Fluvial ichnofossil assemblage from the Miocene Siwalik succession of Pathankot District, Punjab, India: Palaeoenvironmental interpretation

Ichnofossils have been defined for the first time from the rocks exposed along the Katilu Khad section, Dunera, Punjab (India) of Miocene succession. Eight ichnotaxa with 12 ichnospecies have been recorded, including Arenicolites isp., Beaconites coronus, Helminthopsis tenuis, Lockeia siliquaria , Palaeophycus tubularis, Palaeophycus isp., Planolites annularis, P. beverleyensis, Skolithos linearis, Taenidium barretti, T. cameronensis, and T. serpentinum. The present ichnofossil assemblages are recognised by two ichnofacies – Scoyenia and Mermia. Scoyenia ichnofacies is typified by less diversity but a high abundance of meniscate burrow ( Taenidium and Beaconites ), whereas Mermia ichnofacies shows high diversity grazing and feeding traces with low abundance. These ichnofacies indicate well-oxygenated, low-energy deposition exposed to air and represent the fluvial environment.