First evidence of ankylosaurian dinosaurs (Ornithischia: Thyreophora) from the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian–Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia

Abstract

LEAHEY, L.G. & SALISBURY, S.W., 2013. First evidence of ankylosaurian dinosaurs (Ornithischia: Thyreophora) from the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian–Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia. Alcheringa 37, 261–269. ISSN 0311-5518.

The first evidence of ankylosaurian thyreophorans from the Winton Formation (late Albian–Cenomanian) of central-western Queensland, Australia, reveals new information about the temporal and palaeobiogeographical range of these dinosaurs within Gondwana. The material, which comprises isolated teeth, is the youngest evidence of ankylosaurs in Australia. Although the Winton teeth exhibit a suite of pleisiomorphic characteristics that are also seen in other Australian and Gondwanan ankylosaur taxa, they are morphologically distinct and very likely represent a new taxon. Their discovery adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that thyreophorans, and in particular ankylosaurians, constitute a diverse and important component of Australia’s mid-Cretaceous dinosaur fauna.

Lucy G. Leahey [[email protected]], Steven W. Salisbury [[email protected]], School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. Received 8.7.2012; revised 13.10.2012; accepted 22.10.2012.

澳大利亚昆士兰中西部Winton组(Albian晚期-Cenomanian)的甲龙类thyreophoran的第一个证据提供了关于这些恐龙在冈瓦纳大陆的时间和古生物地理范围的新资料。材料包括分离的牙齿,是澳大利亚最年轻的甲龙的证据。虽然Winton牙齿显示出一系列祖征(这些特征出现于澳大利亚和冈瓦纳大陆其它甲龙分类群),它们在形态上很独特,很有可能代表一个新分类群。它们的发现使得有更多的不断丰富的证据证明thyreophoran, 特别是甲龙类,是澳大利亚白垩纪中期恐龙动物群的一个多样且重要的组成分子。

Key words:

• Ankylosauria
• Winton Formation
• Queensland
• Australia
• Cretaceous

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by The University of Queensland and Australian Research Council (LP0347332 and LP0776851 to SWS), in association with Land Rover Australia, Winton Shire Council, Isisford Shire Council (now part of Longreach Regional Council), the Queensland Museum and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Many individuals, organizations and institutions supported work at the ‘Elliot digs’ during 2001–2004 that resulted in the discovery of this material. Special thanks need to go to landholders D. and J. Elliott and their family, without whose hospitality and enthusiasm this work would not have occurred. Thanks also go to the many volunteers who helped with excavations, along with Access Ed, Australian Age of Dinosaurs Inc., Blackall Cordial Company, Boral, Dingo Mini Diggers, Diamantina Outback Tours, Final Trim Magazine, J. Hayes (Queensland University of Technology), McGuigan’s Wines, Newton Magazine, Queensland Rail, Tattersall’s Hotel, The Twilight Café and Telstra Countrywide. Additional financial support for the 2001 and 2002 Elliot digs was provided by The Australian Geographic Society, the Queensland Museum and Tourism Queensland. J. Drew (UQ), D. Munro (QM) and P. Calquhoun (QM) processed the sediment that yielded the material described herein. The authors wish to thank K. Spring of the Queensland Museum and librarians at The University of Queensland and the Australian Museum. Additional thanks to S. Mcloughlin, S.C.R. Maidment and H. Rivera for critical comments that greatly improved aspects of the manuscript.