Fossil Tracks and Impressions of Vertebrates

The study of vertebrate trace fossils constitutes the oldest branch of ichnology, although several problems have hampered its development and ultimate usefulness: obscure publications, inadequate illustrations and text descriptions, poorly preserved specimens that are easily overlooked or misinterpreted, and simply the lack of interest in the field shown by most vertebrate paleontologists. Nevertheless, vertebrate ichnology has much to offer paleontology, stratigraphy, and fades analysis, and these fields would benefit greatly by its increased use and refinement.

Although the methods of interpretation and classification of fossil footprints have not been unequivocally, the present approaches have already yielded valuable data on footprints as evidence of (1) animals unknown as body fossils; (2) geographic and geologic ranges of vertebrate species, including biostratigraphic zonations by trace fossils; (3) behavior and habitat adaptations of vertebrates; and (4) prevailing prevailing environmental conditions. Other vertebrate traces and impressions—such as swimming and resting traces of fishes and amphibians, coprolites, various traces reflecting the death throes of animals, and vertebrate burrows (discussed in the following chapter)—are also important and deserve increased attention.