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Dinosaur Track, Possible Theropod


-Andy-

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Hi all, I got a dinosaur track again! Of a different sort this time.

I am talking about the footprint in the middle of the pic. The width of the matrix is 13 cm.

Currently the info I am provided with is,

Aomoepus

Early Jurassic (200 MYA)

Granby, Massachusetts

Portland Formation

I can't help but feel that it looks more like a Grallator footprint. And while its locality is narrowed down to Granby, I can't find any supposed sub-genus of tracks there.

Thoughts?

post-4888-0-75518100-1388757048_thumb.jpg

Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday!

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I took this photo to offer as a comparison. This plate is from the same locale as the one you show. It was collected in the 1960s in Granby, Mass.

It has been identified as Anchisauripus, a nomen dubium and Anomoepus.

post-8873-0-52796100-1388762599_thumb.jpg

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See

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It is possibly a grallator track. The toes tend to be narrow but they do vary depending on what the dinosaur was doing or how the track was formed. Here are some photos off of google just for reference. By the way whatever the tracks came from they are beautiful.post-13624-0-37794300-1388762914_thumb.jpgpost-13624-0-05442300-1388762978.jpgpost-13624-0-23309300-1388763031_thumb.jpgpost-13624-0-56152800-1388763049_thumb.jpg

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Not a Grallator.

It is as Snolly mentioned either an Anomoepus or Anchisauripus.

The outlying toes are splayed out at closer to a 90 Degree angle from the middle toe.

This precludes it from being a Grallator.

Note how in Grallator, the outer toes are closer to the middle toe.

I have some materials at home that I can look at to determine more closely.

I will try to make a post later this evening ( it's almost 11 am here - I'm at work right now.)

Regards,

PS - Snolly, that is a nice print - I like the other Eubrontes toe print on the slab!

Edited by Fossildude19

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

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T Rex is certainly correct in pointing out the vast potential variability in preserved tracks. There are many circumstances which might impact the final product. I do note that tracks attributed to Anomoepus display more "splaying" of the outer toes than those typically identified as Grallator. They are also smaller (OK, maybe it's a little Grallator).

In spite of the difficulties in affixing a positive ID, I find these trace fossils to be the most intriguing of all fossil material. It just astounds me that they exist. I am struck with wonder every time I see one.

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See

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Not a Grallator.

It is as Snolly mentioned either an Anomoepus or Anchisauripus.

The outlying toes are splayed out at closer to a 90 Degree angle from the middle toe.

This precludes it from being a Grallator.

Note how in Grallator, the outer toes are closer to the middle toe.

I have some materials at home that I can look at to determine more closely.

I will try to make a post later this evening ( it's almost 11 am here - I'm at work right now.)

Regards,

PS - Snolly, that is a nice print - I like the other Eubrontes toe print on the slab!

Just saw your post after I submitted mine. It was good to hear validation of my toe splaying observation. I look forward to hearing more of your observations on this subject later today. Yes, I really like the plate I posted. As I said these tracks fascinate me.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, also are remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. - Douglas Adams, Last Chance to See

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Here is a good resource from that area...

LINK

I think Anomoepus, - what size is the track itself?

Regards,

Edited by Fossildude19

    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Thanks guys. Will do more research into Anchisauripus and Anomoepus.

Here is a good resource from that area...

LINK

I think Anomoepus, - what size is the track itself?

Regards,

Thanks. I didn't know that Nash's Dinosaur Track Quarry covered Granby as well.

The big toe to the base of feet is 9 cm.

Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday!

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OK, Andy, sorry for the late reply.

Follow this LINK to the Google Books version of "Triassic Life of the Connecticut Valley" PDF. by Richard Swann Lull.

This is probably the best resource for Connecticut Valley Track identification.

It was largely based on the work of Edward Hitchcock, who is considered the father of Dinosaur Ichnology .

His volume of "Ichnology of New England", is on Google Books, and is helpful as well.

You can download the PDF's by going to the gear icon on the upper right part of the toolbar in Google Books.

On page # 249 in the Lull's volume, (page #208 in the actual book) you will find the section regarding the Anomoepodidae.

There are around 8 pages of descriptions of "species" of Anomoepus.

Instances of Anomoepus in Lull's book.

Instances of Anomoepus in Hitchcock's book.

Hope this helps you out.

Regards,

EDIT: In checking the links I had posted, some were not working properly.

If anyone would like copies of the PDF's mentioned, I have copies I can email to you.

Just PM me your email address.

Edited by Fossildude19
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    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

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__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Also, Andy,... Nash's Dinosaur Track Quarry is in South Hadley, Mass., which is the town right next to (just west of) Granby, Mass.

You will also find info on Anchisauripus in both volumes listed above, but considering the size of the track, I would focus on Anomoepus.

Regards,

Edited by Fossildude19
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    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

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__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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Words cannot describe my gratitude to you for helping me with this endeavor, Fossildude19.

Truly, helpful folks like you make this forum an awesome place to be in.

Looking forward to meeting my fellow Singaporean collectors! Do PM me if you are a Singaporean, or an overseas fossil-collector coming here for a holiday!

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Words cannot describe my gratitude to you for helping me with this endeavor, Fossildude19.

Truly, helpful folks like you make this forum an awesome place to be in.

Happy to help! I don't know much, but when I do know something pertinent, I like to share.

You are more than welcome. :)

Regards,

Edited by Fossildude19
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    Tim    -  VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER

   MOTM.png.61350469b02f439fd4d5d77c2c69da85.png      PaleoPartner.png.30c01982e09b0cc0b7d9d6a7a21f56c6.png.a600039856933851eeea617ca3f2d15f.png     Postmaster1.jpg.900efa599049929531fa81981f028e24.jpg    VFOTM.png.f1b09c78bf88298b009b0da14ef44cf0.png  VFOTM  --- APRIL - 2015  

__________________________________________________
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~   ><))))( *>  About Me      

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