Precambrian–Cambrian boundary interval occurrence and form of the enigmatic tubular body fossil S haanxilithes ningqiangensis from the Lesser H imalaya of I ndia

The affinity of the E diacaran fossil S haanxilithes ningqiangensis and putatively related forms has long been enigmatic; over the past few decades, interpretations ranging from trace fossils to algae to metazoans of uncertain phylogenetic placement have been proposed. Combined morphological and geochemical evidence from a new occurrence of S .  ningqiangensis in the K rol and T al groups of the L esser H imalaya of I ndia indicates that S .  ningqiangensis is not a trace fossil, but rather an organic‐walled tubular body fossil of unknown taxonomic affinity. Specimens consist of compressed organic cylindrical structures, characterized by extended, overlapping or fragmented iterated units. Where specimens intersect, overlapping rather than branching or intraplanar crossing is observed. Lithologic comparisons and sequence stratigraphic data all suggest a late E diacaran age for the uppermost K rol G roup and basalmost T al G roup. By extending the biogeographical distribution of S .  ningqiangensis , hitherto confined to the E diacaran of C hina and potentially S iberia, to the P recambrian– C ambrian boundary interval of India, this new occurrence of S .  ningqiangensis expands the biostratigraphic utility of this enigmatic fossil to the inter‐regional and intercontinental scale. Moreover, study of these new and exceptionally preserved samples may help to significantly constrain the long‐debated problem of S haanxilithes ' affinity, elucidating its ‘problematic’ status and shedding new light upon the ecology and taphonomy of one of the most significant intervals in early life history.