A new ichnospecies of Nereites from carboniferous tidal-flat facies of eastern Kansas, USA: Implications for the Nereites-Neonereites debate

Journal of Paleontology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Predominantly horizontal, gently curved to slightly sinuous traces constituting uniserial rows of imbricated, subspherical sediment pads occur in Pennsylvanian tidal-flat facies of eastern Kansas. These traces exhibit a complex, actively filled internal structure. The presence of a median tunnel enveloped by overlapping pads of reworked sediment indicates that these biogenic structures should be included in the ichnogenus Nereites MacLeay in Murchison, 1839. A new ichnospecies, N. imbricata, is erected. Externally, Nereites imbricata differs from the other Nereites ichnospecies by the large, tightly packed, imbricated pads that commonly result in an annulated appearance on bedding-planes. Internally, obliquely arranged, arcuate laminae envelope the median tunnel and tend to follow the outline of the external semispherical pads. Additionally, the behavioral pattern reflected by N. imbricata is less specialized than that of the other Nereites ichnospecies. Eione monoliformis Tate, 1859 resembles N. imbricata in general appearence, but lack the diagnostic Nereites internal structure, and is invariably preserved as positive epireliefs. Occurrence of Nereites imbricata as both median tunnels surrounded by reworked sediment (Nereites preservation) and uniserial rows of imbricated sediment pads (Neonereites preservation) supports the notion that Neonereites Seilacher, 1960 is a preservational variant of Nereites. The ichnogenus Nereites is an eurybathic form and is a common component of Paleozoic shallow-marine facies.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A new ichnospecies of Nereites from carboniferous tidal-flat facies of eastern Kansas, USA: Implications for the Nereites-Neonereites debate
Series title Journal of Paleontology
DOI 10.1666/0022-3360(2000)074<0149:ANIONF>2.0.CO;2
Volume 74
Issue 1
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Description 9 p.
First page 149
Last page 157
Country United States
State Kansas
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details