Abstract The global record of fossil hyenid tracks is sparse—the only formal reports that can be considered reliable are trackways from Tanzania and a single track Greece. However, trackway patterns the four extant members Hyaenidae distinctive among carnivorans. A Pleistocene comprising five manus–pes pairs has been identified on an aeolianite surface Cape south coast South Africa, attributed to hyena, most likely brown hyena ( Parahyaena brunnea ). diagnostic approach followed involves...

Seven hominin ichnosites in aeolianites on the Cape south coast of South Africa have been dated using Optically Stimulated Luminescence, yielding age estimates from Marine Isotope 6 through Stage 4. All rock outcrops containing these sites are situated modern coastline. The new ages consistent with geomorphological expectations, and other numerical dating results wider southern Seen a global ichnological context, cluster African (including two previously sites) contains nine twenty-three...

Abstract The aardvark ( Oryecteropus afer ) is a fossorial species with widespread distribution across sub-Saharan Africa. It leaves distinctive tracks and traces of its presence, including large burrows. However, despite substantial body fossil record, few trace fossils registered by aardvarks have been described. Its range in southern Africa during historic prehistoric times was probably broadly similar to that today, the addition currently submerged Palaeo-Agulhas Plain much Pleistocene....

A fossil trackway, attributed to a probable pangolin trackmaker, has been identified on Pleistocene aeolianite surface of the Waenhuiskrans Formation in Bosbokfontein Private Nature Reserve South Africa’s Cape south coast. The trackway consists eight tracks and two tail traces. This appears be first description global record. was probably registered during Marine Isotope Stage 6 or 5. Trackway assessment interpretation involved integration indigenous African Western-based ichnological...

Until now there have been no reliable historical or skeletal fossil records for the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) south of Orange River northern Namaqualand. The recent discovery tracks in coastal aeolianites east Still Bay, South Africa, significantly increases geographical range this species, and has implications Late Pleistocene climate vegetation southern Cape. Giraffe populations specialised needs, require a savanna ecosystem. Marine geophysical geological evidence suggests that...

A Late Pleistocene hominin tracksite has been identified in coastal aeolianite rocks on the Cape south coast of South Africa, an area great significance for emergence modern humans. The tracks are form natural casts and occur ceiling side walls a ten-metre long cave. Preservation is variable quality. Up to forty evident. thirty-five single bedding plane, with potential exposure further tracks. Five apparent second track-bearing plane. number individuals made while moving down dune surface....

Literature concerning dinosaur footprints or trackways exhibiting abnormal gait morphology reflecting pathology (ichnopathology) is rare. We report on a number of Jurassic and Cretaceous occurrences theropod from western North America with unusual morphologies interpreted herein as examples inferred pathologies, ichnopathologies. The majority ichnopathologies are primarily manifested in the digit impressions include swelling, extreme curvature, dislocation fracture, amputation. A single...

The Cape south coast of South Africa contains a wealth Pleistocene vertebrate trace fossil sites in aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits. Published studies have described mammal avian tracksites identified along this coastline. We report here on number palaeosurfaces within the Garden Route National Park that exhibit tracks large reptiles, including probable swim traces. were probably made by more than one species, may include crocodylian. There are no extant reptiles coastal region...

Abstract More than 130 late Pleistocene trackway sites from the coastal eolianites and beach deposits of Cape south coast, South Africa, have previously mostly yielded tracks large mammals birds. However, two east Still Bay, a third near Garden Route National Park, yield distinctive trackways hatchling sea turtles, made during short posthatching (postemergence) interval when trackmakers headed for sea. One assemblage approximately parallel indicates smaller loggerhead turtle hatchlings, with...

Abstract The giant Cape zebra ( Equus capensis ) is one of the extinct Quaternary large mammal species southern Africa, and largest equid from Africa. Twenty-six Pleistocene tracksites have been identified in aeolianites on south coast South An age range 161 ± 12 ka to 43 4 has established through Optically Stimulated Luminescence. More than half sites contain large-equid tracks, representing first ichnosites attributed E . Smaller tracks may registered by quagga ). abundance contrasts with...

AbstractWhen and where did humans first fashion footwear? Ichnology holds the potential to answer this unresolved question in palaeoanthropology. The global record of sites from which shod-hominin tracks have been considered is sparse. Consideration proxies for footwear use, conjunction with areas known Middle Stone Age/Middle Paleolithic hominin tracksites, suggests two suitable regions search age: southern Africa Western Europe. Inhabitants these Age would had means, motive opportunity...

East of Still Bay on the Cape south coast South Africa lies a rugged, remote stretch sea cliffs that expose Late Pleistocene aeolianites. A zone dense concentration fossil tracks occurs within this area. Two large rocks, which we call Roberts Rock and Megafauna Rock, were identified ~400 metres apart. These rocks contained variety trackways, individual tracks, burrow traces invertebrate trace fossils multiple bedding planes. Both found ex situ, but their context could be determined. has...

Prior to the inception of Cape south-coast ichnology project, only one avian tracksite had been reported from South Africa. An additonal twenty-nine sites have now identified. Although there are limitations and challenges inherent in study fossil tracks, these tracks capacity complement traditional skeletal record. Six tracksites exhibit large trackmakers. In some cases, larger than would be anticipated an understanding extant birds region This raises possibility Pleistocene forms taxa, Late...

Three new Pleistocene hominin tracksites have been identified on the Cape south coast of South Africa, one in Garden Route National Park and two Goukamma Nature Reserve, probably dating to Marine Isotope Stage 5. As a result, southern Africa now boasts six tracksites, which are collectively oldest sites world that attributed Homo sapiens. The tracks were registered dune surfaces, preserved aeolianites. Tracks varying size present at sites, indicating presence more than trackmaker, raising...

Abstract Aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits on South Africa's Cape south coast have the capacity to record preserve events that transpired them when they were composed of unconsolidated sand. Thirty-five Pleistocene elephant tracksites been identified along this coastline. This abundance sites what was margin vast Palaeo-Agulhas Plain allows for an appreciation forms tracks traces can take in context global proboscidean track record. They point a significant regional presence from...

Delta-plain strata of the Cenomanian Dunvegan Formation, in north-east British Columbia, represent anastomosed rivers that were flanked by vegetated crevasse splays, wetlands and shallow lakes. These rocks preserve a rich record ankylosaur ornithopod walking wading tracks, as well crocodylian swim traces tracks. Analysis depositional, erosional, trace-making events reveals alternating phases flooding emergence controlled both animal activity (walking, wading, swimming) mud substrate...

Abstract Although tortoises (Testudinidae) are a familiar clade of reptiles, with body fossil record extending to at least the Eocene, hitherto no tortoise ichnosites have been described. Here, number sites attributed trackmakers identified within Pleistocene aeolianites on South Africa's Cape south coast. These date from late Marine Isotope Stage 6 4. The findings indicate large trackmakers, evidence trackmaker length more than meter—substantially longer largest extant in southern Africa....

A purported cemented sand sculpture found in Pleistocene aeolianite deposits on the Cape south coast of South Africa resembles a stingray (minus tail) outline. Symmetry is evident rock’s shape and pattern grooves its surface. It postulated that it may be three-dimensional example representational art another species. Optically stimulated luminescence studies rocks vicinity indicate dates to Middle Stone Age, most probably during Marine Isotope Stage 5 (when high sea levels imply nearby...