Associate Professor Steven Salisbury
Associate Professor

Steven Salisbury

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+61 7 336 58548

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

Biological Sciences Geology

Research interests

  • Dinosaurs

    Australasian Cretaceous dinosaur faunas; evolution of Australasian ornithopods, thyreophorans, sauropods and theropods; Gondwanan dinosaur palaeobiogeography; dinosaur trackways

  • Crocodiles

    evolution of Australasian crocodilians; origin of modern crocodilians; crocodilian locomotor evolution; crocodilian lung ventilation; crocodilian growth dynamics

  • Biomechanics

    locomotor evolution of dinosaurs and crocodilians; vertebral bracing in archosaurs; feeding behaviour in crocodilians

  • Other research interests

    evolution of Australian Cretaceous fishes; evolution of Australian pterosaurs; geology and taphonomy of Australian Cretaceous dinosaur localities; palaeopathology in fossil archosaurs

  • 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.

Search Professor Steven Salisbury’s works on UQ eSpace

112 works between 1996 and 2024
All (112) Journal Article (72) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (31) Other Outputs (4)

81 - 100 of 112 works

2007

Conference Publication

Cranial osteology of Minmi sp., a basal ankylosaurid thyreophoran (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) Allaru Formation of Richmond, north-western Queensland, Australia

Leahey, L. G., Salisbury, S. W. and Molnar, R. E. (2007). Cranial osteology of Minmi sp., a basal ankylosaurid thyreophoran (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) Allaru Formation of Richmond, north-western Queensland, Australia. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.

Cranial osteology of Minmi sp., a basal ankylosaurid thyreophoran (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) Allaru Formation of Richmond, north-western Queensland, Australia

2007

Conference Publication

Preparation of the type material of Isisfordia duncani, a basal eusuchian crocodylomorph from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia

Geddes, K., Salisbury, S. W. and Wilkinson, J. (2007). Preparation of the type material of Isisfordia duncani, a basal eusuchian crocodylomorph 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.

Preparation of the type material of Isisfordia duncani, a basal eusuchian crocodylomorph from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia

2007

Conference Publication

A new freshwater fish (Teleostei: Ichthyodectiformes) from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia.

Berrell, R. W., Salisbury, S. W. and Yabumoto, Y. (2007). A new freshwater fish (Teleostei: Ichthyodectiformes) 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 Convention Centre Melbourne Australia, April, 2007. Sydney, Australia: Geological Society of Australia.

A new freshwater fish (Teleostei: Ichthyodectiformes) from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Cenomanian) Winton Formation of Isisford, central-western Queensland, Australia.

2007

Conference Publication

New material of Mekosuchus inexpectatus (Crocodylia: Mekosuchinae) from the Quaternary of New Caledonia

Holt, T. R., Salisbury, S. W., Worthy, T. H., Snad, C. and Anderson, A. (2007). New material of Mekosuchus inexpectatus (Crocodylia: Mekosuchinae) from the Quaternary of New Caledonia. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.

New material of Mekosuchus inexpectatus (Crocodylia: Mekosuchinae) from the Quaternary of New Caledonia

2007

Conference Publication

New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) of western Queensland, Australia

Fletcher, T. L., Salisbury, S. W. and Cook, A. G. (2007). New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) of western Queensland, Australia. 11th Conference on Australian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, 2007, Melbourne, Australia, April, 2007. Sydney Australia: Geological Society of Australia.

New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) of western Queensland, Australia

2006

Journal Article

The origin of modern crocodyliforms: new evidence from the Cretaceous of Australia

Salisbury,Steven W., Molnar,Ralph E., Frey, Eberhard and Willis, Paul M. A. (2006). The origin of modern crocodyliforms: new evidence from the Cretaceous of Australia. Proceedings of The Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 273 (1600), 2439-2448. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2006.3613

The origin of modern crocodyliforms: new evidence from the Cretaceous of Australia

2006

Journal Article

Dinosaur sanctuary on the Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific: First record of theropods from the K-T boundary Takatika Grit

Stilwell, J. D., Consoli, C. P., Sutherland, R., Salisbury, S., Rich, T. H., Vickers-Rich, P. A., Currie, P. J. and Wilson, G. J. (2006). Dinosaur sanctuary on the Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific: First record of theropods from the K-T boundary Takatika Grit. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, 230 (3-4), 243-250. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.07.017

Dinosaur sanctuary on the Chatham Islands, Southwest Pacific: First record of theropods from the K-T boundary Takatika Grit

2006

Journal Article

The internal cranial anatomy of the Plesiosauria (Reptilia, Sauropterygia): evidence for a functional secondary palate

Buchy, M. C., Frey, E. and Salisbury, S. W. (2006). The internal cranial anatomy of the Plesiosauria (Reptilia, Sauropterygia): evidence for a functional secondary palate. Lethaia, 39 (4), 289-303. doi: 10.1080/00241160600847488

The internal cranial anatomy of the Plesiosauria (Reptilia, Sauropterygia): evidence for a functional secondary palate

2006

Conference Publication

A new titanosauriform sauropod from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation of central-western Queensland, Australia

Salisbury, S. W., Molnar, R. E. and Lamanna, M. C. (2006). A new titanosauriform sauropod from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation of central-western Queensland, Australia. 66th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 18-21 October 2006. Norman, Okla., U.S.A.: University of Oklahoma.

A new titanosauriform sauropod from the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation of central-western Queensland, Australia

2006

Journal Article

An unusual pliosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of northeastern Mexico

Buchy, M. C., Frey, E., Salisbury, S. W., Stinnesbeck, W., Lopez-Oliva, J. G. and Gotte, M. (2006). An unusual pliosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of northeastern Mexico. Neues Jahrbuch fuer Geologie und Palaeontologie. Abhandlungen, 240 (2), 241-270.

An unusual pliosaur (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of northeastern Mexico

2005

Journal Article

A new species of Theriosuchus (Atoposauridae, Crocodylomorpha) from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal

Schwarz, Daniela and Salisbury, Steven W. (2005). A new species of Theriosuchus (Atoposauridae, Crocodylomorpha) from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal. Geobios, 38 (6), 779-802. doi: 10.1016/j.geobios.2004.04.005

A new species of Theriosuchus (Atoposauridae, Crocodylomorpha) from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal

2005

Journal Article

A new species of mekosuchine crocodilian from the middle Palaeogene Rundle Formation, central Queensland

Holt, Timothy R., Salisbury, Steven W. and Willis, Paul M. A. (2005). A new species of mekosuchine crocodilian from the middle Palaeogene Rundle Formation, central Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 50 (2), 207-218.

A new species of mekosuchine crocodilian from the middle Palaeogene Rundle Formation, central Queensland

2005

Book Chapter

Observations on Cretaceous Sauropods from Australia

Molnar, R. E. and Salisbury, S. W. (2005). Observations on Cretaceous Sauropods from Australia. Thunder-Lizards: the sauropodomorph dinosaurs. (pp. 454-465) edited by Kenneth Carpenter and Virginia Tidwell. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press.

Observations on Cretaceous Sauropods from Australia

2005

Conference Publication

Gastropubic recoil aspiration in crocodilians and early archosaurs

Salisbury, S. and Frey, E. (2005). Gastropubic recoil aspiration in crocodilians and early archosaurs. Sixty-Fifth Annual Meeting Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Mesa Southwest Museum and Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa, Arizona, 19-22 October, 2005. Norman, Okla., U.S.A.: University of Oklahoma.

Gastropubic recoil aspiration in crocodilians and early archosaurs

2004

Journal Article

Review of "A Field Guide To Dinosaurs" [Book Review]

Salisbury, S. (2004). Review of "A Field Guide To Dinosaurs" [Book Review]. Nature Australia, 27 (12), 80-80.

Review of "A Field Guide To Dinosaurs" [Book Review]

2004

Conference Publication

Anatomical correlates associated with the bracing system of extant crocodilians: addressing the locomotor inadequacies of the Indian gharial

Salisbury, Steven W. and Frey, Eberhard (2004). Anatomical correlates associated with the bracing system of extant crocodilians: addressing the locomotor inadequacies of the Indian gharial. 17th Working Meeting of the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, Darwin, N.T., 24-29 May 2004. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN - The World Conservation Union.

Anatomical correlates associated with the bracing system of extant crocodilians: addressing the locomotor inadequacies of the Indian gharial

2004

Journal Article

The epaxial musculature of fossil crocodilians

Salisbury, S. W. and Frey, E. (2004). The epaxial musculature of fossil crocodilians. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24 (3, Supp.), 107A-107A.

The epaxial musculature of fossil crocodilians

2003

Journal Article

An alternative method for predicting body mass: the case of the Pleistocene marsupial lion

Wroe, Stephen, Myers, Troy, Seebacher, Frank, Kear, Ben, Gillespie, Anna, Crowther, Mathew and Salisbury, Steve (2003). An alternative method for predicting body mass: the case of the Pleistocene marsupial lion. Paleobiology, 29 (3), 403-411. doi: 10.1666/0094-8373(2003)0292.0.CO;2

An alternative method for predicting body mass: the case of the Pleistocene marsupial lion

2003

Conference Publication

Theropod teeth from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation, Winton, central-western Queensland, Australia

Salisbury, S. (2003). Theropod teeth from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation, Winton, central-western Queensland, Australia. Longman Symposium: Conference of Australasian Vertebrate Evols, Queensland Museum, Queensland, Australia, 7 - 11 July 2003. Queensland, Australia: Queensland Museum.

Theropod teeth from the Lower Cretaceous (Albian-cenomanian) Winton formation, Winton, central-western Queensland, Australia

2003

Journal Article

On the shoulders of a giant: the story of Elliot, Australia's largest dinosaur

Salisbury, S. (2003). On the shoulders of a giant: the story of Elliot, Australia's largest dinosaur. Australian Age of Dinosaurs (1), 12-21.

On the shoulders of a giant: the story of Elliot, Australia's largest dinosaur

Past funding

  • 2014 - 2017
    Walking with dinosaurs in the Kimberley: mapping the Cretaceous landscapes of the Dampier Peninsula
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Determining the relative roles of dispersal and vicariance in the assembly of the New Zealand Fauna (ARC Discovery Project Administered by Flinders University)
    Flinders University
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2023
    Small vertebrates from the Albian-Cenomanian of Queensland - testing hypotheses of provincialism among Australia's mid-Cretaceous dinosaur faunas
    Isisford Shire Council
    Open grant
  • 2010
    Establishment of a digital Scanscope system for virtual microscopy
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Small vertebrates from the Albian-Cenomanian of Queensland - testing hypotheses of provincialism among Australia's mid-Cretaceous dinosaur faunas
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Dinosaurs of Bladensburg National Park, central-western Queensland
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Replication of a fossil fish specimen from Isisford, central-western Queensland
    Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History and Human History Japan
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    The Isisford dinosaur fauna
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Life and environments of the Lower Cretaceous Winton Formation, western Queensland: The Winton Dinosaur Project
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Steven Salisbury is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Distribution, abundance, and palaeoecological insights into theropod tracks of the Broome Sandstone, Western Australia

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New insights into the preservation of the Cretaceous vertebrate fauna of the Eromanga Basin in Central West Queensland

    Principal Advisor

Completed supervision

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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