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Dinosaur Beds

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Dinosaur Beds
Stratigraphic range: Barremian–Aptian
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofLupata Group
Sub-unitsLower Member, Upper Member
UnderliesUnconformity with Pliocene Chiwondo Beds
OverliesPrecambrian Metamorphic Basement
ThicknessUpper member is 210 m thick in vicinity of CD-9 locality
Lithology
PrimarySandstone, Siltstone, Mudstone
Location
Coordinates10°17′S 34°02′E / 10.28°S 34.04°E / -10.28; 34.04
RegionNorthern Region
Country Malawi
ExtentKaronga District

The Dinosaur Beds is a geological formation in Malawi whose strata date back to the Early Cretaceous. The age of the deposit is poorly constrained, but is likely to date from the Barremian to Aptian.[1] Dinosaurs, turtles and crocodyliomorphs remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[2] It is correlated with the Galula Formation in Tanzania. It consists of two members, a lower unfossiliferous member comprised of deep red stained sandstones, and a upper fossiliferous member comprised of white sands and grey to red mudstones and siltstones. The upper member is 210 m thick in the vicinity of the CD-9 locality.

Vertebrate paleofauna

  • Karongasaurus gittelmani - A lower mandible and a few teeth
  • Malawisaurus dixeyi - "Skull elements, teeth, vertebrae, limb elements osteoderms, of several individuals."[3]
  • Malawisuchus mwakasyungutiensis - A skeleton (almost complete articulated skeleton and skull)
  • Platycheloides nyasae - A partial shell
  • Theropoda indet.

See also

References

  1. ^ Widlansky, Sarah J.; Clyde, William C.; O'Connor, Patrick M.; Roberts, Eric M.; Stevens, Nancy J. (2018-03). "Paleomagnetism of the Cretaceous Galula Formation and implications for vertebrate evolution". Journal of African Earth Sciences. 139: 403–420. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.029. ISSN 1464-343X. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Early Cretaceous, Africa)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 571-573. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  3. ^ "Table 13.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 269.