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Rhizocorallium
Classification
Phylum:
Trace Fossils and Problematica
Class:
Trace Fossils
Formal Genus Name and Reference:
Rhizocorallium ZENKER, 1836, p. 219
Type Species:
*R. jenense (=Spongia rhizocorallium GEINITZ, 1846, p. 695); M]
Images
(Click to enlarge in a new window)
Fig. 63,1. R. sp.; 1a, U.Cret., France, XO.8 (Abel, 1935); 1b, L.Cam., Pak., model, X0.6 (Seilacher, 1955).
Synonyms
Lithochela, Glossifungites, ?Myelophycus, Spongillopsis, Lissonites, Cavernaecola, Upsiloides, Rhizocorallum
Geographic Distribution
cosmop.
Age Range
Beginning Stage in Treatise Usage:
Cret.
Beginning International Stage:
Berriasian
Fraction Up In Beginning Stage:
0
Beginning Date:
143.1
Ending Stage in Treatise Usage:
Tert.
Ending International Stage:
Gelasian
Fraction Up In Ending Stage:
100
Ending Date:
1.81
Description
Simple U-tubes with spreite, generally protrusive, or somewhat oblique to bedding; " arms" more or less parallel, several em. apart; very rarely branched, occasionally with lateral flaps; tubes relatively thick (1 em. or more), commonly initially vertical for several em. downward, then sharply bending at right angle; outer side of many tubes often marked by numerous striae interpreted as scratch markings indicative of crustaceans (see WEIGELT, 1929); pills of ellipsoidal excrements may be incorporated in walls or within tube; median line of U often curved; horizontal forms on bedding planes characteristically winding. [[Tentatively interpreted originally as sponges or corals; now regarded as burrows of deposit-feeding animals, or perhaps as dwelling burrows of plankton-feeding animals (VEEVERS, 1962, p. 10: "protective nest") for discussion of mode of life of Rhizocorallium animal see SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 494; parallel orientation of Rhizocorallium tubes observed in Jurassic of England (AGER & WALLACE, 1970, p. 14); interpreted by FARROW (1966, p. 132, 146) as orientation in response to tidal currents, oblique or horizontal position possibly depending on water depth (see AGER & WALLACE, 1970, p. 15); horizontal tubes of 70 em. and more long have been observed (Jur., Eng.; see FARROW, 1966, fig. 7-9); very large screwlike form (30 em. in diam.) described by FIRTION as R. uliarensis (FIRTION, 1958; U.Jur., France)] [Other specimens (M.Trias., Ger.) consist of one vertical limb surrounded spirally by the other (MULLER, 1956b, p. 405); sometimes also vertically retrusive forms have been assigned to Rhizocorallium (e.g., RIOUET, 1960, p. 8; SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 492); for transitions to Teichichnus see SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 494; reworked burrows rarely observed (SCHLOZ, 1968, p. 697; L.Jur., S.Ger.).]
References
Museum or Author Information
Classification
Phylum:
Trace Fossils and Problematica
Class:
Trace Fossils
Formal Genus Name and Reference:
Rhizocorallium ZENKER, 1836, p. 219
Type Species:
*R. jenense (=Spongia rhizocorallium GEINITZ, 1846, p. 695); M]
Images
(Click to enlarge in a new window)
Fig. 63,1. R. sp.; 1a, U.Cret., France, XO.8 (Abel, 1935); 1b, L.Cam., Pak., model, X0.6 (Seilacher, 1955).
Synonyms
Lithochela, Glossifungites, ?Myelophycus, Spongillopsis, Lissonites, Cavernaecola, Upsiloides, Rhizocorallum
Geographic Distribution
cosmop.
Age Range
Beginning Stage in Treatise Usage:
Cret.
Beginning International Stage:
Berriasian
Fraction Up In Beginning Stage:
0
Beginning Date:
143.1
Ending Stage in Treatise Usage:
Tert.
Ending International Stage:
Gelasian
Fraction Up In Ending Stage:
100
Ending Date:
1.81
Description
Simple U-tubes with spreite, generally protrusive, or somewhat oblique to bedding; " arms" more or less parallel, several em. apart; very rarely branched, occasionally with lateral flaps; tubes relatively thick (1 em. or more), commonly initially vertical for several em. downward, then sharply bending at right angle; outer side of many tubes often marked by numerous striae interpreted as scratch markings indicative of crustaceans (see WEIGELT, 1929); pills of ellipsoidal excrements may be incorporated in walls or within tube; median line of U often curved; horizontal forms on bedding planes characteristically winding. [[Tentatively interpreted originally as sponges or corals; now regarded as burrows of deposit-feeding animals, or perhaps as dwelling burrows of plankton-feeding animals (VEEVERS, 1962, p. 10: "protective nest") for discussion of mode of life of Rhizocorallium animal see SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 494; parallel orientation of Rhizocorallium tubes observed in Jurassic of England (AGER & WALLACE, 1970, p. 14); interpreted by FARROW (1966, p. 132, 146) as orientation in response to tidal currents, oblique or horizontal position possibly depending on water depth (see AGER & WALLACE, 1970, p. 15); horizontal tubes of 70 em. and more long have been observed (Jur., Eng.; see FARROW, 1966, fig. 7-9); very large screwlike form (30 em. in diam.) described by FIRTION as R. uliarensis (FIRTION, 1958; U.Jur., France)] [Other specimens (M.Trias., Ger.) consist of one vertical limb surrounded spirally by the other (MULLER, 1956b, p. 405); sometimes also vertically retrusive forms have been assigned to Rhizocorallium (e.g., RIOUET, 1960, p. 8; SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 492); for transitions to Teichichnus see SELLWOOD, 1970, p. 494; reworked burrows rarely observed (SCHLOZ, 1968, p. 697; L.Jur., S.Ger.).]