Ichnoplanet Master’s student Jess Morstad and co-authors Gabriela Mángano, Luis Buatois and Fabio Cabrera De Leo have just published new research in Ichnos on the neoichnology of the Barkley Canyon off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. This research analyzes the activity of benthic fauna using Ocean Networks Canada’s NEPTUNE observatory during periods of high and low turbidity. The benthos is dominated by spionid polychaete burrows representing an occurrence of the Skolithos ichnofacies within an oxygen minimum zone. This represents a departure from the traditional understanding of the Skolithos ichnofacies as typically occurring within well-oxygenated sediments. Jess’s research bridges the gap between modern and ancient environments by combining conceptual ichnologic frameworks with the current knowledge of submarine canyons.

Check out the article on Ichnos here.

Written by Zane Gabriel Goodell