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Three-dimensional preservation of foot movements in Triassic theropod dinosaurs

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen M. Gatesy

    (Brown University)

  • Kevin M. Middleton

    (Brown University)

  • Farish A. Jenkins Jr

    (Harvard University)

  • Neil H. Shubin

    (University of Pennsylvania)

Abstract

Dinosaur footprints have been used extensively as biostratigraphic markers, environmental indicators, measures of faunal diversity and evidence of group behaviour1,2,3,4,. Trackways have also been used to estimate locomotor posture, gait and speed6,7,8,9,10,11, but most prints, being shallow impressions of a foot's plantar surface, provide little evidence of the details of limb excursion. Here we describe Late Triassic trackways from East Greenland, made by theropods walking on substrates of different consistency and sinking to variable depths, that preserve three-dimensional records of foot movement. Triassic theropod prints share many features with those of ground-dwelling birds, but also demonstrate significant functional differences in position of the hallux (digit I), foot posture and hindlimb excursion.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen M. Gatesy & Kevin M. Middleton & Farish A. Jenkins Jr & Neil H. Shubin, 1999. "Three-dimensional preservation of foot movements in Triassic theropod dinosaurs," Nature, Nature, vol. 399(6732), pages 141-144, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:399:y:1999:i:6732:d:10.1038_20167
    DOI: 10.1038/20167
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    Cited by:

    1. Armita R. Manafzadeh & Stephen M. Gatesy & Bhart-Anjan S. Bhullar, 2024. "Articular surface interactions distinguish dinosaurian locomotor joint poses," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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