Underwater Neoichnology at Osezaki Cape

Because almost all trace fossils originate from the strata formed in underwater depositional settings, neoichnological research -study on modern burrows and traces produced by benthic organisms-in the environments is essential.Osezaki Cape, central Japan (35° 01′ 29′′ N, 138° 47′ 17′′ E), is a famous diving site for abundant and diverse fishes, showing both tropical and temperate assemblages, thereby attracting many recreational divers to the shore.There are also a lot of remarkable burrows and traces produced by benthos (Seike & Yamashita, 2020) and physical sedimentary structures such as ripple marks in the area.On the cover：The sharp-nose garden eel Gorgasia taiwanensis burrowing sea bottom with current ripples at a water depth of 22.3 m on the west side of the cape in February 2021.Because almost all individuals face the same direction to feed on the suspended food in the water current, the burrow elongation should be related to the current direction.