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

Abstract

Saraikistan (South Punjab and surrounding) area of Pakistan is located in the central Pakistan. This area represents Triassic-Jurassic to Recent sedimentary marine and terrestrial strata. Most of the Mesozoic and Early Cenozoic are represented by marine strata with rare terrestrial deposits, while the Late Cenozoic is represented by continental fluvial deposits. This area hosts significant mineral deposits and their development can play a significant role in the development of Saraikistan region and ultimately for Pakistan. The data of recently discovered biotas from Cambrian to Miocene age are tabulated for quick view. Mesozoic biotas show a prominent paleobiogeographic link with Gondwana and Cenozoic show Eurasian. Phylogeny and hypodigm of Poripuchian titanosaurs from India and Pakistan are hinted at here.

New Data on Coal, Gypsum, Iron and Silica Sand Deposits and Geochemical Exploration (Pakistan): Revision of 25 Years History of Dinosaur Discoveries from Pakistan

“…(Figure 3) were shown in (Table 1). The other deposits found from Zindapir anticline and eastern limb of Fort Munro-Sorra, Luni and Manka were mentioned in [17].…”

“…Executive summary of 14 titanosaurian sauropods (Figures 6-22) including one new titanosaur (Tables 8-11), and 3 theropod (Figures 23-25) dinosaurs are being presented. Beside these dinosaurs, their terrestrial communities and ecosystem discovered from the terrestrial latest Maastrichtian (67 -66 Ma) Vitakri Formation (pages 903 to 906 of [17]), [73] [75] [88] [89] of Sulaiman foldbelt (middle Indus) represented by mesoeucrocodiles (Pabwehshi pakistanensis [98],…”

“…Induszalim bala [88], Sulaimanisuchus kinwai [9] [88] and Mithasaraikistan ikniazi [88]), pterosaurs (Saraikisaurus minhui [78] [88] and Imrankhanuqab qaeddiljani [17]), snake (Wadanaang kohsulaimani [88]), bird (Wasaibpanchi damani [88] [89]), and mammals (Mirvitakriharan haji [89] and Khansultan masoomrashidi new genus and new species, see below). Many other bone fossils, and footprints and trackways were also discovered from different basins 10 of [17]), 35 reptiles including 1 titanosauriform (Table 2 of [17]), 14 titanosaurs (Tables 8-11), 3 theropods (Table 5 of [17]), 1 snake (Table 7 of [17]), 2 pterosaurs (Table 7 of [17]), 7 crocodiles (Tables 6 & 7 of [17]) and 7 ichnotaxa (Table 12 of Abbreviations: d, dentary; dr, dentary ramus; ds, dentary symphysis; ecpt, ectopterygoid; ml,midline contact; m, maxilla; mr, maxillary ramus; p, palatine; ph, palatal dorsal hook; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; gj, quadratojugal; sq, squamosal; t, teeth; v, vomerine.…”

“…[17]), 10 mammals (Tables 8 & 9 of [17]), 1 bird (Table 10 of [17]), 7 invertebrates (Table 11 of [17]) and 1 plant ( and Himalayadrindoperus potwari Theropaonia [89] [99]. Sulaiman basin yielded the Maastrichtian Pashtosauroperus zhobi Ornithopaonia [89] and Dgkhansauroperus maarri Sauropaonia [91], and Anmolpakhiperus alleni Pteropaonia [89].…”

“…Mineral resources of Pakistan were reported by many workers since 1954 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] and more recently reported by [6] [7] [8]. Mineral resources of each province was presented such as Balochistan [9] [10] [11] [12] [13], Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [12] [13] [14] [15], North and South Punjab [16] [17], Saraikistan/South Punjab [17], Sindh [18], Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir [12] [13] [19] [20]. Mineral resources of each basin was presented such as Balochistan basin [21] [22], Hindukush-Karakoram basin [6] [7] [8] [19] [20], Kohistan-Ladakh basin [6] [7] [8] [19] [20], Khyber-Hazara-Neelam basin (uppermost Indus) [6] [7] [8] [19] [20], Kohat-Potwar-Kotli basin (upper Indus) [6] [7] [8], Sulaiman Basin [9] [11] [23] [24] [25] and Kirthar basin [26] [27].…”