Artiodactyl footprint Pazhanipeda kiyani ichnog. ichnosp. nov. From Miocene Agha Jari Formation, Gotvand area, Zagros Mountains, SW Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT Zagros Mountains in the southwest Iran was created by the closure of the Neo-Tethys and collision of Arabian and Eurasian plates. The Fars Group (Miocene to Pliocene) formed during this collision. The Agha Jari Formation (upper Miocene- lower Pliocene) is uppermost rock unit of the Fars Group, which has high potential for terrestrial vertebrate ichnology. This formation mostly deposited in the continental environment and a section of the formation studied in the east Gotvand, north Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. Agha Jari Formation, includes alternations of sandstone, siltstone, and marl in red to brown colour layers in the studied section. Numerous vertebrate footprints have been reported from the middle part of the formation in Gotvand section, among which artiodactyl footprints are abundant and diverse. Re-examination of artiodactyl footprints led to the discovery of a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies, Pazhanipeda kiyani, characterised by small-sized didactyl hooves, asymmetric and gracile imprints, and a wide interdigital angle. Based on the comparison of size, morphology and asymmetry of digit imprints with artiodactyl hooves, goats were considered as track makers of Pazhanipeda kiyani.