LIDAR-based characterization and conservation of the first theropod dinosaur trackways from Arkansas, USA.

ABSTRACT: LIDAR-based analyses of the first theropod dinosaur trackways known from the state of Arkansas, USA are reported. The trackways were found on a limestone bedding plane in the Albian De Queen Formation in an active gypsum quarry. Because limited access precluded thorough field study, fieldwork focused on preserving the entire site digitally with ground-based LIDAR, and detailed measurements were later taken digitally from point cloud data. The site contains eight tridactyl trackways associated with sauropod trackways and numerous isolated tracks. Although there appear to be two different tridactyl morphotypes, we show that the tracks are all likely from a single species of trackmaker. We apply a simple method of estimating substrate consistency by comparing the differences between true trac

SUBMITTER: Platt BF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5749850 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature