September 30, 2016:

Tetrapod footprints from the Estherienschichten of the Upper Grabfeld Formation (Upper Triassic, Carnian) at the Barbaraberg clay pit near Speinshart (northeastern Bavaria) are described and ichnotaxonomically evaluated for the first time. A sandstone slab shows 4-6 tridactyl pes imprints (100 mm in length and width). These are the footprints of archosaurs (chirotheres) preserved as convex hyporelief on the lower surface of the slab. They are identified as incomplete imprints similar to Parachirotherium postchirotherioides, known from the underlying Benker Sandstein. Parachirotherium is typically pentadactyl but functionally tridactyl with short digits I and V that are frequently missing. The section at the clay pit was re-documented and correlated with data from former studies. Thereby, a further footprint horizon with small (12 mm length) lacertoid imprints (Rhynchosauroides isp.) was discovered. Presently, the Barbaraberg section is exposed with a 18,66 m thick succession, consisting of black-grey and reddish siltstone with intercalations of marl-carbonate and coarse clastic sandstone layers. The sandstone beds represent offsets of the marginal Benk Formation in the southeastern part of the region toward the Bohemian-Vindelician Massif. >From base to top, different depositional cycles including a twofold fining-upward cycle are identified: Sandstone-pelite (A) – pelite-marl (B) – sandstone-pelite (C) – pelitecarbonate (D). The section implies a trend toward dryer climate. During deposition of the Estherienschichten, the study area was characterized by arid climate with drainless playas and halite and occasional gypsum precipitation. Additionally limnic and pedogenic carbonate horizons were accumulated while ephemeral sheet floods from water-bearing upland valleys deposited coarse clastica (sand). The trackmakers from Barbaraberg were occasionally foraging in this area, their general habitat supposedly being higher altitudes of the Bohemian-Vindelician Massif.

Hendrik Klein and Volker Kneidl (2015) [2016]

Tetrapodenfährten aus den Estherienschichten (Obertrias, Grabfeld-Formation) der Tongrube Barbaraberg (Speinshart, NO-Bayern) -- Profilneuaufnahme, Bildungsmilieu und Hinweise zur Palökologie.

[Tetrapod footprints from the Estherienschichten (Upper Triassic, Grabfeld Formation) from the Barbaraberg clay pit (Speinshart NE Bavaria)...]

Geologische Blätter für Nordost-Bayern 65(2-4): 93-130