Data from: Three-dimensional morphological analysis of a Parahaentzschelinia-like trace fossil

Serial grinding and three-dimensional reconstruction of aff. Parahaentzschelinia trace fossils from the Ordovician Winterhouse Formation reveals complex tiered network systems associated with more typical Parahaentzschelinia-like conical bundles of sub-vertical tubes. The morphological complexity of the burrow system is interpreted as an indication of the diverse behaviour of the trace-making organism. This organism is inferred to have exploited organic matter within the sand-rich event beds as well as in muddier beds above and below the sandstone beds using a variety of behaviours. Potential burrow irrigation and microbial cultivation associated with gardening behaviour is also inferred. The trace-making organism is unknown, but comparisons are drawn between the structures observed herein and those produced by both modern polychaetes and bivalves.

采用连续研磨法与三维重建技术，对奥陶纪温特豪斯组（Winterhouse Formation）产出的相似拟亨齐迹（aff. Parahaentzschelinia）遗迹化石开展研究，结果揭示出一类复杂的分层网络造迹系统，该系统与更为典型的拟亨齐迹类近垂直管锥形束伴生。该潜穴系统的形态复杂性，被视作造迹生物具有多样化行为的重要指示依据。研究推断该造迹生物通过多种行为模式，利用了富砂事件沉积层内的有机质，同时也获取了砂岩层上下方泥质层中的有机质。此外，研究还推断存在与园艺行为相关的潜在潜穴灌溉与微生物培育活动。目前造迹生物的具体类群尚未明确，但本研究观测到的造迹结构，与现代多毛类（polychaetes）、双壳类（bivalves）所形成的造迹结构具有可类比性。