Toolebuc Formation

Toolebuc Formation
Stratigraphic range: Albian[1]
Type Geological formation
Unit of Rolling Downs Group
Underlies Allaru Formation
Overlies Wallumbilla Formation
Thickness Up to 65 m
Lithology
Primary Limestone
Other Shale
Location
Region  Australia

The Toolebuc Formation is a geological formation that extends from Queensland across South Australia and the Northern Territory in Australia, whose strata date back to the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous. Dinosaurs,[1] pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs, protostegid turtles, sharks, chimaeroids and bony fish remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation. Deposition occurred in a cool to temperate inland sea setting and the present lithology is dominantly made up of limey shales with abundant Inoceramus bivalve shells. Ichthyosaurs and protostegid turtles were the most common marine reptiles at this time in the Eromanga Sea, in contrast to older Aptian deposits such as the Bulldog Shale of South Australia, which show that plesiosaurs were previously more abundant and also more diverse. The Toolebuc Formation is one of the richest known sources of Mesozoic vertebrate fossils in Australia, with notable collecting areas situated around the towns of Richmond, Julia Creek, Hughenden and Boulia.

Tetrapod paleofauna

Possible indeterminate ankylosaurid remains are present in Queensland, Australia.[1] Indeterminate ornithopod remains have also been found in Queensland, Australia.[1]

Dinosaurs (including birds) of the Toolebuc Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images

Minmi[1]

Indeterminate[1]

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.[1]
Minmi
Muttaburrasaurus

Muttaburrasaurus[1]

Indeterminate[1]

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.[1]

Nanantius[1]

N. eos[1]

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.[1]

"Tibiotarsi and vertebra."[2]

Pterosaurs of the Toolebuc Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images

Aussiedraco

A. molnari

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.

Mythunga

M. camara

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.
Plesiosaurs of the Toolebuc Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images

Kronosaurus

K. queenslandicus

Geographically present in Australia.
Kronosaurus preying on Eromangasaurus

Eromangasaurus

E. australis

Geographically present in Australia.

Polycotylidae indet.

Undescribed polycotylid (specimen QM F18041, nicknamed Penny)

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.
Ichthyosaurs of the Toolebuc Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images

Platypterygius

P. australis

Geographically present in Australia.
Platypterygius
Protostegid turtles of the Toolebuc Formation
Genus Species Presence Notes Images

Bouliachelys

B. suteri

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.
Notochelone

Cratochelone

C. berneyi

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.

Notochelone

N. costata

Geographically present in Queensland, Australia.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 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. ISBN 0-520-24209-2.
  2. ↑ "Table 11.1," in Weishampel, et al. (2004). Page 213.

Coordinates: 20°26′03″S 141°56′58″E / 20.43417°S 141.94944°E / -20.43417; 141.94944


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