Early Jurassic “worm holothurians” (Echinodermata) as faecal traces of a worm-like holothurian-eater reflecting the consumed species

摘要: “Worm holothurians” from a sequence of Early Liassic (Hettangian) shales at Gottingen (Germany) are string- and strip-shaped relics faeces worm-like holothurian-eater. They consist three typical associations morphotypes microscopic calcitic ossicles the body wall skeletons holothurians: (1) mostly buttons few larger hooks; (2) polyperforate spectacles many tiny or, rarely, (3) sieve platelets only. The were discarded by predator partly as it rapidly advanced, leaving an elongated, irregularly curved string sediment surface, but during its slow creeping crawling below sediment/water interface, when left narrowly meandering in moulded or tunnel-like trail. elongated strings generally well preserved, whereas ones totally disintegrated, possibly due to ventilating activities predator. Upon collapse trail wall, biostratinomic state disintegration was fixed strip ossicles. Such strip, therefore, represents faecally documented part trace just surface. All holothurian calcareous ring segments found some two kinds ossicle with hooks belong same new type form. According feasible scenario for predator–prey relationship, this form should be defined genus chiridotid Apodida that contains biological species. concentrated also interpreted species within Dendrochirotida.