'Orsten' fossils

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Dieter Waloßek
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2008 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 108605319

, Orsten stands for a unique type of preservation of three-dimensionally preserved metazoanfossils from mainly the Cambrian. Originally described from Sweden, they are foundnow on a worldwide scale. Yet, until now the focus was mainly on arthropod fossils. In ournew project we will investigate all remaining microfossil material of the, Orsten of Sweden.There are five different components to be studied: 1) incertae sedis microfossils; 2) putative„small shelly fossils ; 3) remains und hitherto unknown arthropods; 4) thread-like structures,and 5) worm-like fossils. Our aims are a comprehensive documentation of the taxaand biodiversity, also to increase comparability with other such localities/faunal communities,and to achieve a better understanding of the taphonomy of such fossil material, notleast for future explorations. This is also important in palaeogeographic respect becausesuch fossil material is still missing from the mega continent Gondwana, which existed atthat time and was partly close to some of the coastal areas form which, Orsten -type fossilshave been reported.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Privatdozent Dr. Andreas Maas