Neslen Formation

Neslen Formation
Stratigraphic range: 76–75 Ma
TypeFormation
Unit ofMesaverde Group
UnderliesCastlegate Sandstone
OverliesSego Sandstone
Thickness~100 meters
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone, stilttone and sandstone
OtherCoal
Location
RegionUtah
CountryUnited States

The Upper Cretaceous Neslen Formation is a geologic formation in Utah. It preserves fossils dating back to the Cretaceous period. It has been exploited for coal. The Kaiparowits Formation is closely associated.

Skull of Rhinorex condrupus from the Neslen Formation of Utah; photo by Nick Longrich
Skull of Rhinorex condrupus from the Neslen Formation of Utah

Two different types of dinosaur fossils have been reported from the formation. The first is a diagnostic tyrannosaurid foot, the second being the type and only specimen of Rhinorex.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gates, Terry A.; Scheetz, Rodney (3 August 2015). "A new saurolophine hadrosaurid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Campanian of Utah, North America". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 13 (8): 711–725. doi:10.1080/14772019.2014.950614.
  2. ↑ Thomson, Tracy J.; Irmis, Randall B.; Loewen, Mark A. (June 2013). "First occurrence of a tyrannosaurid dinosaur from the Mesaverde Group (Neslen Formation) of Utah: Implications for upper Campanian Laramidian biogeography". Cretaceous Research. 43: 70–79. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2013.02.006.