The reconstruction of the Cretaceous dinosaur fauna in Panxi region based on dinosaur tracks

The Panxi region has rich Cretaceous dinosaur ichnofaunal assemblages. Since the discovery of fossil tracks in 1991, no fewer than 11 track morphotypes have been recognized from at least 8 tracksites. They include 9 different dinosaur track types (attributable to 6 non-avian theropod, 2 avian theropod, and 1 sauropod trackmakers) and tracks of pterosaurs and turtles, which occur within 185 trackways (and isolated footprints) and may reflect trackmakers of the same number. This high ichnofaunal diversity within the Feitianshan Formation exceeds that of the Xiaoba Formation and Leidashu Formation, and provides a comprehensive track database that permits (but is not limited to) a greater understanding of the paleoecology of an area where body fossils are currently unknown.