Dynamics of the Terrestrial Mammals of Ipolytarnoc (Northern Hungary)

摘要

Much has been discovered about the movement speed of extant animals through the use of a variety of instruments, but much less is known about the speeds of extinct animals. The anatomy and mobility of prehistoric animals can be deduced from their bone remains and ichnofossils. By the use of biomechanics, their movement speeds also can be determined. Many ichnofossils have been found at Ipolytarnoc (the Miocene footprint locality at Ipolytarnoc, Hungary.) Ichnofossils of the most studied mammals from this site have been used in this study: the herbivores Rhinoceripeda tasnadyi, Megapecoripeda miocaenica, and Pecoripeda hamori, and the carnivore Mustelipeda punctata. The movement speed of each species was calculated from its foot and stride lengths. At Ipolytarnoc, Rhinoceripeda tasnadyi was able to move with a speed of 4.29 m/s, while Megapecoripeda miocaenica could reach a speed of 3.01 m/s. In the case of Pecoripeda hamori, its speed was 4.53 m/s, while in the case of Mustelipeda punctata it was 2.05 m/s. Conclusions about the paleoenvironment and the movement speeds of the prehistoric animals are based on our results. At times, the ancient mammals of Ipolytarnoc wallowed in puddles and muddy pools.