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Zoophycos

Taxonomy
Zoophycus was named by Massalongo (1855). Its type is Zoophycos caputmedusae.

It was corrected as Zoophycos by Hantzschel (1975).

It was assigned to Ichnofossils by Hantzschel (1975).

Species
Z. caputmedusae (type species)
Species lacking formal opinion data

Synonymy list
YearName and author
1975Zoophycos Hantzschel

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RankNameAuthor
Ichnofossils
RankNameAuthor
genusZoophycos(Massalongo 1855)

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

G. †Zoophycos Massalongo 1855
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Zoophycos caputmedusae Massalongo 1855
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
W. Hantzschel 1975Complex spreiten structures with numerous morphological variations; divided into 2 basic forms: 1) helicoidal, and 2) flat or planar. Shallowly-conical, spiral form, consisting of 3 main parts: spirally coiled spreite (=lamina, plate), major and minor lamellae contained within the lamina, and a cylindrical tunnel (marginal and axial); axis of spiral vertical to bedding; height small; single volutions conelike, sloping outward; diameter of successive whorls generally increasing downward; occasional inverse direction of coiling; basal diameter of structure (particularly in flysch deposits) up to 60 cm or more (max 1.45 m); whorls comprising lamina variable in outline: circular, arcuate, or lobate (broadly based or toungelike); occasionally first volutions lobate and larger and deeper ones nearly circular in outline: laminae exhibit major and minor lamellae (ridges), appear lunate in cross section, and curve radially from axis of spiral; major lamellae branch at acute angle toward axis forming minor lamellae; cylindrical tunnel with axis of spreite, has same thickness as spreite, may continue for a part or for whole length of lamina and then may be open to sediment at both ends. Planar forms of Zoophycos similar to closed spiral spreite, may also be antler-like; thickness 1 to 7 mm.