Publications
Geochemical fingerprints of dated bentonites to constrain correlations in Cretaceous fluvial strata, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
Researchers have identified unique geochemical fingerprints and physical traits in bentonites from the Campanian-aged Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. These fingerprints enable precise correlation of fluvial strata without the need for radiometric dating, addressing longstanding challenges in stratigraphic correlation, sedimentation rate determination, and quantification of stratigraphic completeness. The study demonstrates that bentonites can be correlated over significant distances, such as the Plateau Tuff bentonite, which was traced across 12 km within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, three previously unrecognized bentonites were identified, promising to enhance geochronological resolution in the region. This breakthrough offers a robust framework for resolving stratigraphic issues in fluvial systems and provides a model applicable to other similar environments.
New information on the holotype of “ Chasmosaurus ” russelli (Ornithischia: Ceratopsidae) necessitates the establishment of a new genus to receive the species
A re-evaluation of the holotype of Chasmosaurus russelli from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, reveals it cannot be classified within the genus Chasmosaurus or any other known chasmosaurine taxon due to its unique premaxilla and frill epiossifications. Phylogenetic analysis suggests ambiguous relationships, with the specimen potentially representing a migrant from the southern Pentaceratops clade or an independent lineage exhibiting convergent evolution of Pentaceratops-like traits. Consequently, the authors establish a new genus, Cryptarcus, to accommodate this species, refuting recent hypotheses of an evolutionary trend from Cryptarcus russelli through Pentaceratops to Terminocavus.
A ceratopsid-dominated tracksite from the Dinosaur Park Formation (Campanian) at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
Researchers have uncovered the first multitaxic dinosaur footprint assemblage from the Dinosaur Park Formation at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. This rare find includes tracks from multiple ceratopsids, two tyrannosaurids, a possible ankylosaurian, and a small theropod-like taxon, with ceratopsid tracks dominating the site. The discovery suggests gregarious behavior among ceratopsids due to their regular spacing and parallel arrangement. Additionally, the tracks are the first natural moulds (concave epirelief) found in the park, providing new insights into ichnological studies. The identification of a possible ankylosaurian track is notable for its distinct pedal digits, differentiating it from other known ankylosaurian tracks. This study has already led to subsequent trackway discoveries and holds potential to transform our understanding of dinosaur behavior in badlands environments.
A lithofacies-coupled palynofacies model for meandering river floodplains in the Late Cretaceous: Insights from the Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada
A new lithofacies-coupled palynofacies model reveals that organic matter dynamics in ancient floodplains are strongly influenced by channel proximity and topography, providing a robust proxy for reconstructing fluvial paleoenvironments. The study analyzed the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta, Canada, identifying six recurring lithofacies and two facies associations that distinguish between channel-belt, levee, proximal floodplain, backswamp, and distal floodplain deposits. While kerogen assemblages were heterogeneous across sub-environments, total organic carbon content effectively discriminated between them, with higher values in backswamps and distal floodplains. This model demonstrates the applicability of palynofacies analysis for understanding fluvial dynamics over geological timescales.
An Organic Food Web Exists within the Bioapatite Inorganic Bone Surfaces of Cretaceous Dinosaurs Edmontosaurus, Triceratops and Nanotyrannus
A vibrant organic food web exists within the bioapatite inorganic bone surfaces of Cretaceous dinosaurs, including Edmontosaurus, Triceratops, and Nanotyrannus. This discovery challenges the traditional view that dinosaur bones are permineralized, revealing instead the presence of soft tissues, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. The study found that these microbial communities metabolize endogenous organics within the bone, attracting fungivorous and bacterivorous nematodes. Additionally, evidence of insect activity, such as beetle cadavers and molts, was uncovered, suggesting a complex network of feeding relationships. The research used decalcification techniques to expose these soft tissues and microorganisms, providing substantial evidence for an active food web within dinosaur bones.
First occurrence of Daspletosaurus horneri (Tyrannosauridae, Tyrannosaurinae) in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta (Treaty 7 Territory)
A significant discovery of Daspletosaurus horneri in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, marks the first occurrence of this tyrannosaurine species outside its original range in Montana. Re-examination of specimen CMN 350, initially classified as D. torosus, revealed cranial features aligning with D. horneri, including a distinct lacrimal horn morphology and dentary bowing. This finding extends the known latitudinal range of the species by approximately 350 km and provides new insights into its intraspecific variability. The discovery also supports evidence of faunal turnover within the Dinosaur Park Formation, located 49 meters above the Oldman Formation contact.
Lichens of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
A comprehensive lichen survey in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, has uncovered 145 species, with 89 being newly reported for the park, 22 for Alberta, five for Canada, and one for North America. This study significantly expands our knowledge of lichen biodiversity in prairie badlands, a challenging terrain characterized by erosion and limited soil. Lichens, crucial components of extreme environments, play vital ecological roles but remain understudied in Alberta's prairies. The survey provides essential baseline data for conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of floristic studies in understanding and protecting biodiversity amid climate change.
New family of fossil dragonfly (Odonata, Cavilabiata) from the late Cretaceous (Campanian) Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada
Paleontologists have uncovered a new species of fossil dragonfly, Cordualadensa acorni, belonging to the newly described family Cordualadensidae. This discovery from Dinosaur Provincial Park (DPP) in Alberta, Canada, marks the oldest known North American fossil taxon within the group Cavilabiata and the only Mesozoic dragonfly ever recorded in Canada. The specimen provides critical evidence for the evolutionary transition of dragonflies from early Cretaceous ancestors to modern families, filling a significant gap in the fossil record. Additionally, its preservation in the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) suggests that insect diversity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is far greater than previously recognized, supporting the hypothesis that Campanian Alberta's ecosystems were rich enough to sustain high trophic levels, including insect predators.
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.
Computed tomographic investigation of a hatchling skull reveals ontogenetic changes in the dentition and occlusal surface morphology of Hadrosauridae (Dinosauria: Ornithischia)
A rare hatchling skull of a duck-billed dinosaur from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, reveals significant ontogenetic changes in dentition and occlusal surface morphology within Hadrosauridae. The study, using computed tomography, identified tooth traits traditionally associated with lambeosaurines in a juvenile hadrosaurine, suggesting these features were modified during growth. This challenges their taxonomic utility for identifying juvenile specimens. Additionally, the dentary teeth of this hatchling exhibit an occlusal surface morphology similar to adult hadrosaurids, indicating interspecific differences in dental battery development possibly linked to dietary variations during early ontogeny.
Geochemical Fingerprinting of Bentonites Resolves Stratigraphic Uncertainties: Implications for Dinosaur Faunal Turnover, Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada
Geochemical fingerprinting of bentonites has resolved long-standing stratigraphic uncertainties within the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) at Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich dinosaur fossil record. The study reveals that previously indistinguishable bentonite beds exhibit distinct geochemical and physical differences, enabling cost-effective and straightforward identification parameters. This breakthrough establishes a robust stratigraphic framework crucial for refining biostratigraphic correlations and understanding faunal turnover events in the DPF. The research utilized whole rock geochemistry on unprocessed samples alongside microprobe analysis of phenocrysts such as biotite, feldspars, volcanic glass, and zircons, combined with phenocryst ratio counts to characterize the bentonites effectively.
Immature Daspletosaurus sp. specimens from the Dinosaur Park Formation provide insight into ontogenetically invariant tyrannosaurid cranial morphology
Researchers have identified key cranial features that remain consistent throughout the growth of Daspletosaurus, a tyrannosaurid dinosaur from Dinosaur Provincial Park. These ontogenetically invariant characters, found in premaxilla, jugal, and lacrimal bones, allow for more accurate taxonomic identification of tyrannosaurids at different life stages. By comparing immature specimens with adult material from the Dinosaur Park and Oldman Formations, the study highlights discrete morphological traits that distinguish Daspletosaurus from its contemporary Gorgosaurus. Notably, a previously disputed specimen was reclassified as Gorgosaurus libratus based on these invariant features.
Meandering River Floodplain Processes and Sources of Organic Matter in the Late Cretaceous, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
A detailed analysis of floodplain deposits at Dinosaur Provincial Park reveals that terrestrial organic matter preserved in the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation reflects global carbon cycle changes, not solely local or regional processes. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the overprinting of local conditions on global signals. The study employed sedimentological and geochemical techniques, including stratigraphic section recording, total organic carbon analysis, palynofacies analysis, and X-ray diffraction, to investigate a 47.5-meter-high outcrop dominated by floodplain deposits. Physical structures such as pedogenic features indicated wet-dry climate fluctuations, while palynofacies assemblages suggested fresh-water conditions. The continuous section of floodplain deposits, spanning approximately 0.5 million years, provides a unique window into Late Cretaceous fluvial environments and their response to global changes.
Occurrence of Centrosaurus apertus (Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) in Saskatchewan, Canada, and expanded dinosaur diversity in the easternmost exposure of the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Dinosaur Park Formation
Researchers have identified the presence of Centrosaurus apertus and Citipes elegans in Saskatchewan, Canada, within the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF). This discovery expands the known habitat range of C. apertus to the most coastal environment recorded for this species, challenging previous palynostratigraphic interpretations of the DPF's age in this region. The study, based on diagnostic fossil specimens from a marginal marine bonebed near Lake Diefenbaker, suggests that the DPF in Saskatchewan is closer in age to the lower DPF in Alberta rather than its uppermost exposures. This finding supports the existence of a widely distributed metacommunity across these deposits, providing insights into biotic turnover during sea level rise at a geological timescale.
Calibrating geologic strata, dinosaurs, and other fossils at Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta, Canada) using a new CA-ID-TIMS U–Pb geochronology
A new U–Pb geochronology study reveals that the 100-meter-thick stratigraphic section at Dinosaur Provincial Park spans approximately 2.43 million years, with rock accumulation rates of around 3.65 cm per thousand years. This high-resolution chronostratigraphy updates long-standing K–Ar and 40 Ar/39 Ar dating, providing precise temporal constraints on bentonites, formational contacts, and biozones. The study also identifies a regional increase in accommodation at ~76.3 million years ago, aligning with patterns observed across Alberta and Montana. Dinosaur assemblage zones show durations of ~700–600 thousand years, shorter than those in the overlying Horseshoe Canyon Formation, suggesting potential ecological shifts linked to the withdrawal of the Western Interior Seaway.
The “Judith River−Belly River problem” revisited (Montana-Alberta-Saskatchewan): New perspectives on the correlation of Campanian dinosaur-bearing strata based on a revised stratigraphic model updated with CA-ID-TIMS U-Pb geochronology
A revised stratigraphic model, calibrated with U-Pb zircon geochronology, resolves the long-standing 'Judith River−Belly River problem' by correlating the Judith River Formation in Montana with the Foremost, Oldman, and Dinosaur Park Formations (Belly River Group) in Canada. The study identifies a chronostratigraphically significant discontinuity—dubbed the 'Judith River−Belly River discontinuity'—that marks a major pulse of accommodation and the onset of the Bearpaw transgression at approximately 76.3 million years ago (Ma). This discontinuity, traceable from Montana to Dinosaur Provincial Park, parallels the Eagle/Milk River shoulder, confirming its regional significance. The findings advance understanding of alluvial depositional systems in a foreland basin setting and provide a framework for refining regional stratigraphic correlations.
Calibrating the zenith of dinosaur diversity in the Campanian of the Western Interior Basin by CA-ID-TIMS U–Pb geochronology
A new high-resolution chronostratigraphic framework for the upper Campanian of the Western Interior Basin reveals significant age overlap between key fossil-bearing formations, spanning 1600 km from southern Alberta to northwest New Mexico. This finding challenges previous assumptions about faunal provinciality and supports a connection between paleoecologic and fossil diversities during the 'zenith of dinosaur diversity.' The study employed CA-ID-TIMS U-Pb geochronology on 16 bentonite beds, providing precise age constraints from 82.419 ± 0.074 Ma to 73.496 ± 0.039 Ma. These results offer a robust temporal basis for further paleontologic analyses and refine our understanding of dinosaur paleoecology and biogeography during this critical period.
The stability of dinosaur communities before the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary: A perspective from southern Alberta using calcium isotopes as a dietary proxy
A new study using calcium isotopes reveals that dinosaur communities in southern Alberta exhibited stable trophic structures before the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) boundary. Analysis of tooth enamel from tyrannosaurids and herbivorous dinosaurs across three formations—Dinosaur Provincial Park, Horseshoe Canyon, and Scollard—shows distinct isotopic differences between hadrosaurids and ceratopsids, suggesting niche partitioning among megaherbivores. Tyrannosaurid δ44/42Ca values indicate they likely fed preferentially on hadrosaurids. These findings hint at long-term stability in dinosaur food webs, offering potential insights into ecosystem dynamics prior to the K–Pg extinction event.
Applications of strontium concentrations and isotopes preserved in vertebrate enamel and enamel-like tissues to paleoecology studies of Silurian conodonts from Gotland, Sweden, and Cretaceous Dinosaurs and Plesiosaurs from Alberta, Canada
Strontium isotope analysis of dinosaur enamel from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada, reveals distinct migratory patterns: hadrosaurs traveled under 100 km, while ceratopsians ranged up to 200 km. This geochemical approach, leveraging enamel's resistance to diagenesis, also suggests some plesiosaurs inhabited freshwater environments. Additionally, conodonts from Silurian deposits in Gotland, Sweden, were found to exclusively occupy marine settings, with trophic partitioning evident among co-occurring taxa. The study highlights the potential of strontium ratios in reconstructing paleoecological behaviors and habitat preferences across evolutionary timescales.
Canada's First Known Dinosaurs: Palaeontology and Collecting History of Upper Cretaceous Vertebrates in Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, 1874–1889
A recent survey of early dinosaur fossil collections from the Upper Cretaceous of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, including those from Dinosaur Provincial Park, reveals Canada's first known occurrences of several dinosaur taxa. These include the first Canadian and global records of Caenagnathidae (1884) and Thescelosauridae (1889), alongside numerous other significant finds. The study highlights collecting biases, with overrepresentation of ornithomimids and small theropods, while ceratopsids and ankylosaurs are underrepresented. The research, based on historic collections housed in the Canadian Museum of Nature, provides a comprehensive narrative of early paleontological efforts in Western Canada during 1874–1889, shedding light on the region's rich fossil record and its contributions to understanding dinosaur diversity, ecology, and extinction.
Floodplain forest dynamics: Half‐century floods enable pulses of geomorphic disturbance and cottonwood colonization along a prairie river
A 50-year flood in 1954 triggered significant geomorphic disturbance and cottonwood colonization along the Red Deer River, a relatively undisturbed river within Dinosaur Provincial Park. The study, combining aerial photograph analysis with dendrochronology, revealed that such floods create conditions for seedling recruitment by saturating sand and gravel bars, leading to prolific cottonwood growth. The research found that major floods produce arcuate bands of mature cottonwoods, with older bands indicating progressive floodplain development over approximately 250 years. While bank erosion and cottonwood losses occurred more gradually, the study highlighted the critical role of extreme flood events in shaping floodplain forests and woodlands in semi-arid prairie ecosystems.
High-resolution (centimetre-scale) GPS/GIS-based 3D mapping and spatial analysis of in situ fossils in two horned-dinosaur bonebeds in the Dinosaur Park Formation (Upper Cretaceous) at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
A groundbreaking approach to mapping fossil sites, particularly bonebeds, has been developed using high-resolution GPS/GIS-based 3D mapping techniques. This method, combining centimetre-scale global positioning system (GPS), photogrammetry, and geographic information systems (GIS), provides digital, three-dimensional, and georeferenced data that are statistically indistinguishable from traditional field measurements. The study focuses on two ceratopsid dinosaur bonebeds in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada, demonstrating the potential of this approach to revolutionize the documentation and analysis of fossil sites. This innovation offers a powerful tool for interpreting taphonomic history, depositional processes, and palaeoecological behaviors, addressing longstanding limitations in fossil site mapping.
New application of strontium isotopes reveals evidence of limited migratory behaviour in Late Cretaceous hadrosaurs
A new study using strontium isotopes from fossilized hadrosaur enamel provides compelling evidence that these Late Cretaceous dinosaurs exhibited limited migratory behavior, moving between Dinosaur Provincial Park and a nearby locality approximately 80 kilometers away in Alberta, Canada. This finding challenges the assumption that the continent-wide distribution of some hadrosaur species was due to long-range migrations, instead suggesting more localized movements akin to those observed in modern elephants. The research represents the first successful application of strontium isotope ratios to reconstruct dinosaur migration patterns, offering a novel approach to understanding dinosaur ecology beyond fossil distribution alone.
Variability in badlands erosion; problems of scale and threshold identification
Badlands, such as those found in Dinosaur Provincial Park, exhibit accelerated erosion and are perpetually near threshold conditions, making them highly sensitive to variations in geomorphic processes. This study reveals that adjacent units within badland slope profiles can respond differently to similar extrinsic thresholds due to variations in lithology durability and intrinsic qualities. Over a ten-year period, researchers analyzed spatial and temporal variability in erosional and depositional processes, examining how different surface types adjust their form and character in response to external factors. The findings highlight the challenges in identifying erosion thresholds and understanding landform responses during subthreshold periods, emphasizing the disequilibrium nature of badlands.
A rare, articulated sturgeon (Chondrostei: Acipenseriformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
A rare, articulated sturgeon fossil from the Upper Cretaceous of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada, has been identified as a new genus and species, †Anchiacipenser acanthaspis. This discovery is significant because articulated sturgeon skeletons are uncommon in North American Upper Cretaceous deposits. The specimen, preserved with a skull and anterior half to two-thirds of the body, exhibits unique diagnostic features such as strongly ornamented dermal cranial bones, large dorsal scutes with median spines, and extensive smaller scales on the flanks. Phylogenetic analysis confirms its placement within the Acipenseridae family, though its exact relationships remain unclear. This finding contributes to our understanding of sturgeon evolution during the Late Cretaceous period.
Bite marks on the frill of a juvenile Centrosaurus from the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation, Alberta, Canada
A rare fossil discovery reveals bite marks on the frill of a juvenile Centrosaurus, a ceratopsian dinosaur, from the Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Provincial Park Formation in Alberta. This is the first documented evidence of carnivore interaction with a juvenile ceratopsid, offering insights into predator-prey dynamics or scavenging behavior during the Late Cretaceous period. The study suggests that small-bodied theropods, such as dromaeosaurs or juvenile tyrannosaurs, are likely tracemakers, though definitive identification remains challenging due to limited fossil evidence of such interactions.
Pre- and postmortem tyrannosaurid bite marks on the remains of Daspletosaurus (Tyrannosaurinae: Theropoda) from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada
A remarkable discovery from Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, reveals evidence of tyrannosaurid cannibalism through pre- and postmortem bite marks on a Daspletosaurus specimen. The cranium and mandible exhibit numerous premortem injuries with signs of healing, suggesting intraspecific combat. Postmortem damage to the mandible indicates late-stage carcass consumption, likely by another large tyrannosaurid, possibly a congener, providing an additional record of tyrannosaurid cannibalism. The study combines detailed morphological analysis and taphonomic context to distinguish between pre- and postmortem bites, offering insights into the behavior and ecology of these apex predators during the Late Cretaceous.
A basal bird from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) of Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta, Canada)
A fragmentary bone from Dinosaur Provincial Park, initially thought to belong to a pterosaur, has been reidentified as the distal end of a tibiotarsus from a basal bird, likely an enantiornithine. This discovery marks the first documentation of such a bird in the Dinosaur Park Formation and provides evidence that enantiornithines coexisted with more derived ornithurines in the high-latitude environments of Late Cretaceous western Canada. The reinterpretation was based on distinctive morphological characters, offering new insights into the avian diversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site during the Campanian stage.
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