Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite
Abstract Ichnofossils are important in paleoecological studies, interpreted as fossilized behaviors. Vertebrate footprints, a type of ichnofossils, can reveal the movements of trackmakers. By examining fossil footprints in groups and comparing them to modern counterparts, we can gain insights into o...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11727-y |
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| author | Nasrollah Abbassi |
| author_facet | Nasrollah Abbassi |
| author_sort | Nasrollah Abbassi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Ichnofossils are important in paleoecological studies, interpreted as fossilized behaviors. Vertebrate footprints, a type of ichnofossils, can reveal the movements of trackmakers. By examining fossil footprints in groups and comparing them to modern counterparts, we can gain insights into other animal behaviors, such as social interactions. Here, a Miocene bird mating site is introduced, that is the first report of fossil of bird mating dance behavior. This trace fossil was found in the Miocene Upper Red Formation in northwest Iran. The slab contains seven inferred behaviors left behind during male mating dances, including walking, high stepping, stomping in place, short-distance flying, hopping, pecking, and lateral leaping. Statistical analysis reveals that walking and high stepping are the most abundant, with most often lateral leaping transitioning to high stepping. Stomping in place and hopping typically occur during walking, while short-distance flying is associated with high stepping. Comparing the footprints by size and body mass (estimated hip height ~ 60 mm, weight ~ 320 gr) and interpreting behaviors with modern ones suggests that members of Charadriidae, likely plovers, were the trackmakers. Based on this fossil behavior, a new ethological class of trace fossils, Goshnichnia is introduced for all trace fossils showing mating behavior. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bd46b222ea724f8491eb7fd9be92cec4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-bd46b222ea724f8491eb7fd9be92cec42025-08-24T11:18:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-11727-yReconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksiteNasrollah Abbassi0Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of ZanjanAbstract Ichnofossils are important in paleoecological studies, interpreted as fossilized behaviors. Vertebrate footprints, a type of ichnofossils, can reveal the movements of trackmakers. By examining fossil footprints in groups and comparing them to modern counterparts, we can gain insights into other animal behaviors, such as social interactions. Here, a Miocene bird mating site is introduced, that is the first report of fossil of bird mating dance behavior. This trace fossil was found in the Miocene Upper Red Formation in northwest Iran. The slab contains seven inferred behaviors left behind during male mating dances, including walking, high stepping, stomping in place, short-distance flying, hopping, pecking, and lateral leaping. Statistical analysis reveals that walking and high stepping are the most abundant, with most often lateral leaping transitioning to high stepping. Stomping in place and hopping typically occur during walking, while short-distance flying is associated with high stepping. Comparing the footprints by size and body mass (estimated hip height ~ 60 mm, weight ~ 320 gr) and interpreting behaviors with modern ones suggests that members of Charadriidae, likely plovers, were the trackmakers. Based on this fossil behavior, a new ethological class of trace fossils, Goshnichnia is introduced for all trace fossils showing mating behavior.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11727-yMating danceMating sitePaleoecologyMioceneIran |
| spellingShingle | Nasrollah Abbassi Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite Scientific Reports Mating dance Mating site Paleoecology Miocene Iran |
| title | Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| title_full | Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| title_fullStr | Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| title_short | Reconstructing Miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| title_sort | reconstructing miocene bird mating behavior from a fossil tracksite |
| topic | Mating dance Mating site Paleoecology Miocene Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11727-y |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nasrollahabbassi reconstructingmiocenebirdmatingbehaviorfromafossiltracksite |