Trace Fossils From The Carboniferous Period

[Rockin' Ric]

Hello All! I've been a collector of trace fossils for over 15 years. I got started when I passed by a high wall near where I lived back in the day. One day I decide to stop and check out the debris at the base of the wall. At the time I was focused on plant fossils thinking this wall contained them.

 

 

The first several minutes I didn't see any signs of plant fossils until I came across my first arthropod trace fossil ever. (above) 

It had the appearance of a Christmas tree and didn't know what it was until I posted it on the internet. A Paleontologist out of Canada told me it was a resting trace of a Xiphosuran.

So for the next 15 years I've collected many, many more and then some and now Ichnologist are taking notice of the postings on FB. It's been quite sometime I've been able to take pictures of those finds and now starting this big project. Still got quite a ways to go and hopefully I can get er' done before the new year? Pictured are several samples from this site. As long as I'm able I will continue collecting because the site's future is in question as to where it will exist at all in several years?

 

  

 

Conostichnus and burrow

 

  

 

Diplichnites and call the second picture a figure 8 trace?

 

 

Burrows

 

 

Combo of Diplichnites and Resting Trace.

 

  

 

Tonganoxichnus (hopping trace) and Selenicnhites (feeding trace)

 

   

 

No idea what these are?

 

  

 

 

I believe they call the first picture a Kouphichnium and the other have no idea?

 

  

 

The first picture I call a horseshoe shaped resting trace and the second could quite be the impression of the thorax of a track maker?

 

 

This one is called a Warvichnium trace fossil

 

 

Nereites biserialis

 

 

Resting trace and no idea what the trace at the top is?

 

Edited July 15, 2021 by Rockin' Ric

[historianmichael]

These are amazing! The Carboniferous trace fossils of Alabama are to dream of. You are incredibly lucky to be living near a place that has produced such beautiful trace fossils!

[Ludwigia]

Fascinating! Good luck with your project! Please keep us posted on that.

[Wrangellian]

You have so much variety as well as excellent preservation there. I have trace fossils up here but generally only the typical worm(?) burrows, not so good preservation or variety (and Cretaceous, not as old as yours). Always enjoy seeing yours.

[KCMOfossil]

Very nice!  Thanks for posting.  This reminds me to keep my eyes open for trace fossils in the shale of the Pennsylvanian, Kansas City Group near me.  I have seen a few things that may be trace fossils.

 

Russ