A new abelisaurid dinosaur from the end Cretaceous of Patagonia and evolutionary rates among the Ceratosauria
Cladistics,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
40(3), P. 307 - 356
Published: May 21, 2024
Abstract
Gondwanan
dinosaur
faunae
during
the
20
Myr
preceding
Cretaceous–Palaeogene
(K/Pg)
extinction
included
several
lineages
that
were
absent
or
poorly
represented
in
Laurasian
landmasses.
Among
these,
South
American
fossil
record
contains
diverse
abelisaurids,
arguably
most
successful
groups
of
carnivorous
dinosaurs
from
Gondwana
Cretaceous,
reaching
their
highest
diversity
towards
end
this
period.
Here
we
describe
Koleken
inakayali
gen.
et
sp.
n.,
a
new
abelisaurid
La
Colonia
Formation
(Maastrichtian,
Upper
Cretaceous)
Patagonia.
is
known
skull
bones,
an
almost
complete
dorsal
series,
sacrum,
caudal
vertebrae,
pelvic
girdle
and
hind
limbs.
The
shows
unique
set
features
anatomical
differences
Carnotaurus
sastrei
(the
only
other
Formation).
retrieved
as
brachyrostran
abelisaurid,
clustered
with
abelisaurids
latest
Cretaceous
(Campanian–Maastrichtian),
such
Aucasaurus
,
Niebla
.
Leveraging
our
phylogeny
estimates,
explore
rates
morphological
evolution
across
ceratosaurian
lineages,
finding
them
to
be
particularly
high
for
elaphrosaurine
noasaurids
around
base
Abelisauridae,
before
Early
radiation
latter
clade.
Noasauridae
sister
clade
show
contrasting
patterns
evolution,
undergoing
early
phase
accelerated
axial
limb
skeleton
Jurassic,
exhibiting
sustained
cranial
Cretaceous.
These
results
provide
much
needed
context
evolutionary
dynamics
theropods,
contributing
broader
understanding
macroevolutionary
dinosaurs.
Language: Английский
Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea)—A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur
Fossil Studies,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
2(1), P. 1 - 65
Published: Jan. 3, 2024
Tyrannosaurs
are
among
the
most
intensively
studied
and
best-known
dinosaurs.
Despite
this,
their
relationships
systematics
highly
controversial.
An
ongoing
debate
concerns
validity
of
Nanotyrannus
lancensis,
interpreted
either
as
a
distinct
genus
small-bodied
tyrannosaur
or
juvenile
Tyrannosaurus
rex.
We
examine
multiple
lines
evidence
show
that
strongly
supports
recognition
species
for
following
reasons:
1.
High
diversity
tyrannosaurs
predatory
dinosaurs
idea
tyrannosaurids
inhabited
late
Maastrichtian
Laramidia;
2.
lacks
characters
supporting
referral
to
Tyrannosaurinae
but
differs
from
T.
rex
in
>150
morphological
characters,
while
intermediate
forms
combining
features
unknown;
3.
Histology
shows
specimens
showing
(i)
skeletal
fusions,
(ii)
mature
skull
bone
textures,
(iii)
slow
growth
rates
relative
rex,
(iv)
decelerating
final
years
life,
(v)
curves
predicting
adult
masses
~1500
kg
less,
these
animals
subadults
young
adults,
not
Tyrannosaurus;
4.
series
other
tyrannosaurids,
including
Tarbosaurus
Gorgosaurus,
do
changes
proposed
Nanotyrannus–Tyrannosaurus
series,
deriving
requires
several
inconsistent
with
known
patterns
dinosaur
development;
5.
Juvenile
exist,
diagnostic
6.
Phylogenetic
analysis
suggests
may
lie
outside
Tyrannosauridae.
Tyrannosaur
before
K-Pg
extinction
is
higher
than
previously
appreciated.
The
challenges
inherent
diagnosing
based
on
fossils
mean
paleontologists
be
systematically
underestimating
ancient
ecosystems.
Language: Английский
A new small duckbilled dinosaur (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) from Morocco and dinosaur diversity in the late Maastrichtian of North Africa
Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(1)
Published: Feb. 13, 2024
Abstract
In
the
Late
Cretaceous,
northern
and
southern
hemispheres
evolved
distinct
dinosaurian
faunas.
Titanosaurians
abelisaurids
dominated
Gondwanan
continents;
hadrosaurids,
ceratopsians
tyrannosaurs
North
America
Asia.
Recently,
a
lambeosaurine
hadrosaurid,
Ajnabia
odysseus
,
was
reported
from
late
Maastrichtian
phosphates
of
Oulad
Abdoun
Basin
Morocco,
suggesting
dispersal
between
Laurasia
Gondwana.
Here
we
report
new
fossils
Morocco
showing
lambeosaurines
achieved
high
diversity
in
Africa.
A
skull
represents
dwarf
lambeosaurine,
Minqaria
bata
.
resembles
size,
but
differs
ventrally
positioned
jugal
facet
sinusoidal
toothrow.
The
animal
is
small,
~
3.5
m
long,
fused
braincase
shows
it
mature.
humerus
femur
belong
to
larger
6
implying
at
least
three
species
coexisted.
hadrosaurids
Europe
Africa
suggests
dispersal-driven
radiation,
with
diversifying
take
advantage
low
ornithischian
diversity.
African
are
small
compared
American
Asia
however,
perhaps
due
competition
titanosaurians.
Hadrosaurids
unknown
eastern
Africa,
Moroccan
may
be
part
insular
fauna,
represent
an
island
radiation.
Language: Английский
A brief review of non-avian dinosaur biogeography: state-of-the-art and prospectus
Biology Letters,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
20(10)
Published: Oct. 1, 2024
Dinosaurs
potentially
originated
in
the
mid-palaeolatitudes
of
Gondwana
245–235
million
years
ago
(Ma)
and
may
have
been
restricted
to
cooler,
humid
areas
by
low-latitude
arid
zones
until
climatic
amelioration
made
northern
dispersals
feasible
ca
215
Ma.
However,
this
scenario
is
challenged
new
Carnian
Laurasian
fossils
evidence
that
even
earliest
dinosaurs
had
adaptations
for
conditions.
After
becoming
globally
distributed
Early–Middle
Jurassic
(200–160
Ma),
experienced
vicariance
driven
Pangaean
fragmentation.
Regional
extinctions
trans-oceanic
also
played
a
role,
formation
ephemeral
land
connections
meant
older
patterns
were
repeatedly
overprinted
younger
ones,
creating
reticulate
biogeographic
history.
Palaeoclimates
shaped
dispersal
barriers
corridors,
including
filters
differential
effects
on
different
types
dinosaurs.
Dinosaurian
research
faces
many
challenges,
not
least
which
patchiness
fossil
record.
fossils,
extensive
databasing
improved
analytical
methods
help
distinguish
signal
from
noise
generate
fresh
perspectives.
In
future,
developing
techniques
quantifying
ameliorating
sampling
biases
modelling
capacities
are
likely
be
two
key
components
our
modern
programme.
Language: Английский
Historical bias in palaeontological collections: Stylophora (Echinodermata) as a case study
Swiss Journal of Palaeontology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
144(1)
Published: Jan. 21, 2025
Abstract
Scientific
colonialism
(sensu
Galtung,
1967)
has
grown
in
interest
for
the
last
decades
all
scientific
disciplines,
including
Palaeontology.
In
particular,
Raja
et
al.
(2022)
showed
that
Paleobiology
Database
(PBDB)
was
mostly
based
on
research
investigations
from
and/or
higher-income
countries
(i.e.,
Global
North).
This
practice,
better
known
as
“parachute
science”,
often
implies
a
transfer
of
material
their
country
origin
(in
South)
to
another
collection
We
show
this
global
pattern
can
also
be
observed
at
lower
taxonomic
scale
by
focusing
Stylophora,
an
extinct
class
echinoderms.
Based
database
gathering
129
stylophoran
holotypes
information
year
description,
origin,
and
author
affiliation,
we
comparable
results
those
(2022).
Indeed,
85%
species
originated
North.
Transferred
represents
17%
none
corresponding
publications
included
local
collaboration.
detail
most
highlighting
example
parachute
science,
duo
Morocco-France,
understand
consequences
colonial
history
between
these
two
practice
French
researchers
Morocco,
well
solution
brought
Moroccan
government.
These
results,
while
not
surprising,
mean
is
indeed
only
databases,
but
our
daily
work.
Researchers
North
then
act
decolonize
problematic
rebalance
knowledge
producing
build
true
Research
Community.
Language: Английский
Evolutionary and paleobiogeographic implications of new carcharodontosaurian, megaraptorid, and unenlagiine theropod remains from the upper Lower Cretaceous of Victoria, southeast Australia
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Feb. 19, 2025
Language: Английский
Farlowichnus rapidus new ichnogen., new ichnosp.: A speedy and small theropod in the Early Cretaceous Botucatu paleodesert (Paraná Basin), Brazil
Cretaceous Research,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
153, P. 105720 - 105720
Published: Sept. 29, 2023
Language: Английский
Caletodraco cottardi: A New Furileusaurian Abelisaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Cenomanian Chalk of Normandy (North-Western France)
Éric Buffetaut,
No information about this author
Haiyan Tong,
No information about this author
Jérôme Girard
No information about this author
et al.
Fossil Studies,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
2(3), P. 177 - 195
Published: Aug. 19, 2024
An
articulated
group
of
skeletal
elements
comprising
a
sacrum,
both
ilia
and
first
caudal
vertebra,
plus
an
isolated
tooth
found
in
immediate
proximity
to
the
bones,
from
lower
Cenomanian
Chalk
at
Saint-Jouin-Bruneval
(Seine-Maritime,
Normandy,
France)
is
described
attributed
new
genus
species
abelisaurid
theropod,
Caletodraco
cottardi,
on
basis
several
characters
sacrum
pelvis.
The
peculiar
shape
transverse
process
vertebra
shows
that
cottardi
differs
majungasaurine
abelisaurids
previously
Europe,
such
as
Arcovenator
escotae,
belongs
Furileusauria,
derived
hitherto
recognized
only
South
America.
presence
furileusaurian
Normandy
suggests
biogeographical
history
Abelisauridae
Europe
was
more
complex
than
admitted.
Several
European
abelisaurids,
Albian
Genusaurus
sisteronis,
may
fact
belong
Furileusauria.
Language: Английский
A New Species of the Durophagous Mosasaurid Carinodens from the Late Maastrichtian Phosphates of Morocco and Implications for Maastrichtian Mosasaurid Diversity
Diversity,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
17(1), P. 25 - 25
Published: Dec. 29, 2024
Late
Cretaceous
marine
ecosystems
saw
a
major
adaptive
radiation
of
mosasaurids,
which
evolved
highly
disparate
jaw
and
tooth
morphologies
to
feed
on
different
prey.
A
striking
pattern
seen
in
mosasaurids
was
high
diversity
durophagous
forms.
Durophagy
likely
several
times
independently
the
mosasaurine
genera
Globidens,
Prognathodon,
Carinodens.
Carinodens
is
unusual
having
low,
rectangular,
laterally
compressed
teeth.
The
genus
known
from
around
world,
with
species
minalmamar
C.
belgicus
previously
reported
Maastrichtian
Phosphates
Morocco.
Here,
we
report
new
Carinodens,
acrodon,
same
Phosphates.
It
characterized
by
teeth
tall
crowns,
triangular
apices,
broad
bases.
Many
diagnostic
features
this
appear
be
plesiomorphies,
suggesting
persistence
primitive
into
latest
alongside
more
derived
belgicus.
contributes
an
emerging
mosasaurid
hyperdiversity
late
revised
faunal
list,
including
stratigraphic
range
extensions
Khinjaria
Stelladens
upper
Couche
III
Morocco,
suggests
at
least
16
mosasauroid
coexisted
here.
Language: Английский
Taxonomic status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea) — a distinct taxon of small-bodied tyrannosaur
Published: Oct. 23, 2023
Abstract:
Tyrannosaurs,
giant
predatory
dinosaurs
from
the
end
of
Cretaceous,
are
among
most
intensively
researched
and
best-known
groups
dinosaurs.
Despite
this,
their
relationships
systematics
highly
controversial,
number
tyrannosaur
species
occurring
in
latest
Cretaceous
North
America
is
debated.
An
ongoing
debate
concerns
status
Nanotyrannus
lancensis,
which
has
variously
been
interpreted
as
a
distinct
taxon
small-bodied
or
juvenile
coeval
Tyrannosaurus
rex.
Here,
we
review
multiple
lines
evidence
show
that
totality
strongly
supports
recognition
species:
1.
The
high
diversity
Late
tyrannosaurs
general
consistent
with
idea
more
than
one
lived
late
Maastrichtian
Western
America;
2.
shows
few
if
any
diagnostic
characters
allowing
referral
specifically
to
even
Tyrannosaurinae,
but
differentiated
T.
rex
by
at
least
77
morphological
characters,
while
intermediate
forms,
combining
characteristics
rex,
remain
unknown;
3.
Histological
individuals
previously
referred
lancensis
(i)
skeletal
fusions
maturity,
(ii)
skull
bone
textures
(iii)
slow
growth
rates
relative
(iv)
decelerating
final
years
life,
(v)
curves
predicting
adult
body
sizes
~1500
kg
less,
implying
these
animals
young
adults,
not
juveniles
Tyrannosaurus;
4.
Juveniles
other
tyrannosaurids,
including
Gorgosaurus
Tarbosaurus,
do
kinds
changes
proposed
for
Nanotyrannus-Tyrannosaurus
series,
suggesting
morphology
cannot
simply
be
explained
result
immaturity;
5.
Small
exist,
comparable
size
Nanotyrannus,
exhibit
features
Tyrannosaurus,
differ
Nanotyrannus;
6.
Phylogenetic
analysis
suggests
tyrannosaurid.
Taken
together,
rejects
tentatively
placement
outside
Tyrannosauridae
non-tyrannosaurid
member
Tyrannosauroidea.
Tyrannosaur
appears
have
higher
appreciated
before
K-Pg
extinction.
difficulties
recognizing
based
on
fossils
alone
mean
paleontologists
may
systematically
biased
towards
underestimating
ancient
ecosystems.
Language: Английский