.Google Scholar
Moreno Serrano, F. & Gómez Pérez, J. 1989. Hoja y memoria. Mapa Geológico de España Escala 1:50 000, 683 (Espinoso del Rey). Madrid: Instituto Tecnológico GeoMinero de España.Google Scholar
Nozal Martín, F. & Martín Serrano, A. 1989. Hoja y memoria. Mapa Geológico de España Escala 1:50 000, 709 (Anchuras). Madrid: Instituto Tecnológico GeoMinero de España.Google Scholar
Palacios, T. 1989. Microfósiles de pared orgánica del Proterozoico superior (Región central de la Península Ibérica). Memorias del Museo Paleontológico del la Universidad de Zaragoza no. 3(2), 91 pp.Google Scholar
Palacios, T. & Vidal, G. 1996 a. Excursión. B.1. El Neoproterozoico Superior–Cámbrico Inferior del centro de España. In XII Jornadas de Paleontología, Comunicaciones (eds Palacios, T. & Gozalo, R.), pp. 170–9. Universidad de Extremadura.Google Scholar
Palacios, T. & Vidal, G. 1996 b. Introduction to the late Neoproterozoic – early Lower Cambrian of central Iberia. In II Field Conference of the Cambrian Stage Subdivision Working Groups. International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy, Spain 13–21 September 1996. Field trip guide and Abstracts (eds Liñán, E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Gozalo, R.), pp. 21–7. Universidad de Zaragoza.Google Scholar
Palacios, T., Vidal, G. & Moczydłowska, M. 1996. Palaeontological record of the Neoproterozoic–Lower Cambrian in Iberia – biochronological and palaeobiogeographical implications. In II Field Conference of the Cambrian Stage Subdivision Working Groups. International Subcommission on Cambrian Stratigraphy, Spain 13–21 September 1996. Field Trip Guide and Abstracts (eds Liñán, E., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Gozalo, R.), pp. 110–13. Universidad de Zaragoza.Google Scholar
Palacios, T., Gámez, J. A., Fernández-Remolar, D. & Liñán, E. 1999 a. New palaeontological data at the Vendian–Cambrian transition in central Spain. Journal of Conference Abstracts 4, 265.Google Scholar
Palacios, T., Gámez Vintaned, J. A., Fernández-Remolar, D. & Liñán, E. 1999 b. The lowermost Cambrian in the Valdelacasa anticline (central Spain): some new paleontological data. Journal of Conference Abstracts 4, 1017.Google Scholar
Palacios, T., Eguíluz, L. & Martí, M. 2002. New paleontological and structural data from the Upper Vendian–Lower Cambrian of Valdelacasa Anticline (Central Spain). In 8th Conference of the Cambrian Stage Subdivision Working Groups, Caunes–Minervois, Languedoc, Programme and Abstracts (eds Álvaro, J. J. & Clausen, S.), p. 31.Google Scholar
Paterson, R. R. & Brock, G. A. 2007. Early Cambrian trilobites from Angorachina, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, with a new assemblage from the Pararaia bunyerensis Zone. Journal of Paleontology 81, 116–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perejón, A. & Moreno-Eiris, E. 2006. Biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of the archaeocyaths on the south-western margin of Gondwana. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften 157, 611–27.Google Scholar
Pillola, G. L. 1993. The Lower Cambrian trilobite Bigotina and allied genera. Palaeontology 36, 855–81.Google Scholar
Pillola, G. L., Leone, F., Gámez-Vintaned, J. A., Liñán, E., Dabard, M. P. & Chauvel, J. J. 1994. The Lower Cambrian ichnospecies Astropolichnus hispanicus: palaeoenvironmental and palaeogeographic significance. In Studies on Ecology and Palaeoecology of Benthic Communities (eds Matteucci, R., Carboni, M. G. & Pignatti, J. S.), pp. 253–67. Bollettino della Società Paleontologia Italiana, Special Volume no. 2. Modena: Mucchi Editore.Google Scholar
Rodríguez Alonso, M. D., Alonso Gavilán, G., Liñán, E., Gámez Vintaned, A. & Pérez García, P. P. 1995. Transversal Salamanca–Tamames–Peña de Francia–Monsagro–S Ciudad Rodrigo (Spain). Neoproterozoic–Cambrian Transition (Aldeatejada Fm, Tamames Sandstone Fm and the Schist Greywacke Complex in Monsagre–S of Ciudad Rodrigo. In XIII Geological Meeting on the West of the Iberian Peninsula. Post–Conference Field Guide (eds Rodríguez Alonso, M. D. & Alonso Gavilán, G.), pp. 13–34. Salamanca.Google Scholar
Runnegar, B. & Fedonkin, M. A. 1992. Proterozoic metazoan body fossils. In The Proterozoic Biosphere. A multidisciplinary study (eds Schopf, J. W. & Klein, C.), pp. 369–88. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Sdzuy, K. 1959. Die unterkambrische Trilobiten-Familie Dolerolenidae. Senckenbergiana Lethaea 40, 389–407.Google Scholar
Sdzuy, K. 1971. Acerca de la correlación del Cámbrico inferior de la Península Ibérica. I Congreso Hispano–Luso–Americano de Geología Económica, Sección 1, Geología 2, 753–68.Google Scholar
Sdzuy, K. 1978. The Precambrian–Cambrian boundary beds in Morocco (Preliminary Report). Geological Magazine 115, 83–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seilacher, A. 1997. Fossil Art. An exhibition of the Geologisches Institut Tuebingen University. Drumheller: The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, 64 pp.Google Scholar
Seilacher, A. 2007. Trace fossil analysis. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Verlag, 226 pp.Google Scholar
Valladares, M. I., Barba, P., Ugidos, J. M., Colmenero, J. R. & Armenteros, I. 2000. Upper Neoproterozoic–Lower Cambrian sedimentary successions in the Central Iberian Zone (Spain): sequence stratigraphy, petrology and chemostratigraphy. Implications for other European zones. International Journal of Earth Sciences 89, 2–20.Google Scholar
Vizcaïno, D., Álvaro, J. J. & Monceret, E. 2004. Trilobites and ichnofossils from a new fossil Lagerstätte in the Lower Cambrian Pardailhan Formation, southern Montagne Noire, France. Geobios 37, 277–86.Google Scholar
Vidal, G., Palacios, T., Díez Balda, M. A., Gámez Vintaned, J. A. & Grant, S. W. F. 1994. Neoproterozoic–early Cambrian geology and palaeontology of Iberia. Geological Magazine 131, 729–65.Google Scholar
Vidal, G., Palacios, T., Moczydłowska, M. & Gubanov, A. P. 1999. Age constraints from small shelly fossils on the early Cambrian terminal Cadomian Phase in Iberia. GFF 121, 137–43.Google Scholar
Wrona, R. 2003. Early Cambrian molluscs from glacial erratics of King George Island, West Antarctica. Polish Polar Research 24, 181–216.Google Scholar
Zamarreño, I., Vegas, R. & Moreno, F. 1976. El nivel carbonatado de los Navalucillos y su posición en la sucesión cámbrica de los Montes de Toledo occidentales (centro de España). Breviora Geológica Astúrica 20, 56–64.Google Scholar
Zhang, W., Babcock, L. E., Xiang, L., Sun, W., Luo, H. & Jiang, Z. 2001. Lower Cambrian stratigraphy of Chengjiang, Eastern Yunnan, China, with special notes on Chinese Parabadiella, Moroccan Abadiella and Australian Abadiella houi. Acta Palaeontologica Sinica 40, 294–309.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: PDF

Jensen supplementary material

Figures.pdf

Download Jensen supplementary material(PDF)
PDF 1.5 MB