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| Sauropod diversity interpretation throughout the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition of Thailand based on dental evidence in A, the Late Jurassic (Tithonian); B, the Early Cretaceous (late Valanginian to Barremian), C, the late Early Cretaceous (Aptian to Albian). in Chowchuvech, Manitkoon, Chanthasit et Ketwetsuriya. 2026. Illustrations by Pakorn Chotchaiyaporn x.com/Peak4651 |
ABSTRACT
Sauropod teeth are among the most abundant vertebrate fossils recovered from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Khorat Group of Thailand. However, their taxonomic and palaeoecological significance has not previously been examined in detail. This research presents the first comprehensive taxonomic identification of isolated sauropod teeth from several localities across the Khorat Plateau in Northeastern and Eastern Thailand. Based on morphological analyses, these teeth were assigned to four distinct morphotypes. Additionally, multi-quantitative analyses revealed affinities with four sauropod clades: Mamenchisauridae, Brachiosauridae, Somphospondyli, and Dicraeosauridae. The taxonomic framework recovered in this study is consistent with the broader sauropod fossil record of the Khorat Group and reveals a marked faunal shift across the Jurassic–Cretaceous of Thailand. Mamenchisaurids appeared during the Late Jurassic to the earliest Cretaceous, whereas neosauropods, such as titanosauriforms and diplodocoids, became more prevalent during the Early Cretaceous. These findings suggest new evidence for a major sauropod faunal replacement event, likely driven by ecological changes affecting herbivorous dinosaurs during this crucial timeframe of the Mesozoic.
KEYWORDS: Sauropoda, Mamenchisauridae, Brachiosauridae, Somphospondyli, Diplodocoidea
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| Sauropod diversity interpretation throughout the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition of Thailand based on dental evidence in A, the Late Jurassic (Tithonian); B, the Early Cretaceous (late Valanginian to Barremian), C, the late Early Cretaceous (Aptian to Albian). Illustrations by Pakorn Chotchaiyaporn. |
Wongwech Chowchuvech, Sita Manitkoon, Phornphen Chanthasit and Chatchalerm Ketwetsuriya. 2026. Sauropod teeth from the Khorat Group of Thailand suggest the Faunal Replacement of Sauropod Dinosaurs across the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2026.2710631 [15 Sep 2026]
