Rosarichnoides sudeticus igen. et isp. nov. and associated fossils from the Coniacian of the North Sudetic Synclinorium (SW Poland)

Abstract

A new ichnogenus and ichnospecies Rosarichnoides sudeticus is proposed for a large, exceptionally well preserved crustacean burrow, which has been found in the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) Quadersandstein of the North Sudetic Synclinorium (Czaple quarry). Some of its specimens have been assigned to Thalassinoides saxonicus (Geinitz, 1842). It is unbranched, a characteristic rosary-shaped trace fossil, which consists of alternating chambers (swellings) and constrictions. The burrow is without any wall and usually lack ornamentation and has a passive fill. It should be included in ophiomorphid group sensu Bromley (1996). This unique finding resembles modern crustacean burrows produced by shrimps or crabs. Additionally, Thalassinoides paradoxicus (Woodward, 1830), the starfish Astropecten scupini Andert, 1934, the inoceramids Inoceramus kleini Müller, 1888 and Inoceramus sp. were found in the same sandstones. The trace fossils are indicative of the archetypal Skolithos ichnofacies that is typical of foreshore to middle shoreface settings.