Cambrian Burgess Shale–type deposits share a common mode of fossilization

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2008 Cambrian Burgess Shale–type deposits share a common mode of fossilization Robert R. Gaines; Robert R. Gaines 11Geology Department, Pomona College, Claremont, California 91711, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek E.G. Briggs; Derek E.G. Briggs 22Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Zhao Yuanlong Zhao Yuanlong 33Key Laboratory for Paleobiology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Robert R. Gaines 11Geology Department, Pomona College, Claremont, California 91711, USA Derek E.G. Briggs 22Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA Zhao Yuanlong 33Key Laboratory for Paleobiology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 19 Mar 2008 Revision Received: 06 Jun 2008 Accepted: 10 Jun 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2008 Geological Society of America Geology (2008) 36 (10): 755–758. https://doi.org/10.1130/G24961A.1 Article history Received: 19 Mar 2008 Revision Received: 06 Jun 2008 Accepted: 10 Jun 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Robert R. Gaines, Derek E.G. Briggs, Zhao Yuanlong; Cambrian Burgess Shale–type deposits share a common mode of fossilization. Geology 2008;; 36 (10): 755–758. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G24961A.1 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 Although Cambrian Burgess Shale–type (BST) biotas are fundamental to understanding the radiation of metazoans, the nature of their extraordinary preservation remains controversial. There remains disagreement about the importance of the role of early mineral replication of soft tissues versus the conservation of primary organic remains. Most prior work focused on soft-bodied fossils from the two most important BST biotas, those of the Burgess Shale (Canada) and Maotianshan Shale (Chengjiang, China). Fossils from these two deposits do not provide ideal candidates for specimen-level taphonomic study because they have been altered: the Burgess Shale by greenschist facies metamorphism and the Maotianshan Shale by intensive subsurface weathering. Elemental mapping of soft-bodied fossils from 11 other BST deposits worldwide demonstrates that BST preservation represents a single major taphonomic pathway that may share a common cause wherever it occurs. The conservation of organic tissues, and not early authigenic mineralization, is the primary mechanism responsible for the preservation of BST assemblages. Early authigenic mineral replacement preserves certain anatomical features of some specimens, but the preservation of non-biomineralized BST fossils requires suppression of the processes that normally lead to the degradation of organic remains in marine environments. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.