Dürrestein Formation

Carnian

Regione Veneto, Italy

Dinosaurs:

Prosauropoda indet.

Other Animals:

            Margarosmilia sp.

            Cryptocoelia zitteli

            Amblysiphonella sp.

            Atrochaetetes medius

            Jablonskyia andrusovi

            Uvanella irregularis

Plants:

Solenopora sp.

            Dendronella sp.

Notes:

This appears to be a marine deposit, dominated by brain corals, sponges, and kelp (Tosti et al. 2014). However, Weishampel et al. (2007) reported possible prosauropod tracks for the formation. Perhaps this lone dinosaur wandered over the drying reef as the water receded into the giant wave that would contribute to the preservation of the unwary ecosystem.

References:

Tosti, F., A. Mastandrea, A. Guido, F. Demasi, F. Russo, et R. Riding. 2014. “Biochemical and redox record of mid-late Triassic reef evolution in the Italian Dolomites.” Paleogeography, Paleoclimatology, Paleoecology 399: 52-66.

Weishampel, D. B., P. M. Barrett, R. A. Coria, J. L. Loeuff, X. Xing, Z. Xijin, A. Sahni, E. M. P. Gomani, C. R. Noto. 2007. “Dinosaur Distribution.” In D. B. Weishampel, P. Dodson, and H. Osmólska. The Dinosauria, Second Edition. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. 517-606.