A joint dinosaur survey conducted by Okayama University of Science (OUS) and the Institute of Paleontology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, has uncovered one of the largest hadrosaurid footprints ever found, measuring 92 cm in width.
The largest footprint is believed to have belonged to a giant Saurolophus, estimated to exceed 15 meters in total body length, surpassing even the Tyrannosaurus and Tarbosaurus in size. This discovery suggests that one of the largest bipedal animals ever known lived in Mongolia, raising hopes for the discovery of equally massive skeletal remains.
Additionally, a very long trackway consisting of 13 fossilized footprints, each measuring 85 cm in width and spanning 24 meters, along with numerous other fossilized footprints, was discovered.
From June 1 to 15, 2024, a team led by Dr. Shinobu Ishigaki, Director of the OUS Museum of Dinosaur Research, conducted a follow-up investigation in the western Gobi Desert. This site, initially identified during a joint survey in 2018, is recognized as a significant locality for large hadrosaurid footprint fossils.
As a result, the team discovered new trackways, including three of the largest hadrosaurid footprints ever found and a continuous sequence of 13 fossilized footprints spanning 24 meters.
On August 2, 2024 Dr. Ishigaki held a press conference at OUS to announce the findings. He expressed high expectations regarding the implications of these discoveries, stating, “The identification of 14 trackways, including one found before 2018, enables the analysis of posture, walking style, speed, and group behavior —details that cannot be inferred from skeletal fossils.”
Credit: Okayama University of Science
Credit: Okayama University of Science
Credit: Okayama University of Science- Credit: Okayama University of Science
- Credit: Okayama University of Science
Until now, the largest known hadrosaurid skeleton belonged to Shantungosaurus, discovered in Shandong Province, China. However, the latest discoveries in Mongolia suggest the potential for uncovering similarly massive skeletal remains in the region.
Dr. Ishigaki remarked, “Our next goal is to uncover the full skeleton of the large Saurolophus responsible for these footprints.”
Provided by Okayama University of Science