ASGP (2013), vol. 83: 317–327

COMPACTION-RELATED STYLE OF RUSOPHYCUS PRESERVATION FROM FURONGIAN (UPPER CAMBRIAN) OF HOLY CROSS MOUNTAINS (POLAND)

Grzegorz SADLOK

Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, PL- 00-818 Warszawa, Poland; address for correspondence: 77 Leadside Road, Aberdeen AB251RX, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom; e-mail: gregsadlok at gmail.com

Sadlok, G., 2013. Compaction-related style of Rusophycus preservation from Furongian (Upper Cambrian) of Holy Cross Mountains (Poland). Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae, 83: 317–327.

Abstract: In general, the trace fossil Rusophycus, preserved as a concave-upward structure on the top of a bed, is considered to be a fossilized marking, made by a trace maker. The structures described from the Cambrian (Furongian) of central Poland are genetically related to Rusophycus. However, despite their occurrence on the tops of beds, they are not fossilized traces, but compaction-related features, resulting from differential sandstone and mudstone compaction with possible mediation by organic-rich, heterolithic sediments. The preservation of these structures probably was influenced by biofilms or biomats.

Manuscript received 14 November 2013, accepted 27 December 2013