Biostratigraphical and palaeoecological significance of graptolites, trilobites and conodonts in the Middle-Upper Ordovician Anderso Shale: an unusual 'mixed facies' deposit in Jamtland, central Sweden

Although only about 20 m thick, the Anderso Shale contains one of the most diverse, if not the most diverse, late Middle-early Late Ordovician faunas known in Baltoscandia. It includes more than 20 trilobite species, more than 20 species of other shelly fossils, about 10 graptolite species, and about 20 conodont species. Based on its lithology, its geographical position near the foreland basin margin, and the presence of trilobites of the raphiophorid association and conodonts of the Periodon-Pygodus biofacies, this formation is interpreted to represent an outer shelf-upper slope (ramp) deposit laid down in moderately deep water. The co-occurrence of some widespread and biostratigraphically diagnostic conodonts, graptolites and trilobites makes it possible directly to compare distribution patterns of these fossils, establish ties between graptolite and conodont zones, and correlate the formation with units elsewhere in Europe, North America and China. Stratigraphically and faunally, the Anderso Shale is of particular interest in straddling the Middle-Upper Ordovician Series boundary as this boundary is recognised in the new global classification of the Ordovician System.