Composite Trace Fossil Assemblage in a Distal Carbonate Setting from the Tethys (Middle Jurassic, Betic Cordillera, Southern Spain)

Abstract

Ichnological analysis of a Middle Jurassic carbonate surface from the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain) reveals a complex trace fossil assemblage, including softground Ophiomorpha, firmground Arenicolites, Thalassinoides and Gastrochaenolites, and hardground Trypanites as well as possible Gastrochaenolites. The ecological replacement in the macrobenthic community is interpreted according to successive suites that are controlled mainly by substrate consistency. Variations in composition and abundance of trace fossils between suites can be ecologically and/or taphonomically determined.

Keywords:

• Carbonates
• Ichnological assemblage
• Suite
• Ecological replacement
• Firmness
• Bathonian
• Betic Cordillera

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We acknowledge useful comments by reviewers (Drs. Ekdale and Monaco) and Associate Editor (Dr. Buatois). This research was carried out with financial support of the research projects CGL2008-03007, CGL2009-10329 and CGL2012-33281 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación), P08-RNM-03715 and the Research Groups RNM-178 and RNM-200 (Junta de Andalucía).