Ichnocoenoses à Isopodichnus furcosus nov. ichnosp. dans le Permien du Bassin de Lodève (Massif Central, France)

A new ichnospecies Isopodichnus furcosus is described, probably representing Notostracean resting traces. It is frequent in the Permian Rabéjac and Salagou formations where it is characterised by pair structures generally bior trifurcated which could be the imprints of the first filiform, divided thoracic appendages of Triops (Notostraca). These Crustaceans are probably the trackmakers of Isopodichnus furcosus nov. ichnosp. In the Lodève basin, increasing abundance of Isopodichnus furcosus from the base of the upper red formations overlying the Rabéjac conglomerate, reflects increasing aridity during sedimentation. Actual Triopsids prefer, this aridity. The result was a proliferation of Isopodichnus furcosus ichnocoenoses in a playa system increasing from the conglomeratic base of the Rabéjac formation. Most authors date the Rabéjac conglomerate as Saxonian.