Fermeuse Formation

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Fermeuse Formation
Stratigraphic range: Ediacaran 560  Ma
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Fermeuse Formation photo.jpg
Beds of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, NL; note Aspidella discs
Type Formation
Unit of St John's Group [1]
Underlies Renews Head Formation [2]
Overlies Trepassey Formation
Thickness1400 m (4,593 ft) [3]
Lithology
PrimaryGray Shale [4]
Other Sandstone, Siltstone [4]
Location
Region Newfoundland and Labrador
Country Canada
Fermeuse Formation map.svg
Occurrence of Fermeuse formation in southeast Newfoundland

The Fermeuse Formation is a fossil-bearing Ediacaran geologic formation in Newfoundland.

Contents

Depositional environment

On Bonavista Peninsula the depositional environment was a slope and outer shelf–below photic zone Turbidites probably were the dominant sediment transporters. [5]

It is predominantly silts and sands, in contrast to underlying Trepassey Formation, which is mostly dark grey shales. There is a coarsening up sequence throughout the two formations, such that the top of the Fermeuse is predominantly sandstones. [5]

On Avalon Peninsula there were much shallower waters, particularly than in underlying Mistaken Point Formation and Trepassey Formation. [1] It is indicated by sandy channel fills, slumping, occasional silts. [1] There is a possible delta front and shallow slope setting. [1]

Paleobiota

1-2 centimetre-wide Aspidella discs (and some smaller mm-sized individuals) on a bedding surface of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, Newfoundland Aspidella specimens.jpg
1-2 centimetre-wide Aspidella discs (and some smaller mm-sized individuals) on a bedding surface of the Fermeuse Formation near Ferryland, Newfoundland

On Avalon Peninsula [1] there is low diversity, and includes rare trace fossils, Palaeopascichnus , [6] and Aspidella discs, [7] sometimes in great concentrations. [5]

On Bonavista Peninsula there is higher diversity, including more fronds (rangeomorphs) and better preserved than on Avalon Peninsula. [1]

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxonTaxon falsely reported as presentDubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Petalonamae

GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Bradgatia [7]
  • Bradgatia sp.
Sessile frondose organism.
Bradgatia.svg
Charnia [7]
  • Charnia sp.
Sessile frondose organism.
Charnia.png
Charniodiscus [7]
  • Charniodiscus sp.
Sessile frondose organism.
Charniodiscus.png

Cnidaria

GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Haootia [8]
  • H. quadriformis
Staurozoan cnidarian.
Haootia reconstruction 2024.jpg

incertae sedis

GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Aspidella [7] [3]
  • A. terranovica
Enigmatic discoidal fossil.
Aspidella surface.jpg
Hadrynichorde [7]
  • H. avlonica.
Sea Whip-like frondose organism.
Palaeopascichnus [1] [9]
  • P. delicatus
Palaeopascichnid organism.
Palaeopascichnus CU21.png

Ivesheadiomorphs

GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Ivesheadia
  • Ivesheadia sp.
Poorly preserved organism.

Ichnogenera

GenusSpeciesNotesImages
Neonereites [9]
  • Neonereites sp.
Burrows.
Neonereites uniserialis Punta San Garcia 01.JPG

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 A.G. Liu; D. McIlroy. "Horizontal Surface Traces from the Fermeuse Formation, Ferryland (Newfoundland, Canada), and their Place within the Late Ediacaran Ichnological Revolution" (PDF).
  2. "Geoscience Atlas". Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  3. 1 2 Gehling, James G.; Narbonne, Guy M.; Anderson, Michael M. (September 2000). "The first named Ediacaran body fossil, Aspidella Terranovica". Palaeontology. 43 (3): 427–456. doi:10.1111/j.0031-0239.2000.00134.x.
  4. 1 2 "GEOLOGY OF THE AVALON PENINSULA, NEWFOUNDLAND" (PDF).
  5. 1 2 3 LAFLAMME, MARC; SCHIFFBAUER, JAMES D.; NARBONNE, GUY M.; BRIGGS, DEREK E. G. (June 2011). "Microbial biofilms and the preservation of the Ediacara biota". Lethaia. 44 (2): 203–213. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.2010.00235.x.
  6. Mikhail A. Fedonkin (2007). The Rise of Animals: Evolution and Diversification of the Kingdom Animalia. JHU Press. p. 54. ISBN   978-0-8018-8679-9.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hofmann, H. J.; O'Brien, S. J.; King, A. F. (January 2008). "Ediacaran biota on Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada". Journal of Paleontology. 82 (1): 1–36. doi:10.1666/06-087.1.
  8. Liu, Alexander G.; Matthews, Jack J.; Menon, Latha R.; McIlroy, Duncan; Brasier, Martin D. (22 October 2014). "Haootia quadriformis n. gen., n. sp., interpreted as a muscular cnidarian impression from the Late Ediacaran period (approx. 560 Ma)". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 281 (1793): 20141202. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.1202. PMC   4173675 .
  9. 1 2 Liu, Alexander G.; Kenchington, Charlotte G.; Mitchell, Emily G. (June 2015). "Remarkable insights into the paleoecology of the Avalonian Ediacaran macrobiota". Gondwana Research. 27 (4): 1355–1380. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2014.11.002.