Search results for "Ichnotaxon"
showing 6 items of 6 documents
A new ichnofauna from the Permian of the Zat Valley in the Marrakech High Atlas of Morocco
2020
Abstract A new ichnofauna from the Permian of Morocco is described in details: it is the first Palaeozoic ichnofauna from the Zat Valley in Marrakech High Atlas. The new tracksite was found in the Tighdouine region, in the middle-upper Permian of the Cham-el-Houa Siltstone Formation. An abundant and diverse ichnoassemblage composed of both protostomian (probably arthropods and annelids) traces and vertebrate tracks is recorded. The presence of protostomian burrows and traceways, associated with tetrapod tracks corresponds to the Scoyenia ichnofacies. Protostomian traces are ascribed to Diplichnites gouldi, Diplopodichnus biformis, Scoyenia cf. gracilis and Spongeliomorpha carlsbergi. Tetrap…
Evidence of an Early Triassic age (Olenekian) in Argana Basin (High Atlas, Morocco) based on new chirotherioid traces.
2010
8 pages; International audience; New chirotherioid traces (Synaptichnium, Chirotherium, Brachychirotherium, Isochirotherium), are described in the Argana Basin (High Atlas of Morocco). Seeing that these ichnotaxa are frequent in the Triassic, their occurrence in outcrops formerly mapped as Permian (T2 Member) has required detailed sedimentological and paleontological studies of the fossiliferous site. These studies clearly show that the ichnite-bearing strata belong actually to the T3 Member of the “regional Triassic”, i.e. lower member of the Timezgadiwine Formation, the age of which was, in fact, unknown up to now. The description of these ichnospecies and their statistical comparison wit…
The oldest evidence of bioturbation on Earth: COMMENT
2013
Recently, [Rogov et al. (2012)][1] discovered dense bioturbation fabrics, the preserved depth of which reached 5 cm, from the Ediacaran Khatyspyt Formation of the northern Siberian Platform. The age of the bioturbated beds is estimated at ca. 555 Ma. The ichnotaxon itself is attributed to the
Chirotheria and Other Ichnotaxa of the European Triassic
2004
At the end of the Permian, numerous amphibians and therapsids vanished, creating many empty ecological niches, which were occupied by new creatures. This event brought new trends in animal locomotion thanks to modifications of the skeleton limbs. The newcomers were faster and more dangerous for other families. The prominent ichnogenera were Synaptichnium, Chirotherium, Brachychirotherium, Isochirotherium, and Sphingopus. Their trackmakers were Thecodonts, reptiles having the above-mentioned evolutive characteristics. Dinosaurs, which appeared at the end of the Triassic period, were likely their descendants, which raises the question of when and where the dinosaurs originated. The comparison…
Names for trace fossils: a uniform approach.
2006
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…
Late Jurassic globetrotters compared: A closer look at large and giant theropod tracks of North Africa and Europe
2019
Abstract Late Jurassic theropod tracks are very common both in North Africa and Europe. Two recently described ichnotaxa Megalosauripus transjuranicus and Jurabrontes curtedulensis from the Kimmeridgian of Switzerland show the coexistence of two apex predators in the same palaeoenvironment. Similar tracks can be found in tracksites from the Iberian Peninsula and from Morocco. Here, we further explore the similarities among the Swiss ichnotaxa and the other tracks from Germany (Kimmeridgian), Spain (Tithonian-Berriasian), Portugal (Oxfordian-Tithonian) and Morocco (Kimmeridgian) through novel three-dimensional data comparisons. Specimens were grouped in two morphotypes: 1) large and gracile …