The Cambrian molluscs of Australia: overview of taxonomy, biostratigraphy and paleobiogeography

Cambrian malacofauna of Australia is among the most taxonomically diverse among time equivalents. By a number of valid mollusc species Australian Cambrian competes with Siberian and Chinese formations. Up to date, 80 valid species and 12 forms in open nomenclature, apparently representing new undescribed taxa, have been recorded from the Lower–Middle Cambrian successions of Australia. In addition, 6 species names can be considered as junior synonyms. Distribution ranges of mollusc species plotted over the modern stratigraphic scheme reveal four major molluscan evolutionary assemblages in the interval of Tommotian–Undillan stages. In paleogeographic aspect, the Cambrian malacofauna of Australia has 29 species in common with Siberian Platform, Kazakhstan, Altai-Sayan, Transbaikalia, Mongolia, South and North China, Morocco, Antarctic, Europe (Denmark, Germany), Greenland, North America, and New Zealand, providing important correlation links between these regional stratigraphic schemes.