Overview
Background
Research Associate, UQ DINOSAUR LAB, School of the Environment
I have been listed as Australia's Lead Researcher in the field of Palaeontology in 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023 by The Australian Research Magazine.
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 combining 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 enable high‑quality scientific analysis in regional, industrial, and operational settings.
I work with industry partners and government agencies—including the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority—to support rapid documentation and preservation of fossil footprints, and collaborate closely with regional communities and citizen scientists who play an essential role in discovering and safeguarding Australia's trace fossil heritage.
Availability
- Dr Anthony Romilio is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Palaeontology, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Digital and quantitative palaeontology
Dr Anthony Romilio is an independent palaeontologist specialising in vertebrate ichnology — the study of fossil footprints and trackways — and has been recognised as a Lead Researcher in Palaeontology by The Australian's Research Magazine for four consecutive years (2023–2026). A Research Associate with the University of Queensland Dinosaur Lab since 2017, he uses photogrammetry, trackway mapping and quantitative analysis to document, measure and communicate fossil trackway evidence from Australia and internationally.
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Publication, public and educational outreach, digital fossil heritage
His research spans three connected areas: peer-reviewed scientific publication, public and educational outreach — including Dinosaur Day programs at rural and Indigenous schools — and digital heritage documentation. Underpinning all three is a commitment to collaboration: working with museums, industry partners, government agencies, fellow researchers, citizen scientists and the media to broaden access to scientific knowledge and strengthen the cultural, educational and community value of fossil heritage.
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Collaborations
Collaborating organisations and stakeholders include the Brisbane Urban Environmental Education Centre (BUEEC), Mount Morgan Museum, the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA), the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Luck Companies in Virginia.
Research impacts
My research improves how fossil tracksites are documented, preserved, and interpreted—directly supporting decision‑making in heritage management. Remote, non‑disruptive documentation methods allow industry partners to record scientifically important footprints without interrupting operational workflows, balancing economic activity with cultural and environmental stewardship.
Internationally, I promote methodological consistency and capacity building across diverse geological and regulatory contexts. Community impact is central to my work: accessible digital tools and documentation protocols empower citizen scientists and regional communities to identify and protect trace fossil sites, while public lectures, media contributions, and school-based outreach deepen public understanding of Australia's fossil heritage.
Works
Search Professor Anthony Romilio’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Conference Publication
Advancing palaeontological trackway research through an entirely digital approach
Romilio, A. (2025). Advancing palaeontological trackway research through an entirely digital approach. 5th Palaeontological Virtual Congress, Virtual, 10-20 March 2025.
2025
Journal Article
Blender as a tool for palaeoichnological research: case study from Lark Quarry
Romilio, Anthony (2025). Blender as a tool for palaeoichnological research: case study from Lark Quarry. Geobios, 88-89, 219-226. doi: 10.1016/j.geobios.2024.11.002
2025
Journal Article
Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary theropod tracks from the slope of the Fallen Feng, Chicheng, China: review and new observations
Xing, Lida, Chen, Qiyan, Klein, Hendrik, Romilio, Anthony and Wan, Xiaoqiao (2025). Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary theropod tracks from the slope of the Fallen Feng, Chicheng, China: review and new observations. Historical Biology, 37 (8), 1768-1779. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2384579
2024
Journal Article
A grallatorid track site from the Lower Cretaceous Hekou Group, Gansu Province, China
Xing, Lida, Li, Daqing, Chen, Qiyan, Klein, Hendrik, Romilio, Anthony and Li, Yan (2024). A grallatorid track site from the Lower Cretaceous Hekou Group, Gansu Province, China. Historical Biology. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2439933
2024
Book Chapter
Cretaceous vertebrate tracks
Xing, Lida, Díaz-Martínez, Ignacio, Lallensack, Jens N., Kim, Kyung Soo, Buckley, Lisa G., Romilio, Anthony, Piñuela, Laura, Wang, Donghao, Chen, Qiyan, Yang, Qing, Chou, Chunyong, Yin, Hang and Jin, Yufei (2024). Cretaceous vertebrate tracks . Vertebrate ichnology: tetrapod tracks and trackways. (pp. 479-747) edited by Spencer G. Lucas, Adrian P. Hunt and Hendrik Klein. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-13837-9.00002-0
2024
Journal Article
Track Recognition via Artificial Cognition (TRAC): Preliminary Report on the Application of Machine Learning to Identify Dinosaur Tracks
Murphey, Paul C., Romilio, Anthony, Matthews, Neffra A., Lockley, Martin G., Breithaupt, Brent H., Houck, Karen J., Chin, Karen, Milner, Andrew, Martinez, Ignacio Diaz, Xing, Lida and Jannel, Andreas (2024). Track Recognition via Artificial Cognition (TRAC): Preliminary Report on the Application of Machine Learning to Identify Dinosaur Tracks. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Bulletin, 95, 349-356.
2024
Journal Article
Lockley's legacy: detailed analysis of Australia's First Sauropod Trackway
Romilio, Anthony (2024). Lockley's legacy: detailed analysis of Australia's First Sauropod Trackway. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Bulletin, 95, 375-380.
2024
Journal Article
New records of dinosaur tracks in eastern Tibet and a review of Middle Jurassic dinosaur faunas from the eastern Tethys, southwest China
Xing, Lida, Klein, Hendrik, Lockley, Martin G., Li, Haipeng, Tong, Bolin, Ye, Yong, Dai, Hui, Wang, Donghao, Chunyong, Chou, Romilio, Anthony and Persons, W. Scott IV (2024). New records of dinosaur tracks in eastern Tibet and a review of Middle Jurassic dinosaur faunas from the eastern Tethys, southwest China. Historical Biology, 36 (7), 1244-1258. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2209784
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
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
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
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
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Anthony Romilio is:
- Not available for supervision
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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