Deep‐sea echiurans: possible producers of <i>Zoophycos</i>

Abstract

The trace fossil Zoophycos in the upper Pliocene deep‐sea deposits (Shiramazu Formation) distributed in the southernmost part of Boso Peninsula, central Japan, appears to be a product of feeding and excretory behavior by surface deposit‐feeders inhabiting middle bathyal depths. Ecology and anatomy of modern deep‐sea echiurans are consistent with those of the Zoophycos producers based on the Pliocene examples. Consequently, deep‐sea echiurans may be producers of Zoophycos. Systematic lamellae structures of the spreite reflect excretory behavior in sediment resulting from deposit‐feeding on the sea‐floor.