Scientists uncover 131 dinosaur tracks on Isle of Skye
On the Isle of Skye in Scotland, a team of scientists has discovered 131 dinosaur tracks from the Jurassic period, shedding new light on their behavior and environment.
Research published on April 2 in the scientific journal "PLOS ONE" by researcher Tone Blakesley from the University of Edinburgh and colleagues reveals that these well-preserved tracks are located in the island's rugged rock formations.
What secrets do the dinosaur tracks hold?
The tracks, which range from 10 to 24 inches in length, belong to two types: three-toed tracks left by bipedal, carnivorous theropods, and round, tire-like tracks created by quadrupedal, long-necked sauropods. Based on comparisons with earlier findings, the most likely creators of these tracks are large theropods similar to Megalosaurus and early branches of the neosauropod group, similar to Cetiosaurus. They might have looked like this (image generated by AI).
Neosauropods were large herbivorous reptiles that lived during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods. They were characterized by long necks and tails, and their bodies were massive yet adapted for moving on four legs. Neosauropods, such as Cetiosaurus, had relatively short heads compared to their bodies, and their spines were more flexible than those of earlier sauropods. These species were capable of reaching enormous sizes and dominated plant ecosystems, moving in search of vegetation.
Why are these tracks unique?
Many of these tracks appear in sequential steps, and the longest of them extend over 39 feet, making them among the longest known examples from the Isle of Skye. The spacing and orientation of these tracks suggest slow-paced strides without a fixed direction, indicating that the dinosaurs moved freely at various times.
This site supports previous evidence that Jurassic sauropods frequently visited Scottish lagoons, which are coastal water bodies. However, this location has a higher proportion of theropod tracks compared to similar sites, which may indicate environmental differences between these ancient lagoons. The absence of tracks from other dinosaurs, such as stegosaurs or ornithopods, remains a mystery.
This discovery is part of a larger research project conducted by the PalAlba team, supported by the National Geographic Society and the Philip Leverhulme Prize awarded to Stephen L. Brusatte.
