Trace fossil preservation and the early evolution of animals

Preservation of surficial trace fossils in this type of setting remains problematic but the above factors suggest that also these can be expected to have left a reasonable record. Overall, the trace fossil record can be expected to provide a sound record of the onset of bilaterian benthic activity. The lack of convincing trace fossils significantly before the Cambrian supports models of late appearance of macroscopic benthic bilaterians.