Footprints of 150 million-year-old dinosaurs found in Jaisalmer

The geological department of Jainarayan Vyas University in Jodhpur has reportedly discovered 150 million-year-old footprints of Eubrontes Gleneronsensis Theropod dinosaurs in the Thaiyat area of the Jaisalmer district.

The Times of India reported that the carnivorous dinosaurs, believed to be 1-3 metres in height, belong to the coastal environment.

"Morphologically, footprints of Eubrontes Gleneronsesis Theropod dinosaurs are large about 30 cm long, tridactyle, strong with thick toes. Based on the size of footprints the body is estimated to be 1-3m tall and 5-7m in length." geologist and scientist Dr Virendra Singh Parihar told the daily.

Parihar also said that the scientists were working to discover flying and maritime replies from India as the Katrol formation of Kutch basin and Baisakhi formation of Jaisalmer basin are possible sites for fossils of dinosaurs, flying and marine reptiles.

According to news reports, fossils of Eubrontes Theropod dinosaurs have been found in France, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Australia and the USA.

While dinosaurs' eggs, bones, teeth have already been traced in India, the footprints of Eubrontes Gleneronsensis Theropod dinosaurs have been discovered for the first time

Professor SC Mathur, former head of the department of geology, JNV University, reportedly said that this discovery can provide reasons behind extinction of dinosaurs.

Mathur and his team reportedly discovered mass mortality horizon (bone bed) containing fossils of dinosaur, crocodile, gastropods and fishes from Fategarh formation with magnetic spherules.

The Times of India reported that intensive fieldwork in the Kutch and Jaisalmer basins suggest that after the main transgression during early Jurassic Period the sea-level changed several times.

-Text by Shabnoor Irshad