Chirothere Footprint Sites from the Otter Sandstone Formation (Middle Triassic, late Anisian) of Devon,United Kingdom

Fossilized chirothere footprints, likely from a large species such as Chirotherium barthii, have been discovered in the Middle Triassic Otter Sandstone Formation of Devon, UK. These tracks, preserved uniquely in mudstone and often in convex epirelief, suggest subaqueous formation, challenging previous assumptions about their depositional environment. The footprints are concentrated in higher strata of the formation, supporting evidence for a less arid climate with a higher water table during this period. The study documents three distinct sites near Sidmouth and Salcombe Hill Cliff, including rare manus imprints, providing new insights into Triassic vertebrate behavior and paleoenvironmental conditions.

Coram, R. A., & Radley, J. D. (2015). Chirothere Footprint Sites from the Otter Sandstone Formation (Middle Triassic, late Anisian) of Devon,United Kingdom. Ichnos, 22(1), 29–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940.2014.988789