Overview
Background
Dr Steve Salisbury is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Queensland, where he is head of the UQ Dinosaur Lab and Chair of First Nations Engagement. He is also Research Associate at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Associate Editor for the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, and a Scientific Board member of the Jurassic Foundation.
Steve studied biology and geology at the University of Sydney, receiving the Edgeworth David Award for Palaeontology in 1993. He then moved to the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he completed his Honours thesis on fossil crocodilians from Murgon, south-eastern Queensland. Continuing at the UNSW, Steve travelled to Germany and the UK to complete a PhD on crocodilian locomotor evolution. He returned to Australia in 2000 to pursue a life-long dream of searching for Australian dinosaurs, and joined The University of Queensland in 2003 as a Postdoctoral Fellow.
Steve's research focuses on the evolution of Gondwanan continental vertebrates, in particular dinosaurs and crocodilians. He is also interested in vertebrate biomechanics and using extant animals to better understand the anatomy, behaviour and evolution of extinct ones. His field-based research takes him to various parts of Queensland, the Kimberley, New Zealand and Antarctica.
Availability
- Associate Professor Steven Salisbury is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Dinosaurs
Australasian Cretaceous dinosaur faunas; evolution of Australasian ornithopods, thyreophorans, sauropods and theropods; Gondwanan dinosaur palaeobiogeography; dinosaur trackways
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Crocodiles
evolution of Australasian crocodilians; origin of modern crocodilians; crocodilian locomotor evolution; crocodilian lung ventilation; crocodilian growth dynamics
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Biomechanics
locomotor evolution of dinosaurs and crocodilians; vertebral bracing in archosaurs; feeding behaviour in crocodilians
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Other research interests
evolution of Australian Cretaceous fishes; evolution of Australian pterosaurs; geology and taphonomy of Australian Cretaceous dinosaur localities; palaeopathology in fossil archosaurs
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Cultural Heritage
First Nations cultural heritage, Traditional Knowledge, ethnography,
Research impacts
The results of Steve's research have been widely covered in the media, and he provides regular commentary on palaeontological research via the Australian Science Media Centre. His research has been the impetus for the establishment of a $1.5 million interpretive centre in the outback town of Isisford, central-western Queensland, and recently helped to secure National Heritage Listing of dinosaur tracks on the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome, which subsequently contributed to the collapse of a $40+ billion LNG development.
Steve's honours include the Rea Postdoctoral Fellowship (2007-2009, Carnegie Museum of Natural History), an Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship (Industry) (2003-2006, The University of Queensland), an Australian Postgraduate Award (1995-1998, University of NSW), a Postgraduate Research Scholarship (1996-1998, German Academic Exchange Service) and The Banks Alecto Fellowship (1996-1997, The Royal Society, London). He has also received research funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Science Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the Australian Geographic Society, the Linnean Society of NSW, Isisford Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council, Winton Sire Council, Queensland Museum, The Western Australian Greens, The Wilderness Society and Land Rover Australia.
Works
Search Professor Steven Salisbury’s works on UQ eSpace
2012
Journal Article
Humeral morphology of the early Eocene mekosuchine crocodylian Kambara from the Tingamarra Local Fauna southeastern Queensland, Australia
Stein, Michael, Salisbury, Steven W., Hand, Suzanne J., Archer, Michael and Godthelp, Henk (2012). Humeral morphology of the early Eocene mekosuchine crocodylian Kambara from the Tingamarra Local Fauna southeastern Queensland, Australia. Alcheringa, 36 (4), 473-486. doi: 10.1080/03115518.2012.671697
2012
Conference Publication
A fossil kiwi (Apterygiformes) from the early miocene St Bathans Fauna, New Zealand
Worthy, Trevor H., Tennyson, Alan J. D., Salisbury, Steven, Hand, Suzanne J. and Scofield, R. Paul (2012). A fossil kiwi (Apterygiformes) from the early miocene St Bathans Fauna, New Zealand. 8th International Meeting of the Society of Avian Paleontology and Evolution, Vienna, Austria, 11-16 June, 2012. Wien, Österreich: Naturhistorisches Museum Wien.
2012
Conference Publication
Palaeoclimate of the mid-Cretaceous Winton Formation, central-western Queensland, Australia: new observations based on Leaf Margin Analysis, CLAMP, Bioclimatic Analysis and fossil wood growth indices
Fletcher, Tamara, Moss, Patrick and Salisbury, Steven (2012). Palaeoclimate of the mid-Cretaceous Winton Formation, central-western Queensland, Australia: new observations based on Leaf Margin Analysis, CLAMP, Bioclimatic Analysis and fossil wood growth indices. 34th International Geological Congress 2012 (IGC), Brisbane, Australia, 5–10 August 2012. Australia: Australian Geosciences Council.
2012
Conference Publication
Re-interpretation of the dinosaur track-maker identities and tracksite scenario at Lark Quarry, of the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation, central-western Queensland, Australia
Romilio, Anthony and Salisbury, S. W. (2012). Re-interpretation of the dinosaur track-maker identities and tracksite scenario at Lark Quarry, of the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation, central-western Queensland, Australia. Dinosaur Tracks 2011. An International Symposium, Obernkirchen, April 14–17, 2011. Abstract Volume and Field Guide to Excursions, Obernkirchen, Germany, 14–17 April 2011. Gottingen, Germany: Universitatsverlag Gottingen.
2011
Journal Article
A reassessment of large theropod dinosaur tracks from the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Lark Quarry, central-western Queensland, Australia: A case for mistaken identity
Romilio, Anthony and Salisbury, Steven W. (2011). A reassessment of large theropod dinosaur tracks from the mid-Cretaceous (late Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Lark Quarry, central-western Queensland, Australia: A case for mistaken identity. Cretaceous Research, 32 (2), 135-142. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2010.11.003
2011
Conference Publication
Re-examination of the Lark Quarry dinosaur tracksite reveals an absence of tracks referable to nonavian theropods
Romilio, A. and Salisbury, S. (2011). Re-examination of the Lark Quarry dinosaur tracksite reveals an absence of tracks referable to nonavian theropods. Geological Survey of Western Australia 2011, CAVEPS Perth 2011, 13th Conference on Australasian Vertebrate Evolution Palaeontology and Systematics, Perth, Australia, 27–30 April 2011. Perth, Australia: Geological Survey of Western Australia, Record 2011/9.
2011
Book Chapter
Crocodilians
Salisbury, Steven W. and Naish, Darren (2011). Crocodilians. English Wealden Fossils. (pp. 305-369) edited by David Batten and Philip D. Lane. Aberystwyth, Wales, U.K.: Paleontological Association.
2010
Journal Article
New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of Queensland, Australia
Fletcher, Tamara L. and Salisbury, Steven W. (2010). New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of Queensland, Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 30 (6), 1747-1759. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2010.521929
2010
Journal Article
Comment on "A southern tyrant reptile"
Herne, Matthew C., Nair, Jay P. and Salisbury, Steven W. (2010). Comment on "A southern tyrant reptile". Science, 329 (5995), 1013c-1013c. doi: 10.1126/science.1190100
2010
Journal Article
A reappraisal of the cretaceous non-avian dinosaur faunas from Australia and New Zealand: Evidence for their Gondwanan affinities
Agnolin, Federico L.., Ezcurra, Martin D., Pais, Diego F. and Salisbury, Steven W. (2010). A reappraisal of the cretaceous non-avian dinosaur faunas from Australia and New Zealand: Evidence for their Gondwanan affinities. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 8 (2), 257-300. doi: 10.1080/14772011003594870
2009
Journal Article
Common Avian Infection Plagued the Tyrant Dinosaurs
Wolff, Ewan D. S., Salisbury, Steven W., Horner, John R. and Varricchio, David J. (2009). Common Avian Infection Plagued the Tyrant Dinosaurs. PLoS One, 4 (9) e7288, e7288.1-e7288.7. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007288
2009
Conference Publication
New anatomical information on Rhoetosaurus brownei (Dinosauria: Eusauropoda), from the Jurassic Injune Creek Group, near Roma, Queensland, Australia
Nair, Jay P. and Salisbury, Steven W. (2009). New anatomical information on Rhoetosaurus brownei (Dinosauria: Eusauropoda), from the Jurassic Injune Creek Group, near Roma, Queensland, Australia. 12th Conference on Australasian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics 2009, Sydney , Australia, June 22-June 25, 2009. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Geological Society of Australia.
2008
Journal Article
A Megaraptor-like theropod (Dinosauria: Tetanurae) in Australia: support for faunal exchange across eastern and western Gondwana in the Mid-Cretaceous
Smith, Nathan D., Makovicky, Peter J., Agnolin, Federico L., Ezcurra, Martin D., Pais, Diego F. and Salisbury, Steven W. (2008). A Megaraptor-like theropod (Dinosauria: Tetanurae) in Australia: support for faunal exchange across eastern and western Gondwana in the Mid-Cretaceous. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B - Containing Papers of a Biological Character, 275 (1647), 2085-2093. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0504
2007
Conference Publication
Biomechanics of rhachitomous vertebrae in early tetrapods
Pawley, K. and Salisbury, S. W (2007). Biomechanics of rhachitomous vertebrae in early tetrapods. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, 10-13th April. Sydney, australia: Geological Society of Australia.
2007
Conference Publication
A new possible haleocomorph fish from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia
Faggotter, S. J. and Faggotter, S. J. (2007). A new possible haleocomorph fish from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia. Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Brisbane, Brisbane. NORTHBROOK: SOC VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY.
2007
Conference Publication
Sauropods from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of central-western Queensland, Australia
Salisbury, S. W., Molnar, R. E. and Lamanna, M. C. (2007). Sauropods from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of central-western Queensland, Australia. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, 9 - 12 April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.
2007
Conference Publication
A new possible haleocomorph fish from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia
Faggotter, S. J., Salisbury, S. W. and Yabumoto, Y. (2007). A new possible haleocomorph fish from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.
2007
Journal Article
A critical reassessment of the cretaceous non-avian dinosaur faunas of Australia and New Zealand
Salisbury, S. W., Agnolin, F., Ezcurra, M. and Pias, D. (2007). A critical reassessment of the cretaceous non-avian dinosaur faunas of Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 27 (Supplement No. 3), 138A-138A.
2007
Conference Publication
Osteology and biomechanics of the crus and pes in Rhoetosaurus brownei Longman (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Middle Jurassic Injune Creek Group of Roma, south-western Queensland
Nair, J. P. and Salisbury, S. W. (2007). Osteology and biomechanics of the crus and pes in Rhoetosaurus brownei Longman (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Middle Jurassic Injune Creek Group of Roma, south-western Queensland. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.
2007
Book Chapter
Crocodilians of the Crato Formation: evidence for enigmatic species
Frey, E. and Salisbury, S. W. (2007). Crocodilians of the Crato Formation: evidence for enigmatic species. The Crato Fossil Beds of Brazil - Window into an Ancient World. (pp. 463-474) edited by Martill, D. M., Bechly, G. and Loveridge, R. F.. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511535512.017
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Steven Salisbury is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Postgraduate projects (Honours and PhD) in the Vertebrate Palaeontology and Biomechanics Lab:
Our lab’s research focuses on the evolution of Gondwanan continental vertebrates, in particular dinosaurs and crocodilians. We are also interested in vertebrate biomechanics and using extant animals to better understand the anatomy, behaviour and evolution of extinct ones.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Distribution, abundance, and palaeoecological insights into theropod tracks of the Broome Sandstone, Western Australia
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the preservation of the Cretaceous vertebrate fauna of the Eromanga Basin in Central West Queensland
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
New insights into the taxonomic diversity and evolution of crocodylians from the Cenozoic Era of Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gilbert Price
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Standing on the feet of giants: Insights into the biomechanics and evolution of the sauropod hind foot and its implications for sauropod biology
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Life by the Eromanga Sea: Taphonomy of crocodyliform and osteichthyan fossils from the Lower Cretaceous (upper Albian) portion of the Winton Formation at Isisford, central-west Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kevin Welsh
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The ichnological record of Australian Cretaceous ornithopodan dinosaurs: diversity, behaviour, and implications for the evolution of pedal posture
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
The palaeoenvironment of the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) portion of the Winton Formation, central-western Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Anatomy, systematics and phylogenetic relationships of the Early Cretaceous ornithopod dinosaurs of the Australian-Antarctic rift system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Lyn Cook
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Evolutionary developmental biology of the mammalian middle ear: Using virtual reconstruction to integrate development and biomechanics
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Steven Salisbury directly for media enquiries about:
- Archosaurs
- Australian dinosaurs
- Biomechanics and dinosaurs
- Crocodiles - palaeontology
- Crocodilian fossils
- Dinosaurs
- Evolution
- Fossil crocodilians
- Fossils in Queensland
- Functional morphology
- Palaeontology
- Queensland fossils
- Systematics - palaeontology
- Vertebrate palaeontology
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