A Large Trace Fossil in Nodular Limestones (Lower Devonian, Czech Republic): Sedimentological Consequences, Ethology and Taphonomy

Abstract

Large star-like trace fossil was found on the upper bedding plane of nodular limestone of the Praha Formation (Pragian, Devonian) at Praha, Czech Republic. It was tentatively placed to the ichnogenus Capodistria. It is interpreted as a feeding trace that originated on the seafloor surface. The structure consists of 10–11 radial rays and its longer axis is 60 cm. The rays are preserved as concave epireliefs, up to 10 mm deep and 25 mm wide. The trace fossil partly intersects nodules that cover surfaces of most bedding planes of the Praha Formation, demonstrating that the nodules formed during the earliest stages of diagenesis.

Keywords:

• Bioturbation
• Fodinichnia
• Carbonate
• Nodules
• Devonian
• Czech Republic

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the official reviewers of Ichnos and to the Associate Editor Dirk Knaust for valuable comments.

FUNDING

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by Czech Science Foundation (GA14-18183S) and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (RVO 67985831).