Who can enlighten me on the different trace fossil species in the attached file? The setting: Distal part of the Miocene Huesca fluvial fan (Ebro Basin, Spain). Semi-arid climate. Dominantly floodplain fines with thin-bedded terminal-lobe and crevasse-splay sandstone bodies. Traces are on the grey-colored (reduction) upper surface of the sandstone beds.
Help is appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Rick Donselaar
The first 2 samples appear to contain Scoyenia (horizontal burrows with meniscate backfill)
and Skolithos (vertical cylindrical, sand-filled shafts). Both are known to be made by crayfish in alluvial floodplain settings. Will look into 3rd sample further and get back to you.
Dear Rick,
The horizontal meniscate burrows could also be Taenidium. Suggest
check on the diagnostic features of both Scoyenia as well as Taenidium. and compare with your specimens. As for Skolithos they are confirmed by their disposition in vertical section.
Please refer to papers by Bromley,... and Keighley and Pickerill. They deliberate on the classification of a variety of meniscate burrows.
Best wishes
Scoyenia gracilis, I would say, showing the characteristic meniscate backfill and longitudinal striation (poorly visible in some burrow portions in Fig. 3). Probably produced by arthropods.
Hi Rick, I don't know myself but suggest to approach Richard Porter and/or Tom McKie - both known to you.
Your specimens resemble Scoyenia gracilis. See Knaust (2017; Fig. 5.138).
Book Atlas of Trace Fossils in Well Core
Best,
Nadir
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