Abstract
Abstract. A critical re-appraisal of some reports of British Precambrian microfossils illustrates potential pitfalls in describing Precambrian microbiotas. The Ceinwen and Llanddwyn Spilitic Formation of the Gwna Group contains convincing filamentous microfossils, but a report of acanthomorph arcitarchs has not yet been confirmed. Although the Diabaig Formation of the Torridon Group is known to be abundantly fossiliferous, a report based on S.E.M. without thin section control is rejected. Chert pebbles from the Applecross Formation of the Torridon Group do not contain convincing microfossils. They are contaminated by fungi and contain abiogenic structures which resemble cells and tissues. Reports of diagnostic Middle Riphean microfossils from the Blackbrook Formation and the Maplewell Group of the Charnian and the Buxton Rock of the Longmyndian await confirmation.
Highlights
The last 10years have seen the development of a more critical approach t o Precambrian microfossils
Many pseudomicrofossilshave been described as a result of the inappropriate or uncritical application of high technology
Before any microstructure can be described as a Precambrian microfossil, it must be shown to be plausibly biogenic, autochthonous, and demonstrably not an artefact
Summary
The last 10years have seen the development of a more critical approach t o Precambrian microfossils. I have not been able to confirm the presence of acanthomorph acritarchs in the original thin section or other samples from this Formation, and am not sure that it is of Cambrian age (Muir et al, 1979).
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