Forelimb Orientation and Locomotion of Sauropod Dinosaurs: Insights from the ?Middle Jurassic Tafaytour Tracksites (Argana Basin, Morocco)

Forelimb posture in sauropod dinosaurs is still poorly understood. Although a laterally directed (semisupinated) manus is the plesiomorphic condition in sauropodomorphs, the sauropod track record prevailingly shows anterolateral to anterior manus orientations, suggesting a high degree of manus pronation. The ?Middle Jurassic Tafaytour tracksites described herein preserve at least 10 trackways, nine of which show laterally oriented, and in two examples even posterolaterally oriented, manual impressions. Located in the Argana Basin of the Western High Atlas, Morocco, the tracksite yields hundreds of footprints on a highly bioturbated surface, including examples with well-preserved digit and claw impressions. Footprint morphology and trackway configuration vary greatly between trackways. A literature review indicates that laterally directed manual impressions are restricted to small- and medium-sized trackmakers. Statistical analysis was performed on a larger sample (n=79) of small sauropod trackways from around the world, indicating that lateral manual orientations are correlated with low locomotion speeds and narrow trackway gauges. Manus pronation in sauropods is hypothesized to occur when the forelimb is actively contributing to the propulsion of the animal, which would be the case at faster speeds or at wider trackway gauges where the center of mass is located more anteriorly. We present new approaches to the quantitative analysis of trackway data. Mean configuration plots allow for direct graphical comparisons of different trackways. Two types of trackway asymmetries are defined and quantified. The apparent glenoacetabular distance (GAD) represents a feasible proxy for body size, at least for the smaller sauropod trackmakers analyzed herein.