ORNITHISCHIAN FOSSIL DISCOVERED IN MALAYSIA

On November 13, 2014, the University of Malaya (UM) announced a groundbreaking paleontological discovery: the first evidence of an Ornithischian (herbivorous) dinosaur ever found in Malaysia.

This discovery was significant because it followed the February 2014 announcement of the country's first-ever dinosaur find—a spinosaurid tooth—confirming that Peninsular Malaysia once hosted a diverse prehistoric ecosystem.

Key Details of the Discovery

• The Team: An international collaboration led by Associate Professor Dr. Masatoshi Sone (University of Malaya), working with experts from Waseda University and Kumamoto University in Japan.
• The Fossil: A single fossilized tooth, labeled Sample UM10580.
• Physical Dimensions: The tooth is relatively small, measuring approximately 13 mm long and 10.5 mm wide.
• Location: The fossil was found in a sedimentary rock formation in the interior of Pahang (the exact site is kept secret to prevent looting and damage).
• Age: Estimated to be between 100 million and 140 million years old, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period.

What Kind of Dinosaur Was It?

While a single tooth is not enough to identify the exact genus or species, the researchers were able to determine several characteristics:

• "Bird-Hipped": It belonged to the order Ornithischia, a major group of dinosaurs known for their pelvic structure resembling that of birds. This group includes famous dinosaurs like Triceratops and Iguanodon.
• Diet: The tooth's shape—specifically the presence of a "cingulum" (a thick ridge at the base of the crown) and its wear pattern—confirmed it belonged to a herbivore.
• Size: Based on the tooth, scientists estimated the dinosaur was roughly the size of a large horse.

Why This Matters

Before 2014, Malaysia was often overlooked in dinosaur paleontology compared to neighbors like Thailand and Laos. This find proved that Malaysia's "red beds" (Cretaceous sedimentary rocks) were capable of preserving terrestrial vertebrate fossils. It suggested that a lush, vegetated ecosystem existed in the region during the Mesozoic Era, supporting both large predators (spinosaurids) and the herbivores they preyed upon.

FOOTPRINTS FOUND IN TERENGGANU

Since the milestone discoveries in 2014, Malaysia has seen several significant paleontological breakthroughs, particularly in Terengganu and Kelantan. These finds have transformed the region from a "dinosaur-free zone" into a promising frontier for Cretaceous-era research.

The most notable discovery following the Pahang finds occurred in Mount Gagau, Terengganu, just days after the announcement you mentioned.

1. The Mount Gagau Discovery (Terengganu, Nov 2014)

Shortly after the University of Malaya’s announcement, a separate 10-day expedition (the Gagau-Menjejak Dinosaur Expedition) revealed a "treasure trove" of fossils in the Hulu Terengganu region.

The Fossils: They found several footprints, bones, and teeth.

Species Identified: Researchers believe the remains belonged to at least three different groups:

• Iguanodontids: Herbivorous dinosaurs similar to the one found in Pahang.
• Theropods: Meat-eating dinosaurs (the same group as T. rex and Spinosaurids).
• Sauropods: Long-necked, giant herbivores.

Significance: This site was considered more diverse than the Pahang site because it contained a mix of footprints and skeletal fragments (teeth and bones) in close proximity.

2. The Sauropod Trackways (Kelantan, 2017/2020)

One of the most exciting recent finds was in Bukit Panau, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. Although the research began in 2017, the details were shared widely around 2020.

• The Discovery: A team from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) discovered seven large footprints.
• The Creature: Based on the size and shape, they were identified as belonging to a Sauropod (a giant, four-legged herbivore).
• Size Estimates: Experts estimated the dinosaur could have been up to 9 meters tall and weighed between 30 to 40 tonnes.
• Tracking History: These footprints were significant because they showed the actual "track route" of the animals, providing clues about their movement and behavior in the ancient Malaysian landscape.

SUMMARY OF KNOWN MALAYSIAN DINOSAUR TYPES

To date, the "Big Four" groups identified in Peninsular Malaysia are: 

Group	Type	State Found	Evidence
Spinosaurid	Carnivore (Fish-eater)	Pahang	Teeth
Ornithischian	Herbivore (Bird-hipped)	Pahang	Teeth
Iguanodontian	Herbivore	Terengganu	Teeth & Footprints
Sauropod	Giant Herbivore	Kelantan/Terengganu	Footprints & Bones

You might notice these are referred to as "indet." (indeterminate) or by their family names rather than specific names like "Malaysiasaurus." This is because most finds so far have been fragmentary (teeth and single bones). Paleontologists usually need a more complete skeleton or a unique skull to officially name a new species.

31/12/2025: 3.29 a.m