Systematic ichnology of the Mabou and cumberland groups (Carboniferous) of western Cape Breton Island, eastern Canada, 1: burrows, pits, trails and coprolites

Abstract

Strata of the Mabou and Cumberland groups (Namurian-Westphalian A) outcrop extensively in western Cape Breton Island. Trace fossils were enountered at various localities, and include: Circulichnus montanus (nom. correct.), Cochlichnus anguineus, Cochlichnus isp., Conichus isp., Cruziana problematicia, Didymaulichnus cf. lyelli, Displopodichnus biformis, Gordia marina, Helminthipsis abelie, Helminthopsis hieroglyphica, Palaeophycus striatus, cf. Palaeophycus, Phocodes pedum, Planolites beverleyensis, Planolites terraenovae, cf. Planolites, Rusophycus carbonarius, cf. Rusophycus, Selenichnites isp., Taenidium barretti, cf. Taenidium, Thalassinoides suevicus, Undichnus binus (nom. correct.), Undichnus consulcus (nom. correct.), cf. Undichnus, coprolites, interface trails (types A, B, and C), plug-shaped burrows, small ovate pits (types A, B, and C) and vertical 'escape' structures. In total (including tracks and trackways not described herein), 22 ichnogenera have been identified that comprise a total of 18 named ichnospecies, 8 ichnospcies retained in open nomenclature, and 13 unnamed ichnospecies. A further 10 trace-fossil morphologies (comprising 20 different types) are retained in the vernacular.