Polyphagichnium altenburgense igen. & isp. nov.: A new trace fossil from the Egerian – Eggenburgian (late Oligocene to early Miocene), Central Paratethys, Lower Austria

Abstract

Silicified wood remains, especially redeposited driftwood, are relatively abundant in the Central Paratethys upper Oligocene (Egerian) to lower Miocene (Eggenburgian) fluviatile St. Marein-Freischling Formation (SMFF) in northwestern Lower Austria (Waldviertel), especially in the Horn Basin. The SMFF is superimposed on the crystalline units of the Bohemian Massif and in the Horn Basin overlain by marine formations of the lower Miocene (Eggenburgian). Several pieces of silicified wood show flight holes, tunnels (= domichnia) and feeding traces of the new ichnofossil Polyphagichnium altenburgense igen. & isp. nov. which is described in detail herein. The cross-sections of shafts (“flight holes”) and tunnels, which are clearly visible on the surfaces of tangential sections and radial sections of several specimens, are compared with structures of different recent gnawing beetles (suborder Polyphaga). The silicified wood remains are mostly semi-ringporous hardwoods of the fossil group around Quercoxylon furwaldense Gros 1983.