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Phycodes

Classification

    Phylum:  
Trace Fossils and Problematica
    Class:  
Trace Fossils
    Formal Genus Name and Reference:  
Phycodes RICHTER, 1850, p. 205 [non GUENEE, 1852; nec MILNE-EDWARDS, 1869]
    Type Species:  
*P. circinnatum RICHTER, 1853, p. 20 (?=Fucoides circinnatus BRONGNIART, 1828), SM (see MÄGDEFRAU, 1934, p. 260)


Images

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Fig. 59,2a. P. ct. P. palmatum (HALL), L. Cam., Pak.; model, XO.7 (Seilacher, 1955).-FIG. 59,2b,d. ·P. circinnatum; 2b, L.Ord., Ger.; model, X0.3 (Seilacher, 1955); 2d, Ord.(Galena F.), USA(Minn.); X0.7 (Miigdefrau, 1934).FIG. 59,2c. P. pedum SEILACHER, Cam., Pak. (Salt Range); XO.7 (Seilacher, 1955). -- Fig. 59,2e. P. palmatum (HALL), Cam., Pak.(Salt Range); (arrow indicates direction of movement of producer), X0.7 (Seilacher, 1955)


Synonyms

Licrophycus, Vexillum, Lycrophycus


Geographic Distribution

U.Precam., Australia; Cam., Eu. (Eng.-Swed.-Nor.-Spain)-USA (Ariz.)-Asia (Pak.)Australia; Ord., Eu.(Eng.-France-Ger.)-N.Am.-S. Am.-Asia(Iraq)-N.Afr.(Libya); L.Carb.,Eu.(Scot.); Jur., Eu.(Ger.-France-Swed.); ?Tert.(Mio.), N.Z.


Age Range

    Beginning Stage in Treatise Usage:  
U.Precam., Cam.
    Beginning International Stage:  
Cambrian Stage 3
    Fraction Up In Beginning Stage:  
0
    Beginning Date:  
521
    Ending Stage in Treatise Usage:  
Jur., ?Tert.(Mio.)
    Ending International Stage:  
Tithonian
    Fraction Up In Ending Stage:  
100
    Ending Date:  
143.1


Description

Bundled structures of flabellate or broomlike pattern, consisting of horizontal tunnels; proximal part of main tunnels unbranched, distal tunnels divide at acute angles into several free cylindrical tunnels showing delicate annulation beneath thin smooth "bark" ; main branches may show structure similar to retrusive spreiten (absent in P. flabellum from Cincinnatian of USA); other "species" (e.g., P. pedum and P. flabellum) vary considerably in morphology from type species which is also variable (e.g., falcate or featherstitch-like pattern of feeding tunnels); about 15 cm. long in entirety; generally preserved as convex hyporeliefs in quartzites. [Originally interpreted as "fucoids" or even as inorganic structures; certainty feeding structure of typical f1abellate pattern; probably produced by sediment-feeding wormlike animal.] [Relations of Phycodes to Teichichnus were discussed by HANTZSHEL & REINECK (1968, p. 260; Arthrophycus HALL, 1852, regarded by SEILACHER (1955, p. 386) as junior synonym; P. pedum SEILACHER, according to OSGOOD (1970, p. 342), should be assigned to a separate genus; for detailed discussion see MAGDEFRAU (1934), SEILACHER (1955, p. 383-388), and OsGOOD (1970, p. 341-343).J




References



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