Recent investigations reveal that the substantial ornithopod dinosaur, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, which inhabited mid-Cretaceous Australia, exhibited characteristics beyond those of a typical herbivore. Its dentition, featuring a toothed beak, and a brain structure optimized for olfaction, suggest this species likely engaged in selective foraging while displaying agile locomotion. The findings further imply a proximity to an extensive inland sea, where it might have subsisted on saline flora—and potentially even small fauna—for survival.
Muttaburrasaurus langdoni. Image credit: Matt Herne.
Muttaburrasaurus langdoni roamed the Earth approximately 96 million years ago in the vicinities of the ancient Eromanga Sea, in what is presently Australia.
The initial fossil discovery, known as the holotype specimen, was unearthed in 1963 near Muttaburra, a locale in central western Queensland, by Doug Langdon, a local rancher.
This specimen represents one of the most complete skeletal remains of an ornithopod dinosaur discovered from the colossal landmass of Gondwana and holds the distinction of being the fossil emblem of Queensland.
In a novel study, paleontologists from the University of New England, spearheaded by Matthew Herne, meticulously examined various cranial elements of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, utilizing a recently acquired fossil.
“Our findings necessitate a re-evaluation of several prior assumptions regarding this species, characterized by its bulbous nose and recognized as the fossil emblem of Queensland,” stated Dr. Herne.
“A particularly striking revelation was the confirmation that Muttaburrasaurus langdoni possessed teeth at the very front of its snout.”
“This was an unexpected observation, as the beak (the anterior portion of the snout) of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni was previously presumed to be edentulous, akin to many other well-documented herbivorous species, such as Iguanodon from Europe and the predominantly Northern Hemisphere ‘duck-billed’ hadrosaurs.”
“However, ornithischian dinosaurs of comparable dimensions typically exhibit beak-like snouts devoid of teeth, with Triceratops serving as a prime illustration of this morphology.”
“Consequently, the beak of this Australian dinosaur was not toothless and strongly indicates a more selective feeding strategy.”
Equipped with its narrow, toothed beak, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni would have been adept at browsing on specific foliage and seeds, and perhaps even incorporating invertebrates to diversify its diet.
This anatomical feature also suggests an evolutionary lineage diverged from an earlier branch of ornithopod dinosaurs, potentially stemming from ancestors like Camptosaurus and Iguanodon, given that the progenitors of smaller ornithischians all featured toothed beaks.
This new evidence facilitates a more precise placement of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni within the phylogenetic tree of dinosaurs.
“These insights were derived from the meticulous analysis of the endocranial casts and the internal structures of the ear region,” explained Professor Vera Weisbecker of Flinders University.
“We determined that its inner ear anatomy bore a greater resemblance to that of bipedal dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, rather than those that habitually quadrupedal locomotion.”
“Therefore, it is plausible that Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, a large herbivore, was capable of bipedal locomotion and running when necessary, while utilizing its forelimbs to assist in gathering food situated closer to the ground.”
The research team also identified that the distinctive ‘bulbous’ configuration of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni’s nasal structure is composed of entirely novel skeletal elements not observed in other dinosaur species.
“The discovery of these new bones was particularly exhilarating as they revealed two substantial, intricate air chambers situated superior to the primary airflow pathway, which would have served to decelerate inhaled air,” Dr. Herne commented.
“Thus, we surmise that these structures indicate an exceptionally keen sense of smell, potentially aiding the animal in locating sustenance, evading predators, or facilitating navigational orientation.”
“This nasal characteristic aligns with its remarkably enlarged olfactory bulbs—among the most significant in any dinosaur—which are the brain regions responsible for olfactory processing.”
“The application of sophisticated CT scanning, neutron scattering, and synchrotron technologies enabled the creation of highly detailed three-dimensional digital renditions of the jaws and dental structures,” added Dr. Joseph Bevitt, a researcher affiliated with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).
The comprehensive research endeavor was disseminated online through the scientific journal PeerJ.
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M.C. Herne et al. 2026. Cranial anatomy, palaeoneurology, palaeobiology and stratigraphic age of the large-bodied ornithopod, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni Bartholomai and Molnar, 1981, from the mid-Cretaceous of Australia. PeerJ 14: e20794; doi: 10.7717/peerj.20794
