Genus

Cuniculichnus Höpner et Bertling, 2017

Taxon description

Trifilio et al., 2023

Revised diagnosis: Pits and holes in the osteic substrate that are sub-horizontally to horizontally oriented to the surface of the bone. They are cylinder-shaped with one or more elliptical openings to the surface.

Wisshak et al., 2019a

Macroboring; substrate osteic; tracemaker invertebrate

Höpner & Bertling, 2017

Diagnosis: Tunnels in bone, oriented more or less horizontal to surface, cross-section rounded; initial stages roundish holes, or straight notches with tapering ends.

Differential diagnosis: The notch stage of Cuniculichnus is distinguished from Cubiculum Roberts et al. 2007 (revised diagnosis above) by its tapering ends and its straightness. In addition, no tunnel stage developing from this structure is reported for this ichnogenus. Osteichnus has a flattened U-shape and oblique position within the substrate. Clavichnus is oriented vertical instead of horizontal and has a claviform shape. Biting traces such as Nihilichnus are readily distinguished by their acute depth profile and variably ragged outline.

Selection of related publications
Venegas-Gómez, C., Ortega-Flores, B., Estrada-Ruiz, E., Pérez-Crespo, V. A., Aguilar-Arellano, F. J. 2024. Ichnological records associated with dermestid beetles in dinosaur bones from Lala's Place (Maastrichtian), Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico, and their taphonomic implications. Journal of South American Earth Sciences 147, 105110. DOI:10.1016/j.jsames.2024.105110
Trifilio, L. H. M. D. S., de Araújo Júnior, H. I., Porpino, K. D. O. 2023. The paleoichnofauna in bones of Brazilian Quaternary cave deposits and the proposition of two new ichnotaxa. Ichnos 30, 3, 207-234. DOI:10.1080/10420940.2023.2271125
Höpner, S., Bertling, M. 2017. Holes in Bones: Ichnotaxonomy of Bone Borings. Ichnos 24, 4, 259-282. DOI:10.1080/10420940.2017.1289937
References based on distribution