Systematic revision and ichnotaxonomy of Zoophycos

Zoophycos is one of the most widespread but still enigmatic trace fossils, especially with regard to morphology and ethology surrounding its 3-D helically coiled spreite structures. The genus Zoophycos is systematically revised based on the systematic researches of the literature with detailed description and plate from 1855 to 2011. The ichnogenus Zoophycos is revised into 9 ichnospecies, which include Zoophycos cauda-galli Vanuxem, 1842; Zoophycos curtain Vanuxem, 1842; Zoophycos velum Vanuxem, 1842; Zoophycos brianteus Massalongo, 1855; Zoophycos villae Massalongo, 1855; Zoophycos liasinus Fischer-Ooster, 1858; Zoophycos flabelliformis Fischer-Ooster, 1858; Zoophycos insignis Squinabol, 1890; Zoophycos rhodensis Bromley and Hanken, 2003. The ichnogenus Spirophyton is composed of Spirophyton typum Hall, 1863 and Spirophyton eifeliense Kayser, 1872. The Zoophycos and Spirophyton are grouped into Zoophycos Group.