Ichnological evidence of Megalosaurid Dinosaurs Crossing Middle Jurassic Tidal Flats.

摘要: A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portugal)preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized at least 80 unidirectional trackways arranged a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Quantitative qualitative comparisons reveal that large tridactyl, elongated asymmetric tracks resemble typical Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Megalosauripus ichnogenus all morphometric parameters. Few of numerous preserved as elite while rest different gradients modified true according to water content, erosive factors, radial fractures internal overtrack formations. Taphonomical determinations consistent with paleoenvironmental observations indicate an inter-tidal flat located margin coastal barrier. The represent oldest occurrence this ichnotaxon attributed megalosaurid dinosaurs. Their tidal represents unique paleoethological evidence megalosaurids moving towards lagoon, most likley during low tide periods feeding purposes.