A Zoophycos group trace fossil from Miocene flysch in Southern Turkey: Evidence for a U‐shaped causative burrow

Echinospira isp., a relatively small, lobate, trace fossil of the Zoophycos group, occurs in Miocene flysch deposits of the Cingöz Formation of southern Turkey. It displays a burrow system which contains U‐shaped Rhizocorallium‐like elements. The burrow system resulted from successive lateral shifts of a causative U‐shaped burrow, which reworked most of the previously formed ones. More and less systematic patterns of sediment reworking by the trace fossil producer were observed. The trace fossil occurs in a low diversity ichnoassemblage related to environmental stress conditions probably caused by frequent turbiditic deposition and lithological changes. In comparison, Echinospira pauciradiata occuring in pelagic sediments of the same age is much larger and displays a more regular pattern, related to more stable environmental conditions.