Deep-sea echiurans: possible producers of Zoophycos

Kotake, N. 1992 07 15: Deep-sea echiurans: possible producers of Zoophycos.
The trace fossil Zoophycos in the upper Pliocene deep-sea deposits (Shiramazu Formation) distributed in the southernmost part of Boso Peninsula, central Japan, appears to be a product of feeding and excretory behavior by surface deposit-feeders inhabiting middle bathyal depths. Ecology and anatomy of modern deep-sea echiurans are consistent with those of the Zoophycos producers based on the Pliocene examples. Consequently, deep-sea echiurans may be producers of Zoophycos . Systematic lamellae structures of the spreite reflect excretory behavior in sediment resulting from deposit-feeding on the sea-floor. Z oophycos , deep-sea echiurans, Pliocene, Boso Peninsula, Japan .