Probable crocodilian tracks and traces from the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic) of eastern Utah |
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Authors: | John R Foster Martin G Lockley |
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Institution: | 1. University of Colorado Museum , Campus Box 315, Boulder, CO, 80309, U.S.A.;2. Department of Geology , University of Colorado , P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO, 80217, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | A tetradactyl pes impression and tridactyl manus impression are described as the type specimen of Hatcherichnus sanjuanensis ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., a probable large crocodilian ichnite from the Salt Wash Member of the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation in eastern Utah. A similar pes track from the Morrison Formation at Garden Park, Colorado, may also belong to this ichnogenus. The type specimen from Utah consists of plaster replicas of natural casts of a left pes impression and a left manus impression. Associated with the type specimen were possible tail and body drag impressions. The tracks do not appear to be part of a walking trackway and may be swim tracks associated with an animal in shallow water. The tracks occur at a visible contact between slightly fining‐upward channel sandstone units. |
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Keywords: | Tracks Morrison Formation Jurassic crocodilian |
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