History and nomenclature of the theropod dinosaur tracks Bueckeburgichnus and Megalosauripus

The most recent account of Bueckeburgichnus maximus Kuhn 1958, a distinctive theropod dinosaur track from the Lower Cretaceous of Germany, is shown to be based on a referred specimen mistakenly identified as the holotype and the correct name of this taxon is deemed to be Megalosauripus maximus (Kuhn 1958). This minor revision has important consequences for nomenclature of the many European, Asian, North American and Australian dinosaur tracks attributed to megalosaurian theropods. Many of those tracks were named Megalosauripus, but that name has a confusing multiplicity of meanings and it should be restricted to the highly characteristic dinosaur track formerly identified as Bueckeburgichnus. Other tracks named "Megalosauripus”; (in its several other senses) will require new nomenclature, despite their extensive and repeated revision since 1996. It is recommended that future revision should adopt conventions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Although previous revisions expressed an intention to adhere to those conventions, these were not put into practice, with the unfortunate result of multiplying the problems that surround the nomenclature of megalosaur tracks. Introduction of the name Megalosauripus maximus (Kuhn 1958) eliminates those burgeoning problems and permits the introduction of new and objective nomenclature for presumed megalosaur tracks.     

The ichnogenus Palmiraichnus Roselli for fossil bee cells

The ichnogenus Palmiraichnus was erected by Roselli in 1987 to include his formerly described ich‐nospecies castellanosi, and a new one, minor, herein considered a junior synonym of the former. Shape, lining and closure clearly show that these traces are fossil bee cells. Celliforma, the other ichnogenus for non‐clustered fossil bee cells, includes two ichnospecies, bedfordi (=septata) (n. syn.) and pinturensis, which share with Palmiraichnus castellanosi the presence of antechambers and hardened cell walls. This combination of features is characteristic of certain groups of short‐tongued bees and justifies the inclusion of these ichnospecies in Palmiraichnus. Microscopic structures of cell walls and closures are adopted here for ichnotaxonomic purposes and for comparing fossil with extant cells revealing that they are useful ichnotaxobases with respect to the problematic fossil bee cell ichnotaxonomy. The micro‐structure of the cell walls and closures of the three ichnospecies of Palmiraichnus are compared. The presence of antechambers and particularly of the thickened cell rears suggest a relationship between Palmiraichnus castellanosi and Uruguay, an ichno‐taxon also attributable to bees. However, in Uruguay ichnospecies. cells are grouped in well‐defined clusters, whereas in Palmiraichnus castellanosi, cells occur isolated in paleosols, and no intermediate morphologies are known between the two ichnogenera. P. castellanosi, the focus of our study, is also compared with oxaeid cells revealing similarities in size and wall microstructure and differences in microstructure of closures and cell rears.     

Fustiglyphus annulatus from the Ordovician of Ontario,Canada, with a systematic review of the ichnogenera Fustiglyphus Vialov 1971 and Rhabdoglyphus Vassoievich 1951

The ichnogenera Rhabdoglyphus Vassoievich 1951 and Fustiglyphus Vialov 1971, both a source of taxonomic confusion and inconsistent usage, are re‐examined. Many specimens of Fustiglyphus have been incorrectly described as Rhabdoglyphus, both prior and subsequent to the formulation of the former by Vialov in 1971. Updated synonymies for both ichnogenera and their ichno‐species indicate that two ichnospecies of Rhabdoglyphus can be distinguished, namely R. grossheimi Vassoievich 1951 and R. spinosus Ksiazkiewicz 1977, while F. annulatus Vialov 1971 is the only acknowledged ichnospecies of Fustiglyphus. The significant feature distinguishing the two ichnogenera is regarded as the presence of invaginated segments on Rhabdoglyphus as opposed to well‐defined rings or knots with no invagination on Fustiglyphus.

Although Spongolithus annulatus Fritsch 1908 is technically the senior synonym of Fustiglyphus annulatus, it is recommended that the latter name continue to be used in the interests of maintaining nomenclatural stability. Previously unreported specimens of Fustiglyphus annulatus from the Ordovician of Ontario are described and illustrated; one of these suggests that the swellings in Fustiglyphus possibly represent brood chambers of the producing‐organism(s). We also suggest that Fustiglyphus "retreated”; from onshore to deep‐water offshore environments at the end of the Paleozoic.     

The Recognition of Ophiomorpha irregulaire on the Basis of Pellet Morphology: Restudy of Material from the Type Locality

Serial grinding of a specimen of Ophiomorpha irregulaire collected from Coal Creek Canyon in the Book Cliffs of Utah, USA—the type locality of the ichnospecies—allows us to assess the validity of pellet morphology as an ichnotaxobase for species-level identification. The importance of O. irregulaire stems from its abundance in petroliferous shallow marine strata of post-Paleozoic age. Our three-dimensional reconstruction of the burrow wall of O. irregulaire demonstrates for the first time that it is composed of sand-cored pellets. The typically spiky nature of the pellets in cross-section is inferred to result from differential compaction of the sand core and pelletal lining. Rupturing of the thin outer clay coating of the sand pellets is considered to produce the distinctively attenuated, spiky outer surface to the burrow wall of this ichnospecies. This study demonstrates the utility of pellet morphology in species-level classification of Ophiomorpha and lends support to O. irregulaire being a cosmopolitan ichnospecies present in post-Paleozoic strata. It also demonstrates the need to ensure that ichnotaxonomic identifications are based on three-dimensional knowledge of the trace fossil in question.     

A Revised Systematic Ichnotaxonomy and Review of the Vertebrate Footprint Ichnofamily Chirotheriidae from the British Triassic

Since 1838, many discoveries of the tetrapod footprint taxon Chirotherium and closely similar forms have been reported from the British Middle Triassic. These have been assigned to dozens of ichnotaxa, so that the identification and interpretation of members of the ichnofamily Chirotheriidae have become confused.

Part 1 of this article deals with ichnotaxonomy. Revision of all the available material shows that there are at least three valid ichnospecies of Chirotherium, one of Synaptichnium, and one of Isochirotherium. The presence of a fourth related ichnogenus, Brachychirotherium, cannot yet be confirmed in Britain. Emended diagnoses are proposed for all four ichnogenera; they may be readily distinguished by the shape of the hand (manus) and foot (pes) impression and especially by the phalangeal counts. The natural cast of a probable tail impression, associated with Chirotheriidae footprints from the British Triassic is figured for the first time, as is a rare detailed impression of skin and the tarsal region of an Isochirotherium lomasi pes cast.

Part 2 provides a critical history of the earliest discoveries of each of these ichnogenera in the British Triassic. It is subdivided into divisions, depending on the quality of data and existence of specimens, the localities in Britain which have yielded these ichnogenera; a detailed history and discussion is provided of the earliest discoveries made at each locality. The stratigraphic distribution and paleological significance of the ichnogenera/species are assessed.     

Theropod and Ornithischian Footprints from the Middle Jurassic Yanan Formation of Zizhou County,Shaanxi, China

New tracksites reported from the Zizhou area elucidate the nature of the Early-Middle Jurassic dinosaurian ichnofaunas in Shaanxi Province. The assemblage is composed of footprints and trackways of medium- to large-sized theropods that show similarities with both the ichnogenera Kayentapus and Eubrontes and of small bipedal ornithischians that are referred to AS Anomoepus isp. Additionally tracks of a quadruped are present and assigned to Deltapodus isp. that may be related to a stegosaurian. Anomoepus isp. is similar to the holotype of Shensipus tungchuanensis which is, although apparently lost, re-assigned here and considered to be a subjective junior synonym of Anomoepus. It is therefore placed in new combination as Anomoepus tungchuanensis comb. nov. Identical tracks have been reported from well-preserved trackways both in the Zizhou and Shenmu areas, where they also co-occur with theropod tracks (Kayentapus and Grallator) and tracks of quadrupedal ornithischians (Shenmuichnus and Deltapodus). Thus, it appears that the carbonaceous (coal-bearing) facies of the region reveal ichnofaunas with both relatively abundant saurischian (theropod) and ornithischian tracks. This is in contrast with many areas where the ichnofaunas are heavily or exclusively saurischian (theropod) dominated.     

Carboniferous Psammichnites: Systematic Re-Evaluation,Taphonomy and Autecology

The ichnogenus Psammichnites Torell 1870 includes a wide variety of predominantly horizontal, sinuous to looped, backfilled traces, characterized by a distinctive median dorsal structure. Though commonly preserved in full relief on upper bedding surfaces, some ichnospecies of Psammichnites may be preserved in negative hyporelief. Psammichnites records the feeding activities of a subsurface animal using a siphon-like device. Several ichnogenera reflect this general behavioral pattern, including Plagiogmus Roedel 1929 and the Carboniferous ichnogenera Olivellites Fenton and Fenton 1937a and Aulichnites Fenton and Fenton 1937b. Based on analysis of specimens from the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom, three Carboniferous ichnospecies of Psammichnites are reviewed in this paper: P. plummeri (Fenton and Fenton, 1937a), P. grumula (Romano and Meléndez 1979), and P. implexus (Rindsberg 1994). Psammichnites plummeri is the most common Carboniferous ichnospecies and is characterized by a relatively straight, continuous dorsal ridge/groove, fine transverse ridges, larger size range, and non-looping geometric pattern. It represents a grazing trace of deposit feeders. Psammichnites grumula differs from the other ichnospecies of Psammichnites by having median dorsal holes or protruding mounds. The presence of mounds or holes in P. grumula suggests a siphon that was regularly connected to the sediment-water interface. This ichnospecies is interpreted as produced by a deposit feeder using the siphon for respiration or as a device for a chemosymbiotic strategy. Psammichnites implexus is characterized by its consistently smaller size range, subtle backfill structure, and tendency to scribble. Although displaying similarities with Dictyodora scotica, P. implexus is a very shallow-tier, grazing trace. Changes in behavioral pattern, preservational style, and bedform morphology suggest a complex interplay of ecological and taphonomic controls in Carboniferous tidal-flat Psammichnites. A first distributional pattern consists of guided meandering specimens preserved in ripple troughs, probably reflecting food-searching of buried organic matter concentrated in troughs. A second is recorded by concentration of Psammichnites on ripple crests and slopes. In some cases, the course is almost straight to slightly sinuous and closely follows topographic highs, suggesting a direct control of bedform morphology on trace pattern. Occurrences of Carboniferous Psammichnites most likely represent an opportunistic strategy in marginal-marine settings. Analysis of Carboniferous Psammichnites indicates the presence of a siphon-like device in the producer and reestablishes the possibility of a molluscan tracemaker.     

Bioerosion in the Miocene Reefs of the northwest Red Sea,Egypt

Macroborings provide detailed information on the bioerosion, accretion and palaeoenvironment of both modern and fossil reefs. Dolomitized reefal carbonates in the Um Mahara Formation exhibit an outstanding example of spatially distributed, well‐preserved bioerosion structures in tropical to subtropical syn‐rift Miocene reefs. Ten ichnospecies belonging to five ichnogenera are identified; three belonging to the bivalve‐boring ichnogenus Gastrochaenolites, three attributed to the sponge‐boring ichnogenus Entobia, and four ichnospecies assigned to three worm‐boring ichnogenera Trypanites, Maeandropolydora and Caulostrepsis. The distribution of the reported borings is strongly linked to the palaeo‐reef zones. Two distinctive ichnological boring assemblages are recognized. The Gastrochaenolites‐dominated assemblage reflects shallower‐marine conditions, under water depths of a few metres, mostly in back‐reef to patch‐reef zones of a back‐reef lagoon. The Entobia‐dominated assemblage signifies relatively deeper marine conditions, mostly in reef core of the fringing Miocene reefs. These ichnological assemblages are attributed herein to the Entobia sub‐ichnofacies of the Trypanites ichnofacies. This ichnofacies indicates boring in hard carbonate substrates (such as corals, rhodoliths, carbonate cements and hardgrounds) during periods of non‐sedimentation or reduced sediment input.     

The ichnofamily Celliformidae for Celliforma and allied ichnogenera

This contribution undertakes a comprehensive revision, lacking until now, of all the ichnotaxa attributed to fossil bee cells, one of the most common traces in paleosols. These ichnotaxa are morphologically related to Celliforma and consequently grouped herein in the new ichnofamily Celliformidae. Two new ichnogenera are formulated, Cellical‐ichnns igen. nov., for several ichnospecies previously included in Celliforma, and a new ichnospecies, C. chubutensis isp. nov., belonging to this ichnofamily, and Brownichnus igen. nov., for the ichnospecies favosites, which is not morphologically related to Celliforma. The ichnogenera included in this ichnofamily involve traces in which Celliforma, the most simple trace of the group, is part of their structure. Paltniraichnus is akin to Celliforma with antechambers and discrete walls. Uruguay, Corim‐batichnus and Rosellichnus are clusters composed of adjacent rows of Celliforma, or Palmiraichnus‐like cells. Ellipsoideichnus and Cellicalichnus are different arrangements of Celliforma‐like cells attached to tunnels.

Celliformidae are based on the morphology of the traces, all of them comprising cells, groups of cells and cells attached to tunnels. As such, its component ichnotaxa are based exclusively on morphological ichnotaxobases, which, in turn, were evaluated and selected with respect to the nest architecture of the trace makers, the bees. This paper analyzes some procedures and clues (i.e. behavioral homologies) that may be used to select the proper taxobases to erect ichnotaxa when the identity of the trace makers is known, as in this study case.     

A REVIEW OF TRIASSIC TETRAPOD TRACK ASSEMBLAGES FROM ARGENTINA

Abstract:  This paper contains the first comprehensive ichnotaxonomic review of the Triassic tetrapod track record in Argentina, including previous accounts and new material recently discovered, and an analysis of its composition and stratigraphic distribution. Triassic footprints have been recorded from three basins: the Ischigualasto-Villa Unión and Cuyo basins in north-west Argentina, and the Los Menucos depocentre in northern Patagonia. Most are in successions of Middle Triassic age; a lower number are from the Late Triassic, and there are two records from Early Triassic rocks. The known track types include: Brachychirotherium isp., cf. Brachychirotherium isp., Chirotherium barthii , Dicynodontipus ispp., Grallator isp., Rhynchosauroides isp., Rigalites ischigualastianus , Rigalites isp., Tetrasauropus isp., and bird-like, chirotheriid and unidentified tridactyl footprints. The ichnogenera Gallegosichnus Casamiquela, 1964, Calibarichnus Casamiquela, 1964, Palaciosichnus Casamiquela, 1964 and Stipanicichnus Casamiquela, 1975 are considered to be synonyms of Dicynodontipus (Hornstein, 1876). In addition, the abandonment of the following ichnogenera (and single ichnospecies) that are based on poorly preserved material is suggested: Ingenierichnus sierrai Casamiquela, 1964, Rogerbaletichnus aguilerai Casamiquela, 1964 and Shimmelia chirotheroides Casamiquela, 1964. At least eight Triassic ichnofaunas can be recognized. The most peculiar is that of the Late Triassic Los Menucos depocentre, which is characterized by the dominance of therapsid footprints ( Dicynodontipus ispp.). The track assemblages from the Cuyo Basin display the highest ichnodiversity, with five footprint types.     

New trace fossils of termites (Insecta: Isoptera) from the late Eocene‐early Miocene of Egypt,and the reconstruction of ancient isopteran social behavior

Three new ichnogenera and five new ichnospecies are described for new trace fossils of termitaria (including associated gallery systems) of subterranean termites from upper Eocene through lower Miocene rocks of northern Egypt. All but two ichnospecies (Krausichnus trompitus, ichnogen, and ichnosp. nov., and A’, altus, ichnosp. nov.) show varying degrees of affinity to nests of the extant subterranean termite species Sphaerotermes sphaerothorax (Termitidae, Macro‐termitinae).

Termitichnus qatranii (Bown, 1982) is divided into two ichnospecies, the previously named T. qatranii, and a more generalized form, T. simplicidens, ichnosp. nov. Vondrichnus obovatus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., is named for simple, possibly macrotermitine nests with oblate form, and Fleaglellius pagodus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., records a nest form similar to V. obovatus, but one in which successive vertical growth by chamber apposition has produced a subterranean, tower‐like structure, reminiscent of that built by extant, epigeous Cubitermes. Krausichnus trompitus, ichnogen. and ichnosp. nov., and A’, altus, ichnosp. nov., record two unique nest architectures probably produced by unknown but related species of humivorous termites. The nest architecture expressed by Krausichnus is of wholly unknown affinity and is only distantly related in form to the ichnofossils of other termite nests known from the Tertiary of Egypt.

Study of the architecture of the nests of these ancient termites reveals details important in reconstructing the phylogeny of termite nests and documents two novel blueprints for chamber expansion and society budding in what were probably primitive Macrotermi‐tinae. It also indicates that at least two constructed edifices, earlier known only as epigeous manifestations of extant termite species, were almost certainly first developed by species living underground.

The extant Macrotermitinae are a subfamily of termites originally believed to have evolved in the post‐Eocene of the Ethiopian biogeo‐graphic region. We offer fossil evidence of four distinct, possibly macrotermitine structures from upper Eocene rocks. This evidence suggests that this termite subfamily (or at least their peculiar mode of nest construction) might have evolved considerably earlier, as it is already well established and exhibits several variants by the late Eocene in Egypt.     

Dinosaur Tracks from the Kilmaluag Formation (Bathonian,Middle Jurassic) of Score Bay,Isle of Skye,Scotland, UK

Tracks of a juvenile theropod dinosaur with footprint lengths of between 2 and 9 cm as well as adults of the same ichnospecies with footprints of about 15–25 cm in length were found in the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) Kilmaluag Formation of Score Bay, northwestern Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK. Two footprint sizes occur together on the same bedding plane in the central portion of Score Bay, both in situ and on loose blocks. Another horizon containing footprints above this was also identified. The footprints from the lowest horizon were produced in a desiccated silty mud that was covered with sand. A close association of both adults and juveniles with similar travel direction indicated by the footprints may suggest post-hatching care in theropod dinosaurs. Other footprints, produced on a rippled sandy substrate, have been found on the slightly higher bedding plane at this locality. Loose blocks found 130 m to the northeast in the central part of Score Bay have not been correlated with any in situ sediments, but were preserved in a similar manner to those from the higher bedding plane. These tracks represent the youngest dinosaur remains yet found in Scotland.     

Mammal and Bird Tracks from the Eocene Puget Group,Northwest Washington,USA

In 1997, coal extraction at the John Henry Mine in western King County, Washington, USA, exposed bedding planes in Eocene sandstone that contained numerous bird and mammal tracks. By the time scientists arrived at the site several months later, the track-bearing surfaces had mostly been obliterated by landslides. Several track specimens were collected but not curated, described, or studied. In 2011, the specimens were found in a storage room at the University of Washington Burke Museum of History and Culture, triggering an investigation that yielded many photographs of the fossil site taken at the time of the 1997 discovery. Perissodactyl mammal tracks are named herein as Oplidcatylapes eocenica ichnogenus and ichnospecies nov. Photographs also show a trackway containing eight footprints that have prominent claw impressions. These tracks are inferred to have been made by a creodont, but because of the absence of specimens or track casts to serve as holotypes, ichnotaxonomic names have not been assigned.     

Ichnology of the Early Cambrian Tal Group,Nigalidhar Syncline,Lesser Himalaya,India

Though trace fossils have been recorded from the Tal Group of the Krol-Tal Belt by earlier workers, most of the records are at generic level only. This paper describes, in detail, 24 ichnospecies from 20 ichnogenera, some of which are being reported for the first time, from the Ganog and Koti Dhaman sections of the Nigalidhar Syncline, H.P. Based on the ichnostratigraphic and ichnofabric analyses these ichnofossils have been categorized into three ichnoassemblages, namely Palaeophycus-Phycodes, Daedalus-Phycodes, and Cruziana Ichnoassemblages. An attempt has also been made for correlation of the Tal sections with other Precambrian-Cambrian sections of the world.     

Large theropod trackway from the Lower Jurassic Zhenzhuchong Formation of Weiyuan County,Sichuan Province,China: Review,new observations and special preservation

The well-preserved theropod track Weiyuanpus zigongensis, recently assigned to Eubrontes zigongensis, was not described in exhaustive detail at the time of its original discovery in 2007. Among the morphological details not described was an antero-medially directed hallux seen in five of the six tracks that make up the type trackway. Hallux traces are only rarely reported in large Lower Jurassic theropod tracks such as Eubrontes and Gigandipus, and their presence or absence may be the result of one or both of two factors: track depth and/or differences in hallux configuration in the trackmakers. Here we argue that E. zigongensis is one of the best preserved examples of a eubrontid track, which can be morphologically distinguished from other Eubrontes ichnospecies by the presence of well-defined hallux traces.     

Late Jurassic footprints reveal walking kinematics of theropod dinosaurs

Avanzini, M., Piñuela, L. & García‐Ramos, J.C. 2011: Late Jurassic footprints reveal walking kinematics of theropod dinosaurs. Lethaia, Vol. 45, pp. 238–252. This study describes a set of theropod footprints collected from the Late Jurassic Lastres Formation (Asturias, N Spain). The footprints are natural casts (tracks and undertracks) grouped into three morphotypes, which are characterized by different size frequency, L/W relationship and divarication angles: ‘Grallatorid’ morphotype, ‘Kayentapus–Magnoavipes’ morphotype, ‘Hispanosauropus’ morphotype. The tracks were produced in firm, stiff and soft sediments. The infills of deep tracks, which are typically formed in soft mud, lack fine anatomical details, but they can reveal the walk kinematics of the trackmaker through the morphology of internal track fills and sinking traces. In all footprints, a horizontal outwardly directed translation movement and rotation are recognizable. The amount and geometry of digit penetration in the ground also show a pronounced difference. It can be inferred from the described sample that different theropoda‐related ichnogenera share common kinematics. □Asturias, dinosaur footprint, late jurassic, theropods, walking kinematics.     

Ichnology and sedimentology of the early Permian deep-water deposits from the Lercara-Roccapalumba area (Western Sicily,Italy)

Summary Diverse and abundant trace fossils of the deep-waterNereites ichnofacies have been found in well-dated Early Permian deep-water turbidites (Lercara Formation) of western Sicily (Italy). Conodonts indicate a latest Artinskian to Cathedralian (late Early Permian) age. Microfossils (pelagic conodonts, albaillellid Radiolaria, paleopsychrospheric ostracods, foraminiferal associations dominated byBathysiphon), trace fossils (deep-bathyal to abyssalNereites ichnofacies) and sedimentologic data collectively indicate a deep-water environment for the Early Permian turbidites of the Lercara Formation. The dominance ofAgrichnium and of thePaleodictyon subichnogeneraSquamodictyon andMegadictyon suggests that this icnofauna is closely related in ichnotaxonomic composition to other late Paleozoic deep-water ichnofaunas. The occurrence ofAcanthorhaphe. Dendrotichnium andHelicoraphe, to date only reported from Cretaceous or Tertiary flysch deposits, suggests that the entire ichnofauna corresponds well to previously documented Silurian-Tertiary flysch ichnofaunas. Eight new ichnospecies and a new ichnosubgenus,Megadictyon, are described.     

The Tetrapod Ichnogenus Protochirotherium Fichter and Kunz 2004, a Characteristic Early Triassic Morphotype of Central Pangea

Early Triassic chirotherian footprint assemblages from Poland, Germany, and Morocco are important for understanding archosaur evolution in the aftermath of the Permian-Triassic crisis. However, their ichnotaxonomy is confusing because various authors have interpreted their diversity differently. After an analysis and ichnotaxonomic re-assessment, the presence of the ichnogenera Brachychirotherium, Isochirotherium, and Chirotherium in these assemblages is not supported. Distant similarities with these ichnotaxa are functions of extra morphological variation and substrate-related factors. Instead, Early Triassic chirotherian footprints described under these names are assigned here to the ichnogenus Protochirotherium and to a more slender morphotype identified as Synaptichnium. In particular, Protochirotherium appears to be more widely distributed in central Pangea as a characteristic morphotype reflecting a distinct stage in archosaur evolution. Trackmakers were nonarchosaurian archosauriforms or, alternatively, stem-group crocodylians. Morphologically and temporally these footprints match the hypothetical ancestor of the Chirotherium barthii trackmaker. Chirotherium barthii appears by the beginning of the Middle Triassic. Because of its restricted stratigraphic range, and its wider distribution in central Pangea, Protochirotherium also has biostratigraphic significance for this region and can be considered as an indicator of Early Triassic-aged strata.     

An Ichnotaxonomic Approach to Wrinkled Microbially Induced Sedimentary Structures

Microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS) are an important facet of recent paleoichnological work because of their taphonomic implications. MISS are extensively studied in terms of their formation processes, recognition in the ancient record, and their diverse morphologies. Classification and terminology schemes are based on their appearance and mode of formation; however, the taxonomic treatment of MISS remains debated. Traditionally MISS have been considered sedimentary structures, and arguments have been made that they cannot be treated as trace fossils under the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) due to MISS being formed by communities of microbiota including algae, cyanobacteria, and others, rather than a single tracemaker. Here, we reexamine MISS using an ichnotaxonomic approach and apply ichnologic terminology and binomial names. Upon reexamining the holotype of Kinneyia Walcott, a genus commonly used to describe some MISS, we argue it cannot be used to correctly describe wrinkle or ripple-like features seen in MISS, and we agree with previous authors that Kinneyia is likely not biogenic in origin. We here assign a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, Rugalichnus matthewii, to ripple-like sedimentary wrinkle marks known as MISS, separating them from the nomen dubium genus Kinneyia.