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NOTE TO USERS The original manuscript received by UMI contains pages with slanted print. Pages were microfilmed as received. This reproduction is the best copy available UMI Systematics and Biostratigraphy of Lower Cambrian Trilobites of Western Laurentia by Lisa Lynn Bohach B.Sc. University of Alberta, 1991 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences We accept this dissertation as conforming to the required standard Dr. R. Ludvigsen, Supervisor (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. C.Rv BarnesTDepartmental Member (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. E. Van der Flier-Keller, Departmental Member (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. VifJu'nnicliffe, O u 6 d e Member j^Depa rtmen t of Biology) Dr. A.R. Palmer, External Éxaminer (Institute for Cambrian Studies) © Lisa Lynn Bohach, 1997 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This dissertation may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopying or other means, without the permission of the author. Supervisor Dr. Rolf Ludvigsen Abstract Medial Lower Cambrian strata from continental shelf deposits of western Laurentia yield abundant, low diversity trilobite faunas. New faunas from the Cranbrook and Eager formations (southeastern British Columbia) and the upper Campito, Poleta, Harkless and Saline Valley formations (southwestern Great Basin, California and Nevada) have yielded: 33 species of Olenellina (20 new); 2 new species of Edelsteinaspidae (Redlichiina); 13 species of Corynexochida (5 new); 4 species of Ptychopariina (1 new); 1 new species of Eodiscina; 1 species of Oryctocephalidae; 1 new species of Protypidae; and 1 possible species of Cheiruroideidae. One new genus, Wannerelliis, is established and tentatively assigned to the Wanneriidae. Systematic studies emphasize the importance of early ontogenetic features and ventral morphology in determining supraspecific relationships. Major changes are made to the suprageneric classification of the Olenelloidea: the Wanneriidae is recognized as a family separate from the Olenellidae; the Laudoniinae and Cabriellinae are abandoned and their type genera assigned to the Wanneriidae; the Mesonacinae is characterized as a peramorphic subfamily of the Olenellidae; and the Bristoliinae is synonymized with the Biceratopsinae (Olenellidae). The Corynexochidae is also changed in membership to include the Dorypyginae (=Ogygopsidae). Heterochrony is a major pattern of evolutionary change in Lower Cambrian trilobites. Biostratigraphic division of the medial lower Cambrian comprises 10 new subzones of 4 zones and is the first species-based trilobite zonation for Laurentia. It replaces previous genus-based zonations that are imprecise and questionable in recognition. In ascending order, the zonation includes: the Nevadia weeksi and Nevadia palmeri subzones of the Nevadia Zone; the Nevadella parvoconica and Nevadella eiicharis subzones of the Nevadella Zone; the Elliptocephala stewarti, Gabriellus poletensis and Wannerellus alcatrazensis subzones of the Elliptocephala Zone; and the Wanneria logani, Wanneria dunnae and Proliostracus buelnaensis subzones of the Olenelliis transitans Zone. These zones and subzones can be correlated with other successions in western and eastern Laurentia. Biofacies differentiation of restricted shelf deposits is poorly developed in the Nevadella though Elliptocephala Zones. For this interval, the Nevadella and Wanneriid biofacies are successive Ill biofacies of restricted shelf deposits and the Labradoria and Ekwipagetia biofacies are successive biofacies of open shelf deposits. Biofacies differentiation is well developed in the Olenelliis transitans Zone, with an Olenelliis Biofacies in elastics; a Wanneriid Biofacies in silty and oolitic carbonates; a Bonnia Biofacies in pure carbonates; and an Ogygopsis Biofacies in open shelf deposits. Examiners: Dr. R. Ludvigsen, Supervisor (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. C.R.^BapaÊSrDëpartmental Member (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. E. Van der Flier-Keller, Departmental Member (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) Dr. V.J. Tunnidiffe, Outsid|é^î^mber (Department of Biology) DiTATR. Palmer, Extemæ Examiner (Institute for Cambrian Studies) IV Table of Contents Abstract..................................................................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................iv List o f T a b le s.......................................................................................................................................................... xi List o f T ext-figu res ............................................................................................................................................... xiii Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................... xvii D edication.................................................................................................................................................................xviii Chapter 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 2. Cet)logy ............................................................................................................................................. 5 The Cambrian System .........................................................................................................................5 Base of the Cambrian........................................................................................................... 7 The Lower - Middle Cambrian Boundary ....................................................................8 Regional Tectonic and Depositional Setting ................................................................................ 9 Proterozoic Prelude ..............................................................................................................9 Lower Cambrian Deposition and Tectonic Setting ..................................................... U) Geology and Historical Paleontolog) of the Study Areas ....................................................... 11 Southeastern British Columbia......................................................................................... 11 Cranbrook Formation ..........................................................................................11 Eager Formation ....................................................................................................15 Southwestern Great Basin..................................................................................................17 Wyman through Campito formations .............................................................19 Poleta Formation ...................................................................................................21 Harkless Formation.............................................................................................. 22 Saline Valley Formation ......................................................................................22 Post-Saline Valley Formations ...........................................................................23 Chapter 3. Lower Cambrian Biostratigraphy ...........................................................................................25 Historical CK'erview..............................................................................................................................26 Biofacies Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 35 V Zonal Biostratigraphy .........................................................................................................................44 Chapter 4. Trilobite Terminology ................................................................................................................. 55 General Features...................................................................................................................................55 C ephalon................................................................................................................................................ 55 Thorax ......................................................................................................................................................59 Pygidium ................................................................................................................................................ 61 Ventral M orphology ........................................................................................................................... 61 O ntogeny ................................................................................................................................................ 63 Chapter 5. Systematic Philosophy ............................................................................................................... 65 Ventral M orphology ........................................................................................................................... 67 O ntogeny ...............................................................................................................................................