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The history of Chirotherium
Author(s) -
Swinton W. E.
Publication year - 1961
Publication title -
geological journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.721
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1099-1034
pISSN - 0072-1050
DOI - 10.1002/gj.3350020309
Subject(s) - mammal , genus , geography , zoology , archaeology , history , biology
Abstract Cheirotherium was the name given to a hand‐like imprint believed in 1835 to be a mammal. Similar footprints have long been found in Cheshire and much work was done by J. Lomas and H. C. Beasley upon them. The genus is now known to occur in America as well as in Europe and 34 species have been described. The history of discovery, the validity of species, and the classification are discussed here. The animal that made the prints is identified as a pseudosuchian reptile.