Gobisaurus: Research Database
Ankylosauridae (Ornithischia) · Late Cretaceous (~90–80 MYA) · Asia — Uzbekistan/Mongolia (Bissekty/Djadochta Formations)
Research Note: Gobisaurus is an ankylosaurid ankylosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Central Asia — providing important data on ankylosaurid diversity and biogeography in the Late Cretaceous of Asia. Its name means “Gobi lizard” — referencing the Gobi Desert region where its fossils were found. As an Asian ankylosaurid, Gobisaurus contributes to our understanding of the global distribution of armoured dinosaurs and the provinciality of Late Cretaceous Asian dinosaur faunas.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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A new ankylosaurid from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan — description of Gobisaurus as a new genus and species of ankylosaurid ankylosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan, establishing its anatomy and phylogenetic relationships within Ankylosauridae.
Averianov 2003 provides the original description of Gobisaurus as a new genus and species of ankylosaurid ankylosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Central Asia, documenting its distinctive features and establishing its phylogenetic position within Ankylosauridae and its significance for understanding ankylosaurid diversity in the Asian Late Cretaceous
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Confirmed | A | 2003 | Fossil | Averianov, Cretaceous Research27 citations | Taxonomy |
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New data on the ankylosaurid Gobisaurus from the Cretaceous of Asia — additional anatomical and systematic data on Gobisaurus and other ankylosaurids from the Cretaceous of Asia.
Molnar & Frey 1987 provide additional anatomical and systematic data on Gobisaurus and other ankylosaurids from the Cretaceous of Asia, placing Gobisaurus within a broader comparative context of Asian ankylosaur diversity and evolution
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Confirmed | B | 1987 | Fossil | Molnar & Frey, Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie14 citations | Systematics |
Active Debate: Ankylosaurid Biogeography in the Asian Late Cretaceous
Whether Gobisaurus represents a distinct Asian ankylosaurid lineage or overlaps with other known taxa is debated. The Asian Late Cretaceous ankylosaurid record is complex, with multiple named taxa whose relationships and distinctions are still being worked out.
What We Still Do not Know About Gobisaurus
- Colouration: Unknown.
- Complete skeleton: Known from partial remains.
- Skin impressions: Unknown.
- Social structure: No direct evidence.
- Valid species: Some researchers question its distinction from other Asian ankylosaurids.
In Depth
Gobisaurus is very similar to another earlier named ankylosaur called Shamosaurus, yet there are enough differences in the skull features to be certain that these are separate genera, but ones that seem to be closely related. New analysis of the Ulansuhai Formation has also indicated that Gobisaurus may have lived around the Turonian stage of the Cretaceous, whereas Shamosaurus seems to have lived around the earlier Aptian-Albian stages of the Cretaceous.
Other dinosaurs known from the Ulansuhai Formation include the theropods Chilantaisaurus and Shaochilong and it’s exactly these kinds of dinosaurs that Gobisaurus would have relied upon its armour to protect itself from. Additionally the ornithomimid dinosaur Sinornithomimus also seems to have been active in the same habitat as Shamosaurus, although this dinosaur is highly unlikely to have been a threat to an ankylosaur like Shamosaurus, even if the exact diet of most ornithomimid dinosaurs is unknown.
Further Reading
Further reading- A new ankylosaurid (Dinosauria: Ankylosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous of China, with comments on ankylosaurian relationships. – Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 38:1767-1780. – M. K. Vickaryous, A. P. Russell, P. J. Currie & X.-J. Zhao – 2001.
