Names for trace fossils: a uniform approach.
The taxonomic treatment of trace fossils needs a uniform approach, independent of the ethologic groups concerned. To this aim, trace fossils are rigorously defined with regard to biological taxa and physical sedimentary structures. Potential ichnotaxobases are evaluated, with morphology resulting as the most important criterion. For trace fossils related to bioerosion and herbivory, substrate plays a key role, as well as composition for coprolites. Size, producer, age, facies and preservation are rejected as ichnotaxobases. Separate names for undertracks and other poorly preserved material should gradually be replaced by ichnotaxa based on well-preserved specimens. Recent traces may be iden…
Non-marine invertebrate trace fossils from the Tertiary Calatayud- Teruel Basin, NE Spain. Reply
We thank the comments of Dr Calzada. We think that this kind of discussions is very healthy to the Paleontology and it would be necessary to do it more frequently, so that thanks again for your example. It is true that some of the descriptions of ichnofossils in our work need further discussion and comments, but when we analysed several poorly-preserved specimens (such as the so-called Spongeliomorpha isp.) we preferred to make a quick introduction and describe them in open nomenclature. It was beyond the scope of our paper to make a revision of the ichnogenus with this kind of material, but we hope that Calzada's comments and our reply will improve some ideas concerning the ichnogenus Spon…
Probable root structures and associated trace fossils from the Lower Pleistocene calcarenites of favignana island, southern italy: dilemmas of interpretation
Two types of large, branched structures from the Lower Pleistocene (Calabrian) high-energy calcarenites of Favignana Island are described: Faviradixus robustus gen. et sp. nov. and Egadiradixus rectibrachiatus gen. et sp. nov. They may be interpreted as root structures of large plants, trees and trees or shrubs, respectively. The former taxon co-occurs with the marine animal trace fossils Ophiomorpha nodosa , Ophiomorpha isp., Thalassinoides isp. and Beaconites isp. The interpretation as root structures although tentative is probable and can be related to short emergence episodes for the formation of E . rectibrachiatus or to longer emergence, responsible for the discontinuity at the base o…