Coordinates: 38°48′S 143°18′E / 38.8°S 143.3°E / -38.8; 143.3

Eumeralla Formation

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Eumeralla Formation
Stratigraphic range: Aptian–Albian
File:ETRW vertebrate deposit.jpg
Eric the Red West fossil locality, with AS and ES representing Anchor Sandstone and ETRW Sandstone, respectively
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofOtway Group
Sub-unitsWindermere Sandstone Member, Heathfield Sandstone Member
UnderliesSherbrook Group
OverliesKatnook Sandstone, Laira Formation (Crayfish Subgroup)
ThicknessUp to 3,000 m (9,800 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryVolcanilithic sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, conglomerate
Location
CoordinatesLua error in Module:Coordinates at line 489: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Approximate paleocoordinatesLua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
RegionVictoria
CountryAustralia
ExtentOtway Basin
Type section
Named forEumeralla River
Named byReynolds, M.A
Year defined1971

The Eumeralla Formation is a geological formation in Victoria, Australia whose strata date back to the Early Cretaceous. It is Aptian to Albian in age. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, particularly from the Dinosaur Cove locality.[1]

Geology

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File:Eumeralla and Wonthaggi locations.jpeg
Exposure of the Eumeralla Formation in green at the bottom-left

The Eumeralla Formation was deposited within the Otway Basin, which at the time of deposition was part of an extensional rift valley system formed between Australia and Antarctica. The lithology primarily consists of fluvially deposited siliciclastics derived from volcanic material. The strata of the Eumeralla Formation are folded as a result of northwest–southeast crustal compression during the Neogene, which also reactivated some Cretaceous aged normal faults.[2] It is one of three major fossiliferous deposits in Victoria dating to the Early Cretaceous, including the older Wonthaggi Formation and the Koonwarra fossil bed (which some authors have considered part of the Eumeralla Formation).[3]

Paleoclimate

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Paleosol facies in the Eumeralla Formation record climate fluctuations between warm and cool intervals. Warm, temperate periods are represented by Ultisols while cooler intervals at the Cape Paton locality record associated thin, gleyed Inceptisols and Entisols, which are characteristic of modern boreal forests.[4]

Paleobiota

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Invertebrate traces named as Skolithos sp. and Arenicolites sp.,[5] as well as indeterminate ornithischian tracks are present in Victoria, Australia.[1] Indeterminate ornithopod remains are present at Eric the Red West locality and Elliot River, including material that possibly belongs to a new taxon.[6] Indeterminate theropod and possible indeterminate dromaeosaurid remains are present in Victoria, Australia.[1] An indeterminate unenlagiine is known from the formation.[7]

Dinosaurs

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Ornithischians

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Ornithischians of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ankylosauria[8] Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove Dorsal vertebra

Atlascopcosaurus[1]

A. loadsi[1]

  • Dinosaur Cove
  • Eric the Red West locality[6]

"Maxilla [and] teeth."[9]

Elasmarian ornithopod
File:Atlascopcosaurus loadsi.JPG

Diluvicursor[2]

D. pickeringi[2] Eric the Red West locality Partial postcranial skeleton.[2] Elasmarian ornithopod
File:Diluvicursor life restoration.png
cf.Galleonosaurus G. dorisae[6] Eric the Red West locality Maxillae Elasmarian ornithopod
Leaellynasaura[1] L. amicagraphica[1]
  • Dinosaur Cove
  • Eric the Red West locality[6]
 Skull fragments, teeth, maxillae. Postcranial remains associated with the taxon cannot be confidently referred to it Elasmarian ornithopod
File:Leaellynasaura BW.jpg

Theropods

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Dinosaurs of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
cf. Australovenator[10] cf. A. wintonensis Eric the Red West locality "two teeth, two manual unguals, and a right astragalus" Megaraptoran theropod
File:Australovenator reconstruction.jpg

Aves[11]

Indeterminate Footprints belonging to a crane-sized bird, determined to be an ornithurine or enantiornithe. Possibly from a species also found at the Wonthaggi Formation (single furcula).
Carcharodontosauria[12] Indeterminate "Isolated, distal end of a right tibia" First probable record of carcharodontosaurian theropod in Australia
Elaphrosaurinae[13] Indeterminate Eric the Red West locality Single cervical vertebra

Megaraptora[14][15]

Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove

Known from a left ulna.

Probably a megaraptorid. Previously referred to Megaraptor.[16]
Megaraptoridae[10]

Indeterminate

Eric the Red West locality Known from a single cervical vertebra. Previously thought to be a Baryonyx-related spinosaurid.[7]
File:Australian Spinosaurid.png
Timimus[1] T. hermani[1] Dinosaur Cove Femur Possible tyrannosauroid theropod
Unenlagiinae[7] Indeterminate Proximal portion of right femur Probable record of unenlagiine theropod in Australia

Fish

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Fish of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ceratodus C. nargun A lungfish
File:Ceratodus.jpg
Ceratodus

Mammals

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Mammals of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Kryoryctes K. cadburyi Dinosaur Cove A monotreme
Sundrius S. ziegleri A monotreme

Reptiles

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Reptiles of the Eumeralla Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Otwayemys O. cunicularius Dinosaur Cove A meiolaniform turtle
Pterosauria Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove
Plesiosauria Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove
Mesoeucrocodylia[17] Indeterminate Dinosaur Cove Distinct from other known Australian crocodilians

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Early Cretaceous, Australasia)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 573-574. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
  2. ^ a b c d Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  5. ^ Milanesia Beach tracksite at Fossilworks.org
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  9. ^ "Table 18.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 394.
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