Exploring possible ontogenetic trajectories in tyrannosaurids using tracks from the Wapiti Formation (upper Campanian) of Alberta, Canada

Enriquez, Nathan J; Campione, Nicolás E.; Brougham, Tom; Fanti, Federico; White, Matt A.; Sissons, Robin L.; Sullivan, Corwin; Vavrek, Matthew J.; Bell, Phil R.

doi:10.1080/02724634.2021.1878201

Cited by 5 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Our threshold value of 45 cm is based on the largest plausible foot length for non-tyrannosaurid tridactyl theropods within post-Cenomanian strata from western Canada. This value was found by Enriquez et al [ 35 ] to be approximately 40 cm based on the largest known, fragmentary ornithomimid pedal unguals recovered from the mid–late Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation in southern Alberta [ 65 ], and scaling these with reference to complete ornithomimid pedes [ 66 , 67 ]. Thus, below 45 cm, we acknowledge that there is potentially size overlap between multiple major theropod clades and Thescelosauridae, and refer most of these tracks to indeterminate theropod-like trackmakers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Abbreviations: II = digit II; III = digit III; IV = digit IV. Images in A–D and outlines for Ty.I.8C and Th.Tw1.4.6B were modified from Fig 4 of Enriquez et al [ 35 ]. All digital models—and the photographs used to create them—are available for download within the supplementary information.…”

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The type material for B . fredlundi also occurs within lower Unit 4 of the Wapiti Formation, but was found further upstream along the Redwillow River, in the Tumbler Ridge area of British Columbia [ 17 , 35 ]. Bellatoripes fredlundi tracks are diagnosed as being longer than wide, and having wide digit impressions that lack defined digital pads and are thick proximally but taper strongly distally [ 17 ].…”

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…fredlundi at their type locality in British Columbia [ 17 ]. Morphological differences between these tracks may be partly explained by ontogeny [ 35 ].…”

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After an additional brief visit by the TMP in 2003, it was noted that the site “requires some salvage efforts and research attention before the prints are lost forever” [ 8 p. 9] owing to its position within the channel of the modern-day Redwillow River and high seasonal discharge. More recently, a collection of theropod footprints identified at the locality—renamed Tyrants Aisle—were studied by Enriquez et al [ 35 – 37 ], although the majority of the tracksite remains undescribed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide the first detailed description and palaeobiological synthesis of the whole locality, which remains the largest in-situ tracksite known from the Wapiti Formation to date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The dinosaur tracks of Tyrants Aisle: An Upper Cretaceous ichnofauna from Unit 4 of the Wapiti Formation (upper Campanian), Alberta, Canada

et al. 2022

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The Wapiti Formation of northwest Alberta and northeast British Columbia, Canada, preserves an Upper Cretaceous terrestrial vertebrate fauna that is latitudinally situated between those documented further north in Alaska and those from southern Alberta and the contiguous U.S.A. Therefore, the Wapiti Formation is important for identifying broad patterns in vertebrate ecology, diversity, and distribution across Laramidia during the latest Cretaceous. Tracksites are especially useful as they provide a range of palaeoecological, palaeoenvironmental, and behavioural data that are complementary to the skeletal record. Here, we describe the Tyrants Aisle locality, the largest in-situ tracksite known from the Wapiti Formation. The site occurs in the lower part of Unit 4 of the formation (~72.5 Ma, upper Campanian), exposed along the southern bank of the Redwillow River. More than 100 tracks are documented across at least three distinct track-bearing layers, which were deposited on an alluvial floodplain. Hadrosaurid tracks are most abundant, and are referable to Hadrosauropodus based on track width exceeding track length, broad digits, and rounded or bilobed heel margins. We suggest the hadrosaurid trackmaker was Edmontosaurus regalis based on stratigraphic context. Tyrannosaurids, probable troodontids, possible ornithomimids, and possible azhdarchid pterosaurs represent minor but notable elements of the ichnofauna, as the latter is unknown from skeletal remains within the Wapiti Formation, and all others are poorly represented. Possible social behaviour is inferred for some of the hadrosaurid and small theropod-like trackmakers based on trackway alignment, suitable spacing and consistent preservation. On a broad taxonomic level (i.e., family or above), ichnofaunal compositions indicate that hadrosaurids were palaeoecologically dominant across Laramidia during the late Campanian within both high-and low-latitude deposits, although the role of depositional environment requires further testing.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…fredlundi at their type locality in British Columbia [ 17 ]. Morphological differences between these tracks may be partly explained by ontogeny [ 35 ].…”

Section: Vertebrate Ichnological Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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