International Geological Journal - Official Journal of the Carpathian-Balkan Geological Association

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CRETACEOUS DINOSAUR AND TURTLE TRACKS ON THE ISLAND OF VELI BRIJUN (ISTRIA, CROATIA)

Published: Oct 2004

Pages: 355 - 370

Authors: ALEKSANDAR MEZGA, ZLATAN BAJRAKTAREVIC

Abstract: The dinosaur footprints have been discovered on the island of Veli Brijun, Croatia at one Late Barremian site (Pogledalo) and three Late Albian sites (Ploce, Kamik/Pljesivac, Trstike/Debela Glava). The Late Barremian ichnocoenosis contains tracks of large theropods in intertidal sediment. The footprints assigned to the large ‘carnosaur’-type theropods predominate over a rare gracile form. Footprints of small to medium sized theropods, medium sized ornithopods and small ornithopods are present in Late Albian ichnocoenosis as well as possible chelonian footprints. They were formed in a lagoonal environment that was occasionally subaerially exposed. The parallel trackways could indicate gregarious behaviour among the small ornithopods. Footprints of an iguanodontid ornithopod represent the only such findings in the Istria. The speeds of individuals at all four localities indicate normal walk. A total of 145 dinosaur footprints and 75 possible chelonian prints have been mapped; 111 prints are arranged in 14 trackways.

Keywords: Croatia, Late Barremian, Late Albian, ichnology, dinosaurs, turtles, theropods, ornithopods

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