An Ediacara-type fauna from South Wales

Abstract

DURING investigation of the geology of the area south of Carmarthen, South Wales, UK, an isolated small exposure of a finely inter-laminated mudstone and siltstone of possible volcanogenic origin was discovered. This lithology differs from those found hitherto in the Arenig and Old Red Sandstone rocks locally, and does not resemble any of the facies of the recently discovered Tremadoc rocks of the area1. Samples from this quarry were examined by K. J. Dorning of Sheffield University for microflora, but yielded none. Late last year a few badly preserved disk-shaped impressions, some 1 cm in diameter, were discovered. These were tentatively linked with the trace fossil Astropolithon by P. Crimes (Liverpool) and A. Seilacher (Tübingen), who both suggested that if the material proved to be Astropolithon an Early Cambrian age would be indicated. © 1977 Nature Publishing Group.