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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 (690 ft) 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
Dinosaur Beds is located in Malawi
Dinosaur Beds
Dinosaur Beds (Malawi)

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 crocodylomorphs 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 consisting of deep red stained sandstones, and an upper fossiliferous member consisting 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.[3]

Fossil content

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Color key
Taxon Reclassified taxon Taxon falsely reported as present Dubious taxon or junior synonym Ichnotaxon Ootaxon Morphotaxon
Notes
Uncertain or tentative taxa are in small text; crossed out taxa are discredited.

Dinosaurs

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Sauropoda

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Sauropods of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Karongasaurus[4] K. gittelmani A titanosaurian sauropod.
Malawisaurus[5] M. dixeyi A lithostrotian titanosaur.

Theropoda

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theropods of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Theropoda Indet. Indeterminate

Crocodyliformes

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Crocodyliformes of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Malawisuchus M. mwakasyungutiensis A candidodontid notosuchian.

Turtles

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Turtles of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Platycheloides P. nyasae A pelomedusid turtle.

Amphibians

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Amphibians of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Anura Indet. Indetrminate

Crutaceans

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Crustaceans of the Dinosaur Beds
Genus Species Location Stratigraphic position Material Notes Images
Hourcqia H. sp. A non-marine Ostracod.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Widlansky, Sarah J.; Clyde, William C.; O'Connor, Patrick M.; Roberts, Eric M.; Stevens, Nancy J. (March 2018). "Paleomagnetism of the Cretaceous Galula Formation and implications for vertebrate evolution". Journal of African Earth Sciences. 139: 403–420. Bibcode:2018JAfES.139..403W. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.11.029. ISSN 1464-343X.
  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. ^ WINKLER, DALE A.; GOMANI, ELIZABETH M.; JACOBS, LOUIS L. (2000). "COMPARATIVE TAPHONOMY OF AN EARLY CRETACEOUS SAUROPOD QUARRY, MALAWI, AFRICA". Paleont. Soc. Korea Special Publication. 4: 99–114.
  4. ^ Gomani, E.M. 2005. Sauropod dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous of Malawi, Africa: Palaeontologia Electronica 8 (issue 1 - n. 27a): 37 pages.
  5. ^ Jacobs L. D. Winkler, Gomani E. (1993). "New material of an Early Cretaceous titanosaurid dinosaur from Malawi". Palaeontology. 36 (3): 523–534.