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| Lajasvenator ascheriae
Coria, Currie, Ortega & Baiano, 2019
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Highlights:
• A new genus and species of carcharodontosaurid theropod (Lajasvenator ascheriae) is described.
• Lajasvenator is the oldest Cretaceous carcharodontosaurid record.
• Lajasvenator represents the first Lower Cretaceous, South American carcharodontosaurid.
Abstract
A new carcharodontosaurid taxon, Lajasvenator ascheriae gen. et sp. nov. is described. The new taxon is based on two specimens: MLL-PV-Pv-005 is a partial skeleton represented by a portion of the snout, partially articulated presacral vertebral series, four articulated caudal vertebra and fragments of the pelvic girdle; MLL-PV-Pv-007 includes the anterior ends of both dentaries, a quadratojugal, and fragments of cervical vertebrae, ribs and a possible tarsal bone. Lajasvenator is unique in having anterior projections on cervical prezygapophyses, lip-like crests on the lateral surfaces of cervical postzygapophyses, and bilobed anterior processes on cervical ribs. Lajasvenator material was collected from the terrestrial sandstones of the Valanginian Mulichinco Formation. It is the oldest carcharodontosaurid record from South America. This medium sized theropod was found associated with remains of the dicraeosaurid sauropod Pilmatueia, indeterminate diplodocid remains, and a yet unidentified iguanodontian-like ornithopod.
Keywords: Lajasvenator, Carcharodontosauridae, Theropoda, Valanginian, Patagonia
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| Restoration of Lajasvenator ascheriae showing which bones have been collected. |
Systematic Paleontology
Theropoda Marsh, 1881
Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986
Allosauroidea Currie and Zhao, 1993
Carcharodontosauridae Stromer, 1931
Lajasvenator ascheriae gen. et sp. nov.
Etymology: Lajas, referring the city of Las Lajas, within the jurisdiction of which the specimen was found; venator, Latin, hunter; ascheriae, after Susana Ascheri, for her kindness in allowing us to work on her land.
Rodolfo A. Coria, Philip J. Currie, Francisco Ortega and Mattia A. Baiano. 2019. An Early Cretaceous, Medium-sized Carcharodontosaurid Theropod (Dinosauria, Saurischia) from the Mulichinco Formation (upper Valanginian), Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina. Cretaceous Research. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104319
