Late Cambrian acritarch Lusatia: Taxonomy, palaeogeography, and biostratigraphic implications

Intraspecific variability of the herein emended diacrodian acritarch Lusatia dendroidea is described based on late Cambrian (Furongian) well preserved material from Spain, the High Arctic of Russia, and the East−European Platform. L. dendroidea, displays bipolar asymmetric morphology and, as originally defined, consists of three long major processes originating from the “corners” of its vesicle. Specimens with one, two and four major processes are considered to represent morphological variations of the most common three process form. Based on its narrow stratigraphic range, widespread palaeogeographic distribution, and distinctive morphology, L. dendroidea is an excellent guide fossil for the Furongian.