Fritzolenellus

Fritzolenellus sp. aff. hanseni (Poulsen, 1932)

Fig. 3.1

Paedeumias hanseni Poulsen 1932.

Olenellus hanseni Stein 2008, fig. 8B, 8C.

Material examined. KUMIP 355562–355563.

Discussion. This species shares the following characters with O. hanseni, which is known from the Ella Island Formation of North-East Greenland: the anterior cephalic margin is narrow (sag.) and developed as a raised ridge; an anterior glabellar furrow present; the anterolateral margins of the glabella deflect posteriorly at approximately at 40 degrees; LA length (sag.) equal to combined length (sag.) of LO, L1, and L2; the ocular lobe terminates posteriorly at SO; a prominent ocular furrow extends the length of the ocular lobe; the extraocular area is approximately the width (tr.) of the glabella at L2; S3 is strongly convex and conjoined adaxially; L2 and L3 merge abaxially; S2 is convex anteriorly and conjoined adaxially; L1 is straight and not conjoined adaxially; the lateral margins of LO and L1 are straight and parallel to a sagittal line; SO is slightly convex posteriorly, and not conjoined adaxially; posterior margin of LO convex posteriorly; the posterior border between LO and the intergenal angle is parallel to a transverse line; the intergenal angle is approximately 30-40 degrees; and the genal spines are relatively long (exsag.). Cowie & McNamara (1978) suggested O. hanseni was very similar to Fritzolenellus lapworthi (Peach and Horne, 1892), with the primary differences involving the length of the ocular lobes. Stein (2008) reiterated this suggestion, and also recognized the absence of a prominent parafrontal band and the presence of a plectrum when compared with F. lapworthi. These features are also observed in the specimens presented here. Due to the quality of preservation and the limited material, we are only tentatively assigning these specimens to F. hanseni.

Occurrence. Olenellus zone or Waucoban Series, Dyeran stage, sensu Webster (2011a, b) and Webster et al. (2011), early Cambrian, Sekwi Formation, Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada, Section 4, 430– 435 m above the base of section.