Microbially-induced sedimentary wrinkle structures and possible impact of microbial mats for the enhanced preservation of dinosaur tracks from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation near Qijiang (Chongqing,China)

Recently, a paleosurface with microbially-induced sedimentary wrinkle structures that are associated with abundant, well-preserved, iguanodon-type, tridactyl tracks has been documented at the Lotus tracksite near Qijiang (Chongqing, China) in fluvial deposits of the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation. Two different wrinkle structure types are identified and described from a macroscopic point of view and also by applying microstructure analysis with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and other high-resolution instruments, that detected sheath-like and globular organic matter and thus confirm the microbial origin of the observed wrinkle structures. A model for the formation of the two microbial mat induced wrinkle structure types and associated preservation of dinosaur tracks is proposed. Finally, some human footprints were left in comparable modern environments covered with a thin microbial mat, and they are used as a modern analog in order to better understand the track formation and preservation mechanisms of the dinosaur tracks of the Lotus tracksite.     

山东沂沭断裂带早白垩世晚期恐龙足迹特征差异性*

近些年来,在山东沂沭断裂带南部地区(莒南、临沭、郯城和东海）的下白垩统上部大盛群中发现了大量的恐龙足迹化石,而这些化石反映的足迹类型、形态大小、足迹踩踏深度等方面都存在有差异性。研究发现,在足迹类型方面,莒南地区以兽脚类和鸟脚类恐龙足迹为主,临沭、郯城和东海地区以蜥脚类恐龙足迹为主。足迹大小方面,莒南地区的兽脚类足迹可划分为类型Ⅰ和类型Ⅱ两种类型,而东海地区的恐龙足迹主要属于类型Ⅱ,但是莒南地区大多数足迹的趾间角要小于东海地区的,这可能是由于兽脚类恐龙属种的不同所造成的;莒南地区鸟脚类足迹绝大多数要小于临沭地区的鸟脚类足迹;郯城地区的蜥脚类足迹较小,而莒南、临沭和东海地区大多数蜥脚类足迹的大小较为相似,个别临沭和莒南地区的蜥脚类恐龙足迹较大。足迹踩踏深度方面,临沭、东海和郯城地区的足迹相比莒南地区的足迹要稍深,这与足迹形成在不同湿度、黏度、颗粒度的沉积物表面上有密切联系。基于上述研究认为,在早白垩世晚期,沂沭断裂带内生活着种类繁盛,数量庞大的恐龙动物群,联系到沂沭断裂带东部诸城地区早白垩世早期地层中也发现有大量的以兽脚类为主的恐龙足迹化石,推断在早白垩世,沂沭断裂带及胶莱盆地当时为一个理想的恐龙生存、繁衍的栖息地。同时,山东早白垩世大量恐龙足迹化石的发现也为整个华北甚至东北亚地区晚中生代恐龙属种的分布、演化以及古地理研究提供了丰富的材料和信息。     

The longest theropod trackway from East Asia,and a diverse sauropod-, theropod-, and ornithopod-track assemblage from the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation,southwest China

Here we report a large dinosaur tracksite from an extensive fluvial sandstone surface in the Lower Cretaceous Jiaguan Formation of Sichuan Province, China. The site contains over 250 individual tracks comprising at least 18 recognizable trackways, including the longest theropod trackway (cf. Eubrontes) known from China. This exceptional theropod trackway consists of 81 successive footprints covering a distance of 69 m. The tracks are well-preserved and are expressed both as true tracks on the main “upper” surface and as transmitted undertracks on a locally exposed “lower” bed. Also recorded are six other theropod trackways, including small Grallator-like ichnites, eight sauropod trackways (cf. Brontopodus), and three small ornithopod (cf. Ornithopodichnus) trackways with a parallel orientation, which may indicate gregarious behavior. Several trackways of a larger theropod trackmaker show pes imprints with elongated traces of the metatarsals, suggesting extramorphological (substrate-controlled) variation and/or plantigrade posture, which is here interpreted as indicating a change in gait assumed in response to deep and soft sediment. The assemblage indicates a diverse dinosaur fauna in the Lower Cretaceous Sichuan Basin with variously sized theropods, sauropods, and ornithopods. The late occurrence of footprints of the Grallator-Eubrontes plexus in Lower Cretaceous strata is further evidence of the extended stratigraphic range of this morphotype and the distinct palaeobiogeographic distribution of these trackmakers in East Asia.     

滦平盆地西瓜园组（上侏罗统-下白垩统）暗色泥岩中恐龙脚印化石及其地质意义

通过对滦平盆地西瓜园组（上侏罗统-下白垩统）暗色泥岩和油页岩的岩相特征及其中所发现的各种恐龙脚印化石的研究,分析了恐龙脚印化石形成的环境。认为在前扇三角洲或深湖-半深湖环境的暗色泥岩中出现恐龙脚印化石,说明湖平面变化频繁,在枯水期,湖平面下降,前扇三角洲或深湖-半深湖相暗色泥岩暴露出水面,一些恐龙经过此处到低洼处喝水,留下脚印。由此推断中国东部古近纪陆相断陷湖盆中的暗色泥岩所夹的砂砾岩和盐岩并不全是深水重力流成因,暗色泥岩所夹的盐岩也不一定是深水成因;并建立了暗色泥岩中所夹的砂砾岩和盐岩的成因沉积模式。     

宁夏恐龙足迹的发现及其意义

报道了在宁夏固原首次发现的恐龙足迹化石。该恐龙足迹化石分别为鸟脚类恐龙足迹和蜥脚类恐龙足迹,均发现于早白垩世李洼峡组沉积地层中。其中的鸟脚类恐龙足迹命名为六盘山宁夏足印 ( Ningxiapus liupanshanensis ichnogenus et inchnosp． nov． ) 。六盘山宁夏足印长与宽之比为1. 22; 第I 趾纤细,短于第IV 趾; 第II 趾与第III 趾之间夹角为35°,第III 趾与第IV 趾之间夹角为45° 等特征区别于其他鸟脚类恐龙脚印。新发现的蜥脚类恐龙以足迹化石形式保存,其前、后足印的长度大小分别为36 cm 和15 cm,应为中等大小的蜥脚类恐龙所留下。这些恐龙足迹化石的发现,为研究该地区的古生物地理及古生态的恢复以及为将来在该地区发现恐龙骨骼化石提供重要信息。     

兰州-民和盆地恐龙足印化石形成的地质特征

兰州—民和盆地恐龙足印化石赋存和保存的特征表明:该区早白垩世中期的构造稳定,盆地扩张时期出现的湖沼环境是恐龙足印化石形成的最佳时期和场所,形成之后的湖进序列是良好的覆盖层。     

白垩纪四足动物足印的生物地层学、生物年代学与遗迹相

从全球范围来看,白垩纪四足动物的足印多数是非鸟恐龙与鸟类留下的痕迹;少量足印来自翼龙、鳄鱼、龟、哺乳动物和其他四足动物。白垩纪的足迹化石以东亚(尤其是中国和朝鲜)和北美西部的最为人所知。南美(主要是阿根廷和巴西)也有一定数量广泛分布的足迹化石,欧洲、非洲与澳大利亚的白垩纪足迹组合则鲜为人知。以白垩纪四足动物的足印记录为基础,我们对两个全球足印生物年代重新进行了检查。早白垩世生物年代以蜥脚类与鸟脚类的足迹为特征。晚白垩世生物年代中的蜥脚类足迹较少,但是鸭嘴龙、暴龙和角龙的足迹增多了。另外,白垩纪足印化石的记录中记载了许多重要的生物地层学信息,如北美白垩纪中期蜥脚类恐龙的消失,以及白垩纪末恐龙的绝灭。越来越多来自东亚的白垩纪足印记录使我们对更精细的地方性白垩纪足印生物年代学有了初步印象。因此,以地方性四足恐龙(包括鸟类)遗迹属的地层分布为基础,可以识别出三个或四个足印生物年代。种类丰富并具有地方性特色的东亚的白垩纪鸟类动物的遗迹群,可能指示白垩纪时东亚存在着一个独特而繁盛的鸟类动物群。以足印化石为基础的这一假说有待进一步的验证。     

山东诸城棠棣戈庄早白垩世晚期恐龙足迹化石新发现及其意义*

新近野外调查发现,山东诸城西北棠棣戈庄下白垩统大盛群发育蜥脚类恐龙足迹化石,其赋存于大盛群田家楼组紫红色细砂岩、泥质粉砂岩、粉砂质泥岩和黄绿色粉砂岩韵律层中。研究区共发现29个恐龙足迹化石,其中有23个构成1条半圆形行迹,初步研究确定造迹者为蜥脚类恐龙,个体较小、身长3～4m、处于漫步状态。根据岩层中共生发育的小型槽状交错层理、板状交错层理、爬升波纹层理、水平层理、雨痕、泥裂等沉积构造,认为研究区下白垩统大盛群为滨浅湖沉积,可进一步划分出砂质滩坝、滩坝边缘、沙泥混合滩及泥滩等沉积微相,恐龙足迹化石产在砂质滩坝微相细砂岩、粉砂岩层面上。河湖相细砂岩、粉砂岩有利于恐龙足迹化石赋存,也暗示蜥脚类恐龙喜好在湖岸边活动,表明生活习性与生存环境具有一定的相互制约关系。     

鲁东诸城地区恐龙足迹化石和原形恢复研究

鲁东诸城皇华镇地区下白垩统莱阳群发现大量恐龙足迹化石(兽脚类、鸟脚类、蜥脚类).足迹化石赋存地层为龙旺庄组灰绿色、黄绿色泥质细砂岩、粉砂岩,为滨浅湖—河流相沉积环境.足迹特征显示:蜥脚类恐龙体重大,四足行走,前后足迹面积相近,似椭圆形;鸟脚类和兽脚类恐龙为两足行走,足迹为三趾型;兽脚类恐龙体重最轻、数量最多.三大类恐龙...     

山东郯城和江苏东海早白垩世晚期恐龙足迹化石新发现及古环境*

首次在山东郯城早白垩世晚期地层中发现恐龙足迹化石,分属蜥脚类和兽脚类恐龙足迹,足迹大小差异较大。通过对山东省郯城县新发现的2处恐龙足迹化石点和江苏省东海县南古寨恐龙足迹化石点的对比研究,探讨了足迹类型、大小、速度与足迹深度的关系,发现同等条件下,蜥脚类恐龙足迹通常较兽脚类足迹深,而蜥脚类恐龙足迹深度随着足迹大小的增加有变深的趋势;波痕、雨痕和泥裂等沉积构造以及足迹回填和叠覆现象对足迹化石保存形态和细节有较大影响,而构造变形对足迹形态和行迹并无明显影响,但高角度的构造变形会加速差异风化,使足迹化石更易暴露而被破坏。对研究区古环境与古生态的研究表明,早白垩世晚期研究区经历了水体逐渐变浅、气候由湿到干并伴随短暂间歇性干旱的过程,沉积环境由河湖演变为三角洲前缘、并逐渐过渡到三角洲平原,生态环境逐渐恶化,动植物由兴而衰、逐渐减少。     

山东临沭地区早白垩世晚期恐龙足迹化石特征*

主要记述了山东临沭地区早白垩世晚期(大盛群沉积时期）、生活于干旱炎热气候条件下滨浅湖环境的恐龙所留下的大规模足迹化石群。初步研究表明,这些足迹以蜥脚类恐龙足迹占绝大多数,见少量鸟脚类、兽脚类和疑似甲龙类足迹(甲龙类足迹在中国罕见),足迹总体行进方向以向西和南西为主。通过对其中的2条蜥脚类和1条鸟脚类行迹及其行为学的分析认为其均处于慢行状态,而鸟脚类行迹的运动速度极慢,可能处于一种特殊的慢行状态。临沭地区早白垩世晚期大盛期如此大规模足迹化石群的发现,说明中国乃至东亚地区早白垩世普遍存在着以恐龙为代表的(包括鸟类在内）陆生脊椎动物群。足迹化石的研究将对进一步了解晚中生代陆地生物群的演化有着重要意义。对比其他地区早白垩世晚期地层中发现的恐龙足迹化石特征后认为,足迹的保存与当时的沉积环境有密切的关系,因此对恐龙足迹的研究又能进一步为恢复古生态、古地理环境等提供更丰富的信息。     

四川盆地恐龙足迹化石研究综述

四川盆地的中生代陆相地层十分发育,盛产恐龙化石和恐龙足迹化石。自20世纪40年代在四川广元首次发现恐龙足迹化石以来,迄今四川盆地已命名的恐龙足迹化石共20属24种,超过中国现已发现的恐龙足迹化石种类(39属55种)的2/5,成为中国发现恐龙足迹化石种类最多的地区。四川盆地恐龙足迹化石具有时代最早、分布广泛、种类众多的特点。建议今后重点加强晚三叠世恐龙足迹化石的研究,深入开展早侏罗世恐龙足迹化石的研究。     

Late Triassic sauropodomorph and Middle Jurassic theropod tracks from the Xichang Basin,Sichuan Province,southwestern China:First report of the ichnogenus Carmelopodus

Upper Triassic and Middle Jurassic strata of the Xichang Basin in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, yielded important dinosaur ichnofossils. From the Xujiahe Formation of the Yiguojiao tracksite, we report a Late Triassic footprint assemblage in China and the first discovery of diagnostic Triassic sauropodomorph tracks in this region. The tracks share a number of features in common with the ichnogenera Eosauropus(Late Triassic) and Liujianpus(Early Jurassic). The neighboring Bingtu tracksite is stratigraphically younger(Shaximiao Formation, Middle Jurassic) and preserves small tridactyl theropod tracks that represent the first occurrence of the ichnotaxon Carmelopodus in China and Asia. While these tracks are morphologically comparable to those from the Middle Jurassic type locality in North America, the specimens from China show the proximal margin of the digit IV impression in a more cranial position, which may indicate a trackmaker with a relatively short metatarsal IV. In addition to the skeletal record, the Carmelopodus footprints document the presence of small theropods in the dinosaur fauna of the Middle Jurassic Shaximiao Formation.     

陕西商洛地区下白垩统大型兽脚类恐龙足迹

记叙了中国陕西省商洛市邵涧村下白垩统东河群2个大型兽脚类恐龙足迹,并将其归于Megalosauripus isp.。 东河群的时代与热河生物群同期,邵涧Megalosauripus isp. 可能可与热河生物群的大型兽脚类恐龙之足部形态做简 单对比。此外,邵涧Megalosauripus isp.造迹者的体长约为7.4m,这意味着早白垩世的陕西中南部亦存在着大型的 兽脚类恐龙。邵涧Megalosauripus isp.的发现,不仅为中国早白垩世恐龙足迹增加了新的成员,而且为将来在该地 区下白垩统中发现大型兽脚类恐龙的骨骼化石提供了确凿的依据。     

Dinosaur ichnofauna of the Upper Jurassic/Lower Cretaceous of the Paraná Basin (Brazil and Uruguay)

Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous sedimentary layers are represented in the Brazilian Paraná Basin by the fluvio–aeolian Guará Formation and the Botucatu Formation palaeoerg, respectively, overlapped by the volcanic Serra Geral Formation. In Uruguay, the corresponding sedimentary units are named Batoví and Rivera Members (both from the Tacuarembó Formation), and the lava flows constitute the Arapey Formation (also in Paraná Basin). Despite the lack of body fossils in the mentioned Brazilian formations, Guará/Batoví dinosaur fauna is composed of theropod, ornithopod and wide–gauge sauropod tracks and isolated footprints, as well as theropod teeth. In turn, the Botucatu/Rivera dinosaur fauna is represented by theropod and ornithopod ichnofossils smaller than those from the underlying units. The analysis of these dinosaur ichnological records and comparisons with other global Mesozoic ichnofauna indicates that there is a size reduction in dinosaur fauna in the more arid Botucatu/Rivera environment, which is dominated by aeolian dunes. The absence of sauropod trackways in the Botucatu Sandstone fits with the increasingly arid conditions because it is difficult for heavy animals to walk on sandy dunes, as well as to obtain the required amount of food resources. This comparison between the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous dinosaur fauna in south Brazil and Uruguay demonstrates the influence of aridization on the size of animals occupying each habitat.     

记广东南雄盆地上白垩统主田组鸟脚类足迹及中国已命名的大型鸟脚类足迹的属级新观察

记述了广东省南雄盆地上白垩统主田组3组恐龙行迹,由杨梅坑足迹点的足迹命名了南雄鸭嘴龙足迹（Hadrosauropodus nanxiongensis ichnosp. nov.）一新种;古市足迹点的足迹归入鸭嘴龙足迹一未定种（Hadrosauropodus isp.）。这是中国鸭嘴龙足迹属的首次描述,将该足迹的分布从北美拓展至中国,并为南雄盆地存在大型的鸭嘴龙提供了新的化石证据。还整理了中国已描述的大型鸟脚类足迹：中国足迹（Sinoichnites）被定为非正式的塑模标本;扬子足印（Yangtzepus）被归入兽脚类足迹;禽龙足迹（Iguanodonopus）被认为是裸名,归入禽龙足迹（Iguanodontipus）;嘉荫足迹（Jiayinosauropus）增加了新材料并得以具体描述;内乡足迹（Neixiang footprint）得以重新描述。     

Research on Dinoasur Footprints in Zizhou, Shaanxi Province, China

In recent years, the discoveries of dinosaur footprints have been successively reported from Dianshi Town, Zizhou City, Shaanxi Province. The footprints include the tracks of theropod, ornithopod and sauropod as well. Actually, the dinosaur footprints were found by local inhabitants much earlier in history, but not for science. The slabs bearing the dinosaur footprints were collected for domestic use, such as building stones, millstones, cellar covers, sheepfold fences, windlass holders, etc. This paper is to describe the dinosaur footprints on both sides of three slabs used for cellar covers, sheepfold fences and windlass holders by the local people. 24 dinosaur footprints and 4 trackways have been recognized and all of them belong to theropod. Four kinds of dinosaur footprints are identified, including 1 new ichnogenus and 2 new ichnospecies: (1) Shanbeipus caudatus ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov.; (2) Pengxianpus yulinensis ichnosp. nov.; (3) Eubrontes ichnosp; (4) Kayentapus ichnosp. Dinosaur-footprint-bearing beds were initially identified as the Fuxian Formation of the Lower Jurassic. Multipal dinosaur footprints associated with fragment plant fossils suggest a humid fluvio-lacustrine environment setting in the Ordos Basin during the early period of the Jurassic.     

重庆綦江地质公园地质遗迹特征及其地质意义

綦江地质公园发育木化石、恐龙足迹、恐龙骨骼化石、鱼化石、沉积构造、丹霞地貌等地质遗迹景观,木化石和恐龙足迹为园区的导向型景观。木化石分布在侏罗系中统沙溪庙组(J2s)上部砂岩层中,砂岩层含钙质结核,在约300×200m2的砂岩层内共埋藏有60多根木化石,其中一半木化石为钙化作用形成。恐龙足迹集中分布在白垩系上统夹关组(K2j)砂泥岩层中,岩层发育交错层理、波痕和泥裂。在夹关组的3个层位中共发现329个恐龙足迹,其分别属于甲龙类、鸟脚类和兽脚类。园区地质遗迹分布在一套河湖相沉积层中,其形成于内陆河湖网形成之时(如木化石),并随着四川盆地周围的湖泊系统解体而发展(如恐龙足迹),最终随着河流由堆积作用为主的阶段转变为以侵蚀作用为主的阶段而减弱(如丹霞地貌)。白垩纪上统夹关组的恐龙足迹群形成于干热的环境,多类型的恐龙足迹集中分布反映了白垩纪晚期(夹关期)恐龙种群的丰富,恐龙足迹的发现为区域内寻找白垩系地层的恐龙骨骼化石提供了依据。     

中国新沂马陵山白垩纪恐龙足迹——从虎到肉食龙及由传说至古生物学

江苏省新沂市马陵山地区的4个神秘的印记,传统上被解释为“李存孝打虎处”的“虎爪印”和“人足迹”,重新将其解释为大盛群田家楼组恐龙足迹。这些足迹中只有一个最深的“虎爪印”保存了可识别的趾印,表明它是一个有着后内侧拇趾印的兽脚类恐龙左足迹,是一道单步约50cm的直线行迹的一部分;另一种解释是该足迹为小型蜥脚类恐龙的右后足迹,形成行迹的右侧部分,其左侧部分没有保存。马陵山足迹点提供了恐龙足迹如何影响中国民间传说的另一个案例。     

安徽齐云山晚白垩世兽脚类恐龙足迹点沉积环境

安徽齐云山兽脚类足迹群是目前中国晚白垩世保存最好的恐龙足迹群之一,对其沉积环境的研究为恢复白垩纪末期恐龙动物群的生活环境提供了证据。研究区足迹全部为兽脚类凸型足迹,与无脊椎动物遗迹Palaeophycus tubularis和Scoyenia sp.保存在一起,指示陆相沉积中的浅水沉积。通过薄片鉴定,足迹层位主要为岩屑砂岩,其平均粒径、标准偏差、偏度和峰度4个粒度参数特征与典型的河相砂一致;粒级分布直方图、概率累积曲线图及散点图表明,足迹层位从下到上颗粒逐渐变细,水动力条件变弱,沉积环境由河床沉积转变为边滩沉积。综上,齐云山兽脚类足迹点沉积环境为大型曲流河沉积,足迹保存在边滩沉积的下部,是白垩纪末期干旱气候条件下兽脚类恐龙动物群的水源地。