Reassessment of asteriacites from the lower cretaceous apeleg formation (southern Chile) and a discussion about its producer

Abstract

Asteriacites von Schlotheim, 1820 is a relatively common ichnogenus attributed toasterozoans and has been recorded from Cambrian to Recent marine deposits, although its validity has been debated [1,2]. A recently emended diagnosis has settled the subject and provided morphometric parameters for the identification of the now three valid ichnospecies (Asteriacites lumbricalis, A. stelliformis and A. quinquefolius) [3]. In the Lower Cretaceous Apeleg Formation (Chilean Patagonia), A. lumbricalis was described almost two decades ago and ascribed to asteroids [4]. Recently, these specimens were reclassified as A. stelliformis based on photographs from the cited work, because the samples were considered lost [5]. In this work, new specimens of Asteriacites are described from this unit, and based on the previously mentioned emended diagnoses [3], an ichnotaxonomic discussion is presented. Additionally, the size range of each trace fossil was calculated to discuss the potential producers.