[Paleontology • 2019] Tarsomordeo winkleri • Small Terrestrial Crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous (late Aptian) of central Texas and Its Implications on the Paleoecology of the Proctor Lake Dinosaur Locality

Tarsomordeo winkleri  Adams, 2019

  DOI:  10.1080/02724634.2019.1623226

ABSTRACT

Within the Twin Mountains Formation, the Proctor Lake dinosaur locality in central Texas is distinct from other Early Cretaceous localities by having an abundance of vertebrate fossils representing a low-diversity assemblage. However, it has yielded two small-bodied crocodyliforms, Wannchampsus kirpachi and Tarsomordeo winkleri, gen. et sp. nov. This new species is represented by a single partial skeleton with a complete dentary, trough-shaped mandibular symphysis, amphicoelous vertebrae, nearly square dorsal osteoderms, and gracile, elongated limbs. In addition, limb morphology indicates a parasagittal posture, an attribute for a terrestrial lifestyle that could have allowed T. winkleri to fill an ecological niche as an active predator of nesting dinosaurs and other small prey. A phylogenetic analysis places this new taxon within Eusuchia as a member of Paralligatoridae and the sister taxon to Paralligator major and Rugosuchus nonganensis, providing further evidence for the presence of this clade in North America. This new Proctor Lake crocodyliform expands the taxonomic diversity of the Early Cretaceous units of central Texas and provides additional insight into the paleoecology of the Proctor Lake dinosaur nesting site.

 Comparisons of Tarsomordeo winkleri, gen. et sp. nov., with the maximum size of the Proctor Lake ornithopod, Convolosaurus marri (from Andrzejewski et al., 2019). Scale bar equals 10 cm.

Map of fossil block (SMU field number 2AC) containing the partial skeleton of Tarsomordeo winkleri, gen. et sp. nov., SMU 76870, holotype, from Proctor Lake, Texas. Numbered osteoderms correspond to the order the elements were prepared from the block. White represents elements that have not been identified. Scale bar equals 5 cm.

Interpretive reconstruction of Tarsomordeo winkleri, gen. et sp. nov., showing position of recovered elements discussed in the text. Notosuchus silhouette used as model for reconstruction (phylopic.org). Scale bar equals 10 cm.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

 CROCODYLIFORMES Hay, 1930 

MESOEUCROCODYLIA Whetstone and Whybrow, 1983 

NEOSUCHIA Benton and Clark, 1988 

PARALLIGATORIDAE Konzhukova, 1954 

TARSOMORDEO, gen. nov.

 Type Species— Tarsomordeo winkleri, sp. nov. 

Etymology—‘Tarso’ and ‘mordeo,’ derived from the Latin terms for ‘ankle biter’ in reference to the small size of the type specimen. 

TARSOMORDEO WINKLERI, sp. nov.

Etymology— Tarsomordeo winkleri, in honor of Dr. Dale Winkler, for his contributions to the study of Texas paleontology and geology.

Thomas L. Adams. 2019. Small Terrestrial Crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous (late Aptian) of central Texas and Its Implications on the Paleoecology of the Proctor Lake Dinosaur Locality. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e1623226. DOI:  10.1080/02724634.2019.1623226

facebook.com/WitteMuseum/photos/10155924150941991

Witte paleontologist discovers ancient cat-sized crocodile species that hunted on land  kens5.com/article/life/animals/witte-paleontologist-discovers-ancient-cat-sized-crocodile-species-that-hunted-on-land/273-519029d1-7c3d-406a-8b95-0290e910075a via @KENS5

 Kate A. Andrzejewski, Dale A. Winkler and Louis L. Jacobs. 2019. A New Basal Ornithopod (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Early Cretaceous of Texas.  PLoS ONE 14(3): e0207935. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207935

[Paleontology • 2019] Cratopipa novaolindensis • A New Genus of Pipimorph Frog (Anura) from the early Cretaceous Crato Formation (Aptian) and the Evolution of South American Tongueless Frogs

Cratopipa novaolindensis

Carvalho, Agnolin, Rolando, Novas, Xavier-Neto, de Freitas & de Andrade, 2019

  DOI:  10.1016/j.jsames.2019.03.005 

  facebook.com/IsmardeSouzaCarvalhoIsmarCarvalho7 
blogs.diariodonordeste.com.br

Highlights: 

• We describe a new species of Pipimorpha from the Crato Formation (Aptian, Early Cretaceous), Araripe Basin, Brazil.

• Cratopipa novaolindensis nov. gen. et sp. is the oldest pipimorph fossil from South America.

• Phylogenetic analysis resulted in the nesting of the new taxon within a unrecognized endemic South American clade.

• The analysis sustains dispersal of pipimorphs through an island chain or continental bridge across the Atlantic Ocean.

Abstract

Pipimorpha is a clade of tongueless anurans with a wide fossil record. Furthermore, the oldest South American fossils come from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Patagonia, Argentina. The aim of the present contribution is to describe a new genus and species of Pipimorpha from the Crato Formation (Aptian, Early Cretaceous), Araripe Basin, Brazil. The new specimen consists of a nearly complete skeleton that shows several anatomical similarities with other fossils from South America. Phylogenetic analysis resulted in the nesting of the new taxon within a previously unrecognized endemic South American clade. Further, some traditional groupings within Pipimorpha were not recognized. The new phylogenetic analysis reinforces previous biogeographical hypotheses sustaining dispersal of pipimorph between Africa and South America through an island chain or continental bridge across the Atlantic Ocean.

Keywords: Crato Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Pipimorpha, Brazil, South America, Africa

Systematic palaeontology

Anura Rafinesque, 1815

Pipoidea Fitzinger, 1843

Pipimorpha Ford and Cannatella, 1993

Cratopipa novaolindensis nov. gen. et sp.

Derivation of the name. Crato, from Crato Formation, the lithostratigraphic unit in which the holotype specimen was found; Pipa, the type genus of the Pipidae family. The specific epithet novaolindensis refers to the county of Nova Olinda, Ceará State, Brazil, the site where the fossil was discovered. 

  Holotype specimen of Cratopipa novaolindensis nov. gen. et sp. (UFRJDG 05 A). 

  facebook.com/IsmardeSouzaCarvalhoIsmarCarvalho7 

Skeletal reconstruction of Cratopipa novaolindensis nov. gen. et sp. 

 life reconstruction of the Aptian Pipimorpha Cratopipa novaolindensis nov. gen. et sp. 

(Art by Deverson da Silva, Pepi).

Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Federico Agnolin, Mauro A. Aranciaga Rolando, Fernando E. Novas, José Xavier-Neto, Francisco Idalécio de Freitas and José Artur Ferreira Gomes de Andrade. 2019. A New Genus of Pipimorph Frog (Anura) from the early Cretaceous Crato Formation (Aptian) and the Evolution of South American Tongueless Frogs. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 92; 222-233. DOI:  10.1016/j.jsames.2019.03.005 

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=437709826973606  

Novo gênero de perereca fóssil é descoberto em Nova Olinda 

Batizado de Cratopipa Novaolindesis, a espécime habitou o Cariri há 110 milhões de anos. blogs.diariodonordeste.com.br/cariri/ciencia/novo-genero-de-perereca-fossil-e-descoberto-em-nova-olinda/22810  @diarioonline

twitter.com/amphibiansorg/status/1108741590279962629

    

[Paleontology • 2018] Lavocatisaurus agrioensis • A New Rebbachisaurid Sauropod from the Aptian–Albian, Lower Cretaceous Rayoso Formation, Neuquén, Argentina

Lavocatisaurus agrioensis 

Canudo, Carballido, Garrido & Salgado, 2018

DOI: 10.4202/app.00524.2018 

Illustration: Gabriel Lio. 

Rebbachisaurids are a group of basal diplodocimorph sauropods that diversified in Gondwana at the end of the Early Cretaceous and the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. It is a group of great palaeobiogeographical interest, for it  clearly illustrates various processes of dispersal throughout Gondwana and to Laurasia prior to the breakup of Africa and South America. However, the relationships within the group are still under discussion owing to the scarcity of cranial material that would help clarify them. In the present paper we describe the new rebbachisaurid Lavocatisaurus agrioensis gen. et  sp. nov. from the Aptian–Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Neuquén (Argentina). Remains have been recovered belonging to an adult specimen (holotype) and two immature specimens (paratypes). Taken together, almost all the bones of the taxon are represented, including most of the cranium. Lavocatisaurus agrioensis gen. et sp. nov. is the first rebbachisaurid from Argentina with an almost complete cranium, making it possible to recognize differences with respect to other rebbachisaurids, such as the highly derived Nigersaurus. Among its most notable characters are the presences of a large preantorbital fenestra and maxillary teeth that are significantly larger than those of the dentary. Our phylogenetic study places Lavocatisaurus amongst basal rebbachisaurids, as the sister lineage to Khebbashia (the clade formed by Limaysaurinae + Rebbachisaurinae). This position, which is somewhat more derived than that previously suggested for Comahuesaurus and Zapalasaurus (the Argentinean rebbachisaurids closest in geographical and geological terms), reaffirms the presence of different basal rebbachisaurid lineages in the Early Cretaceous of Patagonia.

Key words: Dinosauria, Rebbachisauridae, phylogeny, Cretaceous, Rayoso Formation, Argentina.

Fig. 2. Rebbachisaurid sauropod Lavocatisaurus agrioensis gen. et sp. nov. from Agrio del Medio (Argentina), Aptian–lower Albian. A. MOZ-Pv1232, axis in lateral view (A1, photograph; A2, drawing); eight cervical vertebrae in lateral view view (A3, photograph; A4, drawing, ); anterior caudal vertebra in lateral view (A5); middle caudal vertebra in lateral view (A6); posterior caudal vertebra in lateral view (A7); posteriormost caudal vertebra in lateral view (A8); left tibia in lateral view (A9). B. MOZ-Pv 1255, left scapula from a juvenile specimen, in lateral view. C. Skeletal reconstruction based on the holotype and paratype specimens. Scale bars 10 cm. 

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropoda Marsh, 1878

Diplodocoidea Marsh, 1878 sensu Upchurch, 1995

Diplodocimorpha Calvo and Salgado, 1995

Rebbachisauridae Bonaparte, 1997

Genus Lavocatisaurus nov.

Etymology: In honour of the French researcher René Lavocat (1909–2007), who described Rebbachisaurus, the first known representative of Rebbachisauridae.

Lavocatisaurus agrioensis sp. nov.

Etymology: In reference to the locality of Agrio del Medio, from which the new species was found

Illustration: Gabriel Lio.  

Conclusions: 

Lavocatisaurus agrioensis is the first of the South American rebbachisaurids that preserves the rostral region of the cranium, which has allowed us to undertake a reliable enough reconstruction of the skull. The skull has a combination of morphological characters that justifies its definition as a new taxon within Rebbachisauridae along with the less derived rebbachisaurids from the Early Cretaceous of Argentina such as Zapalasaurus and Comahuesaurus. Our phylogenetic study situates Lavocatisaurus as the sister lineage of Khebbashia (Fig. 5). Lavocatisaurus is the most derived basal rebbachisaurid known to date, providing reliable information on the evolutionary steps that occurred just prior to the diversification of Rebbachisaurinae.

José I. Canudo, José L. Carballido, Alberto Garrido and Leonardo Salgado. 2018. A New Rebbachisaurid Sauropod from the Aptian–Albian, Lower Cretaceous Rayoso Formation, Neuquén, Argentina. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. in press. DOI: 10.4202/app.00524.2018 

Scientists discover a new species of dinosaur 110 million years old in Argentina

 dicyt.com/news/scientists-discover-a-new-species-of-dinosaur-110-million-years-old-in-argentina

[Paleontology • 2017] Moabosaurus utahensis • A New Sauropod From The Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of North America

Moabosaurus utahensis 

Britt, Scheetz, Whiting & Wilhite, 2017

   deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/136227 

Abstract

 The Early Cretaceous was a time of dramatic change for sauropod dinosaurs in North America. Between the Late Jurassic-aged Morrison Formation and overlying Early Cretaceous strata, there was a dramatic decline in sauropod diversity. Here, we describe a new sauropod that adds to the diversity of the Early Cretaceous, from strata that can be no older than the early Aptian, (125 Ma) some 25 million years younger than the Morrison Formation. 

Moabosaurus utahensis, n. gen., n. sp., is diagnosed in part by the following suite of characters: axially thin ventral basioccipital with posteriorly sweeping basal tubera; low-spined cervical vertebrae with neural spines that range from shallowly notched on anterior cervical vertebrae to shallow, but widely notched on middle and some posterior cervical vertebrae; posterior cervical and anterior dorsal neural spines with extremely low, axially thin, laterally wide ridges at the level of the zygapophyses; some cervical ribs with bifid posterior shafts; anterior and posterior caudal vertebrae with strongly procoelous centra, middle caudal vertebrae with mildly procoelous centra, and distal caudal vertebrae with moderately-to-strongly procoelous centra.

 To determine the phylogenetic position of Moabosaurus we utilized three different datasets and performed four analyses. All results are in agreement that Moabosaurus is a neosauropod. The two most resolved trees indicate it is a macronarian, specifically a basal titanosauriform. The thick-walled, camerate presacral vertebrae and other characters, however, preclude a more highly nested position of Moabosaurus within either Titanosauriformes, which is characterized by moderately camellate presacral vertebrae, or Somphospondyli, which is characterized by fully camellate presacral vertebrae, including the neural arches. Incorporation of these and other characters, particularly those shared with Turiasaurus and Tendaguria, into phylogenetic analyses will help resolve the interrelationships of Moabosaurus with other neosauropods.

FIGURE 36 — Moabosaurus utahensis skeletal mount.
A composite of the holotypic dorsal vertebrae (BYU 14387) and referred elements plus a skull of Camarasaurus. The skeleton is 9.75 m long. 

 B.B. Britt, R.D. Scheetz, M.F. Whiting and D.R. Wilhite. 2017. Moabosaurus utahensis, n. gen., n. sp., A New Sauropod From The Early Cretaceous (Aptian) of North America. Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan. 32(11); 189–243. deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/136227

    

[Paleontology • 2017] Zhongjianosaurus yangi • A New Tiny Dromaeosaurid Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of western Liaoning and Niche Differentiation Among the Jehol Dromaeosaurids

Zhongjianosaurus yangi 

Xu & Qin, 2017 

Abstract 

The Early Cretaceous Jehol dromaeosaurids are taxonomically and morphologically diverse, and one of them, Microraptor zhaoianus, has been suggested to be among the smallest known non-avialan theropods. However, this idea is based on specimens of relatively early ontogenetic stages, and the lower limit of the mature body mass of Jehol dromaeosaurids thus remains unknown. Here we describe a new dromaeosaurid, Zhongjianosaurus yangi gen. et sp. nov., based on a specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (the middle section of the Jehol Group) from Sihedang, Lingyuan County, Liaoning in Northeast China. While this new taxon is referable to the Microraptorinae, it differs from other microraptorine dromaeosaurids in numerous features, most notably the fusion of proportionally long uncinate processes to dorsal ribs, a humerus with a strongly medially offset proximal end and a large fenestra within the deltopectoral crest, an ulna slightly longer than the humerus, and an arctometatarsalian pes. Most significantly, the estimated 0.31 kg mass of the Z. yangi holotype of an adult individual confirms that some Jehol dromaeosaurids are among the smallest known non-avialan theropods. Our preliminary analysis demonstrates niche differentiation among the Jehol dromaeosaurids, a phenomenon rarely reported among Mesozoic dinosaurian faunas. 

Key words:  Lower Cretaceous, Jehol Group, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, small size, morphological variation, niche differentiation

 

Systematic paleontology

 Theropoda Marsh, 1881

 Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986

 Dromaeosauridae Matthew et Brown, 1922

Zhongjianosaurus yangi gen. et sp. nov.

 Etymology: The genus name and specific epithet are in honor of Yang Zhongjian (C.C. Young), who is the founder of vertebrate paleontology in China.

Locality and Horizon: Sihedang, Lingyuan County, Liaoning Province, China. Possibly Yixian Formation, Aptian, Cretaceous (Swisher et al., 2001).

Diagnosis: A tiny microraptorine theropod distinguishable from other microraptorines in the following autapomorphies: proportionally long ossified uncinate processes fused to dorsal ribs, widely arched furcula with slender and posteriorly curved clavicular rami, humeral proximal end strongly offset medially from humeral shaft, humeral internal tuberosity short, presence of large fenestra within humeral deltopectoral crest, humeral ulnar condyle hypertrophied, ulna slightly longer than humerus, ulnar olecranon process with posterior margin mediolaterally pinched, ulnar distal end bending anteriorly and strongly expanded laterally, proximal end of metacarpal II with strong ventrolateral extension, metacarpal III laterally bowed with longitudinal ventral groove, phalanx II-2 without proximodorsal lip and lacking strong dorsal arching, femoral head stout and lower than trochanteric crest, medial condyle of tibiotarsus distal end with a prominent distal extension, arctometatarsalian pes, and metatarsal II without ginglymus on distal end.

 

 Xing Xu and Zi-Chuan Qin. 2017. A New Tiny Dromaeosaurid Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Group of western Liaoning and Niche Differentiation Among the Jehol Dromaeosaurids. Vertebrata PalAsiatica. In press.

http://www.ivpp.ac.cn/cbw/gjzdwxb/pressonline/201704/P020170410587218147108.pdf

[PaleoOrnithology • 2015] Feitianius paradisi • A New Early Cretaceous Enantiornithine (Aves, Ornithothoraces) from northwestern China with Elaborate Tail Ornamentation

Feitianius paradisi

O’Connor, Li, Lamanna, Wang, Harris, Atterholt & You, 2015

DOI:  10.1080/02724634.2015.1054035

ABSTRACT

We provide a detailed description of a well-preserved enantiornithine specimen (GSGM-05-CM-004) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Xiagou Formation of northwestern Gansu Province, China, for which we erect the new taxon Feitianius paradisi, gen. et sp. nov. This specimen has a distinctive pelvic morphology and can be further distinguished from all other Mesozoic birds by a unique caudal plumage formed by multiple rectricial morphotypes. This newly documented tail morphology reveals a previously unrecognized level of complexity in the plumage of basal birds. This complex tail-feather morphology has a parallel in extant sexually dimorphic birds in which the males have the most altered tails; thus, we identify this specimen as male. Ornamental tail morphologies, such as the novel tail plumage described here, dominate Enantiornithes. This reinforces hypotheses that sexual selection was a major driving force in the evolution of basal bird plumage.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

AVES Linnaeus, 1758

ORNITHOTHORACES Chiappe, 1995a

ENANTIORNITHES Walker, 1981
FEITIANIUS PARADISI, gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype — GSGM-05-CM-004, an incomplete but articulated specimen preserving the caudal half of the skeleton (mostly inleft lateral view) on a single slab, including carbonized vestigesof the caudal body coverts, rectrices, and keratinous pedalungual sheaths.

Etymology — Feitianius  paradisi, meaning Paradise’s feitian (飞天), referring to the hundreds of paintings of feitian, or ‘flying apsara,’ in the Mogao caves that are not far from the type locality. Like the new species, the feitian were beautiful flying creatures. ‘Paradisi’ (Latin, genitive ‘from paradise’) refers to the similarity in tail morphology between the new fossil and the highly sexually dimorphic plumages of extant birds of paradise. For fun, we decided to masculinize the genus name because the holotype specimen appears to be a male.

Locality  and  Horizon — Lower  Cretaceous  (lower–middle Aptian) (124–120 Ma; (Suarez et al., 2013) Xiagou Formation,near Changma Village, Yumen City, Gansu Province, northwestern China.

Taxonomic Remarks — The specimen can be referred to Enantiornithes based on its possession of the following characters: excavated thoracic vertebrae with centrally located parapophyses; distinctive, large pygostyle with craniodorsal fork, ventrolateral processes, and distal constriction; ischium with strap-like proximodorsal process; and reduced metatarsal IV. Specimen GSGM-05-CM-004 can be differentiated from Qiliania graffini Ji et al., 2011, another enantiornithine from the same formation, by several features. First, Feitianius paradisi bears a medial plantar crest on metatarsal II (absent in Q. graffini).Although the proportions of the pubis and ischium are similar between the two taxa, the dorsal (caudal) margin of the pubis and ventral (cranial) margin of the ischium are concave in F. paradisi, whereas both of these surfaces are relatively straight in Q. graffini. Furthermore, the proportions of the pedal digits are quite different: the combined length of digit III compared with that of metatarsal III is 1.05 in the new species compared with0.92 in Q. graffini; the same ratio for digit II is 0.77 in F. paradisi and 0.70 in Q. graffini. In addition, in F. paradisi, the hallucal claw is comparatively more recurved and the penultimate phalanx of digit III is subequal in length to the proximal phalanx (the proximal phalanx is longest in Q. graffini). The pubis of the indeterminate Xiagou Formation enantiornithine GSGM-04-CM-007 is rod-like, and its distal end is curved 90 to the proximal shaft (Lamanna et al., 2006), whereas in Feitianius the pubis is dorsoventrally compressed and ends in a pubic boot. Unfortunately, there are no overlapping skeletal elements to comparewith Dunhuangia lii Wang et al., 2015, a newly described enantiornithine from Changma (Wang et al., 2015). Compared with other enantiornithines, the pygostyle is proportionally shorterthan in species of the Longipterygidae, the tarsometatarsus is considerably more gracile than in all species within the Bohaiornithidae or Avisauridae, and the metatarsal and digit I are shorter than in species of the Pengornithidae. Feitianius paradisiis most similar to Jehol ‘cathayornithiforms’ such as species of Cathayornis, Eoenantiornis, Protopteryx, and Sinornisbut differs from these taxa in the detailed anatomy of the pelvic girdle.

Reconstruction of Feitianius paradisi by Michael Rothman showing the tail relaxed and with the levator musculature flexed, engaged in a display
A. Perched and non-displaying; B. Perched and displaying

researchgate.net/publication/312585819gnsi.org/gallery/2016-members-exhibit

Jingmai K. O’Connor, Da-Qing Li, Matthew C. Lamanna, Min Wang, Jerald D. Harris, Jessie Atterholt and Hai-Lu You. 2015. A New Early Cretaceous Enantiornithine (Aves, Ornithothoraces) from northwestern China with Elaborate Tail Ornamentation. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI:  10.1080/02724634.2015.1054035

ResearchGate.net/publication/288887552_A_new_Early_Cretaceous_enantiornithine_Aves_Ornithothoraces_from_northwestern_China_with_elaborate_tail_ornamentation

     

 Feitianius, new enantiornithine from Early Cretaceous of China

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