Crocodylomorph, turtle and mammal tracks in dinosaur-dominated Middle–?Upper Jurassic and mid-Cretaceous ichnoassemblages of Morocco

Abstract

We report tetrapod traces from two stratigraphic intervals in Morocco, and discuss their palaeoecological implications. In the first interval, crocodylomorph footprints assigned to Crocodylopodus meijidei are described from Middle–?Upper Jurassic continental fluvial red beds of the Isli Formation in the Imilchil region, Central High Atlas, Morocco. These traces are associated with a diverse dinosaur-dominated ichnofauna, including the footprints of theropods, ornithischians, sauropods and pterosaurs, together with numerous invertebrate traces. In the second interval, we report crocodylomorph swim traces assigned to Hatcherichnus isp., turtle trackways assigned to Emydhipus isp. and isolated mammal footprints in the mid-Cretaceous Midelt Formation, in the High Moulouya region, Morocco. These traces are, also, associated with a diverse dinosaur-dominated ichnofauna including theropods and ornithopods as well as pterosaurs and abundant invertebrate traces. Together with plant remains, conchostracans and fishes, findings indicate a diverse community populating a fluvial-brackish environment.