The smallest non-avian dinosaur track in China (Lower Jurassic, Sichuan Province). (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Shan; Xing, Lida; Peng, Guangzhao; Lockley, Martin G.; Ye, Yong; Klein, Hendrik; Romilio, Anthony; Liu, Chang; Persons, W. Scott; Xu, Xing
• Is Part Of: Historical biology. Volume 34:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 658
• Page End: 662
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Sichuan basin -- Grallator -- precociality -- ontogenesis; Paleobiology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 560.5
• DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2021.1940997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-2963

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The smallest non-avian theropods have often attracted attention of palaeobiological and ichnological research. Here, we describe a diminutive tridactyl track (10.2 mm in length) from the Lower Jurassic Ma'anshan Member of the Ziliujing Formation, Wuli site, Sichuan Province, China. The Wuli specimen may be the smallest theropod track in the world. However, as with other diminutive tracks, it remains unresolved if it was made by a juvenile or by a small species. The body length of the trackmaker is estimated at 12 cm, equivalent to the size of a modern sparrow. Possibly the track belongs to a juvenile suggesting precociality or superprecociality.