Fossils fuel dinosaur interest

A remote Queensland location has Adelaide researchers excited about Australia's fossil future.

Palaeontologists from the University of Adelaide and South Australian Museum are undertaking research to better understand how giant prehistoric marine reptiles may have adapted over time to changing environments.

"The work we are doing near Boulia in western Queensland will help to fill the 'dark ages', or the parts we are missing from the early part of the Cretaceous period," said Dr Ben Kear, a research scientist at the South Australian Museum and the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide.

Dr Kear said the project was important because it would allow Australian specimens to take their place on the world stage.

"We eventually hope to have a better understanding of Mesozoic marine reptile evolution on a global scale and provide new information of benefit to researchers around the world," he said.

The range of fossils preserved in the Boulia will allow palaeontologists the opportunity to collect, document and examine faunas from the Early Cretaceous period, which was about 110-115 million years ago.

"The early history of Mesozoic marine reptiles has been extensively documented from Europe, and the later stages of their evolution are well represented in late Cretaceous rocks from the United States," Dr Kear said.

While the project is important for international research purposes, Dr Kear said it is also significant for the role it can play in establishing and maintaining fossil tourism opportunities in Australia.

"Across the globe there has long been a fascination with dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles," Dr Kear said. "Areas with significant fossil deposits such as those in northern South Australia and western Queensland give us an opportunity to connect with regional museums and to maximise the potential of fossil tourism. We have already seen this yield positive educational and commercial results.

"Fossil tourism can directly benefit regional communities and is an effective way of bringing palaeontology to the general public."

The research being undertaken in western Queensland, as well as other areas of Australia, has been made possible by a Federal Government grant to the University of Adelaide and South Australian Museum in partnership with the Umoona Opal Mine and Museum in Coober Pedy and Outback at Isa Fossil Centre in Mt Isa.