Dr. G. F. Matthew's contributions to ichnology and a review of Acripes Matthew 1910

Abstract

George Frederic Matthew's contributions to vertebrate ichnology, including the erection of 9 ichnogenera and 18 ichnospecies still valid today, were more successful than his contributions to invertebrate ichnology, which were often marked by equivocal descriptions and poor illustrations. Much of the material he described has been reclassified or is now viewed as inorganic. Debate over the synonymy of Acripes Matthew 1910 and Diplichnites Dawson 1873 is ongoing. Detailed review using to the principles of significant and accessory features indicates that Acripes Matthew is indeed a junior synonym of Diplichnites Dawson, and formal transference of all current ichnospecies of Acripes to Diplichnites is recommended.