Siliceous Microfossils from the Lower Cambrian of Northwest Canada: Possible Source for Biogenic Chert

Abstract

Round to oval, scalelike siliceous microstructures from cherts in Cambrian limestones of the western Yukon Territory suggest affinity with chrysophycean algae. At least six morphotypes present include porous forms with single branching processes and nonporous oval, ringlike forms. Partially dissolved specimens may indicate a contribution to contemporaneous or early diagenetic chert formation.