Polychaete-attributable faecal pellets, Tibikoia sanctacrucensis ichnosp.n., from the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy. Cross Mountains, Central Poland)

Abstract

The aggregates of faecal pellets that are common components of the topmost part of the Korytnica Clays (Middle Miocene; Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland) are attributed to polychaetes, presumably related closely to the present-day species Heteromastus filiformis (Claparede). As a direct relationship to the latter species has not however been displayed, these faecal pellets are put into ichnological taxonomy and, consequently, a new ichnospecies is established. Tibikoia sanctacrucensis ichnosp. n. A comparison of ecological requirements of the faeces-producing . polychaete species with its present-day analogues. supports and/or modifies some conclusions on the environmental conditions under which the topmost part of the Korytnica Clays was deposited.