First evidence of an unenlagiid (Dinosauria, Theropoda, Maniraptora) from the Bauru Group, Brazil

详细信息	查看全文 | 推荐本文 |

• 作者：Carlos Roberto A. Candeiro^a ; ^{candeiro@yahoo.com.br} ; Andrea Cau^b ; Federico Fanti^c ; Willian R. Nava^d ; Fernando E. Novas^e
• 关键词：Unenlagiidae ; Theropod ; Cretaceous ; Bauru Group ; Brazil
• 刊名：Cretaceous Research
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：114_01956671
• 类别：abs
• 出版时间：October, 2012
• 卷：37
• 期：Complete
• 页码：223-226
• 文件大小：455 K

摘要

In this study, we describe a small theropod dorsal vertebra from the Late Cretaceous Bauru Group (Brazil). The specimen is referred to the maniraptoran clade Unenlagiidae based on the following combination of characters: diapophyses short, wide and weakly inclined; dorsal surface of the neural spine transversely expanded; neural spine at least twice as high than it is long at mid-height; and deep lateral excavations of the ventrolateral surface of the neural spine. The vertebra belonged to an ontogenetically mature individual with an estimate total body length of around 1聽m. This is the first evidence of Unenlagiidae in Brazil, a clade currently known only from Argentina and possibly Madagascar. The presence of large- to small-bodied forms in the Turonian-Santonian of South America indicates that Unenlagiinae were ecologically disparate during the first half of the Cretaceous. The Bauru vertebra shows a combination of avian-like, Rahonavis-like and Unenlagia-like features, making it a possible pivotal taxon in future phylogenetic investigations of intra- and interrelationships of unenlagiids.