L.A. Buatois
C.G. Maples
William P. Lanier
M.G. Mangano
1997
<p><span>Upper Carboniferous tidal rhythmites of the Tonganoxie Sandstone Member (Stranger Formation) at Buildex Quarry, eastern Kansas, USA, host a relatively diverse arthropod-dominated ichnofauna. Bilaterally symmetrical traces displaying unique anterior and posterior sets of morphological features are well represented within the assemblage. A new ichnogenus, </span><i>Tonganoxichnus</i><span>, is proposed for these traces. </span><i>T. buildexensis</i><span>, the type ichnospecies, has an anterior region characterized by the presence of a frontal pair of maxillary palp impressions, followed by a head impression and three pairs of conspicuous thoracic appendage imprints symmetrically opposite along a median axis. The posterior region commonly exhibits numerous delicate chevron-like markings, recording the abdominal appendages, and a thin, straight, terminal extension. </span><i>T. buildexensis</i><span> is interpreted as a resting trace. A second ichnospecies, </span><i>T. ottawensis</i><span>, is characterized by a fan-like arrangement of mostly bifid scratch marks at the anterior area that records the head- and thoracic-appendage backstrokes against the substrate. The posterior area shows chevron-like markings or small subcircular impressions that record the abdominal appendages of the animal, also ending in a thin, straight, terminal extension. Specimens display lateral repetition, and are commonly grouped into twos or threes with a fix point at the posteriormost tail-like structure. </span><i>T. ottawensis</i><span> is interpreted as a jumping structure, probably in connection with feeding purposes. The two ichnospecies occur in close association, and share sufficient morphologic features to support the same type of arthropod producer. </span><i>T. buildexensis</i><span> closely mimics the ventral anatomy of the tracemaker, whereas </span><i>T. ottawensis</i><span> records the jumping abilities of the animal providing significant ethologic and paleoecologic information. The presence of well-differentiated cephalic, thoracic, and abdominal features, particularly in </span><i>T. buildexensis</i><span>, resembles the diagnostic tagmosis and segmentation of insects. Detailed analysis of trace morphology and comparison with described Paleozoic insect fossils and extant related forms suggest a monuran as the most likely tracemaker.</span></p>
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10.1111/j.1502-3931.1997.tb00451.x
en
Wiley
Tonganoxichnus, a new insect trace from the Upper Carboniferous of eastern Kansas
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