Serpentichnus (‘snake-like trace’) is a possible Permian trace fossil found in New Mexico, US.[2] It takes the form of foot imprints separated by discontinuous groves interpreted as body imprints. It is attributed to early amphibians (Lysorophia) swimming near the bottom of a shallow body of water with a motion like that of a sidewinding snake.[1][3]

Serpentichnus
Temporal range: Permian
Trace fossil classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Microsauria
Clade: Recumbirostra
Clade: Lysorophia
Ichnogenus: Serpentichnus
Braddy et al. 2003
Ichnospecies
  • S. robledoensis Braddy et al. 2003[1]
  • S. sigmoidalis Braddy et al. 2003[1]

The interpretation of these marks as a trace fossil is controversial.[2] The marks have also been interpreted as tool marks, formed by a rotating piece of debris that periodically scratched the bottom of a flowing body of water.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Braddy, Simon J.; Morrissey, Lance B.; Yates, Adam M. (July 2003). "Amphibian swimming traces from the Lower Permian of southern New Mexico". Palaeontology. 46 (4): 671–683. Bibcode:2003Palgy..46..671B. doi:10.1111/1475-4983.00315. S2CID 129473027.
  2. ^ a b Lucas, Spencer G. (2011). Traces of a Permian seacoast : Prehistoric Trackways National Monument. Albuquerque, N.M.: New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. p. 22. ISBN 9780615471709.
  3. ^ Milner, A.R.C.; Lockley, M.G. (2016). "Dinosaur swim track assemblages: characters, contexts, and ichnofacies implications". In Falkingham, P.L.; Marty, D.; Richter, A. (eds.). Dinosaur tracks : the next steps. Bloomington. p. 161. ISBN 9780253021144.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ Voigt, S.; Lucas, S.G. (2015). "Permian tetrapod ichnodiversity of the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument (south-central New Mexico, USA)". New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin. 65: 153–167. Retrieved 15 January 2022.