Contribution to the Lower and Middle Cambrian paleontology and stratigraphy of northwest Greenland

Abstract

The material is from Northwest Greenland and consists of Lower and Middle Cambrian trilobites - order Redlichiida, order Corynexochida, and order Ptychopariida. Some previously known genera and species are discussed, and four new Middle Cambrian genera (two alokistocarid, one ptychopariid, one family uncertain) and nine new species are erected. Meraspid stages of Glossopleura are described. The

Cape Kent limestone is correlated with the Upper Olenellus subzone. The former presence of the Plagiura - Poliella zone is suggested by fossiliferous pebbles in the basal conglomerate of the Glossopleura zone. The lower part of the Cape Russell member, belonging to the Cape Wood formation, is correlated with the Glossopleura zone. In this zone a Glossopleura faunule and a Clavaspidella faunule are distinguished.

The upper part of the Cape Russell member and the Blomsterbæk limestone member are shown to be equivalent to the Bathyuriscus - Elrathina zone. Current Middle Cambrian Pacific-Atlantic correlation is discussed, and it is demonstrated that the Glossopleura zone is equivalent to upper part of the Eccaparadoxides oelandicus stage and lower part of the Paradoxides paradoxissimus stage. A tentative account of the Lower to Middle Cambrian history and paleogeography is presented. The localities and sections in Northwest Greenland are discussed.