A diverse theropod footprint assemblage from the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation, Tetori Group, central Japan

摘要: Abstract Theropod footprints occupy more than 50% of dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation Dinosaur Quarry in Fukui, central Japan. However, ichnotaxonomical description these has never been carried out. In this study, five different ichnotypes, which are ichnofamilies Grallatoridae, Eubrontidae, and Ornithomimipodidae, ichnogenera Asianopodus, Minisauripus, described. Among them, morphological variation between Grallatoridae ichnogenus Asianopodus show same pattern with Grallator–Anchisauripus–Eubrontes plexus, is suggested as an ontogenetic or phylogenetic phenomenon. Occurrence Minisauripus indicates that theropod ichnofauna quarry a strong correlation those South Korea, Shandong Province, Sichuan Province. addition, discovery ichnofamily Ornithomimipodidae second report Asia extends its distribution. This adds important information for better interpreting paleobiology, paleoecology, paleogeography Quarry, it also Continent during Early time.