Paracamelichnum Jumillensis n.ichnogen. n.ichnosp., Upper Miocene Camelidae Ichnites from the Hoya de la Sima site (Murcia, Spain)

Abstract

In the proximity of Jumilla (Murcia, Spain) there is a site called Hoya de la Sima with mammal footprints dating from the Upper Miocene. This site is an old gypsum quarry where footprints of Hipparion, Pecoripeda, Carnivora, Ursidae, and Proboscidea were discovered. While the site was being cleaned and conditioned after the discovery to protect the prints, Camelidae and other prints were unearthed and are currently being studied. The description of the Camelidae ichnites demonstrates that these belong to a new ichnogenera, produced by the prints of Paracamelus. The grouping of trackways is congruent with the gregariousness of these animals and with the concentration observed in similar sites.

Keywords:

• Footprints
• mammalia
• Camelidae
• Paracamelichnus
• Upper Miocene
• Spain

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Fundación Patrimonio Paleontológico de La Rioja, the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (projects BTE2003-0301 and CGL2005-3900/BTE), and the Conselleria d’Empresa, Universita i Ciència de la Generalidad Valenciana (project GV06/304) for their grants and assistance. The authors would also like to thank the unselfish help of Dr. Lorenzo Vilas, Dr. M. A. Mancheño, Roque Martínez, Francisco Lencina, Emiliano Hernández, Jacobo and Marta Herrero, and Joaquín José Salamero. We also thank C. Montenat and an anonymous reviewer for their useful comments.