Image description: Devonian researchers from University of Muenster at the Devonian-Carboniferous Boundary in Sauerland, Germany; (left to right) J. Quabeck, N. Wichern, I. Grauthoff, C. Harris.
Chris Harris
Germany
May 5, 2026
A case study in ichnology from the Upper Devonian in Gondwana
Trace fossils give us insights into animal activities that do not preserve in body fossils, and moreover, –to paraphrase Buatois et al. (1997; ‘The Paradox of Nonmarine Ichnofaunas in Tidal Rhythmites’) – whereas sediment transport is mainly independent of salinity, the distribution of benthos is not. Ichnology can therefore be conceived of as the uniting of sedimentology and biology. A monograph containing descriptions of trace fossils from Upper Devonian strata in South Africa includes 18 ichnogenera, as well as seven unknown types. The results lead to discussions on the utility of ichnotaxonomy and the ichnofacies paradigm.
Coming soon!
Image description: TBD
Nick Thurber
USA
May 26, 2026
Vertebrate paleontology
TBD
Pal(a)eoPERCS 