Re: Big Dinosaur Prints Found

["Ray Stanford" <dinotracker@earthlink.net>]

Fabio M. Dalla Veccia wrote:

"Recently I have published a paper about a Cretaceous dinosaur tracksite in
Europe with probable caudal prints of sauropods. But, unfortunately (this
is ironic, of course) "my" sauropods are dwarf not giant and mass media
want giant stuff (and powerful press agencies nearby)."

    Yes, unfortunately it seems that the media often agree with ads for the
recent Godzilla movie, which declared, "SIZE DOES MATTER!"  :(

    And, a reference was provided: "Dalla Vecchia, F.M. & Tarlao, A., 2000,
Part II - Paleontology. In Dalla
Vecchia, F.M., Tarlao, A., Tunis, G. & Venturini, S., New dinosaur track
sites in the Albian (Early Cretaceous) of the Istrian  peninsula (Croatia):
Mem. Sci. Geol. Padova: 52/1: 227-293."

    Am I right in judging from the english language title, that the paper is
in english?  If so and there is a way you could legitimately (without
violating copyright conditions) send me a copy of the paper by e-mail or as
hard copy (I could provide you the mailing address.), it would be very much
appreciated.

    One question however.  Because you said, "...my sauropods are dwarf not
giant..." I wonder if you are inferring actual dwarfism in the trackmakers,
or whether you are just saying these are tracks made by rather small
sauropods.

    If actual dwarfism is meant, is there some clear-cut evidence of this,
such as nearby tell-tale skeletal materials that are of small sauropods that
were, all the same, unambiguously adult?

    Finally, because the paper is not at hand, any brief description of
those sauropod tracks for us, giving manus and pes dimensions, would be
appreciated.  Also, do the imprints show any appreciable morphological
detail, and, if so, how does that detail compare to Texas' Paluxy riverbed
sauropod tracks (ichnospecies Brontopodus birdi), for example?

    Your information and help would be very much appreciated.

    Ray Stanford