Trace fossils and trackways in the Upper Freshwater Molasse of Central andEastern Switzerland

A summary of the fossil record of tracks and traces within sediments of the Upper Freshwatermolasse (OSM) of central and eastern Switzerland is given. Tracks and trace fossils of the OSM were often neglected or rarely conside red to be worth to have a closer look at. However, trace fossils are often encountered within OSM sediments, especially when carefully searched for. M ost sedimentation took place in an environment relatively rich in oxygen, t herefore in- and epifaunal life was common. Unfortunately, unlike under mar ine conditions, preservation and also the variety of shape of these traces is usually poor. In some cases, the producing organisms may be identified, especially in semianoxic sediments, where preservation is best. Rare highli ghts are findings of fossil tracks of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.