Dinosaur trackways from the Upper Cretaceous Nichkesai Formation near Mayluu Suu City, Southern Tien Shan Mountains, north-western Kyrgyzstan
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Trackways provide essential data on the biogeographic distribution, locomotion and behaviour of dinosaurs. Cretaceous dinosaur trackways are abundant in the Americas, Europe, North Africa and East Asia, but are less well documented in Central Asia despite extensive exposure of Cretaceous terrestrial sedimentary rocks in the region. Here we report the presence of bipedal, tridactyl dinosaur trackways near the city of Mayluu Suu, Jalal Abad Oblast, north-western Kyrgyzstan, the first discovery of dinosaur trace fossils within the country. The trackways are situated on a steep slope uncovered by a landslide around the year 2000 in a highly landslide-affected area. Photogrammetry is used to digitally analyse and conserve the trace fossils. We infer a shoreface setting for the trackways based on the locality sedimentology, discuss the identity of the track makers and highlight the potential for future trackway discovery in the area. This discovery contributes vital data to an otherwise sparse record on the spatio-temporal distribution of dinosaurs in Kyrgyzstan, and to the dinosaur trackway record of Central Asia.
Source: Royal Society Open Science
DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230311
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,471
OpenAlex ID: W4377987016