First report of fish trace fossils (Undichna) from the Middle Devonian Achanarras Limestone, Caithness Flagstone Group

Abstract

Two newly discovered specimens of the fish locomotion trace Undichna (U. britannica and Undichna isp.) are described from the Middle Devonian Achanarras Limestone Member (Caithness Flagstone Group, NE Scotland). Fish trace fossils have not previously been reported from the Achanarras Limestone Member, despite decades of study of the unit as a key locality for fish body fossils. The traces comprise discontinuous sinusoidal grooves; one showing multiple parallel incisions, created by the fins of an acanthodian fish swimming close to the substrate. The apparent absence of trace fossils attributable to infaunal or epifaunal benthic organisms suggests that the sediment at the bottom of the lake was relatively inhospitable. The low ichnodiversity of the Achanarras Limestone Member is likely due to low oxygen levels in the depositional environment. Thematic collection: This article is part of the SJG Early Career Research available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/SJG-early-career-research