A new spreite trace fossil from Lower Cretaceous limestone (Western Carpathians, Slovakia)

Abstract

Zavitokichnus fusiformis n. igen. et n. isp. occurs in Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian to Hauterivian) limestones of the Fatric Superunit in the Western Carpathians. Typical cross sections of this more or less spiral trace fossil are sometimes U–O–C–S-shaped. In cross-section the trace fossil passes from a simple linear form, and spreads to a wider rolled-up or rolled-out form and then it returns to a linear trace. Spreite-like lamellae are distinguishable on several cross-section examples. The trace fossil was produced by a deposit feeder and it might be classified as a fodinichnion. Z. fusiformis co-occurs with trace fossil associations of Zoophycos, Chondrites, Planolites, Hormosiroidea and Palaeophycus in carbonate sediments of a deep-seated ramp along the margin of the Fatric intrashelf basin.