The trace fossil Chondrites in uppermost Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deep cavity fills from the western Carpathians (Czech Republic)

The common marine trace fossil Chondrites occurs in thin layers in laminated micrites which fill deep submarine cavities in peri-reefal biocalcarenites and calcirudites of the Tithonian-Berriasian Stramberg Limestone. The cavity fills display several generations which originated during long periods of time. Periodic colonization of this very stressful environment by the Chondrites trace maker was possible probably owing to episodic deposition of more oxygenated and more nutritious sediment at a certain stage of development of the cavities related to increased tectonic activity during the Berriasian. In more bioturbated laminae ?Palaeophycus also occurs. The occurrence of Chondrites in fillings of deep cavities represents new evidence for adaptation of its trace maker to stressful environments.