A new trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

A. A. Lane; S. J. Braddy; D. E.G. Briggs; D. K. Elliott

doi:10.1111/1475-4983.00329

A new trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

A. A. Lane, S. J. Braddy, D. E.G. Briggs, D. K. Elliott

Earth and Sustainability

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13 Scopus citations

Abstract

An unusual trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian Bright Angel Shale Formation of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, consisting of two rows of biserially opposed circular or oval depressions, with alternating symmetry, is described as Bicavichnites martini ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. While specimens of this trace may represent the surface expression of a complex treptichnid-like burrow system, it is more likely that they are the walking traces of a bilaterally symmetrical benthic animal. The large variation in external width within the trackways is inconsistent with an arthropod producer. The trackway morphology and presence of limb spur marks suggest that the trace maker may have been a lobopodian, a Cambrian relative of modern onychophorans.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	987-997
Number of pages	11
Journal	Palaeontology
Volume	46
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4983.00329
State	Published - Sep 2003

Keywords

Arizona
Burrow
Cambrian
Lobopod
Trace fossil
Trackway

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Palaeontology

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10.1111/1475-4983.00329

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abstract = "An unusual trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian Bright Angel Shale Formation of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, consisting of two rows of biserially opposed circular or oval depressions, with alternating symmetry, is described as Bicavichnites martini ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov. While specimens of this trace may represent the surface expression of a complex treptichnid-like burrow system, it is more likely that they are the walking traces of a bilaterally symmetrical benthic animal. The large variation in external width within the trackways is inconsistent with an arthropod producer. The trackway morphology and presence of limb spur marks suggest that the trace maker may have been a lobopodian, a Cambrian relative of modern onychophorans.",

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AU - Braddy, S. J.

AU - Briggs, D. E.G.

AU - Elliott, D. K.

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KW - Lobopod

KW - Trace fossil

KW - Trackway

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A new trace fossil from the Middle Cambrian of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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