The first megatheropod tracks from the Lower Jurassic upper Elliot Formation, Karoo Basin, Lesotho

摘要: A palaeosurface with one megatheropod trackway and several theropod tracks trackways from the Lower Jurassic upper Elliot Formation (Stormberg Group, Karoo Supergroup) in western Lesotho is described. The majority of are referable to either Eubrontes or Kayentapus based on their morphological characteristics. larger 57 cm long have no Southern Hemisphere equivalent. Morphologically, they more similar Early Kayentapus, as well much younger Upper Cretaceous ichnogenus Irenesauripus, than other contemporaneous ichnogenera southern Africa. Herein been placed within described a new ichnospecies (Kayentapus ambrokholohali). preserved ripple marked, very fine-grained sandstone Formation, thus were made after end-Triassic mass extinction event (ETE). This site marks first occurrence large carnivorous dinosaurs (estimated body length >8–9 meters) Gondwana, an evolutionary strategy that was repeatedly pursued amplified following ~135 million years, until next major biotic crisis at end-Cretaceous.