Asteriacites quinquefolius – Asteroid Trace Maker from the Bhuj Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of the Mainland Kachchh, Western India

Trace fossil of ichnospecies Asteriacites quinquefolius - QUENSTEDT 1876, of the pentamerous star fish is recorded for the first time from the Central Mainland Kachchh, Western India It occurs in the lower part of Bhuj Formation, on thin slabs of fine grained sandstone that intercalate with siltstone, along with symmetrical ripple surface covered by mud drapes Two different types of behavioural activities are found (i) solitary and isolated deep impression of the traces, on account of their resting structures and (ii) composite, overlain structure indicating the movement of arms for preying activities The occurrence of Asteriacites traces in the Lower Bhuj Formation indicates tidal-subtidal condition in a fully marine environmental set up