Trace fossils in Quaternary glacial varved clays near Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

Trace fossils Broomichnium cf. fliri, Glaciichnium cf. liebegastensis, Planolites isp., ?Undichna isp. and ?Warvichnium ulbrichi have been recognised in early Holocene glacial varved clays near Vittinge, west of Uppsala, Sweden. They are referred to different arthropods and fishes that periodically colonised the lake floor and were important components of the ecosystem. The trace fossils are typical of the Glaciichnium ichnocoenosis within the Mermia ichnofacies, which suggests less stressful conditions in Vittinge than in many other Quaternary varved clays in Europe typified by the Cochlichnus ichnocoenosis.

Keywords:

• trace fossils
• Mermia ichnofacies
• varves
• Quaternary
• Sweden

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Lafarge Roofing AB for permission to visit the Vittinge clay pit. The stay of A. Uchman at the Swedish Museum of Natural History was supported from EU (Synthesis Programme). Support from the Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland and Stockholm University, Sweden is kindly acknowledged. Two anonymous reviewers and the Associate Editor, M.D. Johnson, are acknowledged for their helpful comments.