Ediacaran macrofossils prior to the ∼580 Ma Gaskiers glaciation in Newfoundland, Canada

Macrofossils of the inferred protist-grade organismPalaeopascichnus linearisoccur stratigraphically beneath glacial diamictites of the similar to 580 Ma, Gaskiers-equivalent, Trinity 'facies' of the Rocky Harbour Formation on the Bonavista Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada. These fossils significantly pre-date previously reported macrofossils from Avalonia and extend the taphonomic window for moldic preservation of macroscopic organisms beyond the Gaskiers glacial event into the middle Ediacaran Period. This finding confirms the long stratigraphical range of palaeopascichnid fossils worldwide and informs discussions surrounding both the age of poorly time-constrained stratigraphical units in Norway and Australia, and formal sub-division of the Ediacaran System.

Automated summary

The study revealed new macrofossils from the Bonavista Peninsula in Newfoundland, Canada, with an age predating previously reported fossils from Avalonia and extending the window for macroscopic organism preservation. This finding confirms the long stratigraphical range of Palaeopascichnid fossils globally, providing insights into the age of poorly time-constrained stratigraphical units and the formal subdivision of the Ediacaran System in Norway and Australia.