Enigmatic ichnites in the Middle Triassic of southern Spain

Résumé

In southern Spain, within the Chiclana de Segura Formation of red detrital facies, enigmatic structures were found whose origins are discussed here. Each structure is composed of the union of elongated traces, two laterals and a shorter central one. All are concave epireliefs at the top of a sandstone bed whose age is assumed to be Ladinian (Triassic). The sediments formed within a fluvial environment. We describe these imprints, their structures and measurements, and discuss their orientations and associations. The traces probably have an organic origin, and are most likely tracks made by a vertebrate, possibly an archosaur, although no osseous remains have been found to confirm this interpretation. © 1999 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N. V. Published by license under the Harwood Academic Publishers imprint, part of the Gordon and Breach Publishing Group.