The discovery of a new Devonian tetrapod trackway in SW Ireland

Abstract

A tetrapod trackway has been discovered in Devonian sedimentary rocks of SW Ireland. It is the first discovery of its kind in Europe. Details of the footprints are not preserved, probably because of strong Variscan pressure solution cleavage. However, after removing the effect of Variscan deformation, the large number of footprints (more than 150) makes it possible to calculate the original dimensions of the footprint pattern: stride (approximately 34 cm) and pace (approximately 35 cm). These values are higher than those for other traces of comparable age. The total length of the tetrapod is estimated to be 1 m. Lithostratigraphical and biostratigraphical arguments indicate an age of Mid- to Late Devonian.