A plea not to ignore ichnotaxonomy: recognizing and recording Oichnus Bromley

Abstract

Many palaeontologists and sources of palaeontological data refer to ‘drill holes’ or ‘small round holes’ in shells, produced by invertebrate borers and sources of palaeoecological data. But such terminology may eventually be overlooked or forgotten; it is better that the authors also resort to ichnotaxonomy and refer these structures to their ichnogenus, Oichnus Bromley. This will support stabilization of the ichnotaxonomic record and improve communication. Ichnologists already follow this terminology; palaeobiologists (and some archaeologists) now need to develop a similar habit.