Upper Devonian (Frasnian) algae and foraminifera from the Ancient Wall carbonate complex, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Marine algae and foraminifers occur in the Ancient Wall carbonate complex of Upper Devonian (Frasnian) age in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. This microbiota is the most diverse and abundant yet described and illustrated from North America; it closely resembles other microbiotas from the Upper Devonian of Western Australia and the Volga–Urals region of the Soviet Union.Strata of the Ancient Wall complex comprise two formations each with two members. They are: the Cairn Formation with a lower Flume Member and an upper member and the overlying Southesk Formation with a lower member and an upper Simla Member. A biota of 15 genera and 21 species is recorded from these rocks. The forms grouped under the algae are: Vermiporella sp., Girvanella sp., Sphaerocodium sp., Renalcis sp. cf. R. turbitus Wray, R. sp., radiosphaerid calcispheres, and algal? borings. The calcareous foraminifers are: Parathurammina sp. cf. P. spinosa Lipina, P. sp., Bisphaera sp., lagenid-like form, Paratikhinella sp. cf. P. cannula...