ABSTRACT
A trackway, probably made by a large terrestrial turtle, is reported from Hidden Valley Quarry, Judith River Formation, Golden Valley County, south-central Montana. These fossil tracks are compared to modern tracks of Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus) in captivity on substrates with variable moisture content. The fossil tracks were made on fine-grained substrate saturated with water. Further, in conjunction with traces of burrows likely produced by worm-like organisms, these turtle tracks suggest a feeding behavior analogous to modern wood turtles (Clemmys insculpta). After detecting the underground movements of worms, wood turtles have been shown to alter their movements in such a manner that has been referred to as a stomp. A similar behavior may have occurred in the Cretaceous turtle track maker.
Anthony R. Fiorillo. Dallas Museum of Natural History, P.O. Box 150349, Dallas, Texas, 75315, USA.
KEY WORDS: Fossil turtle; Galapagos tortoise; Cretaceous, Upper; Judith River Formation; Montana
PE
Article Number: 8.1.9A
Copyright: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. May 2005
Submission: 26 May 2004. Acceptance: 7 March 2005
