Trace Fossil Distribution and Stratigraphic Setting of Garbyang Formation in the Girthi-Ganga Section of Kumaun

Trace fossils from Garbyang Formation of Kumaun have been reported from two stratigraphic levels. The lower horizon F1 comprises simple traces belonging to the ichnogenera Gordia, Chondrites, Margaritichnus, Skolithos, Cochlichnus and Bergaueria. The upper F2 horizon comprises advanced type of traces of arthropod origin i.e., Monomorphichnus, Dimorphichnus, Diplichnites and Kupwaria along with a few ichnofossils of F1 horizon. As in other Himalayan sections these trace fossil horizons are devoid of body fossils. But in Kumaun no well defined body fossils of Early Cambrian age comparable to Redlichia zone of Kashmir and Spiti have yet been reported apart from some fragmentary, genal spines of trilobites. The trace fossils are important for evaluating the metazoan evolution.