Omanichnus and Vitichnus : two new graphoglyptid Ichnogenera from Upper Triassic deep-sea fan deposits in Oman

Two new graphoglyptid ichnogenera were found in the Upper Triassic turbiditic deep-sea fan deposits in Oman. Omanichnus virgatus igen. nov. et isp. nov. represents a burrow having a central axis from which branches deviate alternating to each side, the axis being at the same level of branching or very close to it. Vitichnus nizwaensis igen. nov. et isp. nov. represents a V-shaped structure composed of narrow-spaced, biserially arranged tubes alternating to each other side forming a plait-like pattern. Behaviorally it contains elements of Saerichnites beskidensis (formerly Hormosiroidea beskidensis) such as the plait-like arranged elements, that is, narrow-spaced, biserially arranged tubes directed alternating to each other side, but differs in the overall V-shape. These new trace fossils represent some of the earliest uniramous graphoglyptids in deep-marine deposits, which became diverse since the Late Cretaceous.