Invertebrate Ichnology

La série mésocrétacée (Albien supérieur-Cénomanien inférieur) des monts des Ouled Naïl (Atlas saharien oriental, Algérie) est représentée par des alternances marno-calcaires qui sont caractérisées par une bioturbation modérée à faible. Cette dernière comprend Gyrolithes isp., Oichnus isp., Planolites isp., Skolithos isp., Thalassinoides isp., T. paradoxicus Woodward, 1830, T. suevicus Rieth, 1930 et Tisoa siphonalis de Serres, 1840. L'ichnoassemblage enregistré ici est représenté par des traces d'habitat (domichnia), de nutrition (fodinichnia) et de prédation (praedichnia), produites essentiellement par des crustacés décapodes, des vers (surtout des polychètes) et des gastéropodes naticidés. Il reflète les ichnofaciès à Skolithos et à Glossifungites. Aussi, les terriers de Thalassinoides paradoxicus et la trace bioérosive (boring) Oichnus sont enregistrés pour la première fois en Algérie. Sédimentologiquement, quinze (15) faciès-types ont été décrits et interprétés sur le plan environnemental. Les données sédimentologiques et l'évolution verticale des traces fossiles corroborent un milieu marin très peu profond à influence tidale dans la partie basale de la série, qui est caractérisée par l'abondance des trois ichnoespèces de Thalassinoides et par la présence des séquences loféritiques. Un approfondissement a eu lieu dans la partie centrale de la série, marquée surtout par la dominance des calcaires micritiques, la rareté de la faune benthique et la présence de la trace bioérosive Oichnus. L'étude sédimentologique de la partie sommitale de la série suggère un environnement marin peu profond, soumis à l'action des vagues de tempêtes et de marées, indiqué par la fréquence des figures sédimentaires (HCS, SCS, laminations entrecroisées…) et des traces fossiles qui supportent des conditions pareilles (ex. Skolithos isp., Tisoa siphonalis).

The insect trace fossil Laetolichnus kwekai, which is composed of a small chamber extending to slender cylinders at each end, was tentatively included in the ichnofamily Krausichnidae as termite nests. New evidence presented here provides information to validate these inferences. A more complex structure formed by interconnected Laetolichnus was recently found in the same Pliocene deposits (Laetoli, Tanzania) as the isolated specimens reported previously. Our study confirms inclusion of Laetolichnus in Krausichnidae and supports the inference that it represents a nest of a social insect. Neoichnological field studies in the coastal dunes of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, were undertaken to refine further the nature of these affinities. Survey of the dune surface revealed abundant loose fragments of termite nests of a size and shape comparable to that of L. kwekai. The fragile nests constructed by Onkotermes brevicorniger, which are described here in detail for the first time, enable us to interpret the fossil structures. They consist of connected chambers similar to the interconnected Laetolichnus. These were frequently exposed and broken by wind action resulting in loose fragments similar to the isolated Laetolichnus. The Celliforma ichnofacies represented at Laetoli, which contains L. kwekai, indicates arid or semiarid shrublands and woodlands. The distribution of O. brevicorniger also corresponds to arid and semiarid shrublands and dry woodlands of Argentina. Although the African termite producer of L. kwekai and the South American Onkotermes would be phylogenetically unrelated, the analogous structures probably reflect convergent nesting behaviors as an adaptation to similar arid to semiarid environmental conditions.

Dinosaur tracks are biogenic, sedimentary structures and not body fossils or biological objects in the common sense. They result from the complex interaction of the kinematics of the trackmaker, its foot anatomy, and the substrate properties, and from taphonomic processes acting prior to the incorporation of the tracks into the sedimentary record. The objective of this work is an interdisciplinary study of a large sample of dinosaur tracks and trackways linking sedimentology with vertebrate ichnology, palaeontology, and palaeoecology.

Excellent conditions are provided by the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Chevenez—Combe Ronde tracksite, which is one of several tracksites located on the future course of the Transjurane highway near Porrentruy (Canton Jura, NW Switzerland). Here, eight superimposed dinosaur track-bearing surfaces were systematically excavated level-by-level within a 0,65 m thick laminite interval, unearthing almost 1400 dinosaur tracks. The main track level, located at the base of the interval, is the most diverse ichnoassemblage composed of 14 trackways of tiny (Pes Length < 25 cm) and small (25 cm < PL < 50 cm) sauropods and 43 trackways of minute (PL < 10 cm), small (10 cm < PL < 20 cm), and medium-sized
(20 cm < PL < 30 cm) bipedal, tridactyl dinosaurs.

The main issues are: (1) identification of true tracks, undertracks, and overtracks, and their relationships with substrate properties, their link with the exposure index, and their utility in the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment; (2) implications of the main track level ichnoassemblage for dinosaur behaviour, the terrestrial palaeoecosystem, and vertebrate ichnofacies; (3) relationships between variability in trackway patterns and configurations with locomotion speed, behaviour, and substrate properties as well as implications for locomotion capabilities; (4) Quantification and relevance of sauropod trackway gauge; and (5) interpretation of manus-dominated and pes-only sauropod trackways.

The approach is first actualistic by studying human footprints and processes acting during their formation and preservation on modern tidal-flats. In these highly structured environments, microbial mats are ubiquitous, strongly facies-specific, and occupy a key position during and after footprint formation. Undertracks readily form in biolaminated sediment, whilst underprints and deep tracks are common in unlaminated, water-saturated sediment. Most consolidated vertebrate tracks are affected by taphonomic processes, including renewed and/or repeated growth of microbial mats leading to the formation of modified true tracks, internal overtracks (track fills), and overtracks.

The sauropod tracks and the encasing laminite interval of the Combe Ronde site are then subject of detailed sedimentological and taphonomical analyses. This discloses the sediment properties at the time of track formation and reveals the processes modifying the tracks during subaerial exposure and integrating them into the sedimentary record. Track morphology, associated track features, and sedimentary features can be linked with the exposure index, identifying the palaeoenvironment as a supratidal flat not located in close proximity to a coastline. These flats were susceptible for track recording only during short periods after wetting due to a rainy period or due to occasional storms. Longer periods of subaerial exposure prior to burial are indicated by the presence of internal overtracks and/or overtracks, and rapid covering up is indicated by the lack of overtracks on top of tracks with large displacement rims. Cross-sections of sauropod tracks provide insight into the consolidation history of the substrate prior to track formation and into the walking dynamics of dinosaurs, confirming that sauropods put their hindfeet in a pronounced plantigrade way on the ground.

The level-by-level superimposition of the studied surfaces enables to identify true tracks, undertracks, and overtracks. The best-defined true tracks (anatomical morphotypes) of the main track level are then used for ichnotaxonomy and trackmaker identification, and the detailed analyses of trackway parameters, including trackway gauge, provide insight into the locomotion capabilities of dinosaurs.

The best-defined minute and small tridactyl tracks can be assigned to the ichnogenus Carmelopodus, extending it from the Middle Jurassic into the Late Jurassic. These tracks were likely left by a small theropod dinosaur similar in size to Compsognathus or Juravenator. The medium-sized tridactyl tracks of morphotype II exhibit some of the typical features of the ichnogenus Therangospodus (attributed to large and robust theropods) but also some of ornithopod ichnotaxa.

The sauropod trackways show a wide range of patterns and configurations but are all medium- to wide-gauge. Therefore, they are assigned tentatively to the ichnogenus Brontopodus attributed to derived “brachiosaurid” or “titanosaurid” dinosaurs. The variability of the trackways reflects the general locomotion capabilities of the trackmakers and is an expression of individual walking style and behaviour, which may be related to substrate properties. Trackway patterns (the degree of manus overprinting by the pes) and different trackway configurations including trackway gauge are not only related to locomotion speed, and they provide no evidence of a relationship with ontogeny.

The gauge of sauropod trackways can be quantified with the pes trackway ratio and the here defined [WAP/PL]-ratio (Width of the pes Angulation Pattern / Pes Length). Gauge is possibly related to the substrate and the behaviour of the trackmaker adapting to it, but this does not change the overall medium-gauge to wide-gauge appearance of the trackways. The manus-dominated and pes-only sauropod trackways of the Combe Ronde site are explained by trackmakers exerting more pressure on the manus than the pes, and by overprinting of the manus by the pes, respectively.

The alignment of trackways on the main track level shows no evidence of a nearby shoreline and of interactions between the different groups of dinosaurs. It indicates gregarious behaviour amongst tiny and small sauropods, and suggests that minute and small bipedal dinosaurs were frequent visitors on the supratidal flats.

The ichnoassemblage of the main track level is the first one found in the Jura Mountains displaying abundant minute and small tridactyl tracks. This is also typical for the other Ajoie ichnoassemblages, which further exhibit tracks of tiny to large (up to 1,1 m PL) sauropods, and tracks of medium-sized to large (up to 0,8 m PL) bipedal dinosaurs. Sauropod trackways include narrow-gauge and wide-gauge trackways indicating the presence of “basal” and derived sauropods. This suggests that dwarfed insular animals can be excluded as trackmakers of the tiny and small sauropod trackways of the Ajoie ichnoassemblages and the Combe Ronde tracksite and that the Jura carbonate platform was connected with the landmasses of the London-Brabant Massif and the Massif Central during periods of emersion. Dinosaurs used the Jura carbonate platform for the establishment of in situ, predominantly saurischian dinosaur populations, but also as a migration corridor between the massifs.

Because the Ajoie ichnoassemblages are dominated by small tridactyl tracks, they differ from other Jurassic tetrapod ichnofacies in carbonate settings, notably from the Brontopodus ichnofacies. In the case of those ichnoassemblages commonly attributed to the Brontopodus ichnofacies, the lack or rareness of small tridactyl tracks may indicate the absence of small trackmakers in those palaeoenvironments or unsuitable conditions for the formation and preservation of small tracks.

This study highlights the benefits of systematic and interdisciplinary analyses of dinosaur tracks, which disclose variations related to behaviour and to differences in substrate. This allows recognizing anatomical morphotypes and trackway configurations representative of typical trackmaker behaviour. The latter can then also be used in ichnotaxonomical classification. Similar approaches should be in the focus of future work and performed on the other tracksites and ichnoassemblages of the Ajoie. Together with the evidence from other tracksites of the Jura Mountains, this will contribute towards a better understanding of the terrestrial palaeoenvironments and palaeogeography, and of dinosaur palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography on the Jura carbonate platform.

Organism-substrate interactions and their products – biogenic structures – are important biosignatures on Earth. This study discusses the application of ichnology – the study of organism-substrate interactions – to the search for present and past life beyond Earth. Three main questions are addressed: (1) Why to look for biogenic structures (i.e. traces and ichnofabrics) beyond Earth? (2) What biogenic structures to expect on other planets, moons and asteroids? (3) How to study extraterrestrial biogenic structures? Review of terrestrial evidence highlights a set of properties that make traces and ichnofabrics important for the search of potential extraterrestrial life: trace fossils preserve the activity of soft-bodied organisms; biogenic structures are resilient to processes that obliterate other biosignatures (i.e. mechanical and chemical degradation , diagenesis, tectonism and metamorphism); traces are very visible biosignatures; traces indicate environment and behaviour; traces can be universal biosignatures, i.e., biosignatures ideally suited for detecting any type of life. A model of organism-substrate interactions beyond Earth is here proposed. Expected extraterrestrial traces are those that manifest behaviours that allow to maintain homeostasis: excavations, meandering traces and biodeposition structures. Most of the existing rovers and orbiters provide basic instruments for searching these traces. It is here suggested that the search for extraterrestrial biogenic structures by rovers would also benefit from artificial adjustable lighting, GPR, LiDAR, and drilling equipment with optical televiewer. In this study, open-access databases of rover and orbiter imagery have been searched for traces and ichno-fabrics, but no unquestionable evidence of biogenic structures beyond Earth has been found besides those produced by humans. This sounds along the lines of the famous Fermi Paradox: if the universe is teeming with aliens, where are their traces? Results of this search show that habitable environments are not the only place to look for biogenic structures; non-habitable environments such as moons without atmosphere can favour the preservation of shallow-tier traces. The better preservation potential of traces compared to other biosignatures greatly widens the issue of planetary protection, including the interaction between astronauts or vehicles and the substrate may produce disturbances. Although this study highlights a new direction of study with the tools and concepts of ichnology, dialogue MARK between the astrobiological and ichnological communities is needed to use its full potential and possibly answer one of the major questions of science: Does life exist beyond Earth?

Basierend auf der Sammlung Fabiszisky werden die Fossilassoziationen eines aufgelassenen Steinbruchs in der obe-ren Nellenköpfchen-Formation (Unterdevon, Vallendar-Unterstufe) im mittleren Kondertal südlich von Koblenz aufgelistet. Ein Großteil der Taxa wird abgebildet und kommentiert. Hinsichtlich der Lithologie sowie der fossilen Flora und Fauna lassen sich große Übereinstimmungen mit dem Steinbruch im Alkener Bachtal feststellen. Darüber hinaus machen Spurenfossilien einen großen Anteil der Funde aus. Die Spurenfossil-Assoziationen der bankigen Sandstein-Abfolgen lassen sich der Skolithos-Ichnofazies zuordnen, während solche aus Sand/Silt-Wechsellagen die Cruziana-Ichnofazies anzeigen. Für die im Steinbruch aufgeschlossene Abfolge der Nellenköpfchen-Formation wird ein landnahes, gezeiten-und sturmbeeinflusstes, wahrscheinlich zeitweise brackisches Ablagerungsmilieu im Bereich einer subaquatischen Deltaplattform angenommen.

Abstract The quarry in the Kondertal south of Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate, SW-Germany) – a preliminary palaeontological inventory based on the collection of kurt Fabiszisky (†) Based on the Fabiszisky collection the fossil associations of an abandoned quarry in the middle Kondertal south of Koblenz are listed. The exposed sequence is of Lower Devonian (Lower Emsian, Vallendar Substage, upper Nel-lenköpfchen Formation) age. Most recorded taxa are figured and commented upon. Lithology as well as fossil flora and fauna show striking similarities to the famous Alken quarry. In addition, trace fossils constitute a large part of the collection. Trace fossil associations of the thick sandstone sequences reflect the Skolithos ichnofacies, whereas those from interbedded sands and silts represent the Cruziana ichnofacies. For the exposed sequence, a near shore, tidally as well as storm-influenced and probably at times brackish depositional environment within the reaches of a shallow, subtidal delta plain is assumed.

Late Paleozoic ichnofaunas from eight different Gondwanic basins (Paganzo, San Rafael, Tarija, Paraná, Karoo, Falkland, Transantarctic and Sydney) provide valuable evidence to reconstruct the environmental conditions of postglacial transgressions. The depositional environment of most of these transgressive fine-grained deposits has been historically controversial, with interpretations ranging from freshwater lacustrine to brackish-water estuarine and even normal salinity, open marine platforms. Although the various units differ in the degree of marine connection, the common theme in all is the presence of freshwater ichnofaunas in direct association with glacially-influenced coasts affected by strong discharges of meltwater. Ichnofaunas are typically dominated by nonspecialized grazing trails (Mermia, Helminthopsis, Helminthoidichnites), simple feeding traces (Treptichnus), arthropod trackways (Diplichnites, Umfolozia) and fish trails (Undichna). These are typical of freshwater environments and represent examples of the Mermia and, to a lesser extent, the Scoyenia ichnofacies. A complex paleogeography of deep and large coastal lakes and fjords is suggested. Freshwater conditions were prevalent during most of the time because these areas were affected by a strong discharge of freshwater due to melting of the ice masses during deglaciation. The simple dichotomy between marine and nonmarine settings is misleading because these peculiar assemblages should be first understood in terms of their paleoecologic significance and subsequently placed within a larger paleoenvironmental context. Laterally persistent, albeit diachronous, peri-Gondwanan ichnofaunas characterize melting of the late Paleozoic ice caps. Temporal recurrence of these ichnofaunas through the Late Carboniferous-Middle Permian indicates a common response of benthic faunas under similar ecological conditions during deglaciation events.

Abstract. This study includes a thorough systematic analysis of the ichnological record in the uppermost section of the Agua de la Mula
Member of the Agrio Formation (Mendoza Group) in the Neuquén Basin (Argentina). The Bajada del Agrio section represents an environment
evolving from marine to marginal-marine. Five main facies were defined: (1) an oolitic-skeletal bar; (2) transgressive pelites and
coquinas (bioclastic conglomerates); (3) progradational coarsening-upward sandstones; (4) heterolithic deposits; and (5) heterolithic and
carbonatic deposits. Fluctuating salinity and/or hypersalinity is inferred in the open tidal-flat deposits (facies 4). Sixteen ichnotaxa were
identified and three types of trace fossils were described using open nomenclature because of the poor preservation of the material. Three ichnoassemblages
are described. The section yielded trace fossils of callianasid decapods, palaeotaxodont bivalves, annelids and small tetrapods.
Paleoenvironmental information drawn from trace fossils is coincident with sedimentologic evidence. It also highlights the current lack of
accurate ichnological models for marginal marine hypersaline or fluctuating-saline environments, and suggests that sharp salinity changes in
the environment not necessarily implie a decrease in ichnodiversity.

Ichnologists have overused the root ichn- “trace”, employing it in new terms and new ichnogenera alike, to the point where it can be difficult to express oneself clearly without using it several times in one sentence. The root derives from Ancient Greek ἴχνος (ichnos), which means “footprint” or “track”, or by extension a “trace”, any sign of an animal’s activity. Perhaps it is time to explore the use of other roots to create new ichnologic terms and genera. Alternative Latin and Greek roots are given here, as well as advice on how to construct new ichnogenera in a technically correct and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Spiral burrows perpendicular to the bedding plane are well known in the fossil record and are usually referred to the ichnogenus Gyrolithes. Common in Mesozoic and Cenozoic marginal-marine, brackish-water deposits, the only records of Gyrolithes in Paleozoic rocks are from the Cambrian. In Permian rocks of the Paraná Basin (Rio do Sul and marine, brackish-water siltstone and mudstone, closely associated with Thalassinoides, forming a Glossifungites suite. with extreme salinity fluctuations in Mesozoic and Cenozoic brackish-water environments. However, spirals produced by strategy to exploit organic-rich zones of the substrate in calm and protected environments. The discovery of spiral burrows in Permian marginal-marine stiffgrounds to firmgrounds indicates that this strategy was already adopted by some group of infaunal crustaceans in brackish-water ecosystems during the late Paleozoic.

The Triassic red beds of the Caturrita Formation (Paraná Basin, southern Brazil) contain abundant Skolithos, common Taenidium, and rare Arenicolites in low-angle, trough cross-bedded fine-grained sandstones interpreted as crevasse-splay deposits, forming a Skolithos- dominated composite piperock and providing easily mappable horizons. Skolithos cf. serratus is the dominant trace fossil, being closely spaced (~ 160 burrows/m2), slightly inclined, and having sharp, irregular boundaries with delicate scratch ornament. The average burrow length is approximately 0.2 m, but some may extend as deep as 0.4 m into the substrate. They crosscut a previous monospecific Taenidium barretti ichnocoenosis, formed by vertical meniscate burrows, which is superimposed on a previous Skolithos linearis ichnocoenosis, formed by abundant S. linearis, subordinate horizontal T. barretti, and rare Arenicolites isp. Colonization was firstly generated in softgrounds, maybe under subaqueous conditions, and reveals gradual substrate desiccation, the S. cf. serratus being produced in firmgrounds. The analyzed specimens of Skolithos resemble modern tiger beetle and midge larva burrows, while Taenidium is similar to modern oligochaete burrows. The dense concentration of vertical burrows reveals opportunistic colonization and suggests important environmental (climatic?) changes opening the colonization window to insects in floodplains. This highlights the stratigraphic significance of the colonized surfaces, which represent nondepositional hiatuses.

The State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, is rich in fossils and has a long-standing tradition of paleontological research. Nevertheless, most of these studies have been focused on vertebrates and invertebrates body fossils, with the ichnological record being overlooked. Here, we report the occurrence of ichnofossils (Diplocraterion parallelum, Ophiomorpha nodosa, Skolithos linearis, and Palaeophycus tubularis) from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Cárdenas Formation, southeastern San Luis Potosí. Invertebrate trace fossils and associated body fossils suggest that the Cárdenas Formation was deposited in a low to high energy system, with occasional storm events, in a shallow waterplatform (delta plain or coastal paleoenvironment influenced by tidal action).

Silurian–Devonian deposits of central western Argentina contain one of the most diverse Palaeozoic records of Nereites in Gondwana. Nereites cf. cambrensis, Nereites irregularis?, Nereites jacksoni, Nereites macleayii, Nereites missouriensis and Nereites pugnus are documented in a turbidite-like succession of the San Rafael Block (Río Seco de los Castaños Formation). The succession, historically assumed as deep-sea deposits or interpreted as a deltaic system, also contains abundant microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) such as wrinkle marks. Glossy surfaces indicate abundant biofilms, where the fossil record comprises N. macleayii, N.missouriensis, scarce arthropod trackways (Diplichnites?) and undermat-miner structures. Nereites, the pioneer colonizer, is in some cases cross-cut by Dictyodora, while undermat miners are the late bioturbators. The succession is dominated by gravity flowdeposits, including stormrelated, turbidite-like deposits and abundant wrinkle marks. These suggest deposition on the shelf rather than the deep sea. This study shows thatmicrobial matswere
not restricted to marginal marine environments during the mid Palaeozoic, and documents one of the most diverse Palaeozoic records of Nereites inwestern Gondwana. It also contributes to the record of Nereites, Dictyodora,and Zoophycos found, for first time, in association with microbial mat structures in the late Silurian−earliest Devonian, the Nereites ichnofacies together with abundant wrinkle marks.

This is an investigation of bioturbation and mollusks in vibracores from Mississippi Sound, one of the few ichnologic papers to utilize this method. Westward extension of a barrier island (Dauphin Island) gradually throttled the circulation of marine water in Mississippi Sound, and this freshening is reflected by bioturbation and mollusk assemblages.

To cite this article: Monaco P., Famiani F. & la iacona F. (2016)-bulldozing and resting traces of freshwater mussel Anodonta woodiana and substrate characteristics in lake-margin and river settings of Umbria, italy. Riv. It. Paleont. Strat., 122(1): 53-62. Abstract. The neoichnology of the freshwater mussel Anodonta (Sinanodonta) woodiana (lea, 1834) is examined herein in some continental environments of Umbria (central italy), such as lake-margin and river dam-margin settings. This study, based on analysis of about 200 traces, reveals that this mussel burrows employing two types of behaviours: bulldozing which produces horizontal meanders to straight bilobate traces, often filled with peloidal faecal pellets (pseudofaeces and backfill), and resting (vertical stationary into substrate) while filter feeding. A new type of very soft substrate, the 'cloudground' is proposed. it is placed at the water-sediment interface, above the soupground. after four years of observation, the cloudground was buried with shells and traces, preserving through the fossili-zation barrier about 20% of the Anodonta traces. This bivalve activity is a useful tool to recognize preservation of mud in quiet environments and parallels ichnological evidence of unknown epichnial trace fossils in the continental realm. Cloudground with resting traces must be investigated also in modern marine basin floor environments where cloud of mud dominates and considered also in geological record.

A synthesis about the ichnofauna fropm the Rio do Sul Formation (Itararé Group, Lower Permian of Paraná Basin) in Itaú-Itaúna Quarry, Trombudo Central area, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, is presented here. Crawling trails as Umfolozia, Diplopodichnus, and Diplichnites dominate the assemblage, complemented by shallow burrows of Helminthoidichnites, Neonereites, ?Hormosiroidea, Rusophycus, Gluckstadtella, and Cruziana (less frequent). The trace fossil assemblage is well distributed in overall sedimentary succession and comprise two major trace fossil suites, one dominated by arthropod trails and shallow burrows (related to Scoyenia Ichnofacies), and the other dominated by Helminthoidichnites, remarking grazing activity in subaquatic environment. Common recurrence of both suites and their association with tasmanitids and framboidal pyrite suggest marginal marine environment, probably a coastal bay deposit, sporadically or seasonally restricted by increasing of ice covering, and marine flooding episodes, whrn deglaciation comes on.

The Inajá Formation documents the first depositional cycle under continental shelf conditions during the Devonian in the intracratonic Jatoba Basin, Pernambuco, with a predominance of marine depositional environment of shallow platform. Its lithology of thin laminated sandstones, with ferruginous sandy intercalations and levels of organic matter preserved relevant molluscan fauna and brachiopods as well as diverse trace fossil record. The work presents paleoecological inferences for the invertebrate fauna based on quantitative analysis, taphonomic and functional morphology. The material studied belongs to the scientific collection of the Department of Geology-UFPE. The fauna is studied bivalve orders - Pterioida (Leptodesma (Leptodesma) langei), Modiomorphoida (Spathella brevis), Pholadomyoida (Sanguinolites pernambucensis; S. rochacamposi e Edmondia philipi), Nuculoidea (Nuculites aff. oblongatus), Carditoida (Cypricardella petrolandensis), Pectinoida (Streblopteria antiqua) brachiopods and of the orders – Lingulida (Lingula aff. scalprum e Orbiculoidea), Terebratullida (Hamburguia ? sp.) e Rhynchonellida (Camarotoechia jatobensis). 761 specimens were analyzed preserved as mould and by substitution, which allowed us to infer the habit semi-infaunal and infaunal preferred among bivalves and epifaunal for the brachiopods with powered suspension-feeders dominant in the community, reinforcing shallow marine waters environment with moderately warm normal saline water for the deposition of the Inaja Foramtion (Upper Devonian) of the Jatoba Basin. The taphonomic data suggest an autochthonous/parautochthonous assembly.

During the late middle Oxfordian, patch reefs grew on the northern margin of the Paris Basin. According to the facies analysis of the reef and inter-reef sediments, the environment was a warm, clear and agitated sea with highly episodic sedimentation. The bioherms were a short-lived phenomenon during the third phase of regional reefal development. Sequence stratigraphically, they are associated with a highstand system tract. Volumetrically and trophically dominant organisms were microbes now represented by massive clotted leiolite; ‘stalactitic’ hemispheroids with purely thrombolitic texture are restricted to open caves.

Corals were of structural, reef-building importance due to their rapid upward growth. The patch reefs are characterised by thickets of ramose corals which developed a very open framework. In the vicinity of these patch reefs, though in hydrodynamically higher-energy environments, grew thickets of more stoutly branched corals; however, they are rarely preserved in situ and are generally represented as abundant coral rubble. The reef taxa are characterised by the notable absence of several groups (e.g. oysters, serpulids, bryozoans, pectinids) occurring at other localities where reefs of similar age developed in similar environmental conditions. The reefs also have strikingly modern aspects to them, in particular the presence of cryptic elements within caves and a sponge-dominated borer association. Dwellers belong to various life-form types although encrusting taxa are exceedingly rare. This may be explained by the presence of soft microbial films on most surfaces.

The palaeoecological analysis suggests that the major controls on faunal composition and high diversity were elevated nutrient levels, highly episodic sedimentation and probably seasonal environmental disturbances. Structural and functional aspects of the reef community (grazers trigger framebuilders, borers trigger binders, binders hamper borers) allow ecological comparisons to be made with contemporaneous, as well as Recent, reefs. The unique combination of ecological factors resulted in a specialised, previously undescribed, community which differs from both Tethyan and northern localities in various aspects; these include cavities with cryptofauna, prominence of grazing gastropods and high faunal diversity in a microbially dominated build-up.

ICHNOFAUNA FROM RHYTHMITES AT THE TOP OF THE MAFRA FORMATION (PERMIAN-CARBONIFEROUS OF THE PARANÁ BASIN) IN RIO NEGRO, PARANÁ STATE (PR), BRAZIL. The first occurrence of trace fossils from rhythmites at the top of Mafra Formation (the middle unit of the Itararé Group, Paraná Basin, southern Brazil) is recorded at Rio Negro Quarry (Rio Negro, Paraná State). The assemblage consist of arthropod intrastratal trails and trackways, and is similar to those documented in the Rio do Sul Formation (top of Itararé Group) by previous authors. The assemblage includes: Cruziana, Diplichiniotes, Diplopodichnus and Protichnites. Diplichnites is dominant, commonly forming monospecific suites. The Rio Negro Quarry succession consist of tabular, rhythmic deposits of parallel-laminated mudstones and siltstones, forming thickening and shallowing upward cycles. Mudstones, diamictites and sandstones overlie the rhythmites. Integrated ichnologic and sedimentologic analysis of these deposits suggests deposition in mudflats associated to marginal marine environments. The trace fossil assemblage resembles those recorded in modern backshore dunes and interdunes and non marine environments, being equivalent to other assigned to backshore, alluvial plains and lacustrine margins in Paleozoic rocks. However, no archetypical ichnofacies could be recognized.

Excrement-shaped masses of siderite and limonite have been reported from clay-rich sedimentary rocks that range in age from Late Permian to Holocene. These objects have been widely accepted as being copro-lites, but the ferruginous composition, absence of internal inclusions, and scarcity of associated vertebrate remains suggest that they may instead be pseudofossils created by mechanical deformation of plastic sediment. Possible abiotic mechanisms include coseismic liquefaction, intrusion of sediment into hollow logs, or expulsion of sediment in response to gravity. Alternatively, carbon stable isotope ratios indicate that sediment extrusion may have been related to emission of biogenic methane during early stages of diagenesis.

An integrated investigation emphasizing sedimentological and ichnological studies of Cretaceous deposits of the Alter do Chão Formation, exposed in the western Amazonas Basin, was undertaken with the aim of determining depositional environments. Four facies associations attributed to upper shoreface, foreshore, delta mouth bar, and lower/middle shoreface-prodelta depositional environments were recognized. The upper shoreface deposits were deposited by storm flows. They are interbedded with highly bioturbated sandstones displaying Thalassinoides, Planolites and Diplocraterion traces. The foreshore deposits, which are coarser-grained than the shoreface strata, are characterized by tabular sandstones with planar or trough cross-lamination/stratification, wavy/flaser lamination, and parallel lamination. These strata also contain an abundance of trace fossils. The delta mouth bar deposits comprise upward-coarsening beds displaying a lobed geometry. The lower/middle shoreface-prodelta settings consist of well-stratified, very fine-grained sandstones and mudstones deposited mostly by storm wave action. A wave-dominated delta system that prograded into a marine-influenced basin is supported for the study area. Therefore, in contrast to previous interpretations, it seems that a widespread transgression during the Cretaceous would have resulted in the submergence of large continental areas in the north of Brazil, affecting sediment deposition even in the innermost portions of the intracratonic Amazonas Basin.

Five types of coprolites, represented by 40 specimens from the Cambrian (Series 2-3) Burgess Shale-type deposits in the Pioche Shale of Nevada and the Spence Shale of Utah, are described. They are preserved in finely laminated deep-water calcareous mudstones. Round to ellipsoid features 13–42 mm in diameter consisting of black carbon film and variable amounts of skeletal fragments are interpreted as coprolites that were originally deposited in a burrow. Two kinds of elongated coprolites are also preserved and either consist of small pellets or skeletal debris. The pellets are typically 0.5 to 2 mm across and have a round to ellipsoid outline. Two different types of pellet-filled burrows are also present. The presence of organic tissue and skeletal fragments in some coprolites provides direct evidence of predatory or scavenging activity , and may advance understanding of the food chain in these Cambrian deposits. •

ABSTRACT—Crustacean microcoprolites, Parafavreina ziczac isp. nov., are among the most common fossils in the upper Smackover Formation (Upper Jurassic) of southwest Alabama. The new ichnospecies, Parafavreina ziczac, is characterized by its zigzag arrangement of canals having a triangular outline in transverse section. Associated fossils include photosynthesizing microbial buildups, calcareous benthic foraminifera, sponges, and echinoid ossicles along with rare to uncommon bivalves and gastropods. Other crustacean microcoprolites, Palaxius and Helicerina, are also present. The salinity is thought to have been about 50–60 ‰ to account for the very low diversity of organisms and dominance by thrombolites and stromatolites. The inferred paleoenvironment consisted of shallow, restricted basins with clear, well lit, relatively quiet, hypersaline water in an arid tropical climate.
The taphonomy and diagenesis of the microcoprolites were complex. Some, but not all, pellets were leached of organic material. Most were hardened sufficiently that they underwent no noticeable distortion through burial-related compaction. A mosaic of diagenetic pathways, heterogeneous at scales down to that of individual particles, led to three end-member classes for P. ziczac. These are 1) moldic pores, 2) dolomitized pellets, and 3) microcrystalline carbonate little altered from the pellets’ depositional texture.
P. ziczac is widespread in the Smackover Formation in rocks that contain few other fossils. This suggests that it might be a useful environmental indicator of hypersaline conditions. The geographic distribution of P. ziczac outside Alabama is not well known, but it has some potential as a biostratigraphic marker, even though it may be endemic to marginal basins along the Gulf of Mexico.

The paper analyzes the steps anticipating the adoption and international approval of the UNESCO Convention
for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. It deals, particularly, with a wide body of expert discussion reports
and studies laying the base for adopted political documents and legislative acts, summarizing resolutions and proposals,
which we had to consider. Retrospective and analytical review presented in the paper allows not only to recognize and
appreciate the long-term way anticipating the development of the final draft of the UNESCO Convention, but also to examine
most of conceptions, terms and principles applied in 2003 Convention which are further improving under challenges of
time and international community. Analyzing the genesis of criteria and principles, that is, the essence of today concept on
safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage underlying the 2003 Convention, the author stresses upon such important
its integral parts as comprehensive and interdisciplinary studies, broad field for dialogue directed at reaching consensus,
definition of the role of communities and individual bearers of the intangible cultural heritage.
У статті розглядаються кроки, що передували прийняттю та міжнародному схваленню Конвенції ЮНЕСКО про охорону нематеріальної культурної спадщини. Зокрема, ідеться про величезний масив матеріалів експертних обговорень і досліджень, на
основі яких приймалися політичні документи та нормативно-правові
акти, робилися підсумкові резолюції та пропозиції, і який довелося опрацювати. Ретроспективний та аналітичний огляд, запропонований у статті, дозволяє не просто зрозуміти та оцінити той довгий
шлях, що передував розробці остаточного проєкту Конвенції ЮНЕСКО про охорону нематеріальної культурної спадщини, а й глибше
збагнути багато понять, термінів і принципів, застосованих у Конвенції 2003 року, які дедалі вдосконалюються, враховуючи вимоги
часу та міжнародного суспільства. Досліджуючи генезу критеріїв
і принципів, власне, суті сьогоднішньої концепції про охорону нематеріальної культурної спадщини, покладену в основу Конвенції
ЮНЕСКО 2003 року, автор наголошує на таких важливих складових,
як усебічні та міждисциплінарні дослідження, широке поле діалогу,
спрямованого на досягнення консенсусу, визначення ролі громади та
окремого носія елемента нематеріальної культурної спадщини.