Trusheimichnus New Ichnogenus From the Middle Triassic of the Germanic Basin, Southern Germany

Abstract

The proposed new ichnogenus Trusheimichnus n. ig., is a new name for forms hitherto assigned to Arenicolites. The trace fossil occurs in marine upper Middle Triassic limestones. A restudy of type material of Arenicolites franconicus Trusheim, 1934 revealed that the burrows are no U-burrows but irregular tubular structures that terminate in a small oval or bulbous chamber. Associated with the tubular structures are conical to lunate-shaped epichnial mounds.

Keywords:

• New ichnogenus
• Middle Triassic
• Germanic Basin
• marine trace fossils

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks are due to Gerd Geyer for fruitful discussions. M. Gabriela Mangáno and an anonymous reviewer are gratefully acknowledged for their constructive criticism.