[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] Pujatopouli soberana • Diving in the Maastrichtian of Marambio (Seymour) Island: A New Member of the Neoaves in the Cretaceous Antarctic Avifauna

  

Pujatopouli soberana 

Irazoqui, Hospitaleche, Gelfo, Carabajal, Bona & Burlaille, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106259 

facebook.com/CarolinaAcostaHospitaleche 

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Illustration by Samanta Faiad. 

Highlights

• A new genus and species of Cretaceous Neoaves is described.

• Phylogenetic analysis suggests its relationship to Aequornithes.

• A coeval existence of Galloanseres and Neoaves in the Maastrichtian of Marambio Island is postulated.

• The López de Bertodano Formation is the only lithostratigraphic showing a high diversity of Cretaceous Neornithes.

• This avifauna is characterized by the predominance of foot-propelled diving birds.

Abstract

A new genus and species of Cretaceous bird from Antarctica with implications for the early evolution of Neornithes is described here. The type specimen of Pujatopouli soberana gen. et sp. nov. (MLP-PV 08-XI-30-44), preserving part of the skull and postcranium, was recovered from Maastrichtian deposits of the López de Bertodano Formation on Marambio (Seymour) Island, James Ross Basin, West Antarctica. The phylogenetic relationships of Pujatopouli with other avian species, including all previously described Cretaceous birds from Antarctica, were assessed using two different datasets. The first, mainly composed of Mesozoic birds, places Pujatopouli within the crown group of birds (Neornithes), whereas the second, which includes a broad sampling of modern taxa, positions it within Neoaves, and closely related to the ‘core-waterbirds’ (Aequornithes). Besides, morphological evidence suggests that Pujatopouli was a foot-propelled diver with an ichthyophagous diet, living sympatrically with other neornithine birds along the Antarctic coast during the latest Cretaceous.

Systematic palaeontology

AVES Linnaeus, 1758.

ORNITHURAE Haeckel, 1866.

NEORNITHES Gadow (1892).

NEOGNATHAE Pycraft, 1900.

NEOAVES Sibley et al., 1988.

AEQUORNITHES Mayr (2011).

 

Pujatopouli gen nov. 

 

Pujatopouli soberana sp. nov.

 

Pujatopouli soberana nov. gen. et sp., swimming in the Antarctic waters of the Maastrichtian.

Illustration by Samanta Faiad. 

 

Facundo Irazoqui, Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, Javier N. Gelfo, Ariana Paulina Carabajal, Paula Bona and Leonel Acosta Burlaille. 2026. Diving in the Maastrichtian of Marambio (Seymour) Island: A New Member of the Neoaves in the Cretaceous Antarctic Avifauna. Cretaceous Research. 179; 106259. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106259

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https://acostacaro.wixsite.com/acostahospitaleche/publications

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae

 

 Protolamna ricaurtei  

in Benavides-Cabra, Páramo-Fonseca, Narváez-Rincón et Pomar, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Highlights: 

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a gigantic lamniform shark that lived during the Early Cretaceous.

• Not all macrophagous lamniform sharks with large bodies have large teeth.

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer who fed on small preys.

Abstract

We describe a new specimen of a lamniform shark from the upper Aptian of the Arcillolitas abigarradas Member of the Paja Formation of Villa de Leiva (Colombia). It represents the first lamniform shark specimen from the Lower Cretaceous with both teeth and vertebrae preserved. The specimen consists of several disarticulated but well-preserved teeth and well-preserved partially articulated vertebral centra, denticles and soft tissues. We refer the specimen to Protolamna ricaurtei, a species recently erected from a specimen found in the same formation. It is a lamniform shark characterized by proportionally small tearing-type teeth with small triangular main cusp, two pairs of small triangular lateral cusplets, and massive bilobated roots. The specimen represents a mature individual to be 6.65 m in total length, making it the oldest record of a gigantic lamniform. This specimen is the first evidence that not all macrophagous lamniforms follow the linear function relating crown height to total body length. Our taphonomic analysis indicates that the specimen must have rapidly reached an anoxic bottom, with low benthic activity, gentle currents, and with microbial mats that facilitated the rapid phosphatization of the soft tissues. Based on the preserved anatomy, we propose that Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer feeding in tropical near-shore areas over small preys such as bony fishes, small sharks, squids, and crustaceans.

the taphonomic history of specimen CFSTA090318, from its sinking and burial to its fossilization, along with the remains of an associated turtle.

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Protolamna ricaurtei 

 

Cristian D. Benavides-Cabra, María E. Páramo-Fonseca, José A. Narváez-Rincón and Daniel E. Pomar. 2026. A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae. Cretaceous Research. 178, 106211. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

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[Paleontology • 2025] Astigmasaura genuflexa • Side by side with Titans: A New rebbachisaurid Dinosaur from the Huincul Formation (upper Cenomanian) of Patagonia, Argentina

  

Astigmasaura genuflexa

Bellardini, Filippi, Carballido, Garrido & Baiano, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106188

Artwork by Mattia Yuri Messina  facebook.com: MYM PaleoArt 

Abstract

Rebbachisaurids are medium to large-sized, non-selective and ground-level browser diplodocoid sauropods, and they are characterised by highly specialised skulls, widely pneumatized axial elements and gracile appendicular skeletons. Known from the Early Cretaceous to the early Late Cretaceous, the rebbachisaurid fossil record is particularly diversified in Gondwana, with several specimens found in North Africa and South America. Notably, Patagonia has yielded over more than half of all known Rebbachisauridae, including the most basal forms and the youngest rebbachisaurid remains to date. Herein, we describe a new species of Rebbachisauridae from the Huincul Formation (upper Cenomanian) of the Neuquén Basin (Patagonia, Argentina): Astigmasaura genuflexa gen. et sp. nov. New laboratory work provided the complete osteology of the specimen MAU-Pv-EO-629, complementing the previously published hind limb anatomy. Thus, the type material of Astigmasaura comprises the posterior portion of an articulated, postcranial skeleton of a single, morphologically adult individual. Astigmasaura shares different conditions with other Rebbachisauridae, including anterior caudal vertebrae with tall neural spines and tetraradiate neural laminae, asymmetric middle haemal arches, mediolaterally compressed proximal tibiae, and femur with medially inclined distal condyles. Furthermore, Astigmasaura shows a unique combination of diagnostic features that distinguish it from all other sauropods. This new record not only provides new morphological information about the caudal and pelvic girdle anatomy of Rebbachisauridae, which is poorly known to date, and suggests a greater taxonomic diversification within the family during the last stages of its evolutionary history than known before.

Systematic palaeontology

Order Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Suborder Sauropodomorpha von Huene, 1932

Infraorder Sauropoda Marsh, 1878

Superfamily Diplodocoidea Marsh, 1884 (sensu Upchurch, 1995)

Family Rebbachisauridae Bonaparte, 1997

Astigmasaura genuflexa gen. et sp. nov.

 

Etymology. The generic name is derived from El Orejano, a locality in North Patagonia from which the new taxon was found. Orejano is a Spanish word denoting an animal without identification signs or owner, ...

 

Flavio Bellardini, Leonardo S. Filippi, José L. Carballido, Alberto C. Garrido and Mattia A. Baiano. 2025. Side by side with Titans: A New rebbachisaurid Dinosaur from the Huincul Formation (upper Cenomanian) of Patagonia, Argentina. Cretaceous Research. 176, 106188. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106188 

https://www.conicet.gov.ar/descubren-en-neuquen-una-nueva-especie-de-dinosaurio-sauropodo-que-vivio-hace-95-millones-de-anos/

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[Paleontology • 2025] Isolated theropod teeth from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Khorat Group: Implications for Theropod Diversity in Thailand

Isolated theropod teeth from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Khorat Group 

in Chowchuvech, Manitkoon, Chanthasit, Chokchaloemwong, Kosulawatha et Ketwetsuriya, 2025.   

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106147 

facebook.com: Job Wongwech 

 

Abstract

Isolated theropod teeth are notably abundant of vertebrate remains within the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Khorat Group of Thailand. However, despite the discovery of numerous dental materials, only a limited number of studies have focused on the morphology and taxonomy of these isolated teeth. This study investigated 112 isolated theropod teeth were retrieved from 19 localities on the Khorat Plateau in Northeastern Thailand. These teeth were divided into five morphotypes based on dental characteristics. They were identified based on cladistic and discriminant analyses that recovered four clades of theropod dinosaurs: Metriacanthosauridae, Tyrannosauroidea, Spinosauridae, and Allosauria. This dental evidence provide significant insights into the theropod diversity in Thailand during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. Specifically, the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation revealed an extended presence of metriacanthosaurids and basal tyrannosauroids, while the Sao Khua and Khok Kruat Formations indicated a shift towards allosaurian and spinosaurid dominance during the Early Cretaceous. The absence of metriacanthosaurids and basal tyrannosauroids in later formations suggests a faunal turnover, with allosaurians and spinosaurids becoming more prevalent, aligning with the changes in theropod faunal composition across Eurasia. Furthermore, this contribution suggested the faunal turnover pattern in the Eurasian theropods during the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval, which might have been related to the change in herbivorous dinosaurs during this crucial timeframe of dinosaur evolution.

Wongwech Chowchuvech, Sita Manitkoon, Phornphen Chanthasit, Duangsuda Chokchaloemwong, Wachirawit Kosulawatha and Chatchalerm Ketwetsuriya. 2025.  Isolated theropod teeth from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous Khorat Group: Implications for theropod diversity in Thailand. Cretaceous Research. 175, 106147. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106147

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[Paleontology • 2025] Garudapterus buffetauti • First gnathosaurine (Pterosauria: Ctenochasmatidae) from the Early Cretaceous of eastern Thailand

 Garudapterus buffetauti

 Manitkoon, Pêgas, Nonsrirach, Warapeang, Lauprasert, Deesri, Tumpeesuwan, Wongko & Zhou, 2025

การูแดปเทอรัส บุฟโตติ  ||  

 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667125000588 

 

Abstract

Pterosaur fossils in the Mesozoic formation of Southeast Asia are very scarce. A few articles reported isolated teeth and a handful of postcranial elements in northeastern Thailand. Here we report on a pterosaur upper jaw from the Early Cretaceous at Phra Prong locality of eastern Thailand, which is considered the lateral equivalent of the Sao Khua Formation of the Khorat Group. This represents the first pterosaur cranial material in Thailand. It comprises a partial rostrum, preserving eleven tooth positions, and four associated tooth crowns. The anterior tip of the rostrum is dorsoventrally flattened and laterally expanded (spoon-shaped), indicating affinities to the Gnathosaurinae (Ctenochasmatidae). Alveoli borders are conspicuously scalloped and collar-like, and the palatal surface exhibits a pair of sinusoidal grooves. These features bear a strong resemblance to the Late Jurassic gnathosaurines Gnathosaurus subulatus, Tacuadactylus luciae, and Lusognathus almadrava. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Thai pterosaur is closely related to these gnathosaurines. Still, the Thai gnathosaurine is unique in exhibiting a kite-shaped rostrum expansion and is recognized as a new taxon herein named Garudapterus buffetauti gen. et sp. nov. This new specimen provides essential information regarding pterosaurs, including updated data for a better understanding of their diversity and distribution throughout Southeast Asia.

Systematic Palaeontology

Pterosauria Owen, 1842

Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901

Ctenochasmatoidea Unwin, 1995

Ctenochasmatidae Nopcsa, 1928

Gnathosaurinae Nopcsa, 1928

 

Garudapterus gen. nov.

Garudapterus buffetauti gen. et sp. nov. 

Conclusions: 

The new specimen, which represents the first pterosaur skull material ever recovered from Southeast Asia, exhibits several anatomical features that allow for a confident assignment to the Gnathosaurinae (Pterodactyloidea, Ctenochasmatoidea), most importantly a spatulate rostrum containing a large number of lateralized alveoli. Being quite distinguishable from other members of this group, the new specimen is herein recognized as a new genus and species, named Garudapterus buffetauti gen. et sp. ...

Sita Manitkoon, Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Thanit Nonsrirach, Prapasiri Warapeang, Komsorn Lauprasert, Uthumporn Deesri, Sakboworn Tumpeesuwan, Kamonlak Wongko and Xuanyu Zhou. 2025. First gnathosaurine (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Early Cretaceous of eastern Thailand. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 106135. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106135

 www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667125000588 

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[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] Shuilingornis angelai • A New gansuid bird (Avialae: Euornithes) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Jiufotang Formation of Jianchang, western Liaoning, China

 

  Shuilingornis angelai

Wang, Cau, Wang, Kundrát, Zhang, Liu & Chiappe, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106014 

Abstract

The study of the Cretaceous birds closest to the living euornithine species has mainly focused on the evolutionary patterns leading to the modern group. Yet, the morphological and ecological diversity of the euornithine branches not directly ancestral to the crown-group is probably underestimated. A new euornithine bird, Shuilingornis angelai gen. et sp. nov., is erected based on a nearly complete skeletal material from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China. The new taxon is similar to the penecontemporary gansuids, yet it differs in the smaller body size and in the retention of plesiomorphic features widespread among non-gansuid euornithines. The osteohistological analysis indicates that Shuilingornis gen. nov. represents an early adult stage at the time of death. The phylogenetic analysis robustly supports the referral of Shuilingornis gen. nov. to Gansuidae. Except for the controversial Hollanda, the gansuids have been uncovered from four Aptian basins deposited under similar paleoclimatic conditions. Gansuid success in the middle part of the Cretaceous demonstrates that the exploration of semi-aquatic ecologies was a consistent euornithine pattern which preceded the later ornithurine radiation.

  Photo (A) and line drawing (B) of skull of  Shuilingornis angelai gen. et sp. nov (LY2022JZ3002).

 Abbreviations: an, angular; ar, articula; cv, cervical vertebrae; de, dentary; det, dentary teeth; fr, frontal; ju, jugal; la, lacrimal; ma, maxilla; mat, maxillary teeth; na, nasal; pa, parietal; po, postorbital; prd, predentary; prm, premaxilla; qj, quadjugal; qu, quadrate. 

Scale bar = 2 cm.

 Holotype of Shuilingornis angelai gen. et sp. nov. (LY2022JZ3002).

 Abbreviations: ca, carpals; ce, cervical vertebrae; fu, furcula; fv, fused vertebrae il, ilium; lfe, left femur; lfi, left fibula; lhu, left humerus; lra, left radius; lsc, left scapula; ltm, left tarsometatarsus; lul, left ulna; mc, metacarpals; md, manual digits; pu, pubis; rco, right coracoid; rfi, right fibula; rti, right tibiotarsus; rtm, right tarsometatarsus; sk, skull; st, sternum; Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, pedal digit Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ. 

Scale bar = 2 cm.

Avialae Gauthier, 1986

Pygostylia Chiappe, 2002

Euornithes Sereno, 1998

Gansuidae Hou and Liu, 1984

Definition (new). The most inclusive clade containing Gansus yumenensis but not Hesperornis regalis, Hongshanornis longicresta, Patagopteryx deferrariisi, Songlingornis linghensis, Vultur gryphus or Yanornis martini.

Included taxa. Based on the result of our phylogenetic analysis, Gansuidae includes the genera Changzuiornis, Gansus, Khinganornis, Iteravis, and Shuilingornis gen. nov. Although supported by the phylogenetic analysis, the placement in this clade of the fragmentary Hollanda from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia (Bell et al., 2010) is considered as tentative.

Shuilingornis angelai gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype. LY2022JZ3002, a nearly complete and articulated skeleton preserved in a single slab (Fig. 2) and housed at Shandong Laiyang Cretaceous National Geological Park.

Locality and horizon. Lamadong locality, Jianchang County, Huludao City, Liaoning Province, China; Jiufotang Formation, Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) (Yu et al., 2021).

Diagnosis. Small euornithine bird with the unique combination of characteristics that can be distinguished from other Mesozoic birds: acuminate edentulous premaxilla longer than preantorbital ramus of maxilla; nasal with large subnarial process; procumbent maxillary teeth restricted to rostral end of bone which are much larger than the underlying dentary teeth (autapomorphy); humerus with robust shaft and elongate and gently curved deltopectoral crest; gracile alular digit less than half radius shaft width; large “U-shaped” furcula contacts the triangular apex of sternum; laterodistal end of coracoid does not define a distinct process, describing an acuminate 45° corner; manual phalangeal formula 2-3-2, with first phalanx of minor digit more than four times longer than the second phalanx.

Etymology. The genus name is composed of Chinese “Shuiling” (“pretty and vivid”) and Greek “ornis” (bird). The species name honors the Italian journalist and science writer Piero Angela (1928–2022) for his extraordinary contribution to the popularization of scientific knowledge and the promotion of rational thinking.

Xuri Wang, Andrea Cau, Yinuo Wang, Martin Kundrát, Guili Zhang, Yichuan Liu and Luis M. Chiappe. 2025. A New gansuid bird (Avialae, Euornithes) from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Jiufotang Formation of Jianchang, western Liaoning, China. Cretaceous Research.  106014; In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106014 

[Paleontology • 2025] Nipponopterus mifunensis • Reassessment of an azhdarchid Pterosaur specimen from the Mifune Group, Upper Cretaceous of Japan

 

Nipponopterus mifunensis

Zhou, Ikegami, Pêgas, Yoshinaga, Sato, Mukunoki, Otani & Kobayashi, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046  

Art by Zhao Chuang

Abstract

The Japanese pterosaur record is relatively scarce and represented by a limited number of fragmentary specimens from Cretaceous deposits, including a partial cervical vertebra of an azhdarchid from the “Upper Formation” (Turonian-Coniacian) of the Mifune Group in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Here, we redescribe this notable Japanese pterosaur specimen and test its phylogenetic position. We interpret it as a sixth cervical vertebra and identify diagnostic features that enable its recognition as a new taxon, Nipponopterus mifunensis gen. et sp. nov. It is noteworthy that this represents the first nominal species of pterosaur from Japan and that this new taxon shows numerous quetzalcoatline features, being strikingly similar to the unnamed Burkhant azhdarchid from the Turonian–Coniacian of Mongolia. Our phylogenetic analysis places Nipponopterus as a sister taxon to the Burkhant azhdarchid and nested within the clade of Quetzalcoatlinae.

Nipponopterus mifunensis gen. et sp. nov.

Nipponopterus mifunensis gen. et sp. nov.

Art by Zhao Chuang

Xuanyu Zhou, Naoki Ikegami, Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Toru Yoshinaga, Takahiro Sato, Toshifumi Mukunoki, Jun Otani and Yoshitsugu Kobayashi. 2024. Reassessment of an azhdarchid pterosaur specimen from the Mifune Group, Upper Cretaceous of Japan. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 106046. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046  

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[Paleontology • 2025] Emiliasaura alessandrii • First Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) Ornithopod (Ornithischia: Ornithopoda) from Patagonia

  

Emiliasaura alessandrii

R.A. Coria, Cerda, Escaso, Baiano, Bellardini, Braun, L.M. Coria, Gutierrez, Pino, Windholz, Currie & Ortega, 2024 

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106027

Highlights: 

• A new taxon of the dinosaur clade Ornithopoda, Emiliasaura alessandri, is described.

• Emiliasaura is the first recognized South American rhabdodontoid ornithopod taxon.

• Emiliasaura represents the earliest Patagonian Cretaceous ornithischian dinosaur.

Abstract

Here we describe a new ornithopod species, Emiliasaura alessandrii gen. et sp. nov. from Valanginian rocks (Early Cretaceous) of northwestern Patagonia. This new taxon exhibits affinities with the Rhabdodontomorpha and is primarily represented by two specimens of mid-sized ornithopods collected from different sites and stratigraphical levels of the Mulichinco Formation. The holotype specimen MLL-Pv-001 includes the coracoid, the proximal end of a scapula, a humerus and a complete right hind limb, whereas the paratype specimen MLL-Pv-006 preserves vertebral elements, haemal arches, an incomplete pelvis, and nearly complete hind limbs. The new taxon has an anteroposteriorly elongate ilium with a sigmoidal dorsal border and broad brevis shelf, a femur shaft with an extensive, proximally positioned fourth trochanter, and a second pedal digit with a short, robust, blunt ungual phalanx similar to those in Ankylopollexia ornithopods. The new ornithopod taxon formed part of a diverse dinosaur association from the Mulichinco Fm that includes dicraeosaurid sauropods and carcharodontosaurid theropods, and represents the first South American record of a rhabdodontoid, and the oldest and most primitive representative of this clade.

 

Emiliasaura alessandrii gen. et sp. nov. 

R.A. Coria, I.A. Cerda, F. Escaso, M.A. Baiano, F. Bellardini, A. Braun, L.M. Coria, J.M. Gutierrez, D. Pino, G.J. Windholz, P.J. Currie and F. Ortega. 2024. First Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) Ornithopod (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from Patagonia. Cretaceous Research. 106027. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106027

[Paleontology • 2025] Qianjiangsaurus changshengi • A New late-diverging non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid (Iguanodontia: Hadrosauriformes) from southwest China: Support for Interchange of Dinosaur Faunas across East Asia during the Late Cretaceous

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi

Dai, Ma, Xiong, Lin, Zeng, Tan, Wang, Zhang & Xing, 2025

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105995 

facebook.com: Hai Xing

 

Abstract

A non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid, Qianjiangsaurus changshengi gen. et sp. nov., is named and described here based on an incomplete, partially articulated skeleton from the top of the Upper Cretaceous Zhengyang Formation in Qianjiang District, Chongqing Municipality, southwest China. The skeleton displays a transitional morphology between non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids and hadrosaurids. The diagnosis of the taxon is therefore defined as a unique combination of characters, including a series of plesiomorphic features typical of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, some apomorphic features common among hadrosaurids but rarely reported in non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, and a probable autopomorphy, namely the fan-shaped prepubic process of the pubis strongly anteroposteriorly constricted and dorsoventrally expanded, with the length/height ratio of ∼0.79. Phylogenetic analysis recovers a sister-taxon relationship between Qianjiangsaurus and Plesiohadros outside of Hadrosauridae, and the clade consisting of the two taxa is positioned higher on the tree than Gobihadros and Gilmoreosaurus, but below the clade of Telmatosaurus + Tethyshadros, Eotrachodon and Zhanghenglong. Combining the morphological data with the phylogenetic topology identifies Q. changshengi as a late-branching non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid. Given that the age assemblage of the eight hadrosauroids closely related to Qianjiangsaurus in phylogeny spans the Santonian–early Maastrichtian time interval, the top of the Zhengyang Formation, from which Qianjiangsaurus is recovered, is possibly restricted to the late Late Cretaceous in age. Hierarchical clustering of twelve hadrosauroid-bearing dinosaur assemblages from the Late Cretaceous deposits of Asia shows a strong correlation between the Zhengyang Formation and the Djadokhta and Baruungoyot formations in Mongolia that supports coeval interchange of dinosaur faunas across East Asia.

Systematic paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley, 1888

Iguanodontia Dollo, 1888 sensu Sereno, 1998

Ankylopollexia Sereno, 1986 sensu Sereno, 1998

Hadrosauriformes Sereno, 1997 sensu Sereno, 1998

Hadrosauroidea Cope, 1869 sensu Sereno, 1998

Qianjiangsaurus gen. nov. 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi sp. nov.

Holotype. CLGRP V00016, an incomplete, partially articulated skeleton, 

Taxonomic status of Qianjiangsaurus changshengi: 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi entirely represented by the holotype CLGRP V00016 displays a series of plesiomorphic features that are typical of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, including the transversely wide, U-shaped predentary in dorsal view with the smoothly arcuate anterolateral margins, the dentary with no more than 30 alveoli, the right-angled coronoid process relative to the dorsal edge of the main body of the dentary, the dentary tooth crown lingually ornamented with a slightly distally ...

 

Conclusions: 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi gen. et sp. nov. is a second formally named hadrosauroid dinosaur from south China, in addition to Nanningosaurus dashiensis. The discovery of this new taxon has furthered our understanding of the diversity and late evolution of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids. The holotype of Q. changshengi recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Zhengyang Formation of southeast Chongqing Municipality in southwest China clearly exhibits a transitional morphology between non-hadrosaurid ...

 

Hui Dai, Qingyu Ma, Can Xiong, Yu Lin, Hui Zeng, Chao Tan, Jun Wang, Yuguang Zhang and Hai Xing. 2024. A New late-diverging non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from southwest China: Support for Interchange of Dinosaur Faunas across East Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 105995. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105995

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[Paleontology • 2024] Chakisaurus nekul • A New ornithopod from the Upper Cretaceous (Huincul Formation) of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Implications on elasmarian postcranial Anatomy

 

Chakisaurus nekul 

 Nogueira, Rozadilla, Agnolín, Marsà, Motta & Novas, 2024

 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105874

 

Abstract

The aim of the present contribution is to describe the first ornithischian species from the Huincul Formation (Cenomanian-Turonian, Upper Cretaceous) at the Pueblo Blanco Natural Reserve, Río Negro province, Argentina. The new species, named Chakisaurus nekul gen. et sp. nov., can be comfortably included among elasmarian ornithopods. The new species shows humeral anatomy that is congruent with smaller members of the clade (e.g. Anabisetia, Notohypsilophodon), and differs from larger taxa (e.g. Talenkauen, Mahuidacursor) which show humeral features probably related with graviportal habits, such as lack of shaft torsion and a distally located deltopectoral crest. This indicates that graviportal habits were probably acquired independently in elasmarians from other large-sized taxa, such as hadrosauroids. Caudal vertebrae of the new species also show a unique combination of characters shared with other elasmarians, which are absent in previously known ornithopods. These features indicate that some elasmarians had a protonic tail posture, which is unknown in other ornithischians and was previously considered unique to derived titanosaurian sauropods. The shape of transverse processes and neural spines of caudal vertebrae indicate that at least some elasmarians had improved cursorial habilities, that were convergently acquired by selected theropod clades.

Systematic paleontology

DINOSAURIA Owen, 1842

ORNITHISCHIA Seeley, 1887

ORNITHOPODA Marsh, 1881

ELASMARIA Calvo, Porfiri & Novas, 2007

Chakisaurus nekul gen. et sp. nov.

Conclusions: 

The new genus and species Chakisaurus nekul is described here based on several juvenile and adult specimens. It constitutes the first named ornithischian from the Huincul Formation and sheds light on tail and humeral anatomy in elasmarians. Caudal anatomy of elasmarians, and ornithopods in general, is poorly known, and thus, Chakisaurus constitutes an important addition to the knowledge of this region of the ornithopod body. Furthermore, its humeral shape is very different from other ...

Rodrigo Alvarez Nogueira, Sebastián Rozadilla, Federico L. Agnolín, Jordi A. Garcia Marsà, Matias J. Motta and Fernando E. Novas. 2024. A New ornithopod from the Upper Cretaceous (Huincul Formation) of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Implications on elasmarian postcranial Anatomy. Cretaceous Research. 159; 105874. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105874

[Paleontology • 2024] Khinjaria acuta • A bizarre new plioplatecarpine mosasaurid (Squamata: Mosasauridae) from the Maastrichtian of Morocco

  Khinjaria acuta

Longrich, Polcyn, Jalil, Pereda-Suberbiola & Bardet, 2024

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105870 

 twitter.com/NickLongrich

Artwork: Andrey Atuchin twitter.com/AndreyAtuchin

Abstract

The Upper Maastrichtian of Morocco has produced a remarkably diverse fauna of mosasaurids, the most diverse known for any time or place. As apex predators, Mosasauridae provide a picture of the marine ecosystem just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction. Here we describe a bizarre new plioplatecarpine mosasaurid, Khinjaria acuta, characterized by enlarged, dagger-like anterior teeth, short, robust jaws, and posterior elongation of the skull. Khinjaria is related to Goronyosaurus nigeriensis from Nigeria and Niger, and Gavialimimus almaghribensis from Morocco. These species form a distinct clade of specialized mosasaurids so far unknown outside of Africa. Mosasaurids show high endemism in the Maastrichtian, with different lineages occurring in different regions, implying that mosasaurid diversity is underestimated because of limited geographic sampling. The large size, robust jaws, akinetic skull, and bladelike teeth of Khinjaria suggest it was an apex predator, but the unusual skull and jaw differ from those of contemporary predators like Hainosaurus, Thalassotitan, and Mosasaurus, suggesting a distinct feeding strategy. Mosasaurids became increasingly specialized in the latest Cretaceous, repeatedly evolving to occupy the apex predator niche, suggesting a diverse marine ecosystem persisted up to the K-Pg boundary. Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems differ from modern marine ecosystems in the high diversity of large predators.

  Khinjaria acuta

Nicholas R. Longrich, Michael J. Polcyn, Nour-Eddine Jalil, Xabier Pereda-Suberbiola and Nathalie Bardet. 2024. A bizarre new plioplatecarpine mosasaurid from the Maastrichtian of Morocco. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 105870. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105870

  twitter.com/NickLongrich/status/1764952678944141414

  twitter.com/AndreyAtuchin/status/1765069217882390662