Marjum Formation Explained

Marjum Formation
Type:Geological formation
Age:Middle Cambrian
Period:Cambrian
Prilithology:limestone
Otherlithology:shale, metasedimentary rocks
Namedfor:Marjum Pass
Namedby:Charles D. Walcott
Year Ts:1908
Country: United States
Overlies:Wheeler Shale
Thickness:Up to 430 meters
Extent:House Range

The Marjum Formation is a Cambrian geological formation that overlies the Wheeler Shale in the House Range, Utah.[1] [2] It is named after its type locality, Marjum Pass, and was defined in 1908.[3] The formation is known for its occasional preservation of soft-bodied tissue, and is slightly younger than the Burgess Shale,[4] falling in the Ptychagnostus praecurrens trilobite zone.[5]

Fossil content

Ambulacrarians

Ambulacrarians reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
CastericystisC. valiNumerous specimens.[6] A solutan.
EldoniaE. ludwigiMarjum Pass (Ptychagnostus punctuosus Zone).[7] SM X.50204.1 (part) & SM X.50204.2 (counterpart).A cambroernid.
MarjumicystisM. mettae7 specimens.An eocrinoid.
MastigograptusM. sp.A single specimen.[8] A mastigograptid graptolite.
TotiglobusT.? lloydiLocality 811.[9] 1 specimen (USNM 172047).An edrioasteroid.

Arthropods

Arthropods reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
AnomalocarisA. nathorstiSponge Gully.[10] Partial body (USNM 374593).Species moved to the genus Peytoia.
AsaphiscusA. wheeleriBathyuriscus fimbriatus Subzone.[11] A ptychopariid trilobite.
BaltagnostusB. eurypyxAll subzones of the Bolaspidella Zone.Multiple specimens.A diplagnostid trilobite.
BathyuriscidellaB. aff. B. amplicaudaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.3 pygidia.A dolichometopid trilobite.
BathyuriscusB. elegansBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Numerous specimens.A dolichometopid trilobite.
B. fimbriatusBathyuriscus fimbriatus & lower Bolaspidella contracta Subzone.Numerous specimens.A dolichometopid trilobite.
BolaspidellaB. contractaBolaspidella contracta & lower Lepojyge calva Subzones.A menomoniid trilobite.
B. housensisBathyuriscus fimbriatus Subzone.A menomoniid trilobite.
B. jarrardiLocalities 347, 391, and 716 (mid-Bolaspidella Zone).[12] Multiple specimens.A menomoniid trilobite.
BranchiocarisB. pretiosaSponge Gully.[13] 3 specimens.A hymenocarine.
BuccaspineaB. cooperiKells Knolls locality.[14] An almost complete specimen (BPM 1108).A hurdiid, originally reported as Hurdia sp.
BurlingiaB. halgedahlaeLocalities 347 and 716 (mid-Bolaspidella Zone).Multiple specimens.A burlingiid trilobite.
CaryosyntripsC. camurus'Red Wash' locality.2 isolated frontal appendages.A radiodont of uncertain classification.
CotalagnostusC. laevusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Over 50 specimens.A diplagnostid trilobite.
C. sp.Bolaspidella contracta Subzone.A pygidium.A diplagnostid trilobite.
DicranocarisD. guntherorumRed Wash, Modocia Flats & Sponge Gully.4 specimens.An arthropod of uncertain classification.
DytikosiculaD. desmataeWest of Delta, House Range.1 specimen (SM X.50203).A putative megacheiran.
ElrathiaE. alapygeBolaspidella contracta & Lejopyge calva Subzones.Numerous specimens.A ptychopariid trilobite.
E. marjumiBathyuriscus fimbriatus & Bolaspidella contracta Subzones.Numerous specimens.A ptychopariid trilobite.
EmeraldellaE.? sp.Red Wash.Part & counterpart (KUMIP 204791).An artiopod.
HemirhodonH. amplipygeBolaspidella contracta Subzone.14 incomplete specimens.A dolichometopid trilobite.
HolteriaH. problematicaMarjum Pass (Lejopyge calva Subzone).A pygidium.A corynexochid trilobite.
HomagnostusH. incertusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Multiple specimens.An agnostid trilobite.
HypagnostusH. parvifronsAll subzones of the Bolaspidella Assemblage Zone.Numerous specimens.A diplagnostid trilobite.
ItagnostusI. interstrictusHouse Range.[15] A peronopsid trilobite originally reported as Peronopsis interstricta.
LeanchoiliaL.? cf. protogoniaSponge Gully.Part & counterpart of a complete specimen (UU 06011.01).A megacheiran.
LejopygeL. calvaMarjum Pass (Lejopyge calva Subzone).Numerous specimens.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
LinguagnostusL. perplexusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Over 20 specimens.A diplagnostid trilobite.
MarjumiaM. callasBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A marjumiid trilobite.
M. typaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A marjumiid trilobite.
ModociaM. laevinuchaBathyuriscus fimbriatus & Bolaspidella contracta Subzones.Many specimens.A marjumiid trilobite.
M. nuchaspinaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A marjumiid trilobite.
M. typicalis50 or more specimens.A marjumiid trilobite.
NaraoiaN. compactaSponge Gully.[16] 4 specimens.A naraoiid.
NeolenusN. inflatusEast of Antelope Springs.[17] Multiple specimens & fragments.A trilobite.
N. intermediusEast of Antelope Springs.A trilobite.
N. intermedius pugioEast of Antelope Springs.4 specimens of a pygidium.A trilobite.
N. superbusEast of Antelope Springs.Multiple specimens & fragments.A trilobite.
NettapezouraN. basilikaSponge Gully.An arachnomorph.
OlenoidesO. decorusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.7 specimens.A dorypygid trilobite.
O. inflatusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A dorypygid trilobite.
O. marjumensisBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A dorypygid trilobite.
O. pugioBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Numerous specimens.A dorypygid trilobite.
O. superbusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.7 specimens.A dorypygid trilobite.
PahvantiaP. hastataPrecise localities unknown.3 specimens.A hurdiid.
PeronopsisP. interstrictaHouse Range.Numerous specimens.Reassigned to the genus Itagnostus.
P. segmentaHouse Range.Multiple specimens.A peronopsid trilobite.
PerspicarisP.? ellipsopeltaPtychagnostus punctuosus Zone.[18] Valves & carapaces.A bivalved arthropod.
PeytoiaP. nathorstiSponge Gully.Partial body (USNM 374593) & partial mouthpart (KUMIP 314095).[19] A hurdiid, formerly named Anomalocaris nathorsti.
PtychagnostusP. akanthodesBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Numerous specimens.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
P. atavusHouse Range.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
P. hybridusBolaspidella contracta Subzone.About 10 specimens.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
P. richmondensisBathyuriscus fimbriatus Subzone.Numerous specimens.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
P. sp.Bolaspidella contracta Subzone.At least 5 pygidia.A ptychagnostid trilobite.
TrymataspisT. depressaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Over 30 specimens.A lonchocephalid trilobite.
T. lomaleieBolaspidella contracta Subzone.10 cranidia.A lonchocephalid trilobite.
T. pristinaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.Over 20 cranidia.A lonchocephalid trilobite.
TuzoiaT. guntheriPtychagnostus punctuosus Zone.Multiple valves & carapaces.[20] A hymenocarine.
UtagnostusU. trispinulusBolaspidella contracta & Lejopyge calva Subzones.Multiple specimens.An agnostid trilobite.
UtaspisU. marjumensisHouse Range & Wheeler Amphitheater.A ptychopariid trilobite.
ZacanthoidesZ. sp.Wheeler Amphitheater (Bolaspidella contracta Subzone).A cranidium.A zacanthoidid trilobite.

Chordates

Chordates reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
MegasiphonM. thylakosHouse Range.[21] One specimen (UMNH.IP.6079).A tunicate.
Nuucichthys N. rhynchocephalus House range.[22] One specimen (UMNH.IP.6084)A basal chordate related to Metaspriggina.
SkeemellaS. clavulaNorth of Red Wash (Ptychagnostus punctuosus Biozone).[23] 2 specimens (KUMIP 314102 & KUMIP 314103).A vetulicolian.

Cnidarians

Moon, Caron & Moysiuk (2023) considered these fossils would be ctenophores instead.[24]

Cnidarians reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
Coronatae?IndeterminateSponge Gully.[25] 1 specimen (UU07021.05).A scyphozoan jellyfish, may be referrable to the crown jellyfish family.
Cubozoa?IndeterminateSponge Gully.2 specimens (UU07021.01 & UU07021.02).Specimens possibly referrable to box jellyfish.
Narcomedusae?IndeterminateSponge Gully.5 specimens (UU07021.03, UU07021.04, UU07021.06, UU07021.07 & UU07021.08).A hydrozoan tentatively assigned to this family.
Semaeostomeae?IndeterminateSponge Gully.2 specimens (UU07021.09 & UU07021.10).A scyphozoan jellyfish tentatively assigned to this family.

Ctenophores

Ctenophores reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
CtenorhabdotusC. campanelliformisHouse Range (likely from the lower Ptychagnostus punctuosus Zone).[26] 1 specimen (UMNH.IP.6125).A ctenophore.
ThalassostaphylosT. elegansHouse Range (lower Ptychagnostus punctuosus Zone).1 specimen (UMNH.IP.6086).A ctenophore.

Lophotrochozoans

Lophotrochozoans reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
AcrotheleA. subsiduaBathyuriscus-Elrathina & Bolaspidella Zones.A brachiopod.
Helcionella"H." argutaBathyuriscus fimbriatus & Bolaspidella contracta Subzones.More than 100 specimens.A helcionellid.
HyolithesH. sp.All subzones of the Bolaspidella Zone.More than 100 specimens.A hyolith.
LingulellaL. sp.Bathyuriscus fimbriatus & Bolaspidella contracta Subzones.An obolid brachiopod.
MicromitraM. modestaMultiple specimens.A paterinide brachiopod.
NisusiaN. sulcata18 specimens.[27] A kutorginate brachiopod.
PegmatretaP. bellatulaBathyuriscus fimbriatus & Bolaspidella contracta Subzones.Numerous specimens.A brachiopod.
P. ophirensisAll subzones of the Bolaspidella Zone.A brachiopod.
PelagiellaP. sp.Bolaspidella contracta Subzone.More than 50 internal molds.A pelagiellid.
PrototretaP. attenuataBathyuriscus-Elrathina Zone & Bolaspidella Zone.A brachiopod.
P. mimicaBolaspidella contracta Subzone.A brachiopod.
StenothecoidesS. elongataBathyuriscus fimbriatus Subzone.Over 30 valves.A stenothecoid.

Scalidophorans

Scalidophorans reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
ArrakiscolexA. aaseiGrey Marjum locality (Ptychagnostus punctuosus Zone).[28] Cuticle fragments.A palaeoscolecid also known from the Upper Weeks Formation.
OttoiaO. prolificaSponge Gully.A complete individual (KUMIP 204770).Referral of the specimen to this species is insecure, better classified as O.? sp.[29]
O.? sp.Sponge Gully.A complete individual (KUMIP 204770).A stem-priapulid, specimen formerly referred to Ottoia prolifica or Scathascolex minor.
ScathascolexS. minorSponge Gully.A complete individual (KUMIP 204770).[30] Specimen reassigned to Ottoia? sp.
SelkirkiaS. willoughbyiSponge Gully.Tube with associated soft parts (KUMIP 204788).A stem-priapulid.

Sponges

Sponges reported from the Marjum Formation
Genus Species Presence MaterialNotes Images
ChoiaC. carteriSponge Gulch.[31] A demosponge.
C. hindeiRed Cliffs Wash.2 specimens & 3 other fragments.A demosponge.
C. utahensisSponge Gulch.Several specimens.A demosponge.
DiagoniellaD. cyathiformisRed Cliffs Wash & Kells Knolls Gulch.Numerous specimens.A reticulosan.
D. hindeiSponge Gulch.Approximately 40 specimens.A reticulosan.
D. magnaKells Knolls Gulch (Bathyuriscus fimbriatus zone).[32] A fragment (USNM 535922).A reticulosan.
D. sp.Sponge Gulch.2 large fragments.A reticulosan.
HamptoniaH. bowerbankiRed Cliffs Wash & Sponge Gulch.Multiple specimens.A demosponge.
HazeliaH. palmataNear Marjum Pass.[33] One specimen.A demosponge.
HintzespongiaH. bilaminaKells Knolls Gulch (Bathyuriscus fimbriatus zone).Multiple specimens.A reticulosan.
HexactinellidaIndeterminateMiscellaneous spicules.Indeterminate glass sponges, originally reported as Hyalospongiae (now a junior synonym).
KiwetinokiaDrum Mountains.4 large slabs.A reticulosan.
LeptomitusL. mettaRed Cliffs Wash locality.22 specimens.A demosponge.
ProtospongiaP.? elongataSponge Gulch.1 specimen.A reticulosan.
TestiispongiaT. venulaSponge Gulch.Several specimens.A glass sponge.
ValospongiaV. gigantisSponge Gulch.A reticulosan.
V.? gigantusKells Knolls Gulch (Bathyuriscus fimbriatus zone).A fragment (USNM 535917).A reticulosan.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Foster . John . Gaines . Robert . October 2016 . Taphonomy and paleoecology of the "middle" Cambrian (Series 3) formations in Utah's West Desert: Recent finds and new data . Utah Geological Association Publication . 45 . 291–336.
  2. Web site: Trilobites of The Marjum Formation .
  3. Walcott . Charles D. . Charles D. Walcott . 1910 . Nomenclature of some cambrian cordilleran formations . Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections . 53 . 1 . 1–12. 10088/23377 .
  4. Robison . R. A.. Upper Middle Cambrian Stratigraphy of Western Utah. Geological Society of America Bulletin. 75. 10. 995–1010. 1964. 0016-7606. 10.1130/0016-7606(1964)75[995:UMCSOW]2.0.CO;2. 1964GSAB...75..995R.
  5. Conway Morris . S. . Robison . R. A. . 1986 . Middle Cambrian priapulids and other soft-bodied fossils from Utah and Spain . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 117 . 1–22 . 1808/3696.
  6. Ubaghs . G. . Robison . Richard A. . September 1985 . A homoiostelean and a new eocrinoid from the Middle Cambrian of Utah . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 115 . 1–24.
  7. Conway Morris . Simon . Selden . Paul A. . Gunther . Glade . Jamison . Paul G. . Robison . Richard A. . May 2015 . New records of Burgess Shale-type taxa from the middle Cambrian of Utah . Journal of Paleontology . en . 89 . 3 . 411–423 . 10.1017/jpa.2015.26 . 0022-3360. free .
  8. LoDuca . Steven T. . Kramer . Anthony . March 2014 . Graptolites from the Wheeler and Marjum Formations (Cambrian, Series 3) of Utah . Journal of Paleontology . en . 88 . 2 . 403–410 . 10.1666/12-096 . 140553697 . 0022-3360.
  9. Sprinkle . James . January 1985 . New edrioasteroid from the Middle Cambrian of western Utah . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 116 . 1–4.
  10. Briggs . D. E. G. . DEG Briggs . Robison . Richard A. . January 1984 . Exceptionally preserved nontrilobite arthropods and Anomalocaris from the Middle Cambrian of Utah . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 111 . 1–23.
  11. Robison . Richard A. . 1964 . Late Middle Cambrian Faunas from Western Utah . Journal of Paleontology . 38 . 3 . 510–566 . 1301528 . 0022-3360.
  12. Robison . Richard A. . Babcock . Loren E. . 2011-11-30 . Systematics, paleobiology, and taphonomy of some exceptionally preserved trilobites from Cambrian Lagerstätten of Utah . Paleontological Contributions . en . 5 . 1–47 . 10.17161/PC.1808.8543 . 1946-0279. free .
  13. Briggs . Derek E. G. . Lieberman . Bruce S. . Hendricks . Jonathan R. . Halgedahl . Susan L. . Jarrard . Richard D. . 2008 . Middle Cambrian arthropods from Utah . Journal of Paleontology . 82 . 2 . 238 . 10.1666/06-086.1 . 31568651 . 0022-3360.
  14. Pates . Stephen . Lerosey-Aubril . Rudy . Daley . Allison C. . Kier . Carlo . Bonino . Enrico . Ortega-Hernández . Javier . 2021-01-19 . The diverse radiodont fauna from the Marjum Formation of Utah, USA (Cambrian: Drumian) . PeerJ . en . 9 . e10509 . 10.7717/peerj.10509 . 2167-8359 . 7821760 . 33552709 . free .
  15. Robison . R. A. . 1982 . Some Middle Cambrian Agnostoid Trilobites from Western North America . Journal of Paleontology . 56 . 1 . 132–160 . 1304500 . 0022-3360.
  16. Robison . Richard A. . 1984-07-24 . New Occurrences of the Unusual Trilobite Naraoia From the Cambrian of Idaho and Utah . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 112 . 1–8.
  17. Walcott . Charles D. . Charles Doolittle Walcott . 1908-04-25 . Cambrian Trilobites . Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections . 53 . 2 . 14–52. 10088/23376 .
  18. Robison . Richard A. . Richards . B. C. . 1981-12-16 . Large bivalve arthropods from the Middle Cambrian of Utah . University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions . 106 . 1–19.
  19. Pates . Stephen . Daley . Allison C. . Lieberman . Bruce S. . January 2018 . Hurdiid radiodontans from the middle Cambrian (Series 3) of Utah . Journal of Paleontology . en . 92 . 1 . 99–113 . 10.1017/jpa.2017.11 . 135388079 . 0022-3360.
  20. Vannier . Jean . Caron . Jean-Bernard . Yuan . Jin-Liang . Briggs . Derek E. G. . Collins . Desmond . Zhao . Yuan-Long . Zhu . Mao-Yan . May 2007 . Tuzoia: Morphology and Lifestyle of a Large Bivaled Arthropod of the Cambrian Seas . Journal of Paleontology . en . 81 . 3 . 445–471 . 10.1666/pleo05070.1 . 197540482 . 0022-3360.
  21. Nanglu . Karma . Lerosey-Aubril . Rudy . Weaver . James C. . Ortega-Hernández . Javier . 2023-07-06 . A mid-Cambrian tunicate and the deep origin of the ascidiacean body plan . Nature Communications . en . 14 . 1 . 3832 . 10.1038/s41467-023-39012-4 . 37414759 . 2041-1723. 10325964 .
  22. Lerosey-Aubril . Rudy . Ortega-Hernández . Javier . 2024-07-24 . A long-headed Cambrian soft-bodied vertebrate from the American Great Basin region . Royal Society Open Science . en . 11 . 7 . 10.1098/rsos.240350 . 2054-5703. 11267725 .
  23. Kimmig . Julien . Leibach . Wade W. . Lieberman . Bruce S. . 2020-05-30 . First occurrence of the problematic vetulicolian Skeemella clavula in the Cambrian Marjum Formation of Utah, USA . Carnets de géologie (Notebooks on geology) . 20 . 10 . 215–221 . 10.4267/2042/70836. 1808/33460 . 219178949 . free .
  24. Moon . Justin . Caron . Jean-Bernard . Moysiuk . Joseph . 2023-08-09 . A macroscopic free-swimming medusa from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale . Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences . en . 290 . 2004 . 10.1098/rspb.2022.2490 . 0962-8452 . 10394413 . 37528711 . August 9, 2024 .
  25. Cartwright . Paulyn . Halgedahl . Susan L. . Hendricks . Jonathan R. . Jarrard . Richard D. . Marques . Antonio C. . Collins . Allen G. . Lieberman . Bruce S. . 2007-10-31 . Humphries . Stuart . Exceptionally Preserved Jellyfishes from the Middle Cambrian . PLOS ONE . en . 2 . 10 . e1121 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0001121 . 1932-6203 . 2040521 . 17971881 . free .
  26. Parry . Luke A. . Lerosey-Aubril . Rudy . Weaver . James C. . Ortega-Hernández . Javier . 2021-09-24 . Cambrian comb jellies from Utah illuminate the early evolution of nervous and sensory systems in ctenophores . iScience . 24 . 9 . 102943 . 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102943 . 2589-0042 . 8426560 . 34522849.
  27. Holmer . Lars E. . Popov . Leonid E. . Ghobadi Pour . Mansoureh . Claybourn . Tom . Zhang . Zhiliang . Brock . Glenn A. . Zhang . Zhifei . 2018-01-09 . Evolutionary significance of a middle Cambrian (Series 3) in situ occurrence of the pedunculate rhynchonelliform brachiopod Nisusia sulcata . Lethaia . en . 51 . 3 . 424–432 . 10.1111/let.12254 . 0024-1164.
  28. Leibach . Wade . Lerosey-Aubril . Rudy . Whitaker . Anna . Schiffbauer . James . Kimmig . Julien . September 2021 . First palaeoscolecid from the Cambrian (Miaolingian, Drumian) Marjum Formation of western Utah . Acta Palaeontologica Polonica . 66 . 10.4202/app.00875.2021. free .
  29. Smith . Martin R. . Harvey . Thomas H. P. . Butterfield . Nicholas J. . May 2015 . Kouchinsky . Artem . The macro‐ and microfossil record of the Cambrian priapulid Ottoia . Palaeontology . en . 58 . 4 . 705–721 . 10.1111/pala.12168 . 0031-0239. free .
  30. Smith . Martin R. . 2015-10-15 . Sigwart . Julia . A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale . Palaeontology . en . 58 . 6 . 973–979 . 10.1111/pala.12210. free .
  31. Rigby . J. Keith . 1983 . Sponges of the Middle Cambrian Marjum Limestone from the House Range and Drum Mountains of Western Millard County, Utah . Journal of Paleontology . 57 . 2 . 240–270 . 1304651 . 0022-3360.
  32. Rigby . J. Keith . Church . Stephen B. . Anderson . Nicolle K. . 2010 . Middle Cambrian Sponges from the Drum Mountains and House Range in Western Utah . Journal of Paleontology . 84 . 1 . 66–78 . 10.1666/08-046.1 . 20627693 . 130205628 . 0022-3360.
  33. Rigby . J. Keith . Gunther . Lloyd F. . Gunther . Freida . November 1997 . The first occurrence of the Burgess Shale demosponge Hazelia palmata Walcott, 1920, in the Cambrian of Utah . Journal of Paleontology . en . 71 . 6 . 994–997 . 10.1017/S0022336000035976 . 130706440 . 0022-3360.