Ordovician and Silurian fossils of Queensland

Abstract

This part illustrates Queensland fossils of both the Ordovician and Silurian periods, for our knowledge of the faunas of our Ordovician and Silurian sediments is less advanced than that of the faunas of other systems. Illustrations are included of those fossils which are of stratigraphic significance, or are illustrative of the occurence of a particular group. The explanatory matter for each illustration notes features suitable for their recognition, and gives the ranges first of the genus (if this exceeds one period), and then of the species as it is known for Queensland, together with geographic and stratigraphic details. We have included conodonts. These microfossils were extracted from the residues left when limestones were dissolved in acetic acid. Conodonts are becoming increasingly valuable as index fossils.A map showing the areas of outcrop of Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous sediments in Queensland is presented on page s.l8.