期刊
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
卷 33, 期 10, 页码 2135-2146出版社
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2020.1772252
关键词
Walloon Coal Measures; Jurassic; Australia; dinosaur tracks
Dinosaur tracks associated with the Walloon Coal Measures in Australia are especially rich, with many tracks found directly above coal seams in underground mines. However, due to the cessation of this style of mining and closure of many original mines, ichnological investigations are now limited to museum specimens and archival photographs. The dominance of theropod tracks in this region provides valuable insights into Australia's Jurassic dinosaur fauna.
Dinosaur tracks associated with coal-mines of the Middle to Upper Jurassic (Callovian-Tithonian) Walloon Coal Measures (Clarence-Morton Basin) have been reported on more than any other track-bearing formation in Australia, yet due to the brevity of ichnological information, remain poorly known. All these tracks were found in sediments directly above coal seams in the ceilings of subterranean mines. This style of mining ceased more than a quarter of a century ago, and with many of the original mines having been back-filled or closed, ichnological investigations are restricted to the study of museum specimens and archival photographs. Here, we consolidate data from the literature, present previously unpublished archival photographs, and show the 3D topography of all accessioned track specimens from the Walloon Coal Measures. We recognise eleven track-bearing sites, most of which produced large (length of 30-50 cm) and very large (length greater than 50 cm) sized theropod tracks, including Australia's largest carnivorous dinosaur footprint (79 cm long). The domination of theropod tracks is unique among Australian dinosaur tracksites. In light of the absence of near coveal body-fossil candidates, the Walloon Coal Measures ichnofaunal assemblages fills significant gaps in our understanding of Australia's Jurassic dinosaur fauna.
作者
我是这篇论文的作者
点击您的名字以认领此论文并将其添加到您的个人资料中。
推荐
暂无数据