Coordinates: 38°42′S 145°42′E / 38.7°S 145.7°E / -38.7; 145.7

Wonthaggi Formation

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Wonthaggi Formation
Stratigraphic range: Valanginian–Barremian
File:Flat rocks.jpeg
Flat rocks locality
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofStrzelecki Group
UnderliesUnconformity with Wombat Volcanics & Kersop Arkose
OverliesPaleozoic basement
ThicknessUp to 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Lithology
PrimaryVolcaniclastic sandstone, siltstone
OtherConglomerate, coal
Location
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Approximate paleocoordinatesLua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found.
RegionVictoria
CountryAustralia
ExtentGippsland Basin

The Wonthaggi Formation is an informal geological formation in Victoria, Australia whose strata date back to the Early Cretaceous. It is part of the Strzelecki Group within the Gippsland Basin. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation.[1][2] It is partially equivalent to the Eumeralla Formation.

Geology

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File:Eumeralla and Wonthaggi locations.jpeg
Exposure of Wonthaggi Formation green in bottom-right

The Wonthaggi Formation was deposited within Gippsland Basin, which formed part of a extensional rift valley system between Australia and Antarctica. The lithology primarily consists of fluvially deposited siliciclastics derived from volcanic rocks of the Whitsunday Silicic Large Igneous Province to the East, with suggestions that the sediments either originated from braided river and sheet flood deposits, or meandering river systems on vegetated floodplains.[3] The age of the formation is thought to be Valanginian to Barremian, with the Flat Rocks site being late Barremian (~125 Ma) in age, older than the sediments from the Eumeralla Formation, which are thought to be Aptian-Albian in age.[3]

Permafrost

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Paleosol facies in the Wonthaggi have recorded periglacial cryoturbation structures. Unusual soft sediment deformation has been observed at the Flat Rocks and Kilcunda localities, representing cryogenic hummocks. At Kilcunda, clastic dykes representing thermal contraction cracks have been identified. In the coal seams of the Wonthaggi, stone rolls are interpreted as products of a distinct form of periglacial deformation in aapa mires. Periods of warmer, temperate climate conditions are recorded as Ultisols in the Valanginian interval of the sedimentary unit.[4]

Vertebrate paleofauna

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Indeterminate ornithopod remains are present in Victoria, Australia.[3] Indeterminate megaraptorid remains are present in Victoria, Australia.[5]

Amphibians

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Amphibians of the Wonthaggi Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images
Koolasuchus K. cleelandi Tree Trunk Point, Dwyers Hill, San Remo Chigutisaurid temnospondyl, last known temnospondyl
File:Koolasuchus.png

Dinosaurs

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Ornithischians

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Ornithischians of the Wonthaggi Formation
Genus Species Locality Material Notes Images
Ankylosauria indet.[6] Indeterminate Flat Rocks Teeth, dorsal vertebra, ribs, osteoderms
File:Atlascopcosaurus loadsi.JPG
Atlascopcosaurus
File:Qantassaurus skel aus.jpg
Qantassaurus

cf. Atlascopcosaurus[3]

cf. A. loadsi[3]

Flat Rocks

known as "Victorian ornithopod maxillary morphotype 4", consists of a partial right maxilla Intermediate in morphology between Galleonosaurus and Atlascopcosaurus

Galleonosaurus[3]

G. dorisae[3]

Flat Rocks

Known from a maxilla

Qantassaurus[1]

Q. intrepidus[1]

Flat Rocks

"[Three] dentaries and teeth."[7]

Q. ?intrepidus[3] Flat Rocks Known as "Victorian ornithopodan dentary morphotype 2", represented by two dentary fragments, Possibly distinct from Q. intrepidus

Serendipaceratops[1]

S. arthurclarkei[1]

The Arch, Kilcunda

Single damaged ulna
Ornithopoda indet.[3] Indeterminate Flat Rocks Dentaries referred to as "Victorian ornithopodan dentary morphotype 3" including P228408, NMV P231182, NMV P199135 and isolated teeth Different from Q. intrepidus.
Ornithopoda indet.[3] Indeterminate Cape Paterson single femur Known as "Victorian Hypsilophodontid Femur Type 2". Larger than contemporaneous ornithopods.

Theropods

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Theropods of the Wonthaggi Formation
Genus Species Locality Material Notes Images

Aves[8]

Indeterminate

Possibly also present at the Eumeralla Formation (footprints).

Single furcula.

Megaraptora indet. Indeterminate Flat Rocks Numerous isolated teeth, and a left astragalus[9] Originally referred to "Allosaurus" robustus
Megaraptoridae indet.[10] Indeterminate Shack Bay a complete frontal, attached to a partial parietal
Noasauridae[11] Indeterminate San Remo Member NMV P221202, astragalocalcaneum A non-elaphrosaurine noasaurid.

Mammals

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Mammals of the Wonthaggi Formation
Genus Species Presence Material Notes Images
Ausktribosphenos A. nyktos Flat rocks Partial dentary with teeth Ausktribosphenid
Bishops B. whitmorei Partial dentary with teeth Ausktribosphenid
Corriebaatar C. marywaltersae "NMV P216655, a fragment of a left dentary bearing a complete plagiaulacoid p4 and the anterior root of m1" Multituberculate
File:Corriebaatar.png
Kryoparvus K. gerriti Partial dentary with teeth ?Ausktribosphenid
Teinolophos T. trusleri Partial dentary with teeth Monotreme

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e 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)..
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  7. ^ "Table 18.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 395.
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