Jurassic-Cretaceous and Cretaceous-Paleogene Transitions and Mesozoic Vertebrates from Pakistan

Abstract

The Jurassic-Cretaceous (J/K) and Cretaceous-Paleogene (K/Pg) boundaries/ transitions are found in Pakistan especially well exposed on the western continental margin of the Indo-Pakistan plate (part of Gondwana) like Kirthar, Sulaiman and Kohat and Potwar basins. Its lithology is variable both lateral and also vertical. The J/K and K/Pg transitions are represented by terrestrial and marine strata like laterite, bauxite, vary colored shale, sandstones and conglomerates and rare limestone beds. Mesozoic vertebrates found so far belong to archosaurs like poripuchian titanosaurs (sauropods), theropods, mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaurs, snake and bird are briefly overviewed here.

Geology of Northern Sulaiman Foldbelt, Shirani and Waziristan Regions (South Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): New Tomistominae (Miocene False Gharial) from Sakhi Sarwar Area of Dera Ghazi Khan (South Punjab), Pakistan

“…From Pakistan the dinosaurs are known since 2000 [104]. The latest Cretaceous Vitakri Formation (riverine alluvial) [24] [26] [105] of Fort Munro Group is exposed mostly in the Vitakri and its vicinity areas (Figure 4) which host the sauropods, theropods, mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaur, snake and bird [105]. The small, medium and large sized herbivorous titanosaurian sauropods were reported from Pakistan.…”

“…The small, medium and large sized herbivorous titanosaurian sauropods were reported from Pakistan. The bone fossils of poripuchian titanosaurs (Sauropoda) comprised of Gspsaurus pakistani [105] [106] [107] [108], Maojandino alami [109], Saraikimasoom vitakri [105] [110] and Nicksaurus razashahi [109] of Gspsauridae, Balochisaurus malkani [109] and Marisaurus jeffi [109] of Balochisauridae and Pakisaurus balochistani [26] [105], Anokhadino mirliaquati [103], Sulaimanisaurus gingerichi [105] and Khetranisaurus barkhani [105] of Pakisauridae. The abelisaurian theropods comprised of Vitakridrinda sulaimani [105] [111] and Vitakrisaurus saraiki [105] [111] of Vitakrisauridae.…”

“…The bone fossils of poripuchian titanosaurs (Sauropoda) comprised of Gspsaurus pakistani [105] [106] [107] [108], Maojandino alami [109], Saraikimasoom vitakri [105] [110] and Nicksaurus razashahi [109] of Gspsauridae, Balochisaurus malkani [109] and Marisaurus jeffi [109] of Balochisauridae and Pakisaurus balochistani [26] [105], Anokhadino mirliaquati [103], Sulaimanisaurus gingerichi [105] and Khetranisaurus barkhani [105] of Pakisauridae. The abelisaurian theropods comprised of Vitakridrinda sulaimani [105] [111] and Vitakrisaurus saraiki [105] [111] of Vitakrisauridae. The mesoeucrocodiles comprised of Induszalim bala [105] [111] and Pabwehshi pakistanensis [112] of Induszalimidae, Mithasaraikistan ikniazi [105] of Mithasaraikistanidae and Sulaimanisuchus kinwai [105] of Sulaimanisuchidae.…”

“…The abelisaurian theropods comprised of Vitakridrinda sulaimani [105] [111] and Vitakrisaurus saraiki [105] [111] of Vitakrisauridae. The mesoeucrocodiles comprised of Induszalim bala [105] [111] and Pabwehshi pakistanensis [112] of Induszalimidae, Mithasaraikistan ikniazi [105] of Mithasaraikistanidae and Sulaimanisuchus kinwai [105] of Sulaimanisuchidae. The pterosaur-the flying reptiles represented by Saraikisaurus minhui [105] [111] of Saraikisauridae, paleobird represented by Wasaibpanchi damani [105] [109] of Wasaibpanchidae, and large paleosnake represented by Wadanaang kohsulaimani [105] of Madtsoiidae.…”

“…The mesoeucrocodiles comprised of Induszalim bala [105] [111] and Pabwehshi pakistanensis [112] of Induszalimidae, Mithasaraikistan ikniazi [105] of Mithasaraikistanidae and Sulaimanisuchus kinwai [105] of Sulaimanisuchidae. The pterosaur-the flying reptiles represented by Saraikisaurus minhui [105] [111] of Saraikisauridae, paleobird represented by Wasaibpanchi damani [105] [109] of Wasaibpanchidae, and large paleosnake represented by Wadanaang kohsulaimani [105] of Madtsoiidae. A late Cretaceous fish Kahamachli harrandlundi was also reported from Dhaola Member of Pab Sandstone of Mat Khund area (Figure 4) of Kaha Maarri.…”