Trace fossils and ichnofabrics of the Lower Cambrian Wood Canyon Formation, southwest Death Valley area

New information on trace fossils from the Montgomery Mountains establishes the Rusophycus avalonensis Zone within strat of the third parasequence of the lower member Wood Canyon Formation close to the level of the first Treptichnus pedum. This places Ediacara-type fossils and trace fossils of the second pre-trilobitic Cambrian trace fossil zone within less than 200 meters of stratigraphic section. Recognition of the Rusophycus avalonensis Zone supports correlation of the third parasequence to the Upper Member Deep Springs Formation. Arthropod-type trace fossils form the upper member Wood Canyon Formation in the southern Nopah Range are identified as rusophyciform specimens of Cruziana cf. pectinata. Psammichnites gigas is identified from the same unit and area.