Exceptional fossil record: Distribution of soft-tissue preservation through the Phanerozoic

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1993 Exceptional fossil record: Distribution of soft-tissue preservation through the Phanerozoic Peter A. Allison; Peter A. Allison 1Postgraduate Research Institute for Sedimentology, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 2AB, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek E. G. Briggs Derek E. G. Briggs 2Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1TR, England Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Peter A. Allison 1Postgraduate Research Institute for Sedimentology, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 2AB, England Derek E. G. Briggs 2Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen's Road, Bristol BS8 1TR, England Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1993) 21 (6): 527–530. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0527:EFRDOS>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Peter A. Allison, Derek E. G. Briggs; Exceptional fossil record: Distribution of soft-tissue preservation through the Phanerozoic. Geology 1993;; 21 (6): 527–530. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1993)021<0527:EFRDOS>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Preservation of soft-bodied fossil biotas (Konservat-Lagerstäten) that preserve traces of volatile nonmineralized tissues (readily degraded by bacteria) are not evenly spaced through geologic time. When compared to outcrop area, exceptional faunas appear to be over-represented in the Cambrian and Jurassic. These concentrations in time correspond to particular environments, indicating that controls on the distribution of exceptional faunas may have operated on a global scale. The reduction in the number of exceptional faunas after the Cambrian may reflect the evolution and diversification of deep bio- turbators. Specific conditions favoring stagnation and episodic burial were required to ensure preservation in younger rocks. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.