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Amphibiopodiscus saltator

Osteichthyes

Taxonomy
Amphibiopodiscus saltator was named by Ellenberger (1970). It is considered to be a form taxon. Its type specimen is 71, a footprint, and it is a trace fossil. Its type locality is Moyeni tracksite (zone B/1), which is in a Hettangian/Sinemurian fine channel fill sandstone/sandstone in the Elliot Formation of Lesotho. It is the type species of Amphibiopus, Amphibiopodiscus.

Synonymy list
YearName and author
1970Amphibiopodiscus saltator Ellenberger p. 347
2025Amphibiopodiscus saltator Foster et al. p. 278

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
Bilateria
EubilateriaAx 1987
Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
classOsteichthyes
RankNameAuthor
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
Tetrapoda
classAmphibia
genusAmphibiopodiscusEllenberger 1970
speciessaltator

If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.

Amphibiopodiscus saltator Ellenberger 1970
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Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
J. R. Foster et al. 2025Modified from Ellenberger (1974): Pentadactyl pes impression consisting of digit impressions only, with Digit V preserved in the pes prints of stationary track makers. Track length and width nearly equal; length varies across four main sizes: 15 mm, 20–25 mm, 40–45 mm, and 75 mm. Predominance of Digit III over Digit IV. Slightly curved digits with distal gentle pads and without claw impressions. The digital pads are narrow, very subtle, separated by bends in the horizontal plane. Phalangeal formula is 3-4-5-5(-3?). Total divarication of Digits I–IV is up to 55° (I–V: up to 90°, II–III: 20°, III–IV: 20°). A rounded “heel” impression only appears in larger tracks. Sinusoidal skidding marks differ from the angular skidding in Batrachopodiscus (Upper Triassic of Lesotho), which was made by more a zig-zagging twister rather than a jumper. Prominence of Digit III differs from that of Digit IV in Batrachichnus (Haubold, 1971a).
Tetradactyl manus impression with Digit V print never preserved, similar or slightly smaller than the pes but similar in morphology with slightly more marked sliding/slipping marks than those of the pes. The impressions of the tetradactyl manus, outward curved digits, and the general lack of sole marks (“heel”) set Amphibiopodiscus apart from Ameghinichnus (de Valais, 2009).
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Environment: brackish, freshwater, terrestrialuc
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Dispersal: waterc
Created: 2005-03-06 14:47:58
Modified: 2005-03-06 16:47:58
Source: c = class, subp = subphylum, uc = unranked clade
References: Hendy et al. 2009, Uhen 2004, Kiessling 2004, Carroll 1988

Age range: base of the Hettangian to the top of the Sinemurian or 201.40000 to 192.90000 Ma

Collections: one only


Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Hettangian - Sinemurian201.4 - 192.9Lesotho (Quthing) Amphibiopodiscus saltator (type locality: 56026)