A new look at Crocodylopodus meijidei : implications for crocodylomorph locomotion
Castanera, Diego (Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont)
Pascual Arribas, Carlos
Canudo, José Ignacio (Universidad de Zaragoza. Grupo Aragosaurus-IUCA)
Puértolas Pascual, Eduardo (Universidad de Zaragoza. Grupo Aragosaurus-IUCA)

Date:	2022
Abstract:	A review of the type material of the crocodylomorph ichnotaxon Crocodylopodus meijidei Fuentes Vidarte and Meijide Calvo, 2001 from the Berriasian of Spain is carried out. The review allows a better characterization of this type ichnotaxon and provides interesting new data on the candidate trackmakers and especially on their locomotion. Three different size classes possibly related to different ontogenetic states or sexual dimorphism of the same small- to medium-sized crocodylomorph trackmaker are distinguished. Morphological differences within the sample such as digital impression lengths might be a consequence of differences in allometric growth, assuming similarities with extant crocodylians. Other differences are a consequence of variation in the morphological quality and mode of preservation across the sample. Some trackway features (intermediate-gauge trackways with high pace angulation, absence of tail, belly or drag marks) indicate the trackmakers, presumed neosuchian crocodylomorphs, were walking in a 'high-walk' mode with a semi-erect posture at a moderate speed. The trackmaker may have walked with more erect limb posture and with the center of mass located more anteriorly than occurs in extant species, albeit not as erect as quadrupedal animals such as mammals or other extinct archosaurs including trackmakers of other crocodylomorph ichnotaxa (e. g. , Batrachopus).
Grants:	Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca BP2017-00195 Agencia Estatal de Investigación CGL2017-85038-P
Rights:	Aquest material està protegit per drets d'autor i/o drets afins. Podeu utilitzar aquest material en funció del que permet la legislació de drets d'autor i drets afins d'aplicació al vostre cas. Per a d'altres usos heu d'obtenir permís del(s) titular(s) de drets.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Published in:	Journal of vertebrate paleontology, Vol. 41, Issue 5 (March 2022) , art. e2020803, ISSN 1937-2809

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.2020803

Postprint 94 p, 4.1 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles