安徽省黄山地区恐龙(足迹)脚印化石的初步研究

简要报道了安徽省黄山地区所发现的恐龙足迹化石。从脚印的形态和足迹上看,至少有三种不同的恐龙（蜥脚类、兽脚类、鸟脚类）共同生存过,其中多数恐龙为两足行走性的。记述了两个典型的小型兽脚类和小型鸟脚类恐龙所留下的脚印化石。黄山地区恐龙足迹、骨骼化石及其蛋化石的发现,对于研究晚白垩世恐龙生活习性以及古气候环境均有着一定的意义。     

江苏下白垩统孟疃组的恐龙足迹群及蜥脚类足迹形态的多样性(英文)

中国江苏省东海县南古寨孟疃组发现了数种恐龙足迹,包括兽脚类足迹和蜥脚类足迹。这些足迹出现在同一层位的四个相邻的足迹化石点。这些足迹化石点至少保存了三种不同形态的兽脚类足迹和未成年—成年的蜥脚类足迹。南古寨三号足迹化石点的兽脚类足迹和蜥脚类足迹出现了"回填"现象,这是在足迹所附带的沉积物与基底地面相互作用下,产生的流体和塑性行为下形成的。     

中国甘肃省中铺地区下白垩统河口群的兽脚类与蜥脚类足迹组合(英文)

近年来,中国西北部兰州-民和盆地的中铺地区河口群发现了一批恐龙骨骼化石和足迹化石。中铺地区的蜥脚类与兽脚类足迹组合相对丰富,但大多数标本保存较差。大夏足迹点发现了保存较好的类似亚洲足迹的跷脚龙类足迹(Asianopodus-like grallatorid tracks),足迹有着中趾弱前凸(weak mesaxony)。李家沟一号点的足迹组合包括了较大的兽脚类足迹和大型的、非三趾型四足类足迹,后者可能是蜥脚类足迹。李家沟二号点的足迹为多层的蜥脚类足迹,这表明了这类恐龙的活跃性,巨龙类的骨骸也可能来自同一层位。虽然中铺足迹组合不如同属河口群的盐锅峡足迹组合那么具有多样化与得以充分暴露,但依然体现了该地区以及中国早白垩世地层的典型足迹组合。     

河北侏罗-白垩纪界线最古老的恐爪龙类足迹

记述中国河北省赤城县倪家沟化石点一组恐龙行迹,并命名一新属新种--中国猛龙足迹(Menglongipus sinensis ichnogen.et ichnosp.nov.).足迹来自土城子组,位于侏罗-白孚纪界线.相邻的义县组曾发现最古老的恐爪龙类骨骼化石,而中国猛龙足迹的发现表明恐爪龙类早在义县组之前便出现在该地区.中国猛龙足迹的造迹者体长约65cm,非常接近于基十的近鸟类.此外,为四川伶盗龙足迹(Velociraptorichnus sichuanensis)的模式标本提供更多细节,并讨论驰龙类足迹型与其他兽脚类足迹之间的联系.     

石凤窝的传说——泸州古蔺发现东亚最长的恐龙行迹

<正>泸州地处四川盆地南缘,东部和南部均与贵州接壤。该地区白垩系地层非常发育,常见红色砂岩形成的丹霞地貌。近年来,泸州的古蔺和叙永两县的多个村镇发现了大量的白垩纪恐龙及其它脊椎动物的足迹化石,类型多样,包括兽脚类、蜥脚类和鸟脚类恐龙足迹,以及少量翼龙足迹。泸州也成为了我国恐龙足迹研究的一个热点地区。2014年6月,古蔺县桂花乡政府宣传干事徐挺与中国地质大学(北京)邢立达博士联系,告知在桂花乡汉溪村一处山崖上发现了大量的足     

新疆发现亚洲最大的蜥脚类恐龙化石

在新疆准葛尔盆地将军戈壁已发掘出一条完整的食肉龙化石,另一条大型蜥脚类恐龙已挖掘出一部分。科学家们十分肯定地认为,这条蜥脚类恐龙是亚洲乃至世界上发现的最大蜥脚类恐龙之一。同时,在准葛尔盆地五彩湾地区还发现了鸟脚类、兽     

头条新闻

重庆綦江发现西南白垩纪中期最大规模恐龙足迹群中国科学家在重庆市綦江县夹关组地层发现了目前西南地区白垩纪中期最大规模的恐龙足迹群。这一发现在一定程度上弥补了中国多年来兽脚类、蜥脚类足迹较多,而鸟脚类足迹较少的不足,同时对研究该地区白垩纪时期古生态学有着重要意义。     

干细胞修补受损心脏过程中两主要障碍被克服

中国科学家在重庆市綦江县夹关组地层发现了目前西南地区白垩纪中期最大规模的恐龙足迹群。这一发现在一定程度上弥补了中国多年来兽脚类、蜥脚类足迹较多,而鸟脚类足迹较少的不足,同时对研究该地区白垩纪时期古生态学有着重要意义。     

湖南株洲晚白垩世恐龙化石的初步研究

我国南方上白垩统产丰富的恐龙蛋化石,但发现的恐龙骨骼化石的种类和数量相对较少。本文对湖南株洲天元区新发现的恐龙化石进行详细研究。初步分析结果表明该化石点恐龙种类丰富,可能包括至少两种蜥脚类、三种兽脚类和一种鸭嘴龙类。其中部分蜥脚类材料可能归属于梁龙超科,填补了该类群在东亚上白垩统的空白记录;一个蜥脚类坐骨则显示泰坦巨龙类的典型特征。兽脚类材料可能来自于小型的虚骨龙类、暴龙科和鲨齿龙科。前两者为晚白垩世的常见类群,而鲨齿龙科的化石记录在上白垩统非常少见。本文为鲨齿龙科可能在东亚一直延伸至晚白垩世提供了新的证据。该地区多门类恐龙化石的发现表明我国南方恐龙的种类可能比我们想象的要丰富得多,而且可能是梁龙类和鲨齿龙类的最后栖息地。株洲恐龙动物群的发现对于了解亚洲特别是中国恐龙的生物地理区系的分布具有重要意义。     

禄丰发现新的恐龙化石

我国著名的恐龙之乡———禄丰 ,最近在川街乡发现了一个新的恐龙化石墓地。恐龙化石产于中—上侏罗统的上禄丰组的底部的一套紫红色的砂质泥岩中。在已发掘的４００平方米范围内初步统计出露恐龙化石有巨型的蜥脚类恐龙骨架８具 ,其中有一具近于完整 ,长约１９米 ,肉食性兽脚类恐龙骨架一具 ,还有众多的蛇颈龟化石。埋藏学分析这些动物在死亡后遭到过搬运 ,但搬动的距离不远 ,化石保存较完好也较集中。经鉴定 ,蜥脚类恐龙应归于马门溪龙科 ,兽脚类恐龙相似四川上沙溪庙组产出的永川龙 ,它们生存的时代也应相近 ,距今一亿五千万年前中侏罗世…     

Dinosaur footprints from the Sao Khua Formation (Early Cretaceous) of Phu Kao National Park,Northeast Thailand

The first documented dinosaur footprints from Southeast Asia were theropod footprints found in Thailand at Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. Since then, Mesozoic vertebrate footprints have been discovered in twelve different localities in Thailand. In 2000, dinosaur footprints were found in Phu Kao National Park in Northeastern Thailand, however, they have never been studied in detail. The following study presents the first map, the complete measurements, the geology, and stratigraphy of the site and surrounding area. The study discusses the nature of the trackmaker and the digitigrade character of the footprints. This discovery represents the first documented occurrence of dinosaur footprints inside the Early Cretaceous Sao Khua Formation from Thailand.     

Los Cayos Dinosaur Tracksite: An Overview on the Lower Cretaceous Ichno-Diversity of the Cameros Basin (Cornago,La Rioja Province,Spain)

The Los Cayos dinosaur tracksite is located at the eastern sector of the Cameros Basin (Cornago Township, La Rioja province), NE Spain. The sediments consist of interbedded terrigenous siliciclastics and carbonates belonging to the Enciso Group (Early Cretaceous, Aptian in age). The sedimentological and faunal evidence suggests that these sediments were deposited in a low gradient lacustrine environment. Los Cayos constitutes a relatively wide area with at least 6 localities that have yielded dinosaur tracks. More than 2,000 dinosaur tracks have been discovered to date. Medium to large theropod dinosaurs constitute about 95% of the ichnofauna. Ornithopod dinosaur tracks have been reported from only one of the outcrops (Los Cayos D). Los Cayos S has yielded theropod and sauropod tracks. One sauropod trackway shows a narrow-gauge locomotion pattern and a manus print morphology suggesting that the trackmaker was a titanosaurid, or at least a titanosauriform sauropod. Some pterosaur manus impressions, avian-like footprints of small size and possible turtle tracks complete the assemblage of one of the most impressive and best-preserved dinosaur tracksites of the European Lower Cretaceous.     

Aptian dinosaur footprints from the Apulian platform (Bisceglie,Southern Italy) in the framework of periadriatic ichnosites

New dinosaur tracks have been found near Bisceglie (Bari, Apulia), on loose blocks ascribed to the Corato Member (late Bedoulian to early Gargasian) of the Calcare di Bari Fm. The material consists of isolated footprints as well as of short trackways of quadrupedal and bipedal dinosaurs. The new tracksite has yielded a quite differentiated dinosaur ichnocoenosis, including theropod, sauropod, thyreophoran and ornithopod footprints.The discovery of early Aptian dinosaur footprints in the limestone of the carbonate platform of southern Italy gives new insights on dinosaur distribution, and new palaeontological constraints for the palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Mediterranean Tethys during the Cretaceous. The analysis of this and others ichnosites of the periadriatic carbonate platforms, gives evidence of repeated emersions and of widespread land-vertebrates dwelling. The characteristics of the associations suggest that the trackmakers did not constitute a real coevolved association but the occasional co-occurrence of taxa after migration.The results emphasize the need of both structural and environmental continuity and walking ways between a southern continent and the periadriatic carbonate platforms during the Early Cretaceous.     

Shape variability in tridactyl dinosaur footprints: the significance of size and function

The functional anatomy of the hindlimb of bipedal dinosaurs has been intensively studied. Yet, surprisingly little work has been done concerning functional adaptation of digits for terrestrial locomotion. While complete and articulated pes skeletons are scarce, pes shape is abundantly recorded by fossil footprints. We elucidate the significance of footprint shape and size for locomotion using a large sample (n = 303) of tridactyl dinosaur footprints from a broad range of geographical localities and time slots. Size and shape variation are characterized separately for theropods and ornithischians, the two principal trackmaker taxa. At smaller sizes, theropod footprints are best discriminated from ornithischian footprints by their smaller interdigital angle and larger projection of digit III; at larger sizes digital widths are effective discriminants. Ornithischian footprints increase in size from the Early Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous, a trend not observed in theropod footprints. Size and function are argued to be important determinants of footprint shape, and an attempt made to infer function from shape. Digit III projection and length-to-width ratio of the footprints are negatively correlated with size in both groups; digit impression width is positively correlated with size only in ornithischians. Digit III projection appears to be positively correlated with cursorial ability. Increased interdigital angles are associated with a decrease in digital width, possibly an adaptation for stability. Weak digit III projection and increased digital width are interpreted as adaptations for graviportality. Footprints yield great potential for the understanding of the functional morphology of dinosaur feet.     

Dinosaur Tracks from the Kilmaluag Formation (Bathonian,Middle Jurassic) of Score Bay,Isle of Skye,Scotland, UK

Tracks of a juvenile theropod dinosaur with footprint lengths of between 2 and 9 cm as well as adults of the same ichnospecies with footprints of about 15–25 cm in length were found in the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) Kilmaluag Formation of Score Bay, northwestern Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK. Two footprint sizes occur together on the same bedding plane in the central portion of Score Bay, both in situ and on loose blocks. Another horizon containing footprints above this was also identified. The footprints from the lowest horizon were produced in a desiccated silty mud that was covered with sand. A close association of both adults and juveniles with similar travel direction indicated by the footprints may suggest post-hatching care in theropod dinosaurs. Other footprints, produced on a rippled sandy substrate, have been found on the slightly higher bedding plane at this locality. Loose blocks found 130 m to the northeast in the central part of Score Bay have not been correlated with any in situ sediments, but were preserved in a similar manner to those from the higher bedding plane. These tracks represent the youngest dinosaur remains yet found in Scotland.     

Dinosaur Tracks,Myths and Buildings: The Jin Ji (Golden Chicken) Stones from Zizhou Area,Northern Shaanxi,China

For centuries, dinosaur footprints have influenced popular legends and myths in the surroundings of important tracksites. In many regions of China, track-bearing slabs were utilized as building materials and integrated in houses, yards, or cave dwellings, often serving as auspicious symbols or aesthetic decorations. Special birds such as the golden pheasant, widely distributed in China, may have inspired people to consider them as mythic trackmakers. The Zizhou area in northern Shaanxi, China, is famous for tracksites in the lower portion of the early Middle Jurassic Yan'an Formation. Sandstones with dinosaur tracks from these localities have been collected since the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and are used by villagers as cellar covers, stalls, or millstones. Besides their historical importance, the slabs are a valuable resource for ichnological research. Well-preserved theropod, ornithopod, and stegosaur tracks such as Kayentapus, Eubrontes, Anomoepus and Deltapodus incorporated into manmade structures can be seen while simply walking through some small villages of this area.     

Dinosaur Footprints from the Lower Cretaceous Sarten Member of the Mojado Formation at Cerro de Cristo Rey,Dona Ana County,New Mexico

Dinosaur tracks and swimming traces have been discovered at three localities in the latest Albian Sarten Member of the Mojado Formation, Bisbee Group (= “Anapra Sandstone”), at Cerro de Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, southernmost Dona Ana County, New Mexico. These localities preserve footprints of ornithopod (Caririchnium) and theropod (Magnoavipes) dinosaurs, ?reptilian swimming traces and possible tracks of an ankylosaurian dinosaur. The Sarten Member is of the latest Albian age, so the Cerro de Cristo Rey tracks are slightly younger than the well-known late Albian tracksites of northeastern New Mexico. At Cerro de Cristo Rey, the dominance of ornithopod tracks and absence of sauropod tracks fit regional patterns of late Albian-early Cenomanian track distribution consistent with North American extirpation of sauropods before the end of Albian time. The deltaic/coastal plain depositional setting of the Sarten Member is also remarkably similar to the track-bearing late Albian-Cenomanian sandstones of NE New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and SE Colorado, which also have a tetrapod footprint ichnofacies dominated by ornithopod (Caririchnium) and theropod (Magnoavipes) tracks throughout the so-called “dinosaur freeway.”     

An enigmatic early mesozoic dinosaur trackway from Zimbabwe

A trackway from Zimbabwe of probably the smallest dinosaur footprints recorded in Africa, is described and tentatively assigned to the Early Jurassic. The footprints are possibly those of a theropod and show strong negative (outward) rotation of the pes and are associated with manus prints. The shape of the footprints, unusual negative rotation, posterior curvature of digit IV and curious positioning of the manus prints in relation to the pes are enigmatic but somewhat reminiscent of Atreipus. Although a number of propositions are considered the most likely is that the animal was an immature dinosaur using a quadrupedal gait. A second trackway of slightly larger footprints of a bipedal theropod dinosaur is also recorded along with other diminutive tracks that suggest an early dinosaur assemblage, possibly dating from near the Trias‐sic‐Jurassic boundary.     

内蒙古鄂托克早白垩世恐龙足迹化石8号点风化机理研究*

内蒙古鄂托克旗查布地区是罕见的恐龙足迹等遗迹化石分布区,分布着大量白垩纪恐龙足迹化石。这些足迹化石在野外遭受着不同程度的风化破坏, 为此在足迹密集的核心区8号点建立了野外地质遗迹博物馆保护原址。跟踪观察后发现室内足迹化石的风化程度相较于露天保存更加严重, 尤其在馆内靠近四周围墙的区域, 足痕表面酥粉破碎, 有的足迹甚至完全消失。为研究8号点足迹化石的风化原因, 本文对8号点馆内外赋存于同一层位的岩石进行取样, 使用偏光显微镜(PM)、X射线衍射(XRD)、压汞(MIP)、离子色谱(IC)、拉曼光谱(Raman)、傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)以及扫描电子显微镜能谱 (SEM-EDS)等方法进行分析, 结果发现室内岩石的孔隙率更高, 孔径更大, 可溶盐含量是室外上层的2倍, 室外下层的约11倍, 种类以NaCl和Na2SO4为主。模拟实验显示, 相比冻融作用, Na2SO4更具有破坏性。由此认为导致鄂托克遗迹博物馆内恐龙足迹化石风化的机理是由地下水和降雨形成的地表水共同作用的结果, 尤以Na2SO4为主的可溶盐产生强烈的水盐活动。同时, 之前用作加固的硝基清漆保护效果不明显, 并尝试提出保护性建议。     

Anatomy of a Jurassic Theropod Trackway from Ardley,Oxfordshire, U.K.

Ardley Quarry, Oxfordshire, central England, preserves a most remarkable ichnological record of dinosaur activity on a single 168 Ma old trackway-bearing horizon. This horizon reveals over 40 dinosaur trackways, most of them sauropod, but including several giant theropod trackways tentatively attributed to Megalosaurus, the first creature of its kind recognized and assigned to Dinosauria. A 60 meter-long portion of one theropod trackway (no. 80) is systematically characterized in terms of pitch, yaw, and roll of successive footprints. Variations among these parameters correspond closely with acceleration/deceleration intervals in the trackway, impressed by the animal in wet calcareous mud within the tidewater zone of a mid-Jurassic coastal plain. Energy expended (1.4 watts) by the animal in making each footprint in the trackway is comparable to the resting metabolic rate of modern birds and mammals. Efforts by the theropod to accelerate are reflected by intervals of forward pitch of footprints; here the backward component of the force exerted upon the ground exceeds the forward component. Conversely, during braking (deceleration) intervals, footprints tend to exhibit a backward pitch in which the forward component of the force will have exceeded the backward component. Maximum positive yaw (outward from the midline of the trackway) generally corresponds with forward pitch. Positive yaw is greatest where positive (outward) roll is maximum. Measurements of pitch, yaw, and roll of dinosaur footprints hold potential for revealing fundamental locomotor characteristics of dinosaurs and for estimating acceleration and speed of an animal from its footprint record.