The trace fossil Rusophycus versans from the Furongian (Upper Cambrian) of central Poland – an example of behavioural convergence amongst arthropods

Authors

  • Grzegorz Sadlok Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, PL-00-818 Warszawa
  • Marcin Machalski Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, PL-00-818 Warszawa

Keywords:

Trace fossils, Rusophycus, Arthropods, Behavioural convergence, Cambrian, Furongian, Poland

Abstract

Traces assigned to Rusophycus versans are recorded for the first time from Furongian (Upper Cambrian) strata, as exposed at Wiśniówka Wielka quarry, Holy Cross Mountains, central Poland. These traces are ascribed to the life activity of trilobites in a fully marine environment. In contrast, previous records of R. versans have been attributed to notostracans, isopods or arthropleurids and are preserved in non-marine settings. The relatively wide phylogenetic distribution of R. versans within various arthropod groups indicates that this ichnotaxon represents behavioural convergence amongst arthropods.

Downloads

Published

2010-03-10