Youngest Cretaceous dinosaur tracksite from the Middle East (Maastrichtian, Farrokhi Formation, Central Iran)

Abstract A late early Maastrichtian dinosaur trampling site is reported from the Farrokhi Formation of Khur area, Central Iran. The largely indeterminate footprints, some which may represent undertracks, can be classified as natural moulds (i.e. concave epireliefs) bordered by a raised rim displaced sediment. They reach diameters up to 0.5 m and were impressed under very shallow subaerial conditions in an inter- supratidal environment. Two generations traces have been imprinted, initially into soft, fine-grained carbonate sand afterwards superficially hardened substrate that was still plastic underneath; change consistency supported conspicuous cracking pattern around footprints. As result, hardly any details foot morphology trackmakers are recorded. Nevertheless, occurrence improves our knowledge about dinoturbation its preservation different kinds substrates. Furthermore, it youngest record (ca. 70 Ma) locomotion Iran and, all probability, entire Middle East.