Dinosaurs of Pakistan: Prehistoric (non-dinosaurs) taxa of Pakistan
Recently discovered dinosaurs (serial 1-26 in the following list) and other prehistoric biotas (non-dinosaurs serial 27-59) are briefly overviewed here. Most of these taxa are recently discovered and named by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan, while in a few taxa he was partially involved.
Dinosaurs of Pakistan
Recently 26 taxa of dinosaurs have been found in Pakistan. Among these 20 taxa of dinosaurs are based on bone fossils and 6 taxa of dinosaurs are based on footprints/trackways.
Serial 1 is Ankylosaur ornithischian dinosaur found from the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Sembar Shale. Brohisaurus was based on many armor bones and a few appendicular bones. Brohisaurus was formally described in 2003. It's updated information are available in Malkani (2025). Brohisaurus was discovered by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan. 
Serial 2-15 are titanosaurian sauropod dinosaurs found from the Late Cretaceous (latest Maastrichtian) Vitakri Formation and their updated informations such as years of informal and formal description, holotypic and referred fossils and localities, number of bones and individuals, host horizon and basinal distributions are mentioned in tables 8, 9, 10 and 11 of Malkani (2024). These titanosaurs were formally described in (Malkani, 2021a,b, 2022, 2023b, 2024). The habitat of all these titanosaurs was terrestrial on land.
Serial 16-20 are small to large sized belisaurian theropod dinosaurs found from the Vitakri Formation and their updated information are available in Malkani (2024). The three medium-large bodied abelisaurian theropod from Pakistan are Vitakridrinda, Vitakrisaurus and Shansaraiki arranged in a family Vitakrisauridae. Two small bodied theropod dinosaurs (Noasauridae) from Pakistan are Saraikisaurus minhui and an indeterminate species.. The basic information of these all five theropod dinosaurs are found in table 1 of Malkani (2025). The basic information of recently discovered prehistoric other biotas (beside dinosaurs) are found in tables 6-11 of Malkani (2023a). The first carnivorous theropod dinosaur bones from Pakistan was discovered in 2001 from Balochistan. The habitat of Vitakridrinda, Vitakrisaurus, Shansaraiki and Saraikisaurus was terrestrial on land. 3 Pakistani theropods were among the largest theropods or land carnivore on earth and one was among small noasaurid theropods.
Serial 21-26 are Mesozoic dinosaurs ichno taxa formally described in Malkani (2021b). Further their revised information are mentioned in Malkani (2025).
Serial 21-22 represented by Ankylosaur and hadrosaur Ornithischian dinosaurs which are first time reported from Pakistan.. Malakhelisauroperus and Pashtosauroperus arranged in a group Ornithopaonia, Ornithischia.
Serial 23-24 represented by Sauropoda. Dgkhansauroperus and Chiltansauroperus arranged in group Sauropaonia, Sauropoda, Saurischia, Archosauria.
Serial 25-26 represent large and small sized theropods classified as Theropaonia, Theropoda. Samanadrinda surghari large Megalosaur theropod and Himalayadrinda potwari represents allosaur small bodied theropod.
Large sized theropod Samanadrindoperus and small sized theropod Himalayadrindoperus arranged in a group Theropaonia. The first small footprint of Chiltansauroperus was discovered in 2002 from Kirthar foldbelt.
The first dinosaur trackways from Pakistan was discovered in 2006 from Malakhel Mianwali (Punjab) and reported in 2007. Besides dinosaur footprints/trackways, the footprints and partial trackways of Anmolpakhiperus (arranged in hierarchy as Pteropaonia, Pterosaurs, Archosauria) were reported from the Mesozoic of Pakistan. Malakhelisauroperus and Samanadrindoperus footprints were among the largest/biggest footprints on earth. Samanadrindoperus Theropaonia was the largest predator or among the biggest predators on earth.
The first dinosaur to be found in country was sauropod dinosaur of modern day Pakistan. First dinosaur from Pakistan was discovered by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan. The first dinosaur bone from Pakistan was discovered in early 2000. Femur bone of Qaikshaheen titanosaurian sauropod is the first bone of dinosaur discovered from Pakistan in 2000 by M. Sadiq Malkani from Sangiali locality of Vitakri dome (Barkhan District, Balochistan Province). The first named dinosaur from Pakistan is Pakisaurus appeared in 2004. Marisaurus and Brohisaurus appeared earlier in 2003 due to shifting of conference from 2003 to 2004. So far about 3000 bones of dinosaurs (and other vertebrates) were discovered from Pakistan by M. Sadiq Malkani (Paleontologist, Geologist, Stratigrapher and Mineralogist) of Geological Survey of Pakistan. First time the first dinosaur from Pakistan was discovered from Balochistan Province. First time the first dinosaur from Pakistan discovered was herbivorous titanosaurian sauropod. The partial skull of Gspsaurus is first from South Asia (Indo-Pakistan subcontinent). The discovery of armor osteoderms of Titanosaurs from Pakistan (2003) is first in Asia. The existing and enrichment of 14 titanosaur taxa in a few kilometers area of Pakistan is first in global World. Brohisaurus is only Jurasssic dinosaur in Pakistan (based on bone fossils). 14 titanosaur taxa were found the Late Cretaceous. All the body fossil dinosaurs were found from Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Ichno taxa of dinosaurs were found from North Punjab, South Punjab and Balochistan.
The first sauropod dinosaur bones from Pakistan were discovered in 2000 and the first theropod dinosaur bones from Pakistan were discovered in 2001, by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan.
Pakisaurus balochistani is the first titanosaur dinosaur reported (in 2004) from Pakistan, while Imrankhanshaheen masoombushrai is the last titanosaur reported (in 2024) from Pakistan. Pakisaurus has distinctive robust humerus with medially inset deltopectoral crest and posterior ridge and inflected femur head (Malkani, 2024).
Khanazeem saraikistani titanosaur was named and described in Malkani (2022). Khanazeem based on cranial, vertebral and appendicular bones found from lower Bor type locality. Khanazeem saraikistani was also referred vertebral and appendicular bones found from western part of Topkinwa locality of Pakistan, and a femur (ISI 622-623-624; Bandyopadhyay, pers., comm. with Jeffrey A Wilson Mantilla) from Temple hill, Rahioli, Gujarat of western India (Malkani, 2023a table 4; Malkani, 2024, table 11). Khanazeem type left and right femora from Pakistan and referred femur from India overlaped the features such as slender proportion, concavity on proximolateral profile and inflected head. Pakisaurus has inflected head in relatively thick and large femur, while Khanazeem has inflected head in relatively small femur. It shows Pakisaurus is medium sized titanosaur, while Khanazeem is small sized titanosaur. Further concavity on proximolateral profile is not preserved in Pakisaurus. The caudal vertebra of Khanazeem saraikistani is more robust, while Pakisaurus balochistani has robust caudal, and "Titanosaurus indicus" has slender caudal. Khanazeem has distinctive slender tibia with anteroposteriorly expanded distal tibia (Malkani, 2022, 2024).
Imrankhanhero has slender humerus, slender femur and slender tibia with anteroposteriorly expanded distal tibia (Malkani, 2023b, 2024).
Gspsaurus has distinctive v-shaped lower teeth row and u-shaped upper teeth row, large conical teeth and contact between teeth is moderately spaced, slender radius, slender femur and robust tibia (Malkani 2024). Most probably Gspsaurus may have distinctive slender femur with perpendicular oriented head on femur shaft.
Ikqaumishan has distinctive slender humerus with medially inset deltopectoral crest and medially expanded medial process of proximal humerus (Malkani, 2023b, 2024). Further a few centimeters subcircular and thin armor plate (GSP/MSM-8-1; GSP-BC-001/1) may belong to type series. Further a few procoelous caudals (and appendicular bones) from South Sangiali may belong to Ikqaumishan smqureshi (Malkani, 2023b).
Imrankhanshaheen masoombushrai is only titanosaur from Pakistan which includes holotypic braincase (and vertebral and appendicular bones). Imrankhanshaheen braincase from Pakistan is different than Jainosaurus braincases and other braincases from India, Vahiny braincase from Madagascar and other braincases of titanosaurs from other countries. Imrankhanshaheen braincase from Pakistan provide facility for comparison with coeval titanosaurs and other sauropods (Malkani, 2024).
Qaikshaheen has distinguished robust humerus almost laterally set deltopectoral crest, slender femur, short dorsal squat profile shaped neural spine (Malkani, 2023b, 2024).
Balochisaurus distinctive broad biconvex first caudal, robust femur, short dorsal fanshaped neural spine (Malkani, 2024).
Marisaurus has relatively less broad first biconvex first caudal and more robust femur (Malkani, 2024).
Saraikimasoom has short snout with about 40 degree facial angle, u-shaped lower and upper teeth row and dental formula 4, 13/9-11 (Malkani, 2024).
Nicksaurus has distinct relatively closely contacted teeth with alternating small and large teeth. Nicksaurus has robust femur with more robust distal femur, while Balochisaurus has robust proximal and distal femur. Nicksaurus has broad caudals and transversely expanded distal tibia (Malkani, 2024).
Diverse osteoderms and armor bones were discovered from Pakistan and reported in 2003. This report of titanosaurian armor bones were first in Asia. Imrankhanshaheen has mosaic type subrectangular thin bony armor plates. Ikqaumishan has mosaic type relatively thick subrectangular/suboval armor plate. Gspsaurus has large ellipsoidal osteodermal fibrous spongy plate with median groove. Imrankhanhero has large ellipsoidal osteodermal fibrous spongy plate without medium groove. Pakisaurus has long and thick spine type osteodermal fibrous spongy bone (Malkani, 2024).
Herbivorous (sauropods) and carnivorous (theropods) dinosaurs were found from Pakistan. Saurischian dinosaur bone fossils and footprints/trackwys were found from Pakistan. Footprints/partial trackways of ambiguous ornithischian (Ornithopaonia) were found from middle-late Jurassic Samanasuk Limestone and Late Cretaceous Sur Muzghai Member of Pab Formation of Pakistan. The ambiguity is that the pes footprints are subsymmetrical which are close to symmetrical pes of ornithischian, while Manus footprints are close to sauropods (Malkani, 2021b). Largest body sized sauropod dinosaurs were discovered from Pakistan.
The Jurassic Brohisaurus dinosaur bones found from Karkh and Zidi Tehsil of Khuzdar District and Division of Balochistan. Fourteen genera of Late Cretaceous titanosaurs found from Barkhan Tehsil and District of Balochistan. Dinosaur bones were found from Khuzdar, Barkhan, Kohlu and Dera Bugti Districts of Balochistan and Koh Sulaiman Tehsil (Khar Fort Munro and surrounding areas under territory of Koh e Suleiman Tehsil) of Taunsa District of South Punjab, Pakistan.
The Jurassic ichno taxa found from Malakhel area of Malakhel District and Division of Punjab, and Kharzan Moola Tehsil of Khuzdar District and Division of Balochistan. The Cretaceous ichno taxa found from Jampur Tehsil of Rajanpur District of Dera Ghazi Khan Division of South Punjab, and Musafarpur area of Qila Saif Ullah District of Zhob Division of Balochistan.
Poripuchia clade of titanosaurian sauropod is represented by Pakisauridae, Balochisauridae, Gspsauridae and Saraikimasoomidae. The members of Pakisauridae are Pakisaurus balochistani, Khanazeem saraikistani, Imrankhanhero zilefatmi, Sulaimanisaurus gingerichi and Khetranisaurus barkhani. The members of Balochisauridae are Balochisaurus malkani, Qaikshaheen masoomniazi and Marisaurus jeffi. The members of Gspsauridae are Gspsaurus pakistani, Maojandino alami, Ikqaumishan smqureshi and Imrankhanshaheen masoombushrai. The members of Saraikimasoomidae are Saraikimasoom vitakri and Nicksaurus razashahi. Gspsaurus, Imrankhanshaheen, Nicksaurus, Pakisaurus and Khanazeem based on cranial, vertebral and appendicular skeletons. Saraikimasoom is based on snout with complete teeth row. Saraikimasoom snout is unique and first in titanosaurs on having complete teeth row. Balochisaurus, Qaikshaheen, Marisaurus, Imrankhanhero, Ikqaumishan and Maojandino are based on vertebral and appendicular bones. Sulaimanisaurus and Khetranisaurus based on only caudal vertebrae.
Imrankhanshaheen is only titanosaur from Pakistan which are based on braincase and associated postcrania. In this regard, Imrankhanshaheen provide comparison facility with coeval titanosaurs from India, Madagascar and other countries.
Gspsaurus, Saraikimasoom, Pakisaurus, Sulaimanisaurus and Khetranisaurus were formally described in Malkani (2021a). Balochisaurus, Nicksaurus, Maojandino and Marisaurus were formally described in Malkani (2021b). Khanazeem titanosaurian sauropod (along with Shansaraiki theropod) was formally described in Malkani (2022). Imrankhanhero, Qaikshaheen and Ikqaumishan were formally described in Malkani (2023b). Imrankhanshaheen was formally described in Malkani (2024).
All the dinosaurs from Vitakri Formation are found just below the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary 66 million years ago (at the end Cretaceous). The Vitakri dinosaurs are last dinosaurs among global World.
Based on dinosaur trackways/partial trackways, the narrow gauge locomotion of theropods and less wide gauge locomotion of Ornithopaonia are observed.
Based on body fossils of Poripuchian titanosaurs, the less and more wide gauge locomotions are found. In narrow gauge locomotion, the footprints are just touch or very close to midline of trackway. In less wide gauge locomotion, the footprints are some what away from midline of trackways. In more wide gauge locomotions, the footprints are more away from midline of trackways. The proximal scapula of mostly stocky Poripuchian titanosaurs are straight or slightly medially deflected, showing less wide gauge locomotions. Its femur is also relatively less deflected outwardly showing less wide gauge locomotions.
In contrast the proximal scapula of Pakisaurus (a slender Poripuchian) is deflected outwardly showing more wide gauge locomotions. It's femur is relatively more deflected outwardly showing more wide gauge locomotions. The femur head of Pakisaurus and Khanazeem are inflected dorsally creating more lateral deflection of femoral shaft resulted the more wide gauge locomotions (Malkani, 2024).
Beside dinosaurs, the prehistoric Pakistan yielded ancient tree, some invertebrates, and numerous vertebrates (including fishes mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaurs, snake, bird and mammals) (Malkani, 2021a,b, 2023a)..
The following list (Serial 1 -25) shows dinosaurs of Pakistan. Note that it includes recent changes based on new discoveries.
Prehistoric (non-dinosaurs) taxa of Pakistan
Prehistoric Pakistani Biotas (Serial 26-58) are based on body fossils and (Serial 58) based on footprints/partial trackways. Most of the following recently discovered prehistoric biotas from Pakistan were discovered by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan, while in some findings he was partially involved.
Serial 27 represent a gymnosperm tree flora found from Late Maastrichtian Dhaola Member of Pab Formation of Goeswanga Pass locality. Baradarakht goeswangai. Baradarakht is first large tree of Pakistan discovered from Maastrichtian strata.
Serial 28-30represent fishes/pisces. These are first fishes discovered from Cambrian and Mesozoic of Pakistan.
Serial 31-37 represent mesoeucrocodiles, eucrocodile and gavial. These mesoeucrocodiles are first diagnostic from Indo-Pakistan subcontinent (South Asia).
Serial 38 represent bone taxa of pterosaur (flying reptiles) found from Pakistan. This is first pterosaur from Pakistan. Imrankhanuqab was the biggest pterosaur on earth or among the largest pterosaurs on earth.
Serial 39 represents ichnotaxon of pterosaur.
Serial 40 represents a plesiosaur (marine reptile). It is first plesiosaur from Pakistan.
Serial 41 represents a large snake. This is first Cretaceous snake discovered from Pakistan. Wadanaang was among the largest snakes on earth.
Serial 42 represents a large toothed bird. It is first bird of Pakistan found from the latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Formation. Wasaibpanchi was the largest bird on earth.
Serial 43-52 are mammals. Khansultan masoomrashidi and Mirvitakriharan haji are Cretaceous mammals discovered from Vitakri Formation of Barkhan District (Balochistan). These Cretaceous mammals discovery are first from Pakistan. Pakistan hosted the largest land animals, largest land mammals and largest marine mammals. Baluchithere rhinoceros (Baluchitherium/Paraceratherium, Buzdartherium and Pakitherium) and Soantherium bari were the largest land mammal or among the largest land mammals on earth. The Baluchitherium/Paraceratherium were discovered from Dera Bugti District of Balochistan Province. The Buzdartherium was discovered from Taunsa District of South Punjab. Buzdartherium was first time reported from Punjab Province (in 2014) by M. Sadiq Malkani of Geological Survey of Pakistan. The Pakitherium baluchithere was first time reported from Balochistan basin of Balochistan Province. Pakitherium was discovered from Shagala (Shaigalu) Tehsil of Zhob district, Balochistan. Baluchitherium and Buzdartherium Baluchitheres were discovered from Sulaiman Range basin of Pakistan, while Pakitherium was discovered from Balochistan Basin. These baluchitheres are the largest land rhinoceros migrated from Pakistan to Eurasia or vice versa (Malkani, 2015, 2019, 2021b). More recently Soantherium bari reported from Salt range (upper Indus basin) of Pakistan (Malkani, 2025).
Bolanicyon Shahani terrestrial mammal was reported from Early Eocene Toi Formation of Chammalang Group of Mach area of Bolan, Balochistan.
Kilgai moolakharzani sea cow reported from marine Early Eocene Shaheed Ghat Shale of Chammalang Group of Kill Kharzan Moola area of Khuzdar District, Balochistan.
Largest marine mammals (whales) were recently reported from Rakhni Barkhan and Zamri area Musakhel of Balochistan Province and Rodho Sata post area of Taunsa District of South Punjab (Malkani, 2019, 2021b).
Largest proboscidean Gomphotherium buzdari reported from Mahoi area of Taunsa District of South Punjab. The Gomphotherium buzdari was among the biggest proboscidean on earth.
Serial 53-59 are invertebrates. Many invertebrates were reported in different report, while some are named. Moolatrilo was named from possible Permo-Jurassic strata. Pakiring bivalve is represented from Cretaceous -Paleogene boundary Vitakri Formation. Pakiwheel karkhi and Pakiwheel Vitakri were reported from Early Paleocene Rakhi Gaj and Sangiali Formations respectively. Nisaukankoil and Phailawaghkankoil centipede arthropods were discovered from Early Paleocene Rakhi Gaj Formation. Mulastar was found from Early Eocene Shaheed Ghat Shale.
List of dinosaurs and other prehistoric biotas recently discovered from Pakistan
List of dinosaur taxa from Pakistan
1, Brohisaurus (Ankylosaur ornithischian)
Poripuchia (titanosaurian sauropods)
Four families from Indo-Pakistan subcontinent
Gspsauridae
2, Gspsaurus
3, Maojandino
4, Ikqaumishan
5, Imrankhanshaheen
Saraikinasoomidae
6, Saraikimasoom
7, Nicksaurus
Balochisauridae
8, Balochisaurus
9, Qaikshaheen
10, Marisaurus
Pakisauridae
11, Pakisaurus
12, Khanazeem
13, Imrankhanhero
14, Sulaimanisaurus
15, Khetranisaurus
Theropod dinosaurs
Vitakrisauridae
16, Vitakridrinda
17, Vitakrisaurus
18, Shansaraiki
Noasaurodae
19. Saraikisaurus minhui
Ichnotaxa of dinosaurs
Ornithischian dinosaurs
Ornithopaonia
21. Malakhelisauroperus
(=Malakhelisaurus, =Malakhelpodus)
22 Pashtosauroperus
(=Pashtosaurus, =Pashtopodus)
Sauropod dinosaurs
Sauropaonia
23. Chiltansauroperus
(=Chiltanpaer)
24. Dgkhansauroperus
(=Dgkhansaurus, =Dgkhanpodus)
Theropod dinosaurs
Megalosaur Theropaonia
25. Samanadrindoperus
(=Samanadrinda, =Samanapodus)
Allosaur Theropaonia
26. Himalayadrindoperus
(=Himalayadrinda, =Himalayapodus)
List of Prehistoric Biotas (non-dinosaurs) of Pakistan
27. Baradarakht goeswangai (Planta)
Fishes/Pisces
28. Muzaffarabadmachli
29. Kahamachli
30. Karkhimachli
Mesoeucrocodiles and Eucrocodiles
31. Pabwehshi
32, Induszalim
33. Sulaimanisuchus
34 Mithasaraikistan
35. Khuzdarcroco
36. Asifcroco retrai
37. Sakhibaghoon khizari
Pterosaurs (Bone taxa)
38. Imrankhanuqab qaeddiljani
Pterosaur (Ichnotaxon)
Pteropaonia
39. Anmolpakhiperus alleni
(=Anmolpakhi alleni =Anmolpodus alleni)
Plesiosaur
40. Zahrisaurus
Snake
41. Wadanaang
Bird
42, Wasaibpanchi damani
Mammals
43. Mirvitakriharan haji
(=Mirvitakri haji)
44, Khansultan masoomrashidi
45. Kilgai moolakharzani
46. Bolanicyon shahani
47. Artiocetus clavis
48. Rodhocetus balochistanensis
49. Sulaimanitherium dhanotri
50. Pakitherium shagalai
51. Buzdartherium gulkirao
52. Gomphotherium buzdari
Invertebrates
54, Moolatrilo
55. Pakiring kharzani
56. Pakiwheel karkhi
57. Pakiwheel vitakri
58, Nisaukankoil
59, Phailawaghkankoil
60. Mulastar zahri
References
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2025) Theropods, ornithischians and pterosaurs from South Asia -Review with new taxa: A look at Paleontology, Stratigraphy and Mineral potential of Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 15, 22-68. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2025.151002
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2024) New data on coal, gypsum, iron and silica sand deposits and geochemical exploration (Pakistan): Revision of 25 years history of dinosaur discoveries from Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 14, 431-511. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2024.143020
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2023a) Geology and mineral deposits of Saraikistan (South Punjab, Koh Sulaiman Range) of Pakistan: A tabular review of recently discovered biotas from Pakistan and paleobiogeographic link: Phylogeny and hypodigm of poripuchian Titanosaurs from Indo-Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 13, 900-958. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2023.138040
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2023b) A glance on the mineral deposits and stratigraphic sequential variations and structures in different of Indus Basins (Pakistan): New titanosaurian sauropod dinosaurs from the latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Formation of Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 13, 1069-1138. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2023.1310046
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2022) Plates boundary and structural geology of Balochistan and Indus basins through field observations on Chaman transform fault and western Indus suture (Pakistan): Dinosaurs from Pakistan with attributed bones and key features: Titanosaurs from India with updated assessment on Jainosaurus. Open Journal of Geology, 12, 1032-1079. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2022.1211049
Malkani M. Sadiq (2021a) Jurassic-Cretaceous and Cretaceous-Paleogene transitions and Mesozoic vertebrates from Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 11, 275-318. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2021.118016
Malkani, M. Sadiq. (2021b) Formal description of Mesozoic and Cenozoic biotas found from Pakistan. Open Journal of Geology, 11, 411-455. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2021.119023
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2019) Recently discovered basy, baluchithere, rhinoceros, horses, sea cow, proboscidean, eucrocodile, pterosaurs, plesiosaur, fishes, invertebrates and wood fossils, tracks and trackwys of dinosaurs from Pakistan; Comparison of recognized four titanosaur taxa of Indo-Pakistan with Madagascar. Open Journal of Geology, 9, 919-955. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2019.912098
Malkani, M. Sadiq (2015) Dinosaurs, mesoeucrocodiles, pterosaurs, new fauna and flora from Pakistan. Geological Survey of Pakistan, Information Release, 832, 1-32.