Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The trackway Protichnites from the Cambrian, Blackberry Hill, central Wisconsin. A trace fossil, also known as an ichnofossil (/ ˈ ɪ k n oʊ f ɒ s ɪ l /; from Greek: ἴχνος ikhnos "trace, track"), is a fossil record of biological activity by lifeforms but not the preserved remains of the organism itself. [1]
Diagram showing the differences between meniscate and spreiten burrows. Modified from Chamberlain (1978). [1] Spreite (German: [ˈʃpʁaɪ̯tə] ⓘ), meaning leaf-blade in German (or spreiten (pronounced [ˈʃpʁaɪ̯tn̩] ⓘ), the plural form in German) is a stacked, curved, layered structure that is characteristic of certain trace fossils ...
In trace fossil nomenclature a Latin binomial name is used, just as in animal and plant taxonomy, with a genus and specific epithet. However, the binomial names are not linked to an organism, but rather just a trace fossil. This is due to the rarity of association between a trace fossil and a specific organism or group of organisms.
Most researchers classify trace fossils only as far as the ichnogenus rank, based upon trace fossils that resemble each other in morphology but have subtle differences. Some authors have constructed detailed hierarchies up to ichnosuperclass, recognizing such fine detail as to identify ichnosuperorder and ichnoinfraclass, but such attempts are ...
A fossil track or ichnite (Greek "ιχνιον" (ichnion) – a track, trace or footstep) is a fossilized footprint. This is a type of trace fossil. A fossil trackway is a sequence of fossil tracks left by a single organism. Over the years, many ichnites have been found, around the world, giving important clues about the behaviour (and foot ...
Skolithos trace fossil (scale bar is 10 mm) A number of biologically-created sedimentary structures exist, called trace fossils. Examples include burrows and various expressions of bioturbation. Ichnofacies are groups of trace fossils that together help give information on the depositional environment. In general, as deeper (into the sediment ...
Fodinichnia / ˌ f ɒ d ɪ ˈ n ɪ k n i ə / (singular fodinichnion) are trace fossils formed by deposit feeders as they excavate the sediment in search of food. [1] They tend to have repeated patterns (e.g. Chondrites) or spreites (e.g. Rhizocorallium), the shape reflecting the systematic feeding strategy used by the organism as it scours the sediment.
Paleoichnology analyzes the tracks, borings, trails, burrows, impressions, and other trace fossils left by ancient organisms in order to gain insight into their behavior and ecology. Stratigraphic paleobiology studies long-term secular changes, as well as the (short-term) bed-by-bed sequence of changes, in organismal characteristics and behaviors.