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Sinusoidal trail formed by a Recent biting midge (Family Ceratopogonidae): trace fossil implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Robert Metz
Robert Metz*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Meteorology, Kean College of New Jersey, Union 07083
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Abstract

A Recent sinusoidal trail made by a biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae, genus ?Bezzia) moving on the surface of wet mud along the edge of a freshwater pond has been observed. The trail is similar to the trace fossil Cochlichnus Hitchcock, 1858. The wave length, wave amplitude, and overall form and shape of this modern trail compares favorably to Eocene wave-like trails attributed to nematodes. Consequently, a ceratopogonid larva is believed responsible for at least some of those fossil trails.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 61 , Issue 2 , March 1987 , pp. 312 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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