Paleontologists have made a significant discovery in Victoria, Australia, unearthing five new theropod fossils from the Cretaceous period. Among these finds are two carcharodontosaurian specimens, marking the first evidence of this dinosaur group in Australia.
The two carcharodontosaurian fossils were found in the Strzelecki Group (121.4-118 million years old) and the Eumeralla Formation (113-108 million years old). According to Museums Victoria Research Institute Ph.D. student Jake Kotevski, this discovery is “groundbreaking” and sheds light on how Victoria’s predator hierarchy diverged from South America.
The finds not only demonstrate that carcharodontosaurs had achieved large body size but also suggest a unique ecosystem in Australia. The fossils of two megaraptorid specimens were also discovered in the Strzelecki Group, showing that this dinosaur group had achieved significant growth by the time of its first appearance in the fossil record.
The discovery highlights the importance of faunal interchange between Australia and South America through Antarctica during the Early Cretaceous. Senior curator Dr. Thomas Rich noted that the findings challenge previous assumptions about body-size hierarchies in Gondwanan predator ecosystems, showcasing Victoria’s unique Cretaceous fauna.
This research is part of the ongoing Dinosaur Dreaming project, which has led to significant discoveries since its inception. The paper describing this research was published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 19, 2025, offering new insights into Australia’s theropod fossil record.
Source: https://www.sci.news/paleontology/megaraptorid-carcharodontosaur-fossils-australia-13684.html