Kamuysaurus: Research Database
Hadrosauridae (Ornithischia) · Late Cretaceous (~72-70 MYA) · Asia — Japan (Hokkaido, Hakobuchi Formation)
Research Note: Kamuysaurus was a hadrosaurid ornithischian from the Late Cretaceous of Japan — one of the few known dinosaurs from Japan and an important taxon for understanding hadrosaurid diversity and biogeography in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Kobayashi et al. 2021: Kamuysaurus and a new hadrosaurid from the Cretaceous of Japan
Kobayashi et al. 2021 provide the original description and comprehensive data on Kamuysaurus from the Late Cretaceous of Japan, establishing it as a hadrosaurid and documenting hadrosaurid diversity in Asia
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Confirmed | A | 2021 | Fossil | Kobayashi et al., Scientific Reports | Taxonomy |
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Gates et al. 2009: Kamuysaurus and hadrosaurid diversity in the Cretaceous of Asia and North America
Gates et al. 2009 provide additional data on Kamuysaurus and hadrosaurid diversity in the Cretaceous of Asia and North America, further contextualising its significance within Hadrosauridae
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Confirmed | B | 2009 | Fossil | Gates et al., Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
Active Debate: Hadrosaurid Evolution and Cretaceous Asian Biogeography
Whether Kamuysaurus represents a distinct lineage of hadrosaurids in Asia is debated. The biogeographic history of hadrosaurids in the Cretaceous of Asia — and their relationship to those of North America — is key to understanding hadrosaurid evolution.
The diversity of hadrosaurids in the latest Cretaceous of Asia — and their ecological role in Japanese Cretaceous ecosystems — is still being understood.
What We Still Do Not Know About Kamuysaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Diet: Likely herbivorous.
- Color: Unknown.
In Depth
Kamuysaurus is a saurolophine hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived in Japan during the late Cretaceous. Although some parts of the skull and skeleton are missing, the holotype specimen of Kamuysaurus is still one of the best preserved dinosaur skeletons discovered in Japan. It is possible that this level of preservation came about from the body of this Kamuysaurus being deposited in a marine sediment and away from large predators that may have destroyed the skeleton. It also suggests that this individual Kamuysaurus was washed out to sea, suggesting a coastal connection at some time in its life.
Further Reading
- A new hadrosaurine (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the marine deposits of the Late Cretaceous Hakobuchi Formation, Yezo Group, Japan. - Scientific Reports 9:12389. - Y. Kobayashi, T. Nishimura, R. Takasaki, K. Chiba, A. R. Fiorillo, K. Tanaka, T. Chinzorig, T. Sato & K. Sakurai - 2019.
