THE APPROACH TO PALAEOECOLOGY OF ICHNOFOSSIL ZOOPHYCOS FROM MIDDLE DEVONIAN IN DUSHAN COUNTY,GUIZHOU PROVINCE
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Abstract:
Abundant trace fossil Zoophycos has been found from the Middle Devonian in Dushan County, Guizhou. The marginal tunnel of Zoophycos spirally downwards passing through sediments is of J-shape. It connects sea water with the central tunnel which opens to the sediment surface. The formation of the spreiten structures results from the enlargement of feeding area of trace makers which results in increasing of the marginal tunnel. A Zoophycos can be divided into several feeding systems. Every system has own marginal tunnel which upwards connects the central tunnel at the one end and downwards connects the marginal tunnel of the adjacent feeding system at the other end. The density and size of whorls are related to sedimentation rate. The trace makers of Zoophycos in Dushan area meight be sipunculids. The Zoophycos is considered to be produced in calm and disaerobic environments with abundant organic materials.
