The Escuminac Formation is a geologic formation in Quebec. It preserves fossils dating back to the Frasnian, in the Devonian period.
Description
Miguasha National Park is located within this formation along the estuary of the Restigouche River on the south coast of the Gaspé Peninsula. The fossil biota from the Park is thus referred to as the Miguasha biota. The main Miguasha exposures were named the 'René Bureau Cliffs' after the geologist and paleontologist. This formation is sufficiently rich that some material could be sacrificed for microanatomical and histological study through thin sectioning; this was done, among others, for the actinopterygian Cheirolepis, the actinistian Miguashaia and the tetrapodomorph Euthenopteron.
The formation's depositional environment has been variously considered as lacustrine, estuarine, coastal marine or marine, though evidence from the fossil assemblage, stratigraphic and sedimentological setting, and geochemistry of the sedimentary rocks and bones suggests an estuarine interpretation is most fitting.
Fossil content
Vertebrates
Acanthodians
Actinopterygians
Jawless fish
Placoderms
Sarcopterygians
Invertebrates
Arthropods
Ctenophores
Plants
See also
- List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Quebec
References
- Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
