Investigation of the dinosaur fauna of the Middle Jurassic Balabansai Formation of Kyrgyzstan and insights into the evolutionary radiation and biogeography of dinosaurs in central Asia

• Applicants: Dr. Tom Hübner; Professor Oliver Rauhut, Ph.D.; Dr. Oliver Wings
• Subject Area: Geology
• Term: from 2022 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 504374519

Dinosaurs are among the most successful and widely distributed land vertebrates of all time. Their fossil remains are also commonly found making them ideal candidates exploring the evolution and distribution patterns of vertebrates. In the Middle Jurassic, between 174 and 163 million years ago, many of the main groups of dinosaurs evolved or were on the way to become established. Unfortunately, dinosaur fossils from the Middle Jurassic are rare worldwide, so that the knowledge about their evolution is highly incomplete. In addition, the dinosaur fauna from east Asia possibly starts to evolve independently from the rest of the world in the Middle Jurassic, which culminated in the postulated isolation and endemism of that dinosaur fauna.The Balabansai Formation in the central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan might be a key to solve questions about the evolution and distribution patterns of Middle Jurassic dinosaurs: 1) This formation is dated as being of Middle Jurassic in age, 2) it is well-known as comprising dinosaur fossil-bearing sediments, and 3) it is located geographically, then, as now, right between western Eurasia and east Asia. The recent discoveries of two partial skeletons of a sauropod and a theropod dinosaur furthermore confirms that scientifically important finds can be expected in these sediments.The first objective of this preliminary project is the documentation of already discovered dinosaur fossils and to identify new localities in the field for a larger-scaled subsequent project. Due to the scarcity of adequate fossils from the Middle Jurassic worldwide, every single new find will significantly increase the knowledge on the evolution and relationships of dinosaurs. In case the expectations on the quality and density of fossil finds can be confirmed, the fossils shall, in the subsequent project, be excavated and analyzed, and the dinosaur fauna of the Balabansai Formation shall finally be compared qualitatively and by means of statistical methods with the respective faunas of western Eurasia and east Asia. Thus, it can be tested whether the Kyrgyz fauna is more similar to one or the other fauna or whether it represents a mixture. With these data at hand, it might finally be possible to determine the location and time frame of a potential geographical barrier triggering the endemism of east Asian dinosaurs or if this whole hypothesis is actually only based on the incomplete fossil record.Beyond the scientific goals, it is additionally intended in the potential subsequent project to support the cooperating Kyrgyz partner, the Institute of Geology in Bishkek represented by Dr. Aizek Bakirov, enabling them to stepwise establish a modern scientific collection and independent paleontological research capabilities in Kyrgyzstan.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Kyrgyzstan
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Aizek Bakirov