Montemarcello Formation

Montemarcello Formation
Stratigraphic range: Carnian ~237–228 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Type	Geological formation
Lithology
Primary	Sandstone
Other	Claystone
Location
Coordinates	44.1°N 9.9°E / 44.1; 9.9
Approximate paleocoordinates	15.2°N 18.3°E / 15.2; 18.3
Region	Liguria
Country	Italy
Type section
Named for	Montemarcello
Montemarcello Formation (Italy)

The Montemarcello Formation is a Late Triassic (Carnian) geologic formation in Liguria, Italy.^[1] Fossil prosauropod tracks have been reported from the formation.^[2]

Description

The formation comprises arenites with a few thin clayey inter-beds. The sands overlie micro-conglomeratic bodies up to 1 metre (3.3 ft) thick. Two-dimensional ripple marks (with wavelengths of nearly 20 centimetres (7.9 in)), larger ripples (wavelengths of 120 centimetres (47 in)), interference ripples, and mud cracks were recognized. The arenitic beds are also characterized by internal structures such as accretionary laminae, coalescent bodies, low-angle lamination, and cross stratification. Some arenitic levels are deeply bioturbated, both by simple vertical tubes and by larger horizontal ones. Rare small wood fragments were recognized. Small channels, up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) over a very short distance, cut the arenitic bodies.^[3]

Fossil content

The following fossils were reported from the formation:^[1]

• Evazoum sirigui^[4]
• Anomoepus sp.^[5]
• Eosauropus sp.^[6]
• Grallator (Eubrontes)^[5]
• Chirotheriidae indet.^[5]

See also

• List of dinosaur-bearing rock formations
  • List of stratigraphic units with sauropodomorph tracks
    • Prosauropod tracks
• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in Italy

References

1. Montemarcello Formation in the Paleobiology Database
2. Weishampel et al., 2004, pp.517-607
3. Lerici in the Paleobiology Database
4. Umberto Nicosia (January 2003). "Triassic Footprints from Lerici (La Spezia, Northern Italy)". Historical Biology. 10 (2): 127–140. Bibcode:2003Ichno..10..127N. doi:10.1080/10420940390256203.
5. Leonardi, 2000
6. Lockley et al., 2006

Bibliography

• Lockley, M. G.; Lucas, S. G.; Hunt, A. P. (2006), "Eosauropus, a new name for a Late Triassic track: further observations on the Late Triassic ichnogenus Tetrasauropus and related forms, with notes on the limits of interpretation. In J. D. Harris, S. G. Lucas, J. A. Spielmann, M. G. Lockley, A. R. C. Milner, J. I. Kirkland (eds.), The Triassic-Jurassic Terrestrial Transition", New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin, 37: 192–198
• Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; Osmólska, Halszka (2004), The Dinosauria, 2nd edition, Berkeley: University of California Press, pp. 1–880, ISBN 0-520-24209-2, retrieved 2019-02-21
• Nicosia, U.; Loi, M. (2003), "Triassic footprints from Lerici (La Spezia, northern Italy)", Ichnos, 10 (2–4): 127–140, Bibcode:2003Ichno..10..127N, doi:10.1080/10420940390256203
• Leonardi, G (2000), I dinosauri d'Italia e delle aree adiacenti - The dinosaurs of Italy and adjacent areas in G. Leonardi & P. Mietto (ed.), Dinosauri in Italia, Le Orme Giurassiche dei Lavini di Marco (Trentino) e Gli Altri Resti Fossili Italiani, pp. 275–295
• Dalla Vecchia, F.M (1995), "I dinosauri in Italia: stato delle conoscenze - Dinosaurs in Italy: state of knowledge", Natura Nascosta, 11: 29–35