Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Trace Fossils in Bones and Teeth: Greater than the Sum of Dinosaur Parts
Hopefullybynowitshouldbeabsolutelyclearthattakingaganderatdinosaurbody
fossilsfortheirtracefossilswasagoodkindofichnologicalcheating.Forpaleonto-
logists, these skin impressions, bones, and teeth with their trace fossils are two-for-
one specials that not only are the bodily remains of dinosaurs but also give us valu-
ableinsightsondinosaurbehavior.Again,justlookingatthesebodyfossilswithout
noting their trace fossils is not enough. When viewed through an ichnological lens,
thesepartsunfoldintomuchmorethanjustapieceofadinosaur,includingcomplex
relationships between their former owners with other dinosaurs and many other fa-
cets of their Mesozoic ecosystems.
