Overview
Background
I am a palaeo‑ichnologist and evolutionary biologist specialising in dinosaur footprints and fossil trackways, using digital and quantitative methods to reconstruct how extinct animals moved, behaved, and interacted with their environments.
My research focuses on extracting biological and behavioural information from footprints and trackways, particularly where body fossils are rare or absent. I develop and apply digital workflows that combine photogrammetry, spatial measurements, and custom analytical tools to study dinosaur locomotion, group behaviour, and palaeoecology in a reproducible and scalable way. A strong emphasis of my work is the use of remote and non‑destructive methods that allow high‑quality scientific analysis in regional, industrial, and operational settings.
I work extensively with industry partners and government agencies—such as the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority—to support rapid documentation and preservation of fossil footprints. I also collaborate closely with regional communities and citizen scientists, recognising their essential role in discovering, recording, and safeguarding Australia’s trace fossil heritage.
My research has received sustained national recognition within a decade of completing my PhD (2014). I was listed as a Lead Researcher in Australia in the Palaeontology category by The Australian Research Magazine in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, reflecting the impact and innovation of my contributions to digital palaeontology. My work spans major Australian and international tracksites and is strongly oriented toward public engagement, heritage protection, and translating scientific research beyond academia.
Availability
- Dr Anthony Romilio is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Palaeontology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Dinosaur footprints and trackways
I reconstruct dinosaur locomotion, behaviour, and palaeoecology through detailed analysis of fossil footprints and trackways. My work focuses on interpreting movement patterns, group dynamics, and trackmaker identity using spatial measurements, 3D datasets, and quantitative comparisons across Australian and international sites.
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Digital and quantitative palaeontology
My research develops and applies digital workflows—including photogrammetry, 3D modelling, spatial landmarking, and machine‑learning‑assisted classification—to analyse fossil track morphology. These reproducible and non‑destructive methods support scientific analysis, heritage protection, and rapid documentation in operational settings.
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Fossil heritage, industry, and community engagement
I work at the interface of palaeontology, industry, and community participation to improve the discovery, documentation, and preservation of fossil footprints. This includes collaborations with mining operations, regulatory agencies, community groups, and international research partners to promote high‑quality heritage outcomes and widespread public engagement.
Research impacts
My research strengthens decision‑making in heritage management by improving how fossil tracksites are documented, preserved, and interpreted. Through remote and non‑disruptive documentation methods, I support industry partners in recording scientifically important footprints without interrupting operational workflows, helping balance economic activity with cultural and environmental stewardship.
Internationally, my work applies digital documentation frameworks across diverse geological and regulatory contexts, promoting methodological consistency and capacity building in ichnological research. Community engagement remains a central impact of my work: I design accessible digital tools and documentation protocols that empower citizen scientists and regional communities to identify and safeguard trace fossil sites. Public lectures, media contributions, exhibitions, and school‑based outreach further extend this impact, deepening public understanding of Australia’s fossil heritage and supporting curriculum‑aligned learning in regional and Indigenous communities.
Works
Search Professor Anthony Romilio’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Deinonychosaur trackways in southeastern China record a possible giant troodontid
Xing, Lida, Niu, Kecheng, Lockley, Martin G., Romilio, Anthony, Deng, Ke and Persons IV, W. Scott (2024). Deinonychosaur trackways in southeastern China record a possible giant troodontid. iScience, 27 (5) 109598, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109598
2024
Journal Article
The new ichnotaxon Eubrontes nobitai ichnosp. nov. and other saurischian tracks from the Lower Cretaceous of Sichuan Province and a review of Chinese Eubrontes-type tracks (vol 10, 17, 2021)
Xing, Li -Da, Lockley, Martin G., Klein, Hendrik, Zhang, Li-Jun, Romilio, Anthony, Persons IV, W. Scott, Peng, Guang-Zhao, Ye, Yong and Wang, Miao-Yan (2024). The new ichnotaxon Eubrontes nobitai ichnosp. nov. and other saurischian tracks from the Lower Cretaceous of Sichuan Province and a review of Chinese Eubrontes-type tracks (vol 10, 17, 2021). Journal of Palaeogeography-English, 13 (2), 372-372. doi: 10.1016/j.jop.2023.05.005
2024
Journal Article
Uncovering hidden footprints: revision of the Lower Jurassic (Sinemurian) Razorback Beds – home to Australia’s earliest reported dinosaur trackway
Romilio, Anthony, Dick, Roslyn, Skinner, Heather and Millar, Janice (2024). Uncovering hidden footprints: revision of the Lower Jurassic (Sinemurian) Razorback Beds – home to Australia’s earliest reported dinosaur trackway. Historical Biology, 37 (3), 596-603. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2320184
2024
Journal Article
Analysing trackway-based speed calculations to infer dinosaur locomotive capabilities and behaviours
Romilio, Anthony and Shao, Charlie (2024). Analysing trackway-based speed calculations to infer dinosaur locomotive capabilities and behaviours. Historical Biology, 36 (10), 2244-2253. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2251127
2024
Journal Article
Turtle tracks from the middle Jurassic Yaopo formation in Beijing, China
Xing, Lida, Romilio, Anthony, Chunyong, Chou and Lockley, Martin G. (2024). Turtle tracks from the middle Jurassic Yaopo formation in Beijing, China. Historical Biology, 36 (10), 2102-2107. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2241064
2024
Journal Article
Early Jurassic theropod elongate tracks with metatarsal marks from Yunnan, China
Xing, Lida, Lallensack, Jens N., Romilio, Anthony, Wang, Yi and Yang, Lei (2024). Early Jurassic theropod elongate tracks with metatarsal marks from Yunnan, China. Historical Biology, 36 (8), 1529-1539. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2220121
2023
Conference Publication
New insights into ornithischian dinosaur trackmakers in the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone, Callide Basin, Queensland, Australia
Romilio, Anthony, Park, Ron, Nichols, Wes, Jackson, Owen and Lockley, Martin G. (2023). New insights into ornithischian dinosaur trackmakers in the Lower Jurassic Precipice Sandstone, Callide Basin, Queensland, Australia. CAVEPS, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 27-30 November 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Bringing dinosaur trackmaker behaviour to life: 3D modelling and animation techniques using Lark Quarry as a case study
Romilio, A. (2023). Bringing dinosaur trackmaker behaviour to life: 3D modelling and animation techniques using Lark Quarry as a case study. 4th Palaeontological Virtual Congress, Virtual, 9-24 May 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Lower Cretaceous dinosaur tracks from the Danxia landscape in Leshan, Southwest China
Xing, Lida, Lockley, Martin G., Peng, Guangzhao, Klein, Hendrik, Ye, Yong, Romilio, Anthony, Jiang, Shan, Liu, Chang, Liu, Yu and Persons, W. Scott (2023). Lower Cretaceous dinosaur tracks from the Danxia landscape in Leshan, Southwest China. Cretaceous Research, 148 105536, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105536
2023
Conference Publication
Multiple dinosaur tracksites dominated by diminutive tridactyl trackmakers from the Upper Jurassic, Moab Member (Curtis Formation), Grand County, Utah.
Lockley, M. G, Murphey, P and Romilio, A. (2023). Multiple dinosaur tracksites dominated by diminutive tridactyl trackmakers from the Upper Jurassic, Moab Member (Curtis Formation), Grand County, Utah.. 14th Conference on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems, Salt Lake City, UT United States, 9-11 June 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons.
2023
Conference Publication
A large, saurischian-dominated, tracksite in the upper Jurassic Morrison formation, Grand County, Utah: a spectacular example of extensive dinoturbation
Lockley, M. G., Murphey, P. and Romilio, A. (2023). A large, saurischian-dominated, tracksite in the upper Jurassic Morrison formation, Grand County, Utah: a spectacular example of extensive dinoturbation. 14th Conference on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems, Salt Lake City, UT United States, 9-11 June 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley & Sons.
2023
Journal Article
New dinosaur swim tracks from the Middle Jurassic Zhanghe Formation in Yunnan, China
Xing, Lida, Romilio, Anthony, Wang, Yi, Yang, Lei and Wang, Donghao (2023). New dinosaur swim tracks from the Middle Jurassic Zhanghe Formation in Yunnan, China. Historical Biology, 36 (4), 882-890. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2194906
2023
Journal Article
A possible turtle swim track from the late Triassic of the Sichuan Basin, China
Xing, Lida, Lockley, Martin G., Klein, Hendrik, Romilio, Anthony and Persons IV, W. Scott (2023). A possible turtle swim track from the late Triassic of the Sichuan Basin, China. Historical Biology, 36 (4), 820-824. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2185885
2023
Journal Article
A Late Triassic theropod track assemblages from the basal Wingate Sandstone, western Colorado: implications for regional correlation and the megatracksite concept
Lockley, Martin G., Hadden, Glade and Romilio, Anthony (2023). A Late Triassic theropod track assemblages from the basal Wingate Sandstone, western Colorado: implications for regional correlation and the megatracksite concept. Historical Biology, 35 (4), 589-596. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2022.2056838
2022
Journal Article
A machine learning approach for the discrimination of theropod and ornithischian dinosaur tracks
Lallensack, Jens N., Romilio, Anthony and Falkingham, Peter L. (2022). A machine learning approach for the discrimination of theropod and ornithischian dinosaur tracks. Journal of the Royal Society. Interface, 19 (20220588) 20220588, 1-8. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0588
2022
Journal Article
Photogrammetry in ichnology: 3D model generation, visualisation, and data extraction
Lallensack, Jens N., Buchwitz, Michael and Romilio, Anthony (2022). Photogrammetry in ichnology: 3D model generation, visualisation, and data extraction. Journal of Paleontological Techniques, 22, 1-18.
2022
Journal Article
Theropod and other dinosaurian tracks from the upper Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China: overlooked Fuxin Biota records reinvestigated
Xing, Lida, Wang, Yan, Lockley, Martin G., Li, Mengmeng, Gao, Lianfeng, Yin, Zhigang, Romilio, Anthony, Persons IV, Scott W., Wang, Miaoyan, Xu, Xing and Wan, Xiaoqiao (2022). Theropod and other dinosaurian tracks from the upper Lower Cretaceous of northeastern China: overlooked Fuxin Biota records reinvestigated. Cretaceous Research, 135 105190, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105190
2022
Journal Article
Dinosaur tracks from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of Northern Central Yunnan, China
Xing, Lida, Lockley, Martin, G., Romilio, Anthony, Wang, Tao and Liu, Chang (2022). Dinosaur tracks from the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation of Northern Central Yunnan, China. Biosis: Biological Systems, 3 (1), e004. doi: 10.37819/biosis.003.01.0169
2022
Journal Article
Fish swim traces from the Jindong Formation (Cretaceous) Korea: Implications for lake basin ichnofacies and paleoecology
Kim, K. S., Lockley, M. G., Romilio, A., Bae, S. M. and Lim, J. D. (2022). Fish swim traces from the Jindong Formation (Cretaceous) Korea: Implications for lake basin ichnofacies and paleoecology. Cretaceous Research, 131 105070, 105070. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2021.105070
2022
Journal Article
A new dinosaur tracksite from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Eumeralla Formation of Wattle Hill, Victoria, Australia: a preliminary investigation
Romilio, Anthony and Godfrey, Timothy (2022). A new dinosaur tracksite from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) Eumeralla Formation of Wattle Hill, Victoria, Australia: a preliminary investigation. Historical Biology, 34 (12), 2315-2323. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2021.2014481
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Anthony Romilio is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Dinosaur locomotion and behaviour from fossil trackways
This project investigates dinosaur locomotion, behaviour, and group dynamics using fossil footprints and trackways. Students will apply quantitative and digital methods to analyse trackway geometry, gait parameters, and spatial patterns from Australian and international sites. The project is suitable for candidates interested in dinosaur behaviour, biomechanics, and trace fossil analysis, and can be tailored to theropod, sauropod, or ornithopod trackways.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Distribution, abundance, and palaeoecological insights into theropod tracks of the Broome Sandstone, Western Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steven Salisbury
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Anthony Romilio directly for media enquiries about:
- Citizen science
- Dinosaur footprints
- Dinosaur tracks
- Dinosaur trackways
- Dinosaurs
- Evolution
- Fossil footprints
- Fossil heritage
- Mining and fossils
- Palaeontology
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