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Jurassic Giants Stomped Across Scotland: Dinosaur Footprints Unearthed on Isle of Skye
Remarkable fossil discoveries on the Isle of Skye have unveiled that colossal Jurassic dinosaurs once roamed ancient lagoons in Scotland. A significant find of 131 footprints embedded in the rippled sands of a prehistoric subtropical lagoon, dating back approximately 167 million years, provides compelling new insights into these creatures’ existence.
Diverse Dinosaur Types Identified
The newly discovered imprints vary in size from 25 to 60cm and represent a diverse range of dinosaur species. They include distinctive three-toed tracks, left by bipedal carnivorous theropods, and more rounded, “tyre-sized” tracks attributed to quadrupedal, long-necked sauropods. Paleontologists, after analyzing the footprints and comparing them with previous fossil records, suggest the prints were likely made by large theropods akin to Megalosaurus and early neosauropods resembling Cetiosaurus.
Extensive Footprint Trails
Some of the dinosaur footprint trails extend for over 12 meters, ranking among the longest known examples discovered on the Isle of Skye. These extensive trails offer valuable perspectives on the movement and behavior of these ancient animals.
Lagoon Environment Preference
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh noted that “The footprints at Prince Charles’s Point offer fascinating insight into the behaviors and environmental distribution of meat-eating theropods and plant-eating, long-necked sauropods during a crucial period in their evolutionary history.”
Their analysis indicates that “On Skye, these dinosaurs demonstrably favored shallow lagoonal environments over exposed mudflats.” This preference provides crucial information about the habitat selection of these Jurassic giants.
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Historical Significance of the Site
The research team also highlighted an intriguing historical aspect of the location, noting, “Intriguingly, the site also possesses historical importance as a location on Skye where Bonnie Prince Charlie sought refuge during his escape across Scotland following the Battle of Culloden.” This adds another layer of significance to the Prince Charles’s Point site.
Isle of Skye: A Paleontological Hotspot
The Isle of Skye is recognized as a globally significant paleontological location, holding over 10% of the world’s Middle Jurassic dinosaur species. This rich fossil record underscores the island’s importance for understanding dinosaur evolution and biodiversity.
Previous Key Discoveries
One of the earliest significant discoveries on Skye was in 1982 with the finding of a 49cm-long footprint in the rock at Rubha nam Brathairean (Brothers Point), near Ellishadder. This print was identified as belonging to a Tridactyl, a three-toed carnivorous theropod estimated to be 168 million years old.
Broader Fossil Record on Skye
Beyond dinosaurs, Skye has yielded substantial fossil evidence of mammals, marine creatures, lizards, and amphibians, illustrating a diverse prehistoric ecosystem. The latest findings concerning the dinosaur footprints have been detailed in the journal PLOS One.