Spiral-shaped graphoglyptids from an Early Permian intertidal flat

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2006 Spiral-shaped graphoglyptids from an Early Permian intertidal flat Nicholas J. Minter; Nicholas J. Minter 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Luis A. Buatois; Luis A. Buatois 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Spencer G. Lucas; Spencer G. Lucas 3New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Simon J. Braddy; Simon J. Braddy 4Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joshua A. Smith Joshua A. Smith 5New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2006) 34 (12): 1057–1060. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22722A.1 Article history received: 15 Feb 2006 rev-recd: 26 Jun 2006 accepted: 17 Jul 2006 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Nicholas J. Minter, Luis A. Buatois, Spencer G. Lucas, Simon J. Braddy, Joshua A. Smith; Spiral-shaped graphoglyptids from an Early Permian intertidal flat. Geology 2006;; 34 (12): 1057–1060. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22722A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Spiral-shaped foraging trace fossils, assigned to the grapho glyptid cf. Spirorhaphe azteca, are reported from an Early Permian intertidal flat in the Robledo Mountains of southern New Mexico, USA. Remarkably similar spiral-shaped structures are produced in modern intertidal flats by the paraonid polychaete Paraonis fulgens, and function as traps to capture mobile microorganisms migrating in the sediment in response to tides. We envisage a similar function for the Early Permian trace fossils. Previous studies have suggested that the lack of P. fulgens–type traces from ancient intertidal deposits indicates that such behavior only evolved geologically recently in such settings. However, this report demonstrates that such specialized foraging behavior was present in intertidal settings by at least the Early Permian. Graphoglyptids are typical of deep-marine settings, and characteristic of the Nereites ichnofacies. This represents their first undoubted occurrence in intertidal facies in the geological record. We postulate that the occurrence of graphoglyptids in deep-marine and intertidal settings is related to the predictability of resources. The scarcity of intertidal graphoglyptids in the geological record is most likely a preservational effect. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.