Ben Creisler
Recent papers:
The Xixipo dinosaur tracksite in the Chuanjie Formation of Yunnan Province is one of the 14 Chinese sites yielding sauropod tracks from between the Triassic-Jurassic and Jurassic-Cretaceous boundaries, but is only one of the two that represent the Middle Jurassic. Although it is a small site, it adds incrementally to the overall track record of the region and allows comparison with the body fossil record and classification of the Chuanjie Formation as a Type 3b or Type 4b deposit in which both the body fossil and trace fossil record, in this case representing sauropodomorphs, are similar in composition and frequency of occurrence. We argue that the sauropod trace and body fossil records, while based on different categories of evidence, are very important. Integrating and correlating all available data from both records increases our understanding of sauropod communities, and both are equally valuable for this. In addition, we also discuss narrow to wide gauge, coeval sauropod trackways from China, and the relationship between the potential trackmaker of China's Jurassic Brontopodus-type trackways and mamenchisaurids and, beginning from the Late Jurassic, representatives of this type and titanosauriform sauropods.
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Presents the dinosaur and pterosaur tracksite at Anza as a potential geosite.
Describes the geographic and geologic context of the Anza tracksite.
Summarizes the paleontological importance of the tracks.
Describes the educational/touristic value and protection/conservation efforts.
Abstract
The Anza tracksite, discovered in 2013, is one of several sites in the Western High Atlas of Morocco that contain well-preserved and diverse dinosaur and pterosaur trackways. The occurrence of rare tracks at Anza combined with the stratigraphic position, coastal location, and easy accessibility, have inspired the scientific community, non-governmental organizations, and local inhabitants, to increase public awareness of the scientific, geoeducational, and ichnological heritage potential of the tracksite, as well as to develop strategies for site conservation and protection.