Geological Quarterly, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 68(4)

Published: Dec. 13, 2024

A series of Pliocene ichnofabrics is described from the Cuevas Formation, Almería-Níjar Basin south-eastern Spain, where a thick, cross-stratified, mixed bioclastic-siliciclastic succession exposed along laterally continuous section. It records dynamic conditions ancient subaqueous dunes during their deposition and activities organisms colonizing them. The are dominated by Bichordites, traces likely made burrowing sea urchins adapted to live in shifting sand. Ichnofabrics range those showing weak bioturbation with little else but Bichordites (representing high-energy, continuously migrating dunes) featuring high degree containing low moderately diverse ichnofauna more physically stable environments could gather food less agitated waters). Strong burrowers like producers have acted as ecosystem engineers. Piscichnus may preyed on benthic sand-dune organisms. non-uniform distribution ichnotaxa these sand dunes, alongside previous studies, suggests that bioturbating communities been similar modern seas.

Language: Английский