A Review of Vertebrate Footprints from the Mesozoic of Thailand and Their Palaeobiogeographical Significance

Thailand preserves one of the most extensive records of Mesozoic vertebrate tracks in Tropical Asia, yet these ichnological data have never been comprehensively synthesized. This review compiles and reassesses all known Triassic to Cretaceous vertebrate tracksites in Thailand to clarify their stratigraphic distribution, taxonomic diversity, and palaeobiogeographical significance. Published records, new field observations, and updated stratigraphic correlations are integrated to evaluate trackmaker attributions and temporal patterns. The Thai record documents diverse assemblages including chirotheriids, early theropods, sauropodomorphs, ornithopods, sauropods, and crocodilians. Late Triassic–Early Jurassic assemblages capture a major faunal transition, revealing the co-occurrence of non-dinosaurian archosaurs and some of the earliest dinosaurs in the region, whereas Lower Cretaceous sites are dominated by theropods, sauropods and diverse ornithopods. Comparison with other Asian ichnofaunas indicates faunal continuity across eastern Asia and supports early dinosaur dispersal into equatorial low latitudes. This synthesis also evaluates site conservation, highlighting the vulnerability of several Triassic localities and a positive trend of community-led discoveries since 2009, underscoring the need for proactive management and standardized digital documentation. Overall, the Thai ichnological succession represents the most complete Mesozoic track record presently known from Tropical Asia and provides key insights into vertebrate evolution, palaeoecology, and regional biogeography.