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An unusual new trace fossil from the Lower Carboniferous of Ireland: Intexalvichnus magnus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 May 2016

J. O. Buckman
J. O. Buckman*
Affiliation:
Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Geology Section, University of Paisley, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland, U.K.
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Abstract

Intexalvichnus magnus, new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, is erected for material from the Lower Carboniferous of northwest Ireland. This ichnogenus is characterized by a horizontal primary basal gallery, from which a series of secondary near-vertical shafts originate on either side of the gallery. Intexalvichnus magnus is typified by vertical shafts occurring in offset closely packed pairs on either side of the horizontal gallery, and by their recurved conical morphology. Such material somewhat resembles Phycodes, and in particular “Phycodes” pedum, although overall morphology and mode of construction distinguish I. magnus from Phycodes (including “P.” pedum), warranting separate ichnogeneric status. Although forming monospecific associations, I. magnus occurs within shallow-water deltaic sand-dominated facies with diverse ichnofaunal assemblages. Consideration of ichnofaunas from similar shallow-water paleoenvironments suggests that I. magnus should be globally and stratigraphically widespread. Perhaps because of its relatively large size I. magnus has been overlooked, or referred to other ichnogenera.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 71 , Issue 2 , March 1997 , pp. 316 - 324
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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