36 Scratching the Surfaces: Advances in Continental and Marine Ichnology

Monday, 24 March 2014
8:00 AM - 11:40 AM
Heritage Salon E

TRACES OF FISH AND INVERTEBRATES FROM THE LATE TRIASSIC PASSAIC FORMATION, JACKSONWALD SYNCLINE, NEWARK BASIN, PENNSYLVANIA

Paper number: 36-8
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM

Authors

Abstract

While much has been written on the tetrapod ichnofaunas of the Jacksonwald Syncline, very little is known concerning traces of invertebrates and fishes from this area. Preliminary investigations of existing collections are beginning to reveal a significant ichnofauna. The specimens were collected from localities that roughly encompass a span from the Metlars Member through the Exeter Township Member of the Passaic Formation. This interval includes strata from the upper Norian through the Rhaetian.

The ichnofossils occur in lake-margin strata of the Passaic Formation. Invertebrate burrows include Gordia marina, Helminthoidichnites tenuis, and Scoyenia gracilis. Walking arthropod trackways identified thus far include Acanthichnus isp., Diplichnites isp., and Koupichnium isp. Fish traces are represented by Undichna isp. Several enigmatic traces may also be the result of fish interaction with the substrate, but this is uncertain. As we continue to investigate several additional collections from the Jacksonwald Syncline, it is expected that the diversity of ichnotaxa will increase.