Pterosaur track assemblages from the Upper Jurassic (lower Kimmeridgian) intertidal deposits of Poland: Linking ichnites to potential trackmakers

Elgh, Erik; Pieńkowski, Grzegorz; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2019.05.016

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…The preservation of the pterosaur tracks in the intertidal environment indicates a fast burial, implying that the droppings preserved on the same surface were deposited at a similar time to the track formation. Furthermore, both the size and shape of the coprolites are very similar to the so far only described pterosaur coprolite (Hone et al, 2015) and the coprolite sizes match those of the footprint maker(s) at Wierzbica (Elgh, Pieńkowski & Niedźwiedzki, 2019). Taken together, these facts suggest that pterosaurs were most likely scat producers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

“…The combined evidence of the pterosaur tracks, which are possibly ctenochasmatid (Elgh, Pieńkowski & Niedźwiedzki, 2019), and the coprolites, which were most likely made by a filter feeder, leads us to conclude that filter-feeding ctenochasmatids were probable producers of both tracks and droppings. Our findings significantly expands the bromalite record for this pterosaur group, which was previously only known from gastroliths found in Pterodaustro (Codorniú, Chiappe & Cid, 2013), and lends further support to filter-feeding among these Jurassic taxa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Specimen MUZ PGI 1663.II.15a was likely produced by a larger individual than that/those which produced the other two coprolites since animal size and diameter of faeces positively correlate (e.g., Milàn, 2012). Size variation is also seen in the footprint record of Wierzbica (Elgh, Pieńkowski & Niedźwiedzki, 2019), altogether suggesting the presence of a pterosaur flock with individuals of different ontogenetic stages and/or sympatric species. The higher relative abundance of foraminifera in the biggest coprolite might suggest an ontogenetic switch to a more specialized filter feeding in adults, whereas younger individuals relied more on eating soft-bodied organisms from the sediments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…1). More recently, Elgh, Pieńkowski & Niedźwiedzki (2019) revisited the track record in Wierzbica, attributed the tracks to the ichnogenus Pteraichnus , and performed morphometric analyzes to narrow down the most likely producer(s) by linking the tracks to the pterosaur body fossil record. The results from the morphometric analyses taken together with occurrence data suggested that ctenochasmatoids, or possibly non-pterydactyloid monofenestratans or rhamphorhynchids, were the most likely trackmakers (Elgh, Pieńkowski & Niedźwiedzki, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Filter feeding in Late Jurassic pterosaurs supported by coprolite contents

Qvarnström

Elgh

Owocki

et al. 2019

PeerJ

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Diets of pterosaurs have mainly been inferred from indirect evidence such as comparative anatomy, associations of co-occurring fossils, and functional morphology. Gut contents are rare, and until now there is only a single coprolite (fossil dropping), with unidentified inclusions, known. Here we describe three coprolites collected from a palaeosurface with numerous pterosaur tracks found in early Kimmeridgian (Hypselocyclum Zone) intertidal deposits of the Wierzbica Quarry, Poland. The specimens’ morphology and association to the tracks suggest a pterosaur producer. Synchrotron scans reveal numerous small inclusions, with foraminifera making up the majority of the identifiable ones. Other small remains include shells/carapaces (of bivalves, ostracods, and other crustaceans/arthropods) and bristles (some possibly of polychaete worms). The high density of the small shelly inclusions suggest that they were not accidently ingested, but constituted an important food source for the pterosaur(s), perhaps together with unpreserved soft-bodied animals. The combined evidence from the tracks and coprolites suggest a filter-feeding ctenochasmatid as the most likely tracemaker. If true, this significantly expands the bromalite record for this pterosaur group, which was previously only known from gastroliths. Moreover, this study also provides the first direct evidence of filter feeding in Jurassic pterosaurs and shows that they had a similar diet to the recent Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis).

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Filter feeding in Late Jurassic pterosaurs supported by coprolite contents

Qvarnström

Elgh

Owocki

et al. 2019

PeerJ

Self Cite

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“…Milner & Lockley (2016) also proposed that size may be useful in discriminating between candidate trackmakers. Generally speaking, Late Jurassic pterosaur tracks are smaller in size (Lockley et al 1995; Lockley et al 2008; Elgh et al 2019), but there is one report from the Late Jurassic of Asturias that might also fit with ICNO.118 in terms of size (Lockley et al 2008). The track width of the traces of ICNO.118 (5.5–7.5 cm) might fit with the track width (8.5 cm) of specimen ICNO.62 assigned to Crocodylopodus isp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New dinosaur, crocodylomorph and swim tracks from the Late Jurassic of the Lusitanian Basin: implications for ichnodiversity

Castanera

Malafaia

Silva

et al. 2021

LET

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New dinosaur (theropod and sauropod), crocodylomorph and swim tracks from Upper Jurassic units of the Lusitanian Basin, housed at the Sociedade de História Natural in Torres Vedras, are here described. They were collected from three different geological formations, the Praia da Amoreira‐Porto Novo (upper Kimmeridgian) and the Alcobaça (Kimmeridgian‐lower Tithonian) formations in the Consolação Sub‐basin and the Freixial Fm. (middle‐upper Tithonian) in the Turcifal Sub‐basin. Four different theropod morphotypes are identified as follows: cf. Jurabrontes isp., Megalosauripus cf. transjuranicus, Grallatoridae indet. and an indeterminate morphotype (Theropoda indet.) that have affinities with other Therangospodus‐like tracks described in Europe. An indeterminate sauropod track is also identified. These five morphotypes suggest high saurischian dinosaur ichnodiversity, similar to that seen in other European Late Jurassic areas (e.g. the Swiss Jura Mountains), but represent just a portion of the higher diversity exhibited by the osteological record in the Lusitanian Basin. Further, one crocodylomorph pes track identified as Crocodylopodus isp. and swim tracks assigned to Characichnos isp., possibly also produced by crocodylomorphs, are also identified. The newly identified ichnotaxa, together with the older and other recent identifications, indicate ichnodiversity comparable with the richest coeval Upper Jurassic units.

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Unconformity generation and the shift from storm‐dominated to tide‐dominated processes in a Jurassic retroarc foreland basin: Insights from ichnology

Wroblewski

Morris

2023

The Depositional Record

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An enigmatic transition from the storm‐dominated, offshore to lower shoreface deposits of the Redwater Shale Member (Sundance Formation) to the overlying mixed tidal and aeolian Windy Hill Sandstone (Morrison Formation) in the Oxfordian of the North American Western Interior has long been a source of intrigue. Previously proposed drivers include the progradation of a large, tide‐dominated delta onto a storm‐dominated shelf, a complete reorganisation of the basin's hydrodynamics and climate, or the development of a regional unconformity (termed the J‐5). In south‐eastern Wyoming, the Redwater Shale is characterised as an offshore to distal shoreface deposit with glauconitic siltstones and sandstones punctuated by coquinoid and sandy tempestites and hosting a Cruziana Ichnofacies. The Windy Hill Sandstone, a time‐transgressive, sand‐rich, intertidal succession with classic Pteraichnus and stressed Skolithos Ichnofacies, sharply overlies the Redwater Shale and records an abrupt basinward shift in facies that accompanied at least tens of metres of sea‐level fall. New, detailed sedimentological, ichnological and architectural data collected across this transition in the study area provide fresh insights into the depositional history of these units and demonstrates the existence locally of a composite J‐5 unconformity. The unconformity developed as tectonically driven, prograding shoreline trajectories of the Redwater Shale gave way to degrading trajectories of the Windy Hill Sandstone, leading to a forced regression and formation of a regressive surface of marine erosion. The sharp juxtaposition of intertidal flat facies (Pteraichnus Ichnofacies) directly upon offshore to lower shoreface deposits (Cruziana Ichnofacies) is the key to recognising the unconformity and proves the value of the previously underutilised ichnological data.

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Pterosaur track assemblages from the Upper Jurassic (lower Kimmeridgian) intertidal deposits of Poland: Linking ichnites to potential trackmakers

Cited by 15 publications

References 50 publications

Filter feeding in Late Jurassic pterosaurs supported by coprolite contents

Filter feeding in Late Jurassic pterosaurs supported by coprolite contents

New dinosaur, crocodylomorph and swim tracks from the Late Jurassic of the Lusitanian Basin: implications for ichnodiversity

Unconformity generation and the shift from storm‐dominated to tide‐dominated processes in a Jurassic retroarc foreland basin: Insights from ichnology

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