Paleoecology of Trilobites of the Kaibab Limestone (Permian) in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada
Cisne JL. 1971. Paleoecology of Trilobites of the Kaibab Limestone (Permian) in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Journal of Paleontology. 45(3):525-533
The Kaibab Limestone in northern Arizona, southern Utah, and southern Nevada contains an unusually extensive fossil record of Permian (Leonardian) trilobites which is here interpreted with respect to an established environmental framework. Throughout the basin of deposition, trilobites show an unusual pattern of distribution characterized by decreasing numerical abundance and taxonomic diversity going from inshore to off-shore. Relatively high physiological tolerance to stresses of the physical environment was characteristic of all or most species. The four species in nearshore areas-Anisopyge mckeei n. sp. (locally common), A. inornata Girty (very rare), Delaria macclintocki n. sp. (locally uncommon), and Vidriaf contendens n. sp. (very rare)-were associated with a molluscan fauna. The two species in offshore areas-Delaria macclintocki (very rare) and D. snowi n. sp. (very rare)-were associated with a brachiopod fauna. As the youngest well known occurrence of trilobites over a single large region, the ecology of this fauna furnishes insights on possible factors underlying the extinction of the group.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cisne, John
- Units
- GRCA , LAKE , PARA
- Keywords
- Anisopyge mckeei (trilobite), Arthropoda (arthropod), Fossils, Invertebrate, Paleoenvironment, Paleontology