Caprionichnus, a new trace fossil from the Caradocian of southern Norway

Caprionichnus steinvikensis ichnogen. et sp. nov. is described from a mixed carbonate-terrigenous mudstone sequence of offshore marine origin, which forms the upper part of the Encrinite Limestone (Caradocian) in the Langesund area of southern Norway. The trace fossil is characterised by a chevron-like arrangement of burrow pairs. some with a common central burrow. Systems consist of two to eight burrow pairs. burrow diameter varies between 5-5 and 11 mm and the angle between the paired burrows ranges between 41" and 67". The burrows are interpreted as resulting from the probing activities of a deposit feeding organism with similar behaviour to that deduced for the producer of Chondrires by Simpson. (1957). and-it is suggested that the producer of Caprionichnus was capable of living both withm and above Its feeding level.