Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
61(11), P. 1127 - 1155
Published: Oct. 28, 2024
Late
Campanian
terrestrial
communities
of
western
Canada
are
best
known
from
the
fluvial–paralic
deposits
Dinosaur
Park
Formation
(DPF)
in
Provincial
(DPP),
Alberta.
However,
a
growing
list
localities
isolated
DPF
outcrops,
outside
DPP
area,
offers
glimpse
into
palaeocommunities
that
evolved
isochronously
with
biotas
greater
proximity
to
Western
Interior
Seaway.
Over
past
decade,
one
such
locality
was
explored
along
Lake
Diefenbaker
Saskatchewan
Landing
Park.
The
initial
palaeoecological
analysis
this
marginal
marine
community
based
on
palynomorph
and
vertebrate
microfossil
diversity
has
laid
foundation
for
current
study
its
monodominant
ceratopsian
bonebed.
latter
resulted
new
occurrences
Centrosaurus
apertus
elmisaurine
Citipes
elegans
incomplete
yet
diagnostic
specimens.
is
unequivocally
identified
by
parietal
bar
bearing
two
prominent
P1
P2
hooks,
which
expands
geographical
habitat
range
species
most
coastal
environment
DPF.
Furthermore,
presence
suggests
region
closer
age
lower
than
uppermost
DPP,
at
odds
previous
palynostratigraphic
interpretation.
faunal
composition
bonebed
also
supports
widely
distributed
metacommunity
across
these
deposits.
This
contribution
demonstrates
how
evidence
multiple
spatial
gradient,
beyond
temporal
gradient
available
within
alone,
picture
as
potential
model
system
biotic
turnover
response
sea
level
rise
geological
scale.
PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(1), P. e0292318 - e0292318
Published: Jan. 25, 2024
The
Upper
Cretaceous
(Campanian)
Belly
River
Group
(BRG)
of
southern
Alberta
has
a
complex
internal
stratigraphic
architecture
derived
from
differential
geometries
its
component
formations
that
resulted
regionalized
tectonic
influences
and
shifting
source
areas.
A
full
understanding
BRG
been
compromised
heretofore
by
limited
subsurface
data
in
southwestern-
southeastern-most
Alberta.
In
this
study
outcrop
exposures
throughout
are
tied
to
reference
well
logs
cross-sections
allowing
more
precise
how
it
relates
well-known
vertebrate
fossil
producing
Modifications
an
existing
model
the
show
Oldman
Dinosaur
Park
have
reciprocal
north-to-south
wedge-shaped
diachronous
contact
become
prominently
expressed
south
Twp
12.
updated
also
demonstrates
Formation
thickens
stratigraphically
up-section
south,
Foremost-Oldman
is,
essentially,
datum
across
much
Identification
remains
based
on
relatively
high
gamma-ray
response
mudstone
successions,
but
is
recognized
many
sandstones
exhibit
low
responses
like
those
underlying
overlying
formations.
Nomenclature
subdivisions
revised
accommodate
understanding,
modifications
made
definition
Judith
River-Belly
discontinuity,
newly
surface
marks
onset
accommodation
eustatic
rise
sea-level
northern
Western
Interior
Basin
at
~76.3
Ma.
PLoS ONE,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
19(2), P. e0297637 - e0297637
Published: Feb. 14, 2024
Fossil
deposits
with
exceptional
preservation
(“lagerstätten”)
provide
important
details
not
typically
preserved
in
the
fossil
record,
such
that
they
hold
an
outsized
influence
on
our
understanding
of
biodiversity
and
evolution.
In
particular,
potential
bias
imparted
by
this
so-called
“lagerstätten
effect”
remains
a
critical,
but
underexplored
aspect
reconstructing
evolutionary
relationships.
Here,
we
quantify
amount
phylogenetic
information
available
global
records
1,327
species
non-avian
theropod
dinosaurs,
Mesozoic
birds,
squamates
(e.g.,
lizards,
snakes,
mosasaurs),
then
compare
lagerstätten
content
taxon
selection
analyses
to
other
fossil-bearing
deposits.
We
find
groups
preserve
high
their
record
theropods)
are
less
vulnerable
leads
disproportionate
representation
taxa
from
one
geologic
unit
tree.
Additionally,
for
each
taxonomic
group,
comparable
amounts
deposits,
even
though
corresponding
morphological
character
datasets
vary
greatly.
Finally,
unexpectedly
ancient
sand
dune
Late
Cretaceous
Gobi
Desert
Mongolia
China
exert
anomalously
large
squamate
suggesting
can
be
present
units
traditionally
considered
lagerstätten.
These
results
offer
phylogenetics-based
lens
through
which
examine
effects
biological
patterns
time
space,
invites
further
quantification
rock
record.
Journal of Paleontology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 10
Published: Jan. 23, 2025
Abstract
Identifying
feeding
interactions
in
the
fossil
record
remains
a
key
challenge
for
paleoecologists.
We
report
rare
occurrence
of
conical,
perforative
bite
mark
cervical
vertebra
an
azhdarchid
pterosaur,
which
we
identified
as
juvenile
individual
Cryodrakon
boreas
Hone,
Habib,
and
Therrien,
2019
from
Campanian
Dinosaur
Park
Formation
Alberta,
Canada.
Based
on
comparative
analysis
dentition
ecomorphology
potential
trace
makers
Formation,
well
morphology
trace,
most
likely
candidate
is
crocodilian,
although
whether
it
was
made
result
scavenging
or
predatory
behavior
unknown.
Feeding
involving
pterosaurs
are
globally,
whereas
crocodilian
marks
not
uncommon
Cretaceous
terrestrial
ecosystems.
Given
opportunistic
style
known
range
food
items
both
extant
extinct
crocodilians,
can
be
counted
rare,
but
surprising,
component
at
least
some
diets.
Papers in Palaeontology,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(1)
Published: Jan. 1, 2025
Abstract
The
Upper
Jurassic
of
Portugal
is
well
known
for
its
dinosaurian
fauna,
which
includes
five
sauropod
species.
Although
only
one
these
species
preserves
associated
dental
material,
isolated
teeth
are
commonly
found
in
the
units
Portugal.
morphological
diversity
Portuguese
has
already
been
described
and
attributed
to
four
morphotypes.
Here,
we
report
an
additional
24
heart‐shaped
teeth,
9
spatulate
16
compressed
chisel‐shaped
10
pencil‐shaped
hitherto
unstudied
collection
Museu
da
Lourinhã.
All
morphotypes
clades
from
fossil
record,
based
on
morphology
tooth
slenderness.
statistical
tests
show
a
clear
relation
between
widely
used
Slenderness
Index
(SI)
taxonomy,
proves
be
necessary
correctly
interpret
any
usage
SI
as
taxonomic
tool.
As
such,
when
it
comes
attribute
Turiasauria,
Camarasauridae,
Titanosauriformes
indet.,
Flagellicaudata.
A
reassessment
evolution
shows
general
trend
increasing
slenderness
all
studied
groups,
disappearance
broad‐crowned
taxa
with
developed
tooth‐to‐tooth
occlusion
by
end
Early
Cretaceous.
We
suggest
that
this
may
correlated
batteries
ornithischians,
were
more
efficient
oral
food
processing.
Biology Letters,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
21(4)
Published: April 1, 2025
Two
hundred
years
after
the
naming
of
first
dinosaur,
taxonomic
studies
remain
an
important
component
dinosaur
research.
Around
50
new
dinosaurs
are
named
each
year
and
discovered
from
across
globe.
The
rate
discovery
shows
no
signs
slowing,
but
not
all
geographical
areas
temporal
windows
have
been
equally
investigated.
potential
for
discoveries
in
India
Africa
seems
particularly
high,
while
Carnian,
when
probably
originated,
Middle
Jurassic,
major
clades
diversified,
offer
best
opportunities
to
make
that
will
fundamentally
change
our
understanding
evolution.
A
challenge
is
funding.
Frontier
fieldwork
sometimes
viewed
as
too
risky
fund,
basic
work
considered
lack
impact.
As
a
consequence,
we
risk
‘extinction
experience’,
where
researchers
limited
training
field-
specimen-based
research
underpins
discipline.
Going
forward,
remote
sensing
techniques
may
help
find
prospective
areas,
three-dimensional
scanning
apps
on
smartphones
allow
us
quickly
record
field
data.
Artificial
intelligence
likely
be
used
increasingly
computed
tomography
segmentation
identification
problematic
fossils.
Cretaceous Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
163, P. 105957 - 105957
Published: June 29, 2024
Taxonomic
diversity
in
the
derived
tyrannosaurine
Daspletosaurus
has
been
hypothesized
to
represent
a
variety
of
evolutionary
patterns
by
different
authors.
The
recent
description
D.
wilsoni,
third
species
this
genus,
was
proposed
support
paraphyly
and
participation
its
within
single
anagenetic
lineage
terminating
at
base
clade
formed
Tyrannosaurus
other
gigantic
tyrannosaurines
(Tarbosaurus,
Zhuchengtyrannus).
However,
reanalysis
including
additional
data
challenged
interpretation,
instead
recovering
as
monophyletic
sister
group
closest
relatives,
characterized
several
cladogenetic
events.
Here
we
show
that
incorporating
further
correcting
erroneous
interpretations
relevant
anatomical
features
overturns
result.
Using
novel
phylogenetic
analysis
specimens,
recover
paraphyletic
Daspletosaurus,
with
genus
forming
successive
taxa
Tyrannosaurus-line
tyrannosaurines.
This
result
facilitates
an
interpretation
currently
recognized
representing
lineage,
agreement
stratigraphic
distribution
specimens
qualitative
range
morphological
variation
observable
wilsoni.
Cretaceous Research,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
155, P. 105780 - 105780
Published: Nov. 28, 2023
The
recently
described
tyrannosaurine
(Theropoda,
Tyrannosauridae)
species
Daspletosaurus
wilsoni
was
suggested
to
show
evidence
for
anagenesis
within
the
genus
and
derived
Tyrannosaurinae.
Here,
we
evaluate
methodology
conclusions
made
by
authors.
Reanalysis
of
their
dataset
with
additions
consistently
applied
methodologies,
shows
that
there
is
no
strong
a
single
anagenetic
lineage
'Tyrannosaurus-line'
tyrannosaurines
throughout
latest
Cretaceous.
Our
study
demonstrates
cladogenetic
Tyrannosaurinae
composed
four
morphologically
biogeographically
distinct
clades.
Two
these
clades
are
formally
defined
diagnosed
herein
(Teratophoneini
clade
nov.
Tyrannosaurini).
Teratophoneini
currently
restricted
southern
latitudes
Campanian
Laramidia,
while
Tyrannosaurini
present
in
both
Maastrichtian
strata
Asia
Laramidia.
Inclusion
unnamed
from
Dinosaur
Park
Oldman
formations
reveals
not
found
be
driver
speciation
Daspletosaurus.
We
also
demonstrate
all
known
do
meet
previously
established
prerequisites
advise
against
prematurity
when
making
concerning
significant
processes
surrounding
mode
evolution
extinct
genera
sparse
often
incomplete
fossil
records.
Future
detailed
anatomical
description
specimens
representing
proposed
fourth
will
further
aid
elucidating
this
more
generally.
