NEW LOCALITY OF THE TRACE FOSSIL CLIMACTICHNITES IN CENTRAL TEXAS

The trace fossil Climactichnites is recognized only by the track ways that have been left behind. There is no record of a fossilized body of the creature that makes the tracks, though it has been suggested that a soft-bodied invertebrate may be responsible. These tracks resemble the tire tread marks created by bicycle tires and appear in varying patterns. The occurrence of Climactichnites is mostly confined to the north eastern part of North America. A possible new location of the tracks has been found in the central region of Texas. This new location is currently being researched by students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The methods of data collection from this new location include photographs, measurements and molds. New tracks will be compared to previously documented species to determine the correct identification.