An isolated track from the latest Campanian–Maastrichtian Wapiti Formation (Alberta) is tentatively identified as a pterosaur manus print. The basic digital formula (digit I < digit II < digit III) is consistent with the plesiomorphic condition in pterosaurs. The track measures 25.5 cm in length, making it the largest putative pterosaur manus print (estimated wingspan 7.7 m) from North America. Although precise chronostratigraphic data are lacking, sedimentary evidence indicates the track comes from a mid- to late Campanian fluvial deposits that accumulated approximately 400 km from the closest shoreline within a high-latitude (65°N) setting.
P. Bell, F. Fanti, R. Sissons (2013). A possible pterosaur manus track from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta. LETHAIA, 46, 274-279 [10.1111/let.12006].
A possible pterosaur manus track from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta
FANTI, FEDERICO;
2013
Abstract
An isolated track from the latest Campanian–Maastrichtian Wapiti Formation (Alberta) is tentatively identified as a pterosaur manus print. The basic digital formula (digit I < digit II < digit III) is consistent with the plesiomorphic condition in pterosaurs. The track measures 25.5 cm in length, making it the largest putative pterosaur manus print (estimated wingspan 7.7 m) from North America. Although precise chronostratigraphic data are lacking, sedimentary evidence indicates the track comes from a mid- to late Campanian fluvial deposits that accumulated approximately 400 km from the closest shoreline within a high-latitude (65°N) setting.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
