Fossilized bioelectric wire – the trace fossil Trichichnus

摘要: Abstract. The trace fossil Trichichnus is proposed as an indicator of bioelectric bacterial activity at the oxic–anoxic interface zone marine sediments. This fulfils idea that such processes, commonly found in modern realm, should be also present geological past. exceptional due to its very thin diameter (mostly less than 1 mm) and common pyritic filling. It ubiquitous some fine-grained sediments, where it has been interpreted a burrow formed deeper any other fossils, below redox boundary. Trichichnus, formerly referred deeply burrowed invertebrates, remnant fossilized intrasediment mat pyritized. As visualized 3-D by means X-ray computed microtomography scanner, forms dense filamentous fabric, which reflects produced large, mat-forming, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, belonging mostly Thioploca-related taxa, are able house complex consortium. Several stages formation, including filamentous, pyritization, explain electron exchange between oxic suboxic/anoxic layers sediment. Therefore, can considered "electric wire".