A Late Triassic Invertebrate Ichnofauna from Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

Abstract

Invertebrate trace fossils are reported from the Late Triassic Chinle Formation at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, for the first time. They occur in beds higher in the section than the Coelophysis Quarry. Six ichnotaxa are recognized: Steinichnus milfordensis, Planolites montanus, Palaeophycus tubularis, Taenidium serpentium, ?Arenicolites sp. and Skolithos sp. This ichnofauna is consistent with the Scoyenia ichnofacies, considered typical of lake margins in semiarid to arid regions.