Trace Fossils from Cambrian Tal Formation, Himachal Lesser Himalaya, India, and their Stratigraphic Significance

Two assemblages of ichnofossils are recorded from the Cambrian Tal Formation, Nigalidhar Syncline, Himachal Lesser Himalaya. The assemblage-I. occurring in the Arenaceous Member 300m below the horizon yielding redlichiid trilobite and brachiopod faunas of Tsanglangpuian Stage of Early Cambrian, contains forms like Rusophycus sp. aff. R. carinata Seilacher, monomorphichnus lineatus Crimes, Diplichnites spp.) Gordia sp., Astropolichon sp., ichnogenus A and ichnogenus B. The assemblage-II, in the Phulchatti Member ('Upper Tal'), includes Cruziana sp. and ichnogenus C cf. Buthotrephis. It occurs in sediments 70 m above the horizon containing trilobites and brachiopods. The former assemblage is of world-wide distribution in Lower Cambrian (upper Meishucunian to Lower Qiongzhusian), and thus, in the absence of microfauna, can be utilised in identifying Early Cambrian successions.