The first theropod tracks from the Middle Jurassic of Gansu, Northwest China: New and rare evidence of quadrupedal progression in theropod dinosaurs
Da-Qing Li1, Li-Da Xing2,3, Martin G. Lockley4, Anthony Romilio5, Jing-Tao Yang1, Long-Feng Li1
1 Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070, Gansu Province, China.; 2 School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.; 3 State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.; 4 Dinosaur Trackers Research Group, University of Colorado Denver, PO Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217, USA.; 5 School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.;
Abstract A new Middle Jurassic tracksite dominated by non-avian theropod footprints from the Wangjiashan Formation in Pingchuan District, Baojishan Basin, Gansu Province has yielded a unique trackway with four consecutive manus-pes sets. Only three previous examples, all Early Jurassic in age, of theropod trackways are known with convincing examples of manus tracks and in each case, only two tracks were recorded in association with pes tracks with metatarsal impressions and pelvic traces indicating crouching behavior. Thus, this is the first example of manus tracks registered while a theropod trackmaker was walking. This unique configuration is here designated as Grallator pingchuanensis ichnosp. nov. which shows the trackmaker forelimbs registering in a wide straddle gait, much wider than the pes trackway width. G. pingchuanensis confirms previous reports that theropods could occasionally register tridactyl, ectaxonic manus traces. In the case of the Pingchuan trackway, the short step indicates an animal moving at a slow speed, probably due to a soft substrate.
. The first theropod tracks from the Middle Jurassic of Gansu, Northwest China: New and rare evidence of quadrupedal progression in theropod dinosaurs[J]. , 2019, 8(2): 198-208.
. The first theropod tracks from the Middle Jurassic of Gansu, Northwest China: New and rare evidence of quadrupedal progression in theropod dinosaurs[J]. Journal of Palaeogeography, 2019, 8(2): 198-208.
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