A new occurrence of archosaur footprints from the Löwenstein Formation (Late Triassic, Middle Norian) of southern Germany

Abstract

Two sandstone slabs from a new Norian tetrapod tracksite in the Löwenstein Formation of southern Germany preserve a set of tracks including both tridactyl and pentadactyl ichnites, referred to theropod dinosaur and sphenosuchian crocodylomorph trackmakers, respectively. A very large manus print hints at the presence of a hitherto unknown large quadrupedal archosaur in the Norian fauna of southern Germany. The material includes one of the oldest records of crocodylomorph tracks presently known, in agreement with the skeletal record from the same formation.

Keywords:

• Dinosaur tracks
• crocodylomorph tracks
• Late Triassic
• Germany

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the Schütz family, owner of the specimens, who generously ceded them to the Urweltmuseum in Aalen, factually making them available to the scientific community. This research would not have been possible without the kind logistic support of Ulrich Sauerborn, Director of the Limes- and Urweltmuseums in Aalen, who gave us the permission to study the slabs, supported us with his hospitality during our stay in Aalen and gave us information about how and where the slabs were found and recovered. The manuscript greatly benefited from the reviews of Hendrik Klein and Adrian Hunt, whom we wish to thank for their advice and constructive discussion.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.