Naming trace fossils in bones

C.A. PIRRONE; L.A. BUATOIS; R.G. BROMLEY

Sao Leopoldo

Simposio; SLIC 2010, Simposio Latinoamericano de Icnología; 2010

UNISINOS

During the last years, many authors have used bioerosion trace fossils in bones as evidence toinfer paleoecologic conclusions. However, little has been published on the methodology fornaming bioerosion trace fossils in bones, particularly with respect to ichnotaxobasescharacterization. The value of bioerosion traces in bones as direct evidence of speciesinteractions in the fossil record is underscored. However, their potential can only be realizedthrough a correct taxonomic assignment and ethologic interpretation. Consequently, namingtrace fossils results of paramount importance for properly use of trace fossils in bones aspaleoecologic evidence. To reach this goal, we consider necessary to establish specificichnotaxobases for bioerosion trace fossils in bones, but also to define what is considered abioerosion trace in bony substrates and what characters are useful to distinguish these structuresfrom other kind of marks commonly found on bone surfaces. We define bioerosion trace fossilin bones as biogenic structures that cut or destroy osteologic tissue structures (hard substrate) asresult of mechanical and/ or chemical processes. Traces found in biologic tissue (bone) are theresult of specific ecological niche selection by specialist necrophagous, as reported in studies offorensic enthomology. Considering that the selection of substrate reflects obligate behavior byorganisms with specific feeding requirements and that specific biologic tissue (bone) is used assource of those nutrients, we propose to the following ichnotaxobases: (1) general morphology;(2) bioglyphs; (3) filling; (4) branching; (5) pattern of occurrence, and (6) site of emplacement.