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Crouching theropod at the seaside. Matching footprints with metatarsal impressions and theropod authopods: a morphometric approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2016

M. ROMANO  and
P. CITTON
M. ROMANO
Affiliation:
Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Invalidenstr 43, Berlin, Germany Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
P. CITTON*
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, ‘Sapienza’ Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
*
†Author for correspondence: [email protected]
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Abstract

We compare theropod footprints with elongate metatarsal prints from central Italy with known autopod structures in major theropod groups, in order to more accurately define the trackmaker attribution. Our work, using morphometric analysis, shows the considerable potential of explorative methods such as PCA (principal component analysis) and cluster analysis when describing important characters for a given taxonomic group (body and ichnofossils) and identifying important anatomical regions. Moreover, the results of the analysis suggest that the putative trackmaker is likely a member of Ornithomimosauria, with significant affinities in the posterior autopod structure with the genus Struthiomimus. The fundamental importance of integrating both osteological and ichnological data, when investigating locomotor and behavioural hypotheses, is highlighted. This approach could also contribute positively to the complex cognitive process of trackmaker identification and be favourable for the attainment of a more natural definition of ichnotaxa.

Keywords

dinosaursfootprintsCretaceousOrnithomimosauriaItalypalaeobiogeography
Type
Original Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 154 , Issue 5 , September 2017 , pp. 946 - 962
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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