Ophiomorpha

Example of Ophiomorpha in the sandstone of the Parkman Member of the Clagget Formation in Elk Basin on the Montana/Wyoming border
Ophiomorpha in Late Turonian sandstones in Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, near Hřensko in Czech Republic

Ophiomorpha is an ichnotaxon, usually interpreted as a burrow of an organism living in the near-shore environment.[1] The burrow lining is more or less smooth on the inside, and densely to strongly mammalated or nodose on the outside, due to the packing of fecal pellets for support of the burrow. Branching is irregular but Y-shaped where present.[2] It is often considered part of the Skolithos ichnofacies.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Boggs, S. (1995). Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, 2nd Edition. Prentice Hall, Inc.
  2. ↑ Frey, R.W., Howard, J.D. and Pryor, W.A. (1978). "Ophiomorpha: Its morpholgic, taxonomic, and environmental significance". Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 23: 199–229. doi:10.1016/0031-0182(78)90094-9.
  3. ↑ Frey, R.W. and Pemberton, S.G (1984). "Trace fossil facies models". In Walker, R., ed. Facies Models. Toronto, Ontario: Geological Association of Canada. pp. 189–207.