Phosphatic organisms and the correlation of Early Cambrian carbonate formations in central Australia

Phosphatic and phosphatised organisms, mainly elements of multisclerite forms, tubes, and inarticulate brachiopods, have been found in predominantly dolostone formations in 3 widely separated areas of central Australia: the E Amadeus Basin, and the Huckitta and Marqua-Hay River regions of the Georgina Basin. The faunas are of similar composition and age in the 3 areas, and permit lithological correlation of the Todd River Dolomite, the Errarra Formation, and the Red Heart Dolomite of each area, respectively. They also permit correlation with the more diversely fossiliferous sequences of the Flinders Ranges of S Australia, and indicate that these may be younger than previously thought.-Authors