Footprints of Ankylosauria

Summary

In November 2000, Toyama Prefectural Dinosaur Fossil Research Commission announced that the fossilized footprints of Ankylosauria were first found  from the Lower Cretaceous Tetori Group of eastern Toyama prefecture, central Japan.   The trackmaker estimated to be about 3 metres long.  In appearance, these footprints resembles to Tetrapodosaurus borealis found in Canada.  This is the first footprints evidence attributed to Ankylosauria reported inJapan. And this types of footprints are less well known in the world.

All images courtesy of  Toyama Prefectural Dinosaur Fossil Research Commission

Track-bearing beds
In 1995 many footprint of dinosaurs including Toyamasauripus masuiae were found from the right area coverd with sheets as shown the next image. Two teeth of carnivorous dinosaurs  were also found in this area.  Locality:Ooyama-machi ,Toyama prefecture, central Japan.               This formation is Ealry Cretaceous in age ( 130-120 million years ago).
	Additional excavation of the left side (about 200 square meter ) by the commission between July and August this year  revealed new footprints of Ankylosauria.    You can see the large image of the left area when your mouse moves over the image.

Map of footprints

Not all of the prints are preserved in good conditions, but some of them are clear enough to recognize the trace of digit.   The number of  footprint is as follows; 　1） Twenty two footprints of Ankylosauria　 　2） Nineteen footprints of others 　　 　Pink color at the right map indicates the footprints of Ankylosauria 　　red color indicate the footprint of No.22 (right) and No.24(left).  　aqua color：theropods 　green color：sauropods 　yellow color：ornithopods ？ 　white color：unknown 　Click hereto see larger image map （37KB）

Footprint of No.24
	The left prints (No.24), with their obvious five-toed impressions, is the traces of the right manus (front foot).   The footprint measured 16 cm in length and 25 cm in width. 　Click here to see larger image（137KB）   You can see the outline when your mouse moves over the left image.

Footprint of No.22
The right prints (No.22), with their four-toed impressions, is the traces of the left pes (hind foot). The footprint measured 25cm in length and 22cm in width.    You can see the swelling of the rock around the footprint caused by the animal when it stamped the ground. Click here to see larger image（138KB）   You can see the outline when your mouse moves over the right image.
By this four-toed pes (hind foot) , the footprint was attributed to Ankylosauria,