Dinosaur osteology

@article{brown1915tyrannosaurus,
    author = "Brown, Barnum",
    title = "Tyrannosaurus, a Cretaceous Carnivorous Dinosaur",
    year = "1915",
    journal = "Scientific American",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican10091915-322",
    doi = "10.1038/scientificamerican10091915-322",
    number = "15",
    pages = "322-323",
    volume = "113"
}

@misc{ostrom1978the3,
    author = "Ostrom, J. H",
    title = "The osteology of Compsognathus longipes Wagner",
    year = "1978",
    howpublished = "Zitteliana, v. 4, p. 73-118",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Ostrom, J. H., 1978, The osteology of Compsognathus longipes Wagner: Zitteliana, v. 4, p. 73-118.}"
}

@misc{barsbold1979opisthopubic1,
    author = "Barsbold, R",
    title = "Opisthopubic pelvis in the saurischian dinosaurs",
    year = "1979",
    howpublished = "Nature, v. 279, p. 792-793",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Barsbold, R., 1979, Opisthopubic pelvis in the saurischian dinosaurs: Nature, v. 279, p. 792-793.}"
}

@article{crossref1979first,
    title = "First Carnivorous Dinosaur Eggs Found",
    year = "1979",
    journal = "Science News",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/3964110",
    doi = "10.2307/3964110",
    number = "10",
    pages = "167",
    volume = "116"
}

Dinosaur tracks from Lower Jurassic rocks at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, were apparently made by a floating or half-submerged animal that was pushing along the bottom with the tips of its toes. These tracks were probably made by large carnivorous dinosaurs (Theropoda) and are apparently the first evidence of swimming by such animals.

@article{coombs1980swimming,
    author = "Coombs, W. P.",
    title = "Swimming Ability of Carnivorous Dinosaurs",
    year = "1980",
    journal = "Science",
    abstract = "Dinosaur tracks from Lower Jurassic rocks at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, were apparently made by a floating or half-submerged animal that was pushing along the bottom with the tips of its toes. These tracks were probably made by large carnivorous dinosaurs (Theropoda) and are apparently the first evidence of swimming by such animals.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.207.4436.1198",
    doi = "10.1126/science.207.4436.1198",
    number = "4436",
    pages = "1198-1200",
    volume = "207"
}

@article{crossref1980carnivorous,
    title = "Carnivorous Dinosaurs in the Swim",
    year = "1980",
    journal = "Science News",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/3964953",
    doi = "10.2307/3964953",
    number = "12",
    pages = "181",
    volume = "117"
}

@article{barsbold1983on2,
    author = "Barsbold, R",
    title = {On the "avian" features of the structure of carnivorous dinosaurs},
    year = "1983",
    journal = "Joint Soviet-Mongolian Palaeontological Expedition Transactions, v. 24, p. 96-103; In Russian",
    note = {talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Barsbold, R., 1983, On the "avian" features of the structure of carnivorous dinosaurs: Joint Soviet-Mongolian Palaeontological Expedition Transactions, v. 24, p. 96-103; In Russian.}}
}

@article{jacobsen1998feeding,
    author = "Jacobsen, Aase Roland",
    title = "Feeding behaviour of carnivorous dinosaurs as determined by tooth marks on dinosaur bones",
    year = "1998",
    journal = "Historical Biology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/08912969809386569",
    doi = "10.1080/08912969809386569",
    number = "1",
    openalex = "W2055060023",
    pages = "17-26",
    volume = "13",
    references = "doi101016003101829190062v, doi1010160305440382900371, doi101017cbo9780511608377011, doi101038382706a0, doi10108002724634199610011297, doi101139e95077, doi102307279822, doi105860choice393984, openalexw1968568170, openalexw1974359478"
}

New research on non-avian theropods.

@misc{carpenter2005the,
    author = "Carpenter, Kenneth",
    title = "The Carnivorous Dinosaurs",
    year = "2005",
    abstract = "New research on non-avian theropods.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2979/3541.0",
    doi = "10.2979/3541.0"
}

Compsognathus longipes sits at an important point in theropod evolution at the base of Coelurosauria. Despite its relative completeness and oft-cited morphology, however, the manual morphology has been unclear. This work provides the first detailed study of the morphology of the manus of Compsognathus longipes. It shows that Compsognathus longipes had two fully formed functional digits as well as a reduced, perhaps even non-functional, third digit. That conclusion runs counter to the usual interpretation that Compsognathus longipes had only two phalanges, rather than the expected complement of three, in digit II. This work also identifies a unique suite of metacarpal I morphologies that are used to diagnose a subclade among species often referred to as ‘Compsognathidae’. These features are used to construct an apomorphy-based definition of a new clade name: Compsognathidae.

@article{doi101111j10963642200700269x,
    author = "Gishlick, Alan D. and Gauthier, Jacques A.",
    title = "On the manual morphology of Compsognathus longipes and its bearing on the diagnosis of Compsognathidae",
    year = "2007",
    journal = "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society",
    abstract = "Compsognathus longipes sits at an important point in theropod evolution at the base of Coelurosauria. Despite its relative completeness and oft-cited morphology, however, the manual morphology has been unclear. This work provides the first detailed study of the morphology of the manus of Compsognathus longipes. It shows that Compsognathus longipes had two fully formed functional digits as well as a reduced, perhaps even non-functional, third digit. That conclusion runs counter to the usual interpretation that Compsognathus longipes had only two phalanges, rather than the expected complement of three, in digit II. This work also identifies a unique suite of metacarpal I morphologies that are used to diagnose a subclade among species often referred to as ‘Compsognathidae’. These features are used to construct an apomorphy-based definition of a new clade name: Compsognathidae.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2007.00269.x",
    doi = "10.1111/j.1096-3642.2007.00269.x",
    openalex = "W2071550088",
    references = "crossref1976allosaurus, doi10103834356, doi101126science28253921298, doi101126science28454232137, doi1015468gbdyof, doi1016660022336020040780989dapftc20co2, doi1023071292217, doi1023072992444, doi105281zenodo16171435, doi105281zenodo16492064"
}

Rauhut, Oliver W. M., Milner, Angela C., Moore-Fay, Scott (2010): Cranial osteology and phylogenetic position of the theropod dinosaur Proceratosaurus bradleyi (Woodward, 1910) from the Middle Jurassic of England. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 158 (1): 155-195, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x

@article{doi101111j10963642200900591x,
    author = "Rauhut, Oliver W. M. and Milner, Angela C. and Moore-Fay, Scott",
    title = "Cranial osteology and phylogenetic position of the theropod dinosaur Proceratosaurus bradleyi (Woodward, 1910) from the Middle Jurassic of England",
    year = "2009",
    journal = "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society",
    abstract = "Rauhut, Oliver W. M., Milner, Angela C., Moore-Fay, Scott (2010): Cranial osteology and phylogenetic position of the theropod dinosaur Proceratosaurus bradleyi (Woodward, 1910) from the Middle Jurassic of England. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 158 (1): 155-195, DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x",
    doi = "10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00591.x",
    openalex = "W2139842739",
    references = "crossref1998encyclopedia, doi101017cbo9780511536045, doi10108025761900202212131807, doi101098rspl18870117, doi101126science28454232137, doi102307jctvqc6gzx, doi102475ajss319111253, doi105860choice331556, openalexw2989049194, openalexw3215057009, openalexw3217097258, openalexw70084438, owen2015monograph, vonhuene1923carnivorous, woodward1910on"
}

Godefroit, Pascal, Bolotsky, Yuri L., Bolotsky, Ivan Y. (2012): Osteology and relationships of Olorotitan arharensis, a hollow-crested hadrosaurid dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of Far Eastern Russia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 57 (3): 527-560, DOI: 10.4202/app.2011.0051, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0051

@article{doi104202app20110051,
    author = "Godefroit, Pascal and Bolotsky, Yuri L. and Bolotsky, Ivan",
    title = "Osteology and Relationships of Olorotitan arharensis, A Hollow-Crested Hadrosaurid Dinosaur from the Latest Cretaceous of Far Eastern Russia",
    year = "2011",
    journal = "Acta Palaeontologica Polonica",
    abstract = "Godefroit, Pascal, Bolotsky, Yuri L., Bolotsky, Ivan Y. (2012): Osteology and relationships of Olorotitan arharensis, a hollow-crested hadrosaurid dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of Far Eastern Russia. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 57 (3): 527-560, DOI: 10.4202/app.2011.0051, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0051",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2011.0051",
    doi = "10.4202/app.2011.0051",
    openalex = "W2115543982",
    references = "doi101007s0011400804990, doi1010160031018291900605, doi101073pnas1006970107, doi101098rspl18870117, doi101111j10963642200900617x, doi101111j146979981985tb04915x, doi101126science11282807, doi101130spe40p1, doi1016710390290428, doi1016711110, doi102113gsrocky8specialpaper11, doi1023071005355, doi105962p313819, openalexw3206657856, openalexw3215057009"
}

@article{doi101007s125490110068y,
    author = "Reisdorf, Achim G. and Wuttke, Michael",
    title = "Re-evaluating Moodie’s Opisthotonic-Posture Hypothesis in Fossil Vertebrates Part I: Reptiles—the taphonomy of the bipedal dinosaurs Compsognathus longipes and Juravenator starki from the Solnhofen Archipelago (Jurassic, Germany)",
    year = "2012",
    journal = "Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-011-0068-y",
    doi = "10.1007/s12549-011-0068-y",
    openalex = "W2086395803",
    references = "doi1010079783662087268, doi101016s0379073800003765, doi101111j10963642200700269x, doi1011270077774920100125, doi101130g23452a1, doi10230730135049, doi105860choice284524, doi105860choice295709, doi105860choice423437, openalexw1552105298, openalexw1590447055, openalexw1608336037, openalexw2103810229"
}

Previously described feathered dinosaurs reveal a fascinating record of feather evolution, although substantial phylogenetic gaps remain. Here we report the occurrence of feathers in ornithomimosaurs, a clade of non-maniraptoran theropods for which fossilized feathers were previously unknown. The Ornithomimus specimens, recovered from Upper Cretaceous deposits of Alberta, Canada, provide new insights into dinosaur plumage and the origin of the avian wing. Individuals from different growth stages reveal the presence of a filamentous feather covering throughout life and winglike structures on the forelimbs of adults. The appearance of winglike structures in older animals indicates that they may have evolved in association with reproductive behaviors. These specimens show that primordial wings originated earlier than previously thought, among non-maniraptoran theropods.

@article{doi101126science1225376,
    author = "Zelenitsky, Darla K. and Therrien, François and Erickson, Gregory M. and DeBuhr, Christopher L. and Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu and Eberth, David A. and Hadfield, Frank",
    title = "Feathered Non-Avian Dinosaurs from North America Provide Insight into Wing Origins",
    year = "2012",
    journal = "Science",
    abstract = "Previously described feathered dinosaurs reveal a fascinating record of feather evolution, although substantial phylogenetic gaps remain. Here we report the occurrence of feathers in ornithomimosaurs, a clade of non-maniraptoran theropods for which fossilized feathers were previously unknown. The Ornithomimus specimens, recovered from Upper Cretaceous deposits of Alberta, Canada, provide new insights into dinosaur plumage and the origin of the avian wing. Individuals from different growth stages reveal the presence of a filamentous feather covering throughout life and winglike structures on the forelimbs of adults. The appearance of winglike structures in older animals indicates that they may have evolved in association with reproductive behaviors. These specimens show that primordial wings originated earlier than previously thought, among non-maniraptoran theropods.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1225376",
    doi = "10.1126/science.1225376",
    openalex = "W2052265623",
    references = "doi101002sici1097010x199912152854291aidjez130co29, doi10103831635, doi10103834356, doi101038nature01342, doi101038nature01420, doi101038nature08322, doi101038nature10906, doi101073pnas1203238109, doi101086341993, doi101126science1144066, doi101126science27953581915, doi1011270077774920100125, doi101371journalpone0028964, doi105281zenodo13315375, doi10560219780801881206"
}

The Early Cretaceous fauna of Victoria, Australia, provides unique data on the composition of high latitude southern hemisphere dinosaurs. We describe and review theropod dinosaur postcranial remains from the Aptian-Albian Otway and Strzelecki groups, based on at least 37 isolated bones, and more than 90 teeth from the Flat Rocks locality. Several specimens of medium- and large-bodied individuals (estimated up to ~8.5 metres long) represent allosauroids. Tyrannosauroids are represented by elements indicating medium body sizes (~3 metres long), likely including the holotype femur of Timimus hermani, and a single cervical vertebra represents a juvenile spinosaurid. Single specimens representing medium- and small-bodied theropods may be referrable to Ceratosauria, Ornithomimosauria, a basal coelurosaur, and at least three taxa within Maniraptora. Thus, nine theropod taxa may have been present. Alternatively, four distinct dorsal vertebrae indicate a minimum of four taxa. However, because most taxa are known from single bones, it is likely that small-bodied theropod diversity remains underestimated. The high abundance of allosauroids and basal coelurosaurs (including tyrannosauroids and possibly ornithomimosaurs), and the relative rarity of ceratosaurs, is strikingly dissimilar to penecontemporaneous dinosaur faunas of Africa and South America, which represent an arid, lower-latitude biome. Similarities between dinosaur faunas of Victoria and the northern continents concern the proportional representatation of higher clades, and may result from the prevailing temperate-polar climate of Australia, especially at high latitudes in Victoria, which is similar to the predominant warm-temperate climate of Laurasia, but distinct from the arid climate zone that covered extensive areas of Gondwana. Most dinosaur groups probably attained a near-cosmopolitan distribution in the Jurassic, prior to fragmentation of the Pangaean supercontinent, and some aspects of the hallmark 'Gondwanan' fauna of South America and Africa may therefore reflect climate-driven provinciality, not vicariant evolution driven by continental fragmentation. However, vicariance may still be detected at lower phylogenetic levels.

@article{doi101371journalpone0037122,
    author = "Benson, Roger and Rich, Thomas H. and Vickers-Rich, Patricia and Hall, Mike",
    title = "Theropod Fauna from Southern Australia Indicates High Polar Diversity and Climate-Driven Dinosaur Provinciality",
    year = "2012",
    journal = "PLoS ONE",
    abstract = "The Early Cretaceous fauna of Victoria, Australia, provides unique data on the composition of high latitude southern hemisphere dinosaurs. We describe and review theropod dinosaur postcranial remains from the Aptian-Albian Otway and Strzelecki groups, based on at least 37 isolated bones, and more than 90 teeth from the Flat Rocks locality. Several specimens of medium- and large-bodied individuals (estimated up to \textasciitilde 8.5 metres long) represent allosauroids. Tyrannosauroids are represented by elements indicating medium body sizes (\textasciitilde 3 metres long), likely including the holotype femur of Timimus hermani, and a single cervical vertebra represents a juvenile spinosaurid. Single specimens representing medium- and small-bodied theropods may be referrable to Ceratosauria, Ornithomimosauria, a basal coelurosaur, and at least three taxa within Maniraptora. Thus, nine theropod taxa may have been present. Alternatively, four distinct dorsal vertebrae indicate a minimum of four taxa. However, because most taxa are known from single bones, it is likely that small-bodied theropod diversity remains underestimated. The high abundance of allosauroids and basal coelurosaurs (including tyrannosauroids and possibly ornithomimosaurs), and the relative rarity of ceratosaurs, is strikingly dissimilar to penecontemporaneous dinosaur faunas of Africa and South America, which represent an arid, lower-latitude biome. Similarities between dinosaur faunas of Victoria and the northern continents concern the proportional representatation of higher clades, and may result from the prevailing temperate-polar climate of Australia, especially at high latitudes in Victoria, which is similar to the predominant warm-temperate climate of Laurasia, but distinct from the arid climate zone that covered extensive areas of Gondwana. Most dinosaur groups probably attained a near-cosmopolitan distribution in the Jurassic, prior to fragmentation of the Pangaean supercontinent, and some aspects of the hallmark 'Gondwanan' fauna of South America and Africa may therefore reflect climate-driven provinciality, not vicariant evolution driven by continental fragmentation. However, vicariance may still be detected at lower phylogenetic levels.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037122",
    doi = "10.1371/journal.pone.0037122",
    openalex = "W2083980191",
    references = "carpenter2005the, crossref1976allosaurus, doi1010160012821x89900186, doi101016jtoxlet200611011, doi10103831635, doi101038416816a, doi10108002724634199910011178, doi101080147720192010488045, doi101126science13334591105, doi101126science28454232137, doi101139e05044, doi101590s000137652011000100008, doi105281zenodo13315375, doi105281zenodo16171435, doi105860choice331556, doi105860choice393984"
}

The history of discovery and interpretation of several dinosaurs collected from quarries near the town of Hastings during the latter half of the 19th century is more complicated than it should be. Samuel Husbands Beckles and Charles Dawson collected several large ornithopod skeletons from this area, but just a few bones from these skeletons were subsequently described and interpreted (principally) by Richard Owen and Richard Lydekker. All these specimens merited recognition because they had the potential to contribute to an on-going debate about the anatomical structure and relationships of the iconic Wealden dinosaur Iguanodon. Unfortunately, no detailed description of these important skeletons was published in later years. Furthermore, previously known associations of bones and even provenance information, linked to the specimens that were gradually acquired by the Natural History Museum, are unclear. Confusion may have arisen because Richard Lydekker used the private collector Charles Dawson as a voluntary curatorial assistant. This account documents the past work on the osteology of material that can be attributed to Hypselospinus fittoni. Nearly all such material is described here for the first time, and every effort has been made to re-establish associations between bones as well as provenance information. A skeletal reconstruction of Hypselospinus is attempted on the basis of the hypodigm. Most of the on-going confusion concerning the affinity of this material with either Hy. fittoni or its sympatric contemporary Barilium dawsoni has been resolved. Hypselospinus fittoni (Lydekker, 1889) is rediagnosed on the basis of this new and relatively comprehensive anatomical description, and this animal is compared with known contemporary and closely related taxa. Some recently published accounts claiming to be revisions of the taxonomy of Wealden ‘iguanodonts’, including material belonging to the hypodigm of Hy. fittoni, have failed to adhere to basic taxonomic principles and have caused more confusion than was strictly necessary. The systematic position of Hypselospinus is reassessed cladistically. The cladistic analysis forms the basis for a revised hierarchical classification of derived ornithopods. The consensus topology generated by the systematic analysis has been used to explore the phylogenetic history of these dinosaurs and create an internally consistent classificatory hierarchy (phylogenetic definitions and Linnaean diagnoses are given for critical positions in the topology). This analysis suggests that there is a fundamental split amongst the more derived (clypeodontan) ornithopod ornithischians into the clades Hypsilophodontia and Iguanodontia. There is evidence for anatomical parallelism and convergence (homoplasy) particularly between large-bodied representatives of both clades. Hypselospinus is one of the earliest known styracosternan iguanodontians and displays anatomical characteristics that presage the evolution of the extraordinarily abundant and diverse hadrosaurs of the latest Cretaceous (Campanian−Maastrichtian). These observations cast fresh light on the phylogeny, classification, diversity, and biology of derived ornithopods. There is little doubt that Hy. fittoni could have been understood far better more than a century ago. That this statement is undoubtedly true is reflected in the century of doubt and confusion that has surrounded this taxon and its original incarnation as Iguanodon fittoni.

@article{doi101111zoj12193,
    author = "Norman, David",
    title = "On the history, osteology, and systematic position of the Wealden (Hastings group) dinosaur Hypselospinus fittoni (Iguanodontia: Styracosterna)",
    year = "2014",
    journal = "Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society",
    abstract = "The history of discovery and interpretation of several dinosaurs collected from quarries near the town of Hastings during the latter half of the 19th century is more complicated than it should be. Samuel Husbands Beckles and Charles Dawson collected several large ornithopod skeletons from this area, but just a few bones from these skeletons were subsequently described and interpreted (principally) by Richard Owen and Richard Lydekker. All these specimens merited recognition because they had the potential to contribute to an on-going debate about the anatomical structure and relationships of the iconic Wealden dinosaur Iguanodon. Unfortunately, no detailed description of these important skeletons was published in later years. Furthermore, previously known associations of bones and even provenance information, linked to the specimens that were gradually acquired by the Natural History Museum, are unclear. Confusion may have arisen because Richard Lydekker used the private collector Charles Dawson as a voluntary curatorial assistant. This account documents the past work on the osteology of material that can be attributed to Hypselospinus fittoni. Nearly all such material is described here for the first time, and every effort has been made to re-establish associations between bones as well as provenance information. A skeletal reconstruction of Hypselospinus is attempted on the basis of the hypodigm. Most of the on-going confusion concerning the affinity of this material with either Hy. fittoni or its sympatric contemporary Barilium dawsoni has been resolved. Hypselospinus fittoni (Lydekker, 1889) is rediagnosed on the basis of this new and relatively comprehensive anatomical description, and this animal is compared with known contemporary and closely related taxa. Some recently published accounts claiming to be revisions of the taxonomy of Wealden ‘iguanodonts’, including material belonging to the hypodigm of Hy. fittoni, have failed to adhere to basic taxonomic principles and have caused more confusion than was strictly necessary. The systematic position of Hypselospinus is reassessed cladistically. The cladistic analysis forms the basis for a revised hierarchical classification of derived ornithopods. The consensus topology generated by the systematic analysis has been used to explore the phylogenetic history of these dinosaurs and create an internally consistent classificatory hierarchy (phylogenetic definitions and Linnaean diagnoses are given for critical positions in the topology). This analysis suggests that there is a fundamental split amongst the more derived (clypeodontan) ornithopod ornithischians into the clades Hypsilophodontia and Iguanodontia. There is evidence for anatomical parallelism and convergence (homoplasy) particularly between large-bodied representatives of both clades. Hypselospinus is one of the earliest known styracosternan iguanodontians and displays anatomical characteristics that presage the evolution of the extraordinarily abundant and diverse hadrosaurs of the latest Cretaceous (Campanian−Maastrichtian). These observations cast fresh light on the phylogeny, classification, diversity, and biology of derived ornithopods. There is little doubt that Hy. fittoni could have been understood far better more than a century ago. That this statement is undoubtedly true is reflected in the century of doubt and confusion that has surrounded this taxon and its original incarnation as Iguanodon fittoni.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12193",
    doi = "10.1111/zoj.12193",
    openalex = "W1485001018",
    references = "doi10108002724631003763516, doi101098rspb20090229, doi101098rspl18870117, doi101126science28454232137, doi101146annureves23110192002313, doi10129879781933789439, doi101371journalpone0014075, doi101371journalpone0044318, doi101371journalpone0045712, doi1016710390290428, doi1023071005355, doi1023071292217, doi1023072992353, doi102475ajss319111253, doi105860choice392183, doi105860choice503272, openalexw2473973115, openalexw3215057009, openalexw575814759, openalexw638862129, ostrom2020stratigraphy"
}

Abstract Non‐avian theropods were a highly successful clade of bipedal, predominantly carnivorous, dinosaurs. Their diversity and macroevolutionary patterns have been the subject of many studies. Changes in fossil specimen completeness through time and space can bias our understanding of macroevolution. Here, we quantify the completeness of 455 non‐avian theropod species using the skeletal completeness metric (SCM), which calculates the proportion of a complete skeleton preserved for a specimen. Temporal patterns of theropod skeletal completeness show peaks in the Carnian, Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian and Barremian–Aptian, and lows in the Berriasian and Hauterivian. Lagerstätten primarily drive the peaks in completeness and observed taxonomic diversity in the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian and the Barremian–Aptian. Theropods have a significantly lower distribution of completeness scores than contemporary sauropodomorph dinosaurs but change in completeness through time for the two groups shows a significant correlation when conservation Lagerstätten are excluded, possibly indicating that both records are primarily driven by geology and sampling availability. Our results reveal relatively weak temporal sampling biases acting on the theropod record but relatively strong spatial and environmental biases. Asia has a significantly more complete record than any other continent, the mid northern latitudes have the highest abundance of finds, and most complete theropod skeletons come from lacustrine and aeolian environments. We suggest that these patterns result from historical research focus, modern climate dynamics, and depositional transportation energy plus association with conservation Lagerstätten, respectively. Furthermore, we find possible ecological biases acting on different theropod subgroups, but body size does not influence theropod completeness on a global scale.

@article{doi101111pala12436,
    author = "Cashmore, Daniel D. and Butler, Richard J.",
    title = "Skeletal completeness of the non‐avian theropod dinosaur fossil record",
    year = "2019",
    journal = "Palaeontology",
    abstract = "Abstract Non‐avian theropods were a highly successful clade of bipedal, predominantly carnivorous, dinosaurs. Their diversity and macroevolutionary patterns have been the subject of many studies. Changes in fossil specimen completeness through time and space can bias our understanding of macroevolution. Here, we quantify the completeness of 455 non‐avian theropod species using the skeletal completeness metric (SCM), which calculates the proportion of a complete skeleton preserved for a specimen. Temporal patterns of theropod skeletal completeness show peaks in the Carnian, Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian and Barremian–Aptian, and lows in the Berriasian and Hauterivian. Lagerstätten primarily drive the peaks in completeness and observed taxonomic diversity in the Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian and the Barremian–Aptian. Theropods have a significantly lower distribution of completeness scores than contemporary sauropodomorph dinosaurs but change in completeness through time for the two groups shows a significant correlation when conservation Lagerstätten are excluded, possibly indicating that both records are primarily driven by geology and sampling availability. Our results reveal relatively weak temporal sampling biases acting on the theropod record but relatively strong spatial and environmental biases. Asia has a significantly more complete record than any other continent, the mid northern latitudes have the highest abundance of finds, and most complete theropod skeletons come from lacustrine and aeolian environments. We suggest that these patterns result from historical research focus, modern climate dynamics, and depositional transportation energy plus association with conservation Lagerstätten, respectively. Furthermore, we find possible ecological biases acting on different theropod subgroups, but body size does not influence theropod completeness on a global scale.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12436",
    doi = "10.1111/pala.12436",
    openalex = "W2952759473",
    references = "doi101111joa12719"
}

being closer to Pygostylia than archaeopterygids or unenlagiines are strongly rejected. All parsimonious results support the hypothesis that each early paravian clade was plesiomorphically flightless, raising the possibility that avian flight originated as late as the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous.

@article{doi107717peerj7247,
    author = "Hartman, Scott and Mortimer, Mickey and Wahl, William and Lomax, Dean R. and Lippincott, Jessica and Lovelace, David M.",
    title = "A new paravian dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America supports a late acquisition of avian flight",
    year = "2019",
    journal = "PeerJ",
    abstract = "being closer to Pygostylia than archaeopterygids or unenlagiines are strongly rejected. All parsimonious results support the hypothesis that each early paravian clade was plesiomorphically flightless, raising the possibility that avian flight originated as late as the Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7247",
    doi = "10.7717/peerj.7247",
    openalex = "W2961080112",
    references = "doi101016jjafrearsci201205005, doi10103835047056, doi101038nature01342, doi101038nature24679, doi101038ncomms14972, doi101038ncomms7987, doi10108002724634199710011027, doi101080147720192010488045, doi101098rsbl20150947, doi101111cla12160, doi101111j10960031200700161x, doi101126science28454232137, doi101139cjes20180162, doi101146annurevearth251435, doi101371journalpbio1001853, doi101371journalpone0024487, doi101371journalpone0036790, doi1017161paleo180818764, doi1022179revmacn14372, doi102475ajss319111253, doi105281zenodo16171435, doi107717peerj1032, doi107717peerj2159, doi107717peerj4558, sereno1997the"
}

Skorpiovenator bustingorryi is a derived abelisaurid theropod represented by a fairly complete skeleton from the Late Cretaceous sedimentary beds of north-western Patagonia. Although some features were described in the original paper, mainly related to the skull, the appendicular anatomy remains undescribed. The aim of the present contribution is to provide a detailed description and analysis of the available appendicular bones, including comparisons with other ceratosaurian theropods close to Skorpiovenator. In this way, new autapomorphies emerged to further distinguish Skorpiovenator from its relatives. Furthermore, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis was performed and several characteristics of the hind limb, in particular some of the autopodium, resulted in the identification of new apomorphic traits for Ceratosauria and Abelisauridae. These features might prove to be useful for future phylogenetic analyses and may help to resolve the still confusing and debated internal relationships of abelisaurid theropods.

@article{doi1010801477201920222093661,
    author = "Cerroni, Mauricio A. and Baiano, Mattia A. and Canale, Juan I. and Agnolín, Federico L. and Otero, Alejandro and Novas, Fernando E.",
    title = "Appendicular osteology of Skorpiovenator bustingorryi (Theropoda, Abelisauridae) with comments on phylogenetic features of abelisaurids",
    year = "2022",
    journal = "Journal of Systematic Palaeontology",
    abstract = "Skorpiovenator bustingorryi is a derived abelisaurid theropod represented by a fairly complete skeleton from the Late Cretaceous sedimentary beds of north-western Patagonia. Although some features were described in the original paper, mainly related to the skull, the appendicular anatomy remains undescribed. The aim of the present contribution is to provide a detailed description and analysis of the available appendicular bones, including comparisons with other ceratosaurian theropods close to Skorpiovenator. In this way, new autapomorphies emerged to further distinguish Skorpiovenator from its relatives. Furthermore, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis was performed and several characteristics of the hind limb, in particular some of the autopodium, resulted in the identification of new apomorphic traits for Ceratosauria and Abelisauridae. These features might prove to be useful for future phylogenetic analyses and may help to resolve the still confusing and debated internal relationships of abelisaurid theropods.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2022.2093661",
    doi = "10.1080/14772019.2022.2093661",
    openalex = "W4296689031",
    references = "doi101016jcretres2020104408, doi101016jcretres2021104829, doi101016jjafrearsci2019103572, doi101017s0094837300009866, doi1010800272463420201877151, doi101111cla12160, doi101111j10960031200800217x, doi101111j10960031200900258x, doi101111j109636422001tb01314x, doi101126science28053661048, doi101139e93179, doi10230730135049, doi102475ajss321125417, doi105852crpalevol2020v19a6, doi105860choice393984, doi107717peerj5976, sereno2017early"
}

ABSTRACTDinosaur fossils are commonly found in Brazilian Mesozoic strata, with teeth being frequently found in Cretaceous outcrops. Many studies have been made with the aim of reviewing the known diversity of Brazilian dinosaurs, mostly focusing solely on their palaeobiogeography. However, few tried to typify these body fossils in order to see which kinds were most prevalent in the fossil record. This study aims to count and identify all occurrences of non-avian dinosaur teeth (isolated or in situ) unearthed from Brazilian Cretaceous strata in order to objectively measure their representativity in the national fossil record. Our literature search showed that almost half of the dinosaur fossil record from the Cretaceous of Brazil is composed by teeth, those being particularly abundant in the Alcântara, Adamantina and Marília formations. Theropod teeth are more abundant in comparison to sauropod teeth, with spinosaurids, deinonychosaurs, and abelisaurids being amply found. Despite representing a large share of the Brazilian fossil record, dinosaur teeth have only recently been studied in depth, with many specimens being reassessed through the current identification methods. Other aspects besides primary taxonomic identification can also be further explored using the latest technologies on dinosaur teeth, allowing a deeper understanding of the palaeobiology of these reptiles.KEYWORDS: TeethBrazilCretaceousDinosauriareview AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank all researchers and students who collaborated in obtaining the articles and abstracts used for this study. We would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers, Prof. Carlos Roberto dos Anjos Candeiro and Prof. Maria Alice dos Santos Alves for all the comments suggested for the improvement of this manuscript. This work was supported by the [Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro] under Grants [E 04 E-26/204.053/2022 to TBR; PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020 to PVLGCP. PMB was partially supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [#305118/2021-8] and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro [#E-26/201.172/2022].Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Supplemental dataSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2023.2238965.Additional informationFundingThe work was supported by the Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro [#E-26/201.172/2022 and #PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020]; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [#305118/2021-8].

@article{doi1010800891296320232238965,
    author = "Ribeiro, Theo Baptista and Brito, Paulo M. and da Costa Pereira, Paulo Victor Luiz Gomes",
    title = "The predominance of teeth in the non-avian dinosaur record from Cretaceous Brazil: a review",
    year = "2023",
    journal = "Historical Biology",
    abstract = "ABSTRACTDinosaur fossils are commonly found in Brazilian Mesozoic strata, with teeth being frequently found in Cretaceous outcrops. Many studies have been made with the aim of reviewing the known diversity of Brazilian dinosaurs, mostly focusing solely on their palaeobiogeography. However, few tried to typify these body fossils in order to see which kinds were most prevalent in the fossil record. This study aims to count and identify all occurrences of non-avian dinosaur teeth (isolated or in situ) unearthed from Brazilian Cretaceous strata in order to objectively measure their representativity in the national fossil record. Our literature search showed that almost half of the dinosaur fossil record from the Cretaceous of Brazil is composed by teeth, those being particularly abundant in the Alcântara, Adamantina and Marília formations. Theropod teeth are more abundant in comparison to sauropod teeth, with spinosaurids, deinonychosaurs, and abelisaurids being amply found. Despite representing a large share of the Brazilian fossil record, dinosaur teeth have only recently been studied in depth, with many specimens being reassessed through the current identification methods. Other aspects besides primary taxonomic identification can also be further explored using the latest technologies on dinosaur teeth, allowing a deeper understanding of the palaeobiology of these reptiles.KEYWORDS: TeethBrazilCretaceousDinosauriareview AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to thank all researchers and students who collaborated in obtaining the articles and abstracts used for this study. We would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers, Prof. Carlos Roberto dos Anjos Candeiro and Prof. Maria Alice dos Santos Alves for all the comments suggested for the improvement of this manuscript. This work was supported by the [Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro] under Grants [E 04 E-26/204.053/2022 to TBR; PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020 to PVLGCP. PMB was partially supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [\#305118/2021-8] and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro [\#E-26/201.172/2022].Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Supplemental dataSupplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2023.2238965.Additional informationFundingThe work was supported by the Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro [\#E-26/201.172/2022 and \#PDR10 E-26/201.995/2020]; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico [\#305118/2021-8].",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2023.2238965",
    doi = "10.1080/08912963.2023.2238965",
    openalex = "W4385666611",
    references = "doi101002spp21375, doi101016jcretres201512004, doi10268791041, doi105852crpalevol2020v19a6"
}

Abstract The Wealden Group of southern England was deposited during the late Berriasian to early Aptian interval. It records a critical time in the development of iguanodontian dinosaur diversity, which increased from low levels during the Jurassic to higher levels in the Aptian and Albian. A new iguanodontian dinosaur, Istiorachis macarthurae gen. et sp. nov. from the Wessex Formation (Wealden Group) of the Isle of Wight, exhibits hyperelongation of the dorsal and caudal neural spines, suggesting that it possessed a possible sail structure. Ancestral state reconstruction for the relative height of dorsal neural spines in iguanodontians demonstrates that modest elongation began with Ankylopollexia in the Late Jurassic and elongation became established during the Berriasian stage of the Early Cretaceous, albeit with widely disparate values. Hyperelongation of neural spines occurred more sporadically throughout the Cretaceous, being recorded most often in the Barremian and early Aptian. Possible explanations for neural spine elongation in Ankylopollexia include biomechanical advantage, perhaps related to greater mass and a locomotory shift towards quadrupedalism, and visual signalling driven either by sexual selection or species recognition, or both. The function of elongate neural spines was probably pluralistic and differed in different taxa. No single explanation fully supports the variation seen throughout the Cretaceous.

@article{doi101002spp270034,
    author = "Lockwood, Jeremy A. F. and Martill, David M. and Maidment, Susannah C. R.",
    title = "The origins of neural spine elongation in iguanodontian dinosaurs and the osteology of a new sail‐back styracosternan (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from the Lower Cretaceous Wealden Group of England",
    year = "2025",
    journal = "Papers in Palaeontology",
    abstract = "Abstract The Wealden Group of southern England was deposited during the late Berriasian to early Aptian interval. It records a critical time in the development of iguanodontian dinosaur diversity, which increased from low levels during the Jurassic to higher levels in the Aptian and Albian. A new iguanodontian dinosaur, Istiorachis macarthurae gen. et sp. nov. from the Wessex Formation (Wealden Group) of the Isle of Wight, exhibits hyperelongation of the dorsal and caudal neural spines, suggesting that it possessed a possible sail structure. Ancestral state reconstruction for the relative height of dorsal neural spines in iguanodontians demonstrates that modest elongation began with Ankylopollexia in the Late Jurassic and elongation became established during the Berriasian stage of the Early Cretaceous, albeit with widely disparate values. Hyperelongation of neural spines occurred more sporadically throughout the Cretaceous, being recorded most often in the Barremian and early Aptian. Possible explanations for neural spine elongation in Ankylopollexia include biomechanical advantage, perhaps related to greater mass and a locomotory shift towards quadrupedalism, and visual signalling driven either by sexual selection or species recognition, or both. The function of elongate neural spines was probably pluralistic and differed in different taxa. No single explanation fully supports the variation seen throughout the Cretaceous.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70034",
    doi = "10.1002/spp2.70034",
    openalex = "W4413415256",
    references = "doi101007s125490110068y, doi101016jgloplacha201804004, doi101017s0022336000036076, doi101093biolinneanblaa105, doi101098rspl18870117, doi101111cla12524, doi101111j2041210x201200223x, doi101126science28253921298, doi101371journalpbio1001853, doi1023071445584, doi10230730135049, doi102475ajs2628975, doi105962p313819, doi107717peerj12727, doi107717peerj16505, gates2018a, tsogtbaatar2019a, vonhuene1923carnivorous"
}