Reconstructing miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite.

ABSTRACT: Ichnofossils are important in paleoecological studies, interpreted as fossilized behaviors. Vertebrate footprints, a type of ichnofossils, can reveal the movements of trackmakers. By examining fossil footprints in groups and comparing them to modern counterparts, we can gain insights into other animal behaviors, such as social interactions. Here, a Miocene bird mating site is introduced, that is the first report of fossil of bird mating dance behavior. This trace fossil was found in the Miocene Upper Red Formation in northwest Iran. The slab contains seven inferred behaviors left behind during male mating dances, including walking, high stepping, stomping in place, short-distance flying, hopping, pecking, and lateral leaping. Statistical analysis reveals that walking and high stepping are

SUBMITTER: Abbassi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12267632 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature