Fukuisaurus: Research Database
Ornithischia (Dinosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~120-115 MYA) · Asia — Japan (Fukuoka Prefecture, Kitadani Formation)
Research Note: Fukuisaurus was an ornithischian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Japan — one of the few known dinosaurs from Japan and an important taxon for understanding ornithischian diversity and biogeography in the Cretaceous of East Asia.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Rozadilla & Agnolín 2021: Fukuisaurus and new data on ornithischian diversity from the Cretaceous of Japan
Rozadilla & Agnolín 2021 provide comprehensive data on Fukuisaurus from the Early Cretaceous of Japan, establishing it as an early ornithischian and documenting ornithischian diversity in the Cretaceous of East Asia
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Confirmed | A | 2021 | Fossil | Rozadilla & Agnolín, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
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Butler & Zhao 2008: Fukuisaurus and additional data on ornithischian systematics from the Cretaceous of Japan
Butler & Zhao 2008 provide additional data on Fukuisaurus and ornithischian systematics, further contextualising its significance within Ornithischia
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Confirmed | B | 2008 | Fossil | Butler & Zhao, Cretaceous Research | Systematics |
Active Debate: Ornithischian Biogeography and Cretaceous East Asian Dinosaur Faunas
Whether ornithischians like Fukuisaurus were part of endemic East Asian faunas or connected to broader Asian dinosaur communities is debated. The dinosaur fauna of Japan in the Cretaceous — and its relationships to those of mainland Asia — is still being understood.
What We Still Do Not Know About Fukuisaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Likely herbivorous.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Color: Unknown.
In Depth
Fukuisaurus was initially only known from partial skull fragments, including a maxilla and jugal from the right hand side of the skull. Further specimens have since been discovered leading to Fukuisaurus being reconstructed with a strong degree of confidence. As an ornithopod, Fukuisaurus is similar to others of the group such as Iguanodon. However, Fukuisaurus does appear to be a more primitive form with a skull that does not support side to side chewing.
Further Reading
– A new iguanodontian (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation of Fukui Prefecture, Japan. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 23(1):166-175. – Y. Kobayashi & Y. Azuma – 2003.
