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Luc J. "Aspidel" BAILLY asked:
"Is it possible to see the difference from, let's say, _Diplodocus_ footprints and _Apatosaurus_ footprints?" As one fairly familiar with extant sauropod track papers, I would answer "No". Why? Because convincing evidence
(such as diagnostic sauropod bones found very nearby) linking adaquetly detailed
Jurassic sauropod trackways to specific sauropods is, so far as I know,
lacking. I'm not saying it could not exist, but just that I am not aware
of any such evidence. Furthermore, any Jurassic tracks in North America of
which I have any knowledge are of such poor quality (as to detailed morphology)
that one cannnot meaningfully discuss morphological differences, if
comparison is attempted with other N.A. Jurassic tracks. (One can
discuss trackway 'gauge', pace angulation, etc., put these only involve the
spacial relationships of sequental footprints, not specific
morphology.)
Now if you ask about Cretaceous sauropod tracks, the story is more encouraging in the case of the ichnospecies Brontopodus birdi, as beautifully exemplified in trackways found in the Paluxy River bed near Glen Rose, Texas. Why? Because bones of the sauropod
Pleurocoelus have been found in such proximity to Brontopodus
birdi trackways, as to lead substantial credence to associating the
trackways and the bones, especially in absence of equally nearby bones
of any other sauropod species.
Ray Stanford
"You know my method. It is founded upon the observance of trifles." -- Sherlock Holmes in The Boscombe Valley Mystery |