Vertebrate tracksites from the Mid-Late Pleistocene eolianites of Portugal: the first record of elephant tracks in Europe

Authors

  • Carlos Neto-de-Carvalho Geology and Paleontology office of Centro Cultural Raiano, Geopark Naturtejo Meseta Meridional - UNESCO European and Global Geopark, Avenida Joaquim Morąo, 6060-101, Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal

Keywords:

Portugal, Pleistocene, Leporidichnites malhaoi n. isp., Proboscipeda panfamilia, elephant footprints, vertebrate tracks

Abstract

This study describes the palaeoichnology of the Malhąo Dune Field (Pleistocene), the first report of vertebrate tracksites from all the Cenozoic from Portugal. At least 14 stratigraphic horizons with mammal and bird footprints and trackways occur, including those of elephants. Concave epirelief footprints produced by elephants show four feet with four toes imprints on each foot and heteropody in a narrow gauge. The presence of three possibly parallel trackways points to gregarious behavior of sub-adults/females of Elephas antiquus. The ichnospecies Proboscipeda panfamilia, found in the Malhąo and Pessegueiro sectors, represents possibly the first Pleistocene elephant trackways, and record one of the latest occurrences of E. antiquus in Europe. The new ichnogenus and ichnospecies Leporidichnites malhaoi igen. et isp. nov., interpreted as lagomorph tracks, are also described.

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Published

2010-03-27

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 4 (2009)

Section

Articles

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