First Thyreophoran Type Tracks from the Middle Jurassic Chuanjie Formation of Yunnan Province, China

Abstract

Two tridactyl footprints from the Chuanjie Formation (Middle Jurassic) of Yunnan Province, China are morphological characteristics of thyreophoran tracks. They show some similarities to Shenmuichnus, known from the Early Jurassic strata of both Shaanxi and Yunnan provinces, but are somewhat larger, thereby resembling the ichnogenus Stegopodus. Based on their general morphology and size being congruent with this ichnogenus, they are tentatively assigned here to cf. Stegopodus. This is the fourth report of large ornithischian (probably thyreophoran) tracks from the Lower-Middle Jurassic of China that indicates relatively large trackmakers that were likely to be taxonomically distinct from much smaller and gracile Anomoepus trackmakers, also of ornithischian affinity. The larger tracks indicate a hitherto unreported abundance, size range and diversity of track types attributed to this group. The parallel orientation of the two best preserved trackways may indicate gregariousness.

Keywords:

• Thyreophoran tracks
• Middle Jurassic
• Yunnan province
• China

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Xing Lida's doctoral thesis project and the 2013 and 2015 support fund for graduate student's science and technology innovation from China University of Geosciences (Beijing), China, and the World Dinosaur Valley Park, Yunnan Province, China.