The first Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) dinosaur footprints from Transylvania (Romania)

Abstract

An Uppermost Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) site exposing dinosaur footprints is reported from the Sebe¿ area (Transylvanian Depression). This is the first dinoturbated layer discovered in our country, containing also numerous bones belonging to various dinosaurs. The track-site is located near Lancr¾ m village and provides only two quite well preserved footprints (one track). The medium sized (FL = 23,3 cm; FW = 17,8 cm; pace = 103 cm; ST = 200 cm) plantigrad-tridactyle footprints belong to Ornithopedoidei, according to their morphology. An assignment to the Iguanodontichnus CASAMIQUELA & FASOLA, 1968 group seems to be appropriate (tentatively, associated to the "Rhabdodon" iguanodontian dinosaur). The importance of this discovery lies in the stratigraphical significance, confirming the Uppermost Cretaceous age of these dinosaur-bearing continental deposits exposed between Sebe¿ and Alba-Iulia (as well as the autochthon/ paraautochon status of some vertebrate assemblages identified there), which previously were considered Oligocene or even Miocene. Additional data regarding size, speed and locomotion of the Transylvanian Iguanodontian "Rhabdodon" dinosaurs are added.