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 [l.leahey@uq.edu.au], Steven W. Salisbury [s.salisbury@uq.edu.au], School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia. Received 8.7.2012; revised 13.10.2012; accepted 22.10.2012.