
Fossil biotas from Pakistan with focus on dinosaur distributions and discussion on paleobiogeographic evolution of Indo-Pak Peninsula
Recent geological and paleontological exploration in the Indus basin of Pakistan allowed the discover- ies of numerous remains of non-marine reptiles (titanosaurian sauropod,abelisaurian and noasaurian theropod dinosaurs),and marine reptiles (crocodiles),flying reptiles (pterosaurs),marine and non-marine mammals, fishes,invertebrates,and plants,especially Pakistan is relatively rich in footprints/trackways in the Mesozoic. These vertebrates of Indo-Pakistan are very significant for paleobiogeographic study due to the present-day con- nection of this continent with Asia in Northern Hemisphere,whereas during past (Jurassic and pre-Jurassic) it was connected to the Gondwana. The Mesozoic vertebrates show close affinities with Gondwanan landmasses. The Cenozoic vertebrates show Eurasian affinity and migrated from Indo-Pak subcontinent to Eurasia or vice ver- sa via Paleo Indus River systems along Western Indus Suture,after long journey of about 6 000 km the first col- lision of Indo-Pak subcontinent with Asia occurred at terminal Cretaceous.
fossil biotas / dinosaurs / Pakistan / paleobiogeography / Indo-Pak subcontinet
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