Subaqueous foraging among carnivorous dinosaurs

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 603(7903), P. 852 - 857

Published: March 23, 2022

Language: Английский

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Africa’s oldest dinosaurs reveal early suppression of dinosaur distribution

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 609(7926), P. 313 - 319

Published: Aug. 31, 2022

Language: Английский

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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

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A new hadrosauriform dinosaur from the Wessex Formation, Wealden Group (Early Cretaceous), of the Isle of Wight, southern England

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 19(12), P. 847 - 888

Published: June 18, 2021

A new genus and species of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauriform dinosaur, Brighstoneus simmondsi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Wessex Formation Isle Wight. The taxon has two autapomorphies, a nasal having modest bulla with convex sides, primary accessory ridges on lingual aspect maxillary crown. dentary at least 28 alveolar positions, which highest number recorded in an ornithopod non-parallel sided alveoli, creating character combination that unique within Iguanodontia. fauna Barremian–Aptian Wealden Group both Wight mainland England been represented for almost century by just taxa, robust Iguanodon bernissartensis more gracile Mantellisaurus atherfieldensis, referred material often being fragmentary or based unassociated elements. This discovery increases known diversity and, together recent discoveries Spain, suggests their upper Europe was considerably wider than initially realized. find also important implications validity atherfieldensis hypodigm, reassessment existing suggested.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:31F0D48F-C1DA-406E-A811-1F5937ED19F4

Language: Английский

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Re-assessment of the Late Jurassic eusauropod Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum Russell and Zheng, 1993, and the evolution of exceptionally long necks in mamenchisaurids

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

The sauropod genus Mamenchisaurus, from the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous of East Asia, has a convoluted taxonomic history. Although included in first cladistic analysis sauropods, only recently monophyly and anatomical diversity many penecontemporaneous Asian eusauropods, been evaluated critically. Here, we re-describe holotype specimen M. sinocanadorum. original diagnosis is no longer adequate, identify several autapomorphies that support validity this species, including an elongate external mandibular fenestra distinctive pneumatic structures on cervical centra. We incorporate new data into phylogenetic character matrix also includes Bellusaurus Daanosaurus, both which are known juvenile material often hypothesized to be neosauropods (or close relatives thereof). recover all species Mamenchisaurus as part radiation predominantly Middle–Late Jurassic but non-monophyletic, underscoring need for further systematic revision mamenchisaurid taxonomy. Analyses score ontogenetically variable characters ambiguously Daanosaurus mamenchisaurids, hypothesis supported by features unique mamenchisaurids or exhibit little homoplasy, anteriorly bifurcate ribs. Finally, computed-tomography reveals extensive vertebral pneumaticity sinocanadorum comparable largest updated scaling analyses imply neck over 14 m long, rivalling estimates other exceptionally long-necked sauropods. Previous work suggested elongated ribs particularly sauropods such stabilized limiting its mobility. Given extent responds dynamically bone's habitual loading, propose long – structural modifications limited flexibility promoted evolution increasingly necks producing more predictable biomechanical milieu amenable increased pneumatization.

Language: Английский

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Cranial and postcranial anatomy of a juvenile baurusuchid (Notosuchia, Crocodylomorpha) and the taxonomical implications of ontogeny

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Baurusuchidae comprises a clade of top‐tier terrestrial predators and are among the most abundant crocodyliforms found in Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin, Brazil (Campanian‐Maastrichtian). Here, we provide detailed description cranial postcranial osteology myology complete juvenile baurusuchid to date. Although preservation individuals is somewhat rare, previously reported occurrences egg clutches, yearling individual, larger, but skeletally immature specimens, comprise unique opportunity track anatomical changes throughout their ontogenetic series. Its anatomy was resolved with aid three‐dimensional model generated by acquisition computed tomography data, its inferred adductor mandibular musculature compared that mature specimens order assess possible shifts. A subsequent phylogenetic analysis included scoring Gondwanasuchus scabrosus , smallest species known date, evaluate relations relative juvenile. We find considerable differences between juveniles adults concerning skull ornamentation muscle development, which might indicate niche partitioning, also evidence G. corresponds young semaphoront lacking features.

Language: Английский

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Osteohistological insight into the growth dynamics of early dinosaurs and their contemporaries

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(4), P. e0298242 - e0298242

Published: April 3, 2024

Dinosauria debuted on Earth’s stage in the aftermath of Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction Event, and survived two other Triassic extinction intervals to eventually dominate terrestrial ecosystems. More than 231 million years ago, Upper Ischigualasto Formation west-central Argentina, dinosaurs were just getting warmed up. At this time, represented a minor fraction ecosystem diversity. Members tetrapod clades, including synapsids pseudosuchians, shared convergently evolved features related locomotion, feeding, respiration, metabolism could have risen later dominance. However, it was that radiated Mesozoic most significantly terms body size, diversity, global distribution. Elevated growth rates are one adaptations set apart, particularly from their contemporary crocodilian mammalian compatriots. When did elevated first evolve? How strategies earliest known compare with those tetrapods ecosystems? We studied femoral bone histology an array early alongside non-dinosaurian contemporaries order test whether oldest exhibited novel strategies. Our results indicate vertebrate fauna collectively exhibits relatively high rates. Dinosaurs among fastest growing taxa sample, but they occupied niche crocodylomorphs, archosauriformes, large-bodied pseudosuchians. Interestingly, these grew at least as quickly, more continuously sauropodomorph theropod Mesozoic. These data suggest that, while ancestral for likely played significant role dinosaurs’ ascent within ecosystems, not them apart contemporaries.

Language: Английский

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A reassessment of the historical fossil findings from Bahia State (Northeast Brazil) reveals a diversified dinosaur fauna in the Lower Cretaceous of South America

Historical Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 42

Published: April 11, 2024

Supposed dinosaur remains were collected between 1859 and 1906 in the Lower Cretaceous Recôncavo Basin (Northeast Brazil). Since these materials remained undescribed, most considered lost. Recently, some of historical specimens rediscovered Natural History Museum London, providing an opportunity to revisit them after 160 years. The come from five different sites, corresponding Massacará (Berriasian-Barremian) Ilhas (Valanginian-Barremian) groups. Identified bones comprise mainly isolated vertebral centra ornithopods, sauropods, theropods. Appendicular include a theropod pedal phalanx, humerus, distal half left femur with elasmarian affinities. Despite their fragmentary nature, represent earliest discovered South America, enhancing our understanding faunas Northeast Brazil. assemblage resembles coeval units Brazil, such as Rio do Peixe Basin, where ornithopods coexist sauropods This study confirms presence ornithischian dinosaurs Brazil based on osteological evidence, expanding biogeographic temporal range before continental rifting America Africa. Additionally, findings reinforce fossiliferous potential deposits Bahia State, which have been underexplored since initial discoveries.

Language: Английский

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A giant specimen of Rhamphorhynchus muensteri and comments on the ontogeny of rhamphorhynchines

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e18587 - e18587

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Rhamphorhynchus is one of the best-known pterosaurs, with well over 100 specimens being held in public collections. Most these represent juvenile animals, and adults known are typically around 1 m wingspan. Here we describe a near complete skeleton, preserved partially 3D, an animal wingspan 1.8 m, that considerably larger than other specimens, among largest non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs. This shows differences anatomy not seen smaller revealing details late-stage ontogeny this genus. The specimen exhibits disproportionate reduction size orbit increase lower temporal fenestra, proportional mandibular symphysis, unusually laterally flattened teeth, which may point to changing diet as animals grew. These features show transition from also appear large rhamphorhyhchines consistent pattern their development.

Language: Английский

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Growing with dinosaurs: a review of dinosaur reproduction and ontogeny

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Since the start of twenty-first century, there has been a notable increase in annual publications focusing on dinosaur reproduction and ontogeny with researchers using these data to address range macroevolutionary questions about dinosaurs. Ontogeny, which is closely tied osteological morphological variation, impacts several key research areas, such as taxonomic diversity, population dynamics, palaeoecology, macroevolution, well physiological reproductive factors driving ecological success. While broad studies have significantly advanced our understanding evolution, they also revealed important challenges areas needing further investigation. In this review, we aim outline some major linked ontogeny, namely biology, osteohistological growth strategies, variation link between macroevolution. We offer recommendations for best practices promising future directions. These include increasing sample sizes through fieldwork exhaustive use pre-existing fossil collections, micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanning methods dataset non-destructive manner, methodical collection reposition μCT scan data, assessing ontogenetic maturity, establishing consistency terminology building comprehensive extant comparative datasets.

Language: Английский

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