Lithographus
Ichnogenus of trace fossil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lithographus (‘rock writing’[2]) is a Carboniferous[3] to Cretaceous[1] trace fossil that has been found in North America, South America, Europe, and east Asia.[1]
| Lithographus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Trace fossil classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Subclass: | Pterygota |
| Ichnogenus: | Lithographus Hitchcock 1858 |
| Ichnospecies | |
| |
The ichnogenus is characterized by alternating groups of three tracks arranged in an arrow shape. These are interpreted as tracks of cockroaches, beetles, or similar insects.[2][1] The tracks are likely produced on relatively dry surfaces where the insect's legs do not drag; on wetter sediments, a more continuous trackway is created that is sometimes assigned to Grammepus.[4]
