Farlowichnus is an ichnogenus of small theropod dinosaur footprint. It includes a single species, F. rapidus, known from prints found in the Early Cretaceous Botucatu Formation of Brazil. Farlowichnus is known from several fossil trackways that indicate that it was likely a cursorial animal that was well-adapted to desert environments.[1]
| Farlowichnus Temporal range: Late Cretaceous
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|---|---|
Trace fossil classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Ichnogenus: | †Farlowichnus Leonardi et al., 2023 |
| Type ichnospecies | |
| †Farlowichnus rapidus Leonardi et al., 2023
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Discovery and naming
editThe Farlowichnus fossil material was discovered in sediments of the Botucatu Formation (São Bento Quarry) near Araraquara in São Paulo, Brazil. The holotype specimen, LPP-IC-0200, consists of a slab with four footprints forming a trackway. Two paratypes that preserve similar footprints were also assigned, consisting of LPP-IC-0231 and MCT-R-1954.[1]
In 2023, Farlowichnus rapidus was described by Giuseppe Leonardi, Marcelo A. Fernandes, Ismar S. Carvalho, Julia B. Schutzer, and Rafael C. da Silva as a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies of theropod footprints based on these fossil remains. The generic name, "Farlowichnus", combines a reference to James O. Farlow, a paleontologist who has studied ichnofossils, with the Greek "ίχνος" ("ichnos"), meaning "track". The specific name, "rapidus", references the hypothesized cursorial behavior and agile morphology of the taxon.[1]
Description
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Leonardi et al. (2023) described the general morphology of the Farlowichnus footprints as "waterdrop"-shaped. The impressions of the third digit of Farlowichnus are significantly longer than the second and fourth digits, which are proportionately much shorter. This morphology, as well as the observed long strides and high step angle, are associated with a cursorial behavior. Although the footprints are structurally tridactyl, or the imprints of three toes are visible, Farlowichnus was likely functionally monodactylous. The foot shape also indicates adaptations for running in soft, dry sand.[1]
The dinosaur trackmaker of the Farlowichnus footprints may have reached lengths of up to 3–3.5 metres (9.8–11.5 ft), as indicated by the larger size of one of the paratype specimens. The holotype trackmaker was smaller, at about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long, weighing around 12–15 kilograms (26–33 lb).[1]
Classification
editWhile the type of theropod that produced the Farlowichnus is unknown, Leonardi et al. (2023) speculate that it may have been a relative of noasaurids. It may have had a body morphology comparable to the similarly aged Vespersaurus from Brazil's Rio Paraná Formation. The fossil material of Vespersaurus suggests that it was also monodactylous, a feature observed in the Farlowichnus trackways.[1][2]
Paleoenvironment
editFarlowichnus was found in layers of the Botucatu Formation, which dates to the Berriasian–Hauterivian ages of the Early Cretaceous. Fossil remains of several indeterminate animals, including theropod and large ornithopod dinosaurs, mammals, lacertilian reptiles, and invertebrates, have also been described from the formation. The mammalian ichnotaxon Brasilichnium has also been identified from the formation.[3][1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Leonardi, Giuseppe; Fernandes, Marcelo Adorna; Carvalho, Ismar de Souza; Schutzer, Julia Beatrice; Silva, Rafael Costa da (2023-09-30). "Farlowichnus rapidus new ichnogen., new ichnosp.: A speedy and small theropod in the Early Cretaceous Botucatu paleodesert (Paraná Basin), Brazil". Cretaceous Research: 105720. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105720. ISSN 0195-6671.
- ^ Langer, Max Cardoso; Martins, Neurides de Oliveira; Manzig, Paulo César; Ferreira, Gabriel de Souza; Marsola, Júlio César de Almeida; Fortes, Edison; Lima, Rosana; Sant’ana, Lucas Cesar Frediani; Vidal, Luciano da Silva; Lorençato, Rosangela Honório da Silva; Ezcurra, Martín Daniel (2019-06-26). "A new desert-dwelling dinosaur (Theropoda, Noasaurinae) from the Cretaceous of south Brazil". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 1–31. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-45306-9. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 6594977. PMID 31243312.
- ^ São Bento quarry, Araraquara at Fossilworks.org