Zoophycos brianteus Massalongo, 1855

Description: Endichnial, helicoidally coiled trace, 50 cm in diameter, having a more or less circular to elliptical outlinein planar view. The traces show a raised apex in the centre from which the distinctive spreiten extend arcuately up to the burrow margin, forming several vertically stacked coils which are overlapping. The central part of the burrow is elevated by up to 1 cm. Burrow diameter increases towards the lower coils. Primary laminae are distinguishable. Marginal tube is absent. Dichotomy of ray is common. Although the majority of the structures exposed in the sections parallel to the bedding are planar, a number of them form low cones and the filaments of these are arranged concentrically about a central point, rod or stalk which may be slightly raised. Many of the conical specimens are formed of several superimposed cones which may be spirally coiled. Distally, the filaments are curved either dextrally or sinistrally to give the Zoophycos a swirled appearance.