Abstract

A new problematic spheromorphic microfossil Gaparella elenae sp. nov. is described from the lower Tommotian (Lower Cambrian) in the Hevte-Tsakhir-Nuruu Ridge, Western Mongolia, and a new combination Gaparella kuanchuanpuensis (Qian, 1977) is proposed. Despite its very peculiar morphology, the genus Gaparella Missarzhevsky in Missarzhevsky and Mambetov, 1981 is usually considered as a junior synonym of the genus Archaeooides Qian, 1977. The taphonomic variability of Mongolian specimens of Gaparella is demonstrated, and their morphology is reconstructed: these were hollow spheres, with a thin perforated double-layered wall; with a system of cavities between the pores, which were scattered on small elevations, with a system of canals in between; the wall may have been organic with an admixture of mineral components. These fossils were probably planktonic filter feeders. Their level of organization appears to be consistent with Porifera; most likely these were juvenile forms.

中文翻译：

---

蒙古西部下寒武统加帕雷拉属球形新问题

摘要

一种新的有问题的球形微化石Gaparella elenae sp。十一月描述于蒙古西部Hevte-Tsakhir-Nuruu山脊的下Tommotian（下寒武统），并提出了一个新的组合Gaparella kuanchuanpuensis （Qian，1977）。尽管其形态非常奇特，Missarzhevsky 和 ​​Mambetov, 1981 中的Gaparella Missarzhevsky属通常被认为是Archaeooides Chen, 1977 属的低级异名。 证明了Gaparella蒙古标本的埋藏学变异性，并重建了它们的形态：这些是空心球体，具有薄的穿孔双层壁；孔隙之间有一个空腔系统，散布在小高地上，其间有一个运河系统；墙壁可能是有机的，混合了矿物成分。这些化石可能是浮游滤食动物。它们的组织水平似乎与多孔动物门一致；这些很可能是青少年形式。