The Biodiversity of the Dinosaur Provincial Park Ecosystem and its Vicinity in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Western Canada Through Space, Time, and Energy Flow

A groundbreaking analysis of the Dinosaur Provincial Park ecosystem reveals that tyrannosaurid dinosaures, once thought to resemble large mammalian predators, actually exhibited ontogenetic shifts in trophic levels akin to modern Komodo dragons. This study leverages high-resolution fossil records and 3D digital models of outcrops to refine stratigraphic boundaries, proposing a division of the Dinosaur Park Formation into three sedimentary units for more precise temporal analysis. Additionally, it extends the known paleogeographic range of two dinosaur species, providing insights into coastal paleoenvironments during a period of higher sea levels. By integrating spatial, temporal, and trophic dimensions, this research establishes the park as a model system for studying deep-time biodiversity at local and regional scales.

Demers-Potvin, Alexandre. (2025). The Biodiversity of the Dinosaur Provincial Park Ecosystem and its Vicinity in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Western Canada Through Space, Time, and Energy Flow [McGill University]. https://doi.org/10.82308/1551