A Chronostratigraphic Framework for the Rise of the Ediacaran Macrobiota: New Constraints from Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland

A new chronostratigraphic framework for the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve (MPER) reveals critical insights into the rise and diversification of Ediacaran macrobiota. The study provides precise radio-isotopic ages from volcanic tuffites, dating key fossil horizons between 574.17 ± 0.66 Ma and 564.13 ± 0.65 Ma. This includes the oldest architecturally complex fossils (574.17 ± 0.66 Ma) and the famous 'E' Surface fossils (565.00 ± 0.64 Ma). The findings enable a time-calibrated record of evolutionary signals, showing peak taxonomic diversity in the Mistaken Point and Trepassey Formations and highlighting that uniterminal rangeomorphs preceded multiterminal forms by several million years. This holistic approach integrates stratigraphy, paleontology, and geochronology, offering a robust framework to study mid-late Ediacaran evolution.

Matthews, J. J., Liu, A. G., Yang, C., McIlroy, D., Levell, B., & Condon, D. (2020). A CHRONOSTRATIGRAPHIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE RISE OF THE EDIACARAN MACROBIOTA: NEW CONSTRAINTS FROM MISTAKEN POINT ECOLOGICAL RESERVE, NEWFOUNDLAND. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2020am-352772