The Preservation of Trace

Fossils
 Trace Fossils

Trace fossils are the tracks, trails, burrows, borings and

faeces of fossil organisms, and their preservation is
important to the interpretation of the mode of life of a
great many organisms. (Doyle, 1996)

Most other traces are by nature ephemeral and their

incorporation into the fossil record is largely a function of
sedimentation rate.
 Trace Fossils

Endogenic
Exogenic
 Endogenic Exogenic

Formed within the Formed on the surface

sediment. of accumulating
sediment.
Traces are effectively Traces have a lesser
already buried, and preservation potential.
Figure 1. The preservation of trace fossils. Trace fossils can be classified on the have a greater
basis of their relationship with their containing sediment [Source: Doyle,1996. preservation potential.
Modified from: Bromley (1990), Trace fossils, Unwin Hyman, Fig. 10.1, p. 165]
Traces are subject to Traces are more
diagenesis. vulnerable to erosion.
On burial, exogenic traces are subject to the same
constraints of bioturbation, compaction and
tectonic processes as endogenic traces.