New Data on Two Large Dinosaur Tracksites from the Upper Jurassic of Eastern Turkmenistan (Central Asia)

Abstract

In this study, we present new data on the Hojapil-Ata dinosaur mega-tracksite located in the Koitendag National Park of eastern Turkmenistan, central Asia. Accurate GPS mapping, three-dimensional data on preserved tracks, and comparison with previous studies provides now a detailed database for this site. The track-bearing surface, Upper Jurassic in age, is discontinuously exposed over an area of 28.500 square meters, with 24 trackways and at least 913 footprints preserved. The collected data support the previously identified co-occurrence of the two ichnogenera Megalosauripus and Therangospodus and allow us to propose an amended systematic description of M. uzbekistanicus. In addition, a previously unreported site located a few km to the east of the main tracksite is described. The track-bearing surface extends over 24.000 square meters, and 34 trackways and 730 footprints have been mapped. These two sites represent the sole evidence of dinosaurs in Turkmenistan and they are among the largest in the world. Data collected for this study document that both localities are deteriorating at an increasing rate due to natural erosion and human activities. High-resolution laser scanner and digital photogrammetry allowed for the realization of comparable digital 3D models of dinosaur track to guarantee their fruition for future research.

Keywords:

• Megalosauripus
• Therangospodus
• Theropod megatracksites
• Upper Jurassic
• Site preservation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The manuscript greatly benefitted from critical reviews by C. Meyer, D. Marty, and M. Avanzini. The authors are also grateful to G. Murray, R. Sissons, B. Cerasetti, and M. Morello. We are also indebted with the National institute of deserts, flora and fauna of the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan, and K. Poladov of the General Turkmenistan National Commission for UNESCO (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan). We thank L. Buckley, L. Jacobs, M. Lockley, R. McCrea, V. Silantev, and S. Zorina who have attended the 2012 meeting and fieldtrip in eastern Turkmenistan for helpful discussions. This research was financially supported by Fondazione Alma Mater, Prof. Giovanni Gabbianelli, and the Museo Geologico Giovanni Capellini (Bologna, Italy).