Evidence of ornithischian activity from the Lower Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian) Precipice Sandstone, Callide Basin, Queensland, Australia — preliminary findings

ABSTRACT

The Callide Basin Lower Jurassic units had been noted two decades ago as having preserved dinosaur ichnites, however, none had been shown or described at that time. The current study is the first to describe a dinosaur track from this region, a fossil collected over a decade ago from an overburden dump from the Callide Mine (Dunn Creek mine area). The track morphologically resembles those of a large Anomoepus-like ‘Anomoepid’ and confirms previously unsubstantiated reports of ornithischian tracks at the location. The tracksite represents the third Early Jurassic dinosaur fossil site in Australia. All of these are tracksites restricted to Central Queensland with the Biloela track the only known Australian Jurassic dinosaur print preserved as a concave epirelief (impression). The find contrasts with earlier statements that the open-pit mining practices make the discovery of dinosaur tracks unlikely. Instead, the extraction of overburden rock has the potential of re-discovering additional fossil track-bearing strata. It is hoped that there will be further discoveries made within the region.

KEYWORDS:

• Dinosaur
• footprints
• Precipice Sandstone
• Lower Jurassic (Sinemurian–Hettangian)
• Callide Basin
• Australia

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Jens Lallensack and Martin Lockley for constructive comments and helpful reviews. I also thank Al Heit for his communications, photographs and invaluable insights into the dinosaur tracks of Biloela.

Disclosure statement

The author declares no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The author received no specific funding for this work.