ARTYKUŁY NAUKOWE Fenomen kambryjskich łupków z Burgess w Górach Skalistych (Kanada) – przegląd fauny, środowiska sedymentacji i zjawisk tafonomicznych
Abstract
The Cambrian Burgess Shale phenomenon of the Rocky Mountains (Canada) – an overview of the fauna, sedimentary and taphonomic conditions.
A b s t r a c t. The Burgess Shale of the Canadian Rocky Mts is one of the most well-known occurrences of Cambrian strata exhibiting exceptional preservation of a soft-bodied fauna. While Lagerstätten of the Burgess Shale-type fauna have been recognized in almost all parts of the world and in all Cambrian series, the circumstances and mechanisms allowing for such a unique mode of preservation have remained enigmatic. Of particular debate has been the reconstruction of prevailing redox conditions. This brief contribution overviews the fauna and recent advances towards understanding the sedimentary and taphonomic conditions prevailing during deposition.
A b s t r a c t. The Burgess Shale of the Canadian Rocky Mts is one of the most well-known occurrences of Cambrian strata exhibiting exceptional preservation of a soft-bodied fauna. While Lagerstätten of the Burgess Shale-type fauna have been recognized in almost all parts of the world and in all Cambrian series, the circumstances and mechanisms allowing for such a unique mode of preservation have remained enigmatic. Of particular debate has been the reconstruction of prevailing redox conditions. This brief contribution overviews the fauna and recent advances towards understanding the sedimentary and taphonomic conditions prevailing during deposition.