FEEDING TRACES AND PALEOBIOLOGY OF A CRETACEOUS (CENOMANIAN) CROCODYLIFORM: EXAMPLE FROM THE WOODBINE FORMATION OF TEXAS

Direct evidence of behavior in extinct tetrapods is rare. However, these traces can inform a variety of research questions touching on paleoecology, taphonomy, and functional morphology. Here we present fossil specimens from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Woodbine Formation that exhibit tooth marks consistent with predation by a new taxon of large crocodyliform currently under study. Collected from the recently discovered Arlington Archosaur Site, the marked bones were largely found in a single peat horizon and in close association with the new crocodyliform. The feeding traces themselves consist of pits, scores, and punctures that occur on multiple turtle shell fragments and two dinosaur limb bones. The pattern of marks and the breakage on turtle carapaces and plastra suggest that they were crushed, whereas the marks on dinosaur bones indicate possible dismemberment. These interpretations and the association with a crocodyliform trace maker are based on observations of feeding behaviors and accompanying, diagnostic bite mark patterns made by extant crocodylians. The morphology of the new crocodyliform taxon and the distribution of bite marks indicates it was likely a generalist: an opportunistic predator that fed on a variety of prey, including turtles and dinosaurs. Given this evidence and the paleoenvironmental setting, the ecology of the large crocodyliform from the Woodbine Formation was likely most similar to that of fossil and living crocodylians inhabiting delta-plain environments. Not only were these crocodyliforms likely significant predators in the Woodbine paleoecosystem, they also played an important taphonomic role in the assembly of vertebrate remains from the surrounding community.