Abstract
We present a new tracksite with multiple dinosaur tracks from the lowermost Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Cape Espichel (Sesimbra, Portugal). The tracks are localized on three beds on the top carbonate beds of the Areia do Mastro Formation. Those bioclastic, nodular limestones were deposited in a very shallow subtidal-intertidal, restricted lagoon environment. The track surfaces are very dinoturbated, with a substantial number of tracks. Several tracks assign to sauropods, ornithopods and theropods dinosaurs were recorded. Due to heavy bioturbation and the preservation conditions, it is not possible to define trackways; some preliminary work done on the tracks could disclose some behaviours of their producers. Several species of carnivore and herbivore dinosaurs crossed that large area at different times. Herbivores may have used the lagoon margin as passage between feeding spots, while carnivores frequented the area to hunt in groups or individually.
Highlights
The very first palaeontological investigations on Cape Espichel took place in the second half of the 19th century
We present a new tracksite with multiple dinosaur tracks from the lowermost Barremian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Cape Espichel (Sesimbra, Portugal)
The purpose of this paper is to present new dinosaur tracks from Lower Cretaceous of Portugal and to discuss some preliminary data about the dinosaur behaviour represented by those tracks in successive trampled surfaces
Summary
The very first palaeontological investigations on Cape Espichel took place in the second half of the 19th century. Ctenochasmatoidea indet.), dinosaurs (Baryonyx sp, Iguanodonts and Sauropoda indet.) were described by Figueiredo et al (2015, 2016); At Praia do Guincho site, a natural cast of an ornithopod dinosaur track was reported (Figueiredo et al, 2017) In addition to this ichnological finding, in the area of Cape Espichel dinosaur tracks have been reported at several sites, in Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous formations: Praia do Cavalo showed theropod tracks; a trackway of large sauropod is protected at Pedreira do Avelino Natural Monument; from another protected site, Pedra da Mua, trackways of sauropods and theropods were described (Lockley et al, 1994; Santos, 2003, 2008). These three sites are comprised in the Upper Jurassic; Lagosteiros site (Hauterivian, Lower Cretaceous) shows trackways and tracks of theropods and ornithopods (Antunes, 1976, 1990; Carvalho & Santos, 1993; Santos, 2003, 2008)
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