Segmentichnus mohri igen. et isp. nov., a giant new trace fossil from the Culm facies (lower Carboniferous) of the Franconian Forest (Saxothuringian Belt, Germany)

A new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, Segmentichnus mohri, is recognized in the lower Carboniferous deep-sea Culm facies deposits in the southern Germany. The trace fossil is an unusually large, horizontal, tubular burrow with primary successive branching and transverse annulation with ring-like, slightly irregular swellings, without wall, preserved in full relief in dark grey slate. Segmentichnus mohri is interpreted to be a locomotion and feeding trace (pascichnion) produced within the mud by unknown ‘worm’-like animal in a turbiditic depositional system. It belongs to the transition between the Paleodictyon and Nereites ichnosubfacies of the Nereites ichnofacies.