Skip to content
Vinony

fodinichnion

noun

  1. ethological class; trace fossils formed as a result of organisms disturbing sediment for food
L683367 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

noun

Etymology: From Latin fodīna (“a mine”) + -ichnion.

  1. A trace fossil formed by deposit feeders as they excavate the sediment in search of food.

    “Distinctive behaviour patterns add to the specific character as they do in recent species. They may also be referred to more general functions such as crawling, feeding or hiding. Distinction of five major groups (dwelling burrows = Domichnia; feeding burrows = Fodinichnia; feeding trails = Pascichnia; crawling trails = Repichnia; resting tracks = Cubichnia) has proved to be satisfactory and useful in environmental interpretations (Seilacher, 1953, 1958).”

    “Following this interpretation, Conichnus conosinus isp. n. can be ethologically classified as a fodinichnion (combination of feeding and dwelling).”