Helminthopsis hieroglyphica Heer, 1887

Remarks: The ichnogenus Helminthopsis is similar to other simple grazing traces, such as Gordia and Helminthoidichnites. It is distinguished from Helminthoidichnites by its tendency to meander and from Gordia by its lack of self-overcrossing (Pickerill, 1981; Crimes and Anderson, 1985; Han and Pickerill, 1995).

Diagnosis: Helminthopsis in which the windings, normally wide and low, comprise straight segments interspersed with irregularly sinuous and variably developed segments. The tortuous segments may be bell-shaped but not horseshoe-shaped. The full course is commonly, though not exclusively, alternately winding and straight (modified from Książkiewicz, 1977).

Description: Irregularly meandering, unbranched, horizontal, unlined burrows. Meanders are low and broad. The course of the trace is alternately winding and straight. Diameter highly variable within individual specimens. Length ranges between 42-81 mm. Diameter varies between 1.5 and 3.0 mm. Commonly, the burrow surface is smooth, but in some instances, transverse constrictions are present. Preserved as hypichnial ridges.