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First pterosaur tracks from Brazil
Mauro B S Lacerda1, Marcelo A Fernandes1, Giuseppe Leonardi2,3
1Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar), Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva (DEBE), Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Avenida Washington Luís, Km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias
|September 17, 2025
Summary
The first pterosaur fossil tracks from Brazil
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Ichnology
Background:
- The Botucatu Formation in Brazil's Paraná Basin preserves Lower Cretaceous desert environments.
- Known tetrapod tracks include dinosaurs, lizards, and mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first occurrence of pterosaur tracks in Brazil.
- To classify these tracks and enhance understanding of the Botucatu Formation's ichnological diversity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of isolated, well-preserved tridactyl tracks from the Ouro ichnosite.
- Morphological comparison of manus and pes imprints with known ichnotaxa.
Main Results:
- Identified pterosaur tracks classified as Pteraichnus isp.
- Manus tracks are digitigrade and rhombic; pes tracks are plantigrade with elongated metatarsals.
- Distinctive features differentiate these tracks from dinosaurian tridactyl tracks.
Conclusions:
- This discovery represents the first pterosaur tracks found in Brazil.
- Adds to the known ichnological diversity of the Botucatu Formation and Brazilian paleontological heritage.
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