Early Middle Triassic “Swim tracks” in the Black Forest region (SW Germany) are preservational variants of chirotheriid footprints

Buntsandstein makes up a large proportion of the surface rock of the Black Forest, in the Southwest (SW) of Germany. Almost everywhere where the uppermost section of the Buntsandstein outcrops, tetrapod tracks called “swim tracks” can be found. Although known for a long time, these tracks have until now received marginal scientific attention in Germany. They are no different from uniform tracks found in the SW of the USA. Here as there, they were sedimented in flood plains largely at the same time and comparable climate conditions. The paleohabitat of the location of the tracks shown in this article could be reconstructed. It can be shown that they are most likely preservation variants of chirotheriid tracks. However, it must be doubted that they are actually “swim tracks”. The arguments for this notion are presented in this paper. - Trace fossils make important contributions to the elucidation of the way of life of their creators. Here they demonstrate a strong presence of archosaurs in the floodplains in the Aegean period.