Chemical processing of fossil phyllocarid cuticle: a comparison of micro- and macrofossil remains

Cuticular remains of the phyllocarid crustaceans Caryocaris? and Ceratiocaris? obtained via maceration of macrofossil remains in hydrofluoric acid are compared with dispersed fragments isolated using both the low-manipulation HF extraction and the standard HCl-HF-HCl method. The studied specimens were obtained from Ordovician and Silurian shales of the Sarka and Pozary formations (Prague Basin, Barrandian area, Czech Republic). This methodological approach allows a direct comparison of macrofossil remains with microfossils in residue. The differences in residues obtained through the two bulk-rock extraction methods are also discussed.

Automated summary

This study compares cuticular remains of Caryocaris? and Ceratiocaris? obtained through maceration of macrofossil remains with dispersed fragments isolated using low-manipulation HF extraction and standard HCl-HF-HCl method. The examined specimens were from Ordovician and Silurian shales in Prague Basin, Czech Republic. The methodological approach allows a direct comparison of macrofossil remains with microfossils in residue, and discusses the differences in residues obtained through the two bulk-rock extraction methods.