Farlowichnus is an ichnogenus of small-footed theropod dinosaur. It includes a single species, F. rapidus, known from footprints found in the Early Cretaceous Botucatu Formation of Brazil. Farlowichnus is known from several trace fossils that indicate it was probably a running animal that was well adapted to desert environments.
Description[]
Life restoration of Vespersaurus, a possible relative of the Farlowichnus trackmaker
Leonardi et al. (2023) described the general morphology of Farlowichnus footprints as “water drop” shaped. The prints of the third toe of Farlowichnus are significantly longer than those of the second and fourth toes, which are proportionally much shorter. This morphology, as well as the observed long strides and high step angle, are associated with cursorial behavior. Although the footprints are structurally tridactyl, or three-toed prints are visible, Farlowichnus was probably functionally monodactyl. The shape of the foot also indicates adaptations for running on soft, dry sand.
The track-crawling dinosaur Farlowichnus may have reached lengths of up to 3–3.5 metres (9.8–11.5 ft), as indicated by the larger size of one of the paratype specimens. The holotype track-crawler was smaller, measuring approximately 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) long and weighing between 12–15 kilograms (26–33 lb).
Discovery[]
Fossil material of Farlowichnus was discovered in sediments of the Botucatu Formation (São Bento Quarry) near Araraquara in São Paulo, Brazil. The holotype specimen, LPP-IC-0200, consists of a slab with four imprints forming a footprint. Two paratypes preserving similar footprints were also assigned: LPP-IC-0231 and MCT-R-1954.
In 2023, Giuseppe Leonardi, Marcelo A. Fernandes, Ismar S. Carvalho, Julia B. Schutzer, and Rafael C. da Silva described Farlowichnus rapidus as a new ichnogenus and ichnospecies of theropod footprints based on these fossil remains. The generic name, "Farlowichnus", combines a reference to James O. Farlow, a paleontologist who has studied ichnofossils, with the Greek "ίχνος" ("ichnos"), meaning "footprint". The specific name, "rapidus", refers to the hypothesized cursorial behavior and agile morphology of the taxon.
Classification[]
Although the type of theropod that produced Farlowichnus is unknown, Leonardi et al. (2023) speculate that it may have been a relative of noasaurids. It may have had a body morphology comparable to that of Vespersaurus from the Rio Paraná Formation of Brazil. Fossil material of Vespersaurus suggests that it was also monodactyl, a feature seen in the Farlowichnus tracks.
Paleoenvironment[]
Farlowichnus was found in layers of the Botucatu Formation, dating to the Berriasian-Hauterivian ages of the Early Cretaceous. Fossil remains of several indeterminate animals, including theropod and large ornithopod dinosaurs, mammals, lacercilian reptiles, and invertebrates, have also been described in the formation. The mammalian ichnotaxon Brasilichnium has also been identified in the formation. Farlowichnus was found in layers of the Botucatu Formation, dating to the Berriasian-Hauterivian ages of the Early Cretaceous. Fossil remains of several indeterminate animals, including theropod and large ornithopod dinosaurs, mammals, lacercilian reptiles, and invertebrates, have also been described in the formation. The mammalian ichnotaxon Brasilichnium has also been identified in the formation.
Appearance in other media[]
Jurassic Park[]
- Farlowichnus appeared in the Jurassic World toys.
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