Ellipsocephalid trilobites from Cambrian Series 2 and Stage 4, with emphasis on the taxonomy, morphological plasticity and biostratigraphic significance of ellipsocephalids from Scania, Sweden

The taxonomically difficult ellipsocephalid trilobites from upper lower Cambrian (unnamed Stage 4) strata in Scandinavia are reviewed and revised. The suggested generic identities illustrate the diversification of the Ellipsocephalinae and advocate a modified correlation of the late to latest early Cambrian strata in Scandinavia and Baltica. The study is based primarily on material from the Gislöv Formation in Scania, southern Sweden, from which several species were originally known only from sparse and poorly preserved material. These are now described in more completeness and partly based on material that allows characterisation of ontogenetic developments.