2003/12/01 by Luís A. Buatois, L. A. BUATOIS, M. G. MANGANO · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geological formations and processes #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
paper · doi:10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0572:ecotds>2.0.co;2
openalex publication_date 2003/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Other| December 01, 2003 Early Colonization of the Deep Sea: Ichnologic Evidence of Deep-marine Benthic Ecology from the Early Cambrian of Northwest Argentina LUIS A. BUATOIS; LUIS A. BUATOIS 1Conicet-Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica, Casilla de Correo 1 (CC), 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, Email:[email protected] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. GABRIELA MÁNGANO M. GABRIELA MÁNGANO 1Conicet-Instituto Superior de Correlación Geológica, Casilla de Correo 1 (CC), 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, Email:[email protected] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PALAIOS (2003) 18 (6): 572–581. https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0572:ECOTDS>2.0.CO;2 Article history accepted: 11 Jul 2003 first online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation LUIS A. BUATOIS, M. GABRIELA MÁNGANO; Early Colonization of the Deep Sea: Ichnologic Evidence of Deep-marine Benthic Ecology from the Early Cambrian of Northwest Argentina. PALAIOS 2003;; 18 (6): 572–581. doi: https://doi.org/10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0572:ECOTDS>2.0.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 SocietyPALAIOS Search Advanced Search Abstract Tiering and ichnoguild analysis provide valuable evidence on marine benthic paleoecology. This paper provides the first detailed study on the ecology of a Cambrian deep-marine ichnofauna by means of the analysis of its ichnoguilds and tiering structure. Endobenthic tiering in this Early Cambrian deep-sea community was moderately developed. Biogenic structures were emplaced mostly in the uppermost millimeters of the substrate, with the exception of post-depositional burrows preserved on the base of turbidite sandstones. Four ichnoguilds are defined. The Palaeophycus ichnoguild includes semi-permanent, shallow-tier, suspension feeder structures produced by vagile vermiform organisms. The Oldhamia ichnoguild consists of semi-permanent, very shallow-tier, undermat-miner structures produced by stationary vermiform organisms. The Helminthopsis ichnoguild comprises transitory, near-surface to very shallow-tier, mat-grazer structures produced by vagile vermiform animals. The Diplichnites ichnoguild consists of transitory, surface structures produced by vagile arthropods. Comparisons with coeval ichnofaunas indicate that these ichnoguilds are widespread in Vendian–Cambrian deep-marine biotas. This analysis suggests that Cambrian deep-water communities were remarkably different from younger examples and stresses the importance of microbial mats on the ecology of Neoproterozoic–Cambrian ecosystems. Feeding strategies associated with microbial mats persisted in the deep sea after the agronomic revolution that took place in shallow-water environments, suggesting a gradual closure of a taphonomic window during the Proterozoic–Cambrian transition. The presence of post-depositional burrows of the Palaeophycus ichnoguild at the base of turbidite sandstones indicates a higher burrowing depth than those envisaged by current models. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.