Blueflower Formation

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Blueflower Formation
Stratigraphic range: Ediacaran 567.3 Ma[1]
TypeFormation
Unit ofRackla Group[1]
Sub-unitsLower and Upper Member
UnderliesRisky Formation[1]
OverliesGametrail Formation[1]
Lithology
PrimarySiliciclastic[2]
OtherLimestone, Mudstone, Siltstone, Sandstone[2]
Location
RegionNorthwest Territories
CountryCanada

The Blueflower Formation is a geologic formation in the Northwest Territories, and is a part of the Rackla Group.[1] It preserves fossils dating back to the Ediacaran period.[3]

Paleobiota

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Unlike most other Ediacaran formations, the Blueflower Formation is unique in that is preserves shallow and deep-marine environments, and as it correlates with other Avalonian formations such as those in Newfoundland and Labrador, it allowed scientists to figure out whether the Ediacaran Biota started out in deep-marine environments before making their way into shallower waters.[1] The forms that can be found across the formation are the familiar Petalonamae such as Charniodiscus, including juvenile petalonamids from the Lower Member, and from the Upper Member tubular forms such as Annulatubus, and the enigmatic Windermeria.[1]

Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Proarticulata

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Genus Species Notes Images
Windermeria[4][1]
  • W. aitkeni
Elongated motile organism.
File:Windermeria aitkeni.JPG

Petalonamae

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Genus Species Notes Images
Charniodiscus[5][1]
  • Charniodiscus sp.
Frondose organism.
File:Charniodiscus.png
Juvenile Fronds[1]
  • Arborea ?
  • Charniodiscus ?
  • Trepassia ?
Juvenile frondose organisms, exact genus affinities unknown.
Pteridinium[6]
  • Pteridinium sp.
Frondose organism.
File:Pteridinium simplex Namibia.JPG

Cnidarian

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Genus Species Notes Images
Ediacaria[5][7]
  • E. flindersi
Discoid organism.
File:Ediacaria (35159560925).jpg
Kullingia[5][7]
  • Kullingia sp.
Discoid organism.

incertae sedis

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Genus Species Notes Images
Annulatubus[3]
  • A. flexuosus
Tubular organism.
Aspidella[1][8]
  • A. terrinovica
Discoid organism.
File:Aspidella surface.jpg
Cyclomedusa[5]
  • Cyclomedusa sp.
Discoid organism.
File:Cyclomedusa.jpg
Hiemalora[4]
  • H. pleiomorphus
Discoid organism, possibly holdfasts of petalonamids.
File:Hiemalora stellaris.jpg
Sekwia[7]
  • S. excentria
Discoid organism.
Sekwitubulus[3]
  • S. annularis
Tubular organism.

Flora

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Genus Species Notes Images
Beltanelliformis[5][1][8]
  • B. brunsae
Cyanobacterial colony.
File:Anthozoa - Nemiana simplex.JPG

Ichnogenera

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Genus Species Notes Images
Archaeonassa[3]
  • Archaeonassa isp.
Burrows.
File:Ediacaran trace fossil.jpg
Gordia[5]
  • G. marina
Burrows.
Helminthoidichnites[7][3]
  • Helminthoidichnites isp.
Burrows.
Helminthopsis[7][3]
  • H. abeli
  • H. irregularis
  • Helminthopsis isp.
Burrows.
File:Helminthopsis01 (cropped).JPG
Planolites[7][3]
  • P. monatanus
Burrows.
File:Planolites.jpg
Torrowangea[3]
  • Torrowangea isp.
Burrows.

Undescribed

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Genus Species Notes Images
problematicum[1]
  • ???
Curves and loops around, affinities unknown.

See also

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References

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  8. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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