On Arthraria antiquata Billings, 1872 and Its Relationship to Diplocraterion Torell, 1870 and Bifungites Desio, 1940

The poorly defined trace fossil Arthraria antiquata Billings, 1872 is redescribed its type location, Bell Island, eastern Newfoundland. Historically, the monospecific A. antiquata has been confused with and even placed into synonymy with the related ichnogenera Bifungites Desio, 1940 and Diplocraterion Torell, 1870. Examination of topotype and other material Bell Island suggests that A. antiquata is a distinctive trace fossil lacking vertical components typical of Bifungites and Diplocraterion. It is suggested in the case of essentially dumb-bell shaped fossils preserved in semirelief on lower surfaces as positive casts that: Bifungites be employed those structures with associated vertical tubes but without spreite, Diplocraterion be employed those structures with associated vertical tubes and spreite and Arthraria be employed for structures with no vertical tubes or associated