Benthic Cambrian biofacies of the Siberian Platform (hyoliths, small shelly fossils, archeocyaths, trilobites and calcareous algae)

The Early Cambrian history of the development of the Siberian Platform was marked by events of global significance. In the Early Cambrian the Siberian Platform was the centre of appearance of the first shelly fossils. For this reason, paleobiogeographical features of the distribution of fossils are of interest for scientists as a tool for paleogeographic and paleogeodynamic reconstructions. An analysis of changes in the Early Cambrian biota taxonomic diversity allowed us to reveal two major stages in its development: (1) Late Vendian (Tommotian and Atdabanian Stages): spreading of the Siberian biota worldwide; (2) Late Botomian-Toyonian Stages: an increase in the degree of endemism, extinction of archeocyaths, reduction in organogenic structures, deposition of black shales, and flourishing of trilobites. A permanent increase in the degree of biota endemism, which reached its maximum in the Botomian Stage, and the first appearance of migrants at the generic and species level at the same time, coincided with the first major transgressive phases. The study of the geographic distribution of diverse groups of the Early Cambrian fauna and calcareous algae of the Siberian basin allowed us to identify a number of biofacies of different age, whose boundaries do not coincide. The evolution and change in the taxonomic composition of the Siberian basin biota were affected by events of the first (Salair) phase of the Caledonian orogeny, manifested in the Altai-Sayan region much earlier than in other parts of the world and influencing the geological history of the Siberian Platform. These events resulted in the extinction and appearance of some specific groups of the Tommotian fauna in the Siberian Platform.