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Porfiri JD, Baiano MA, Dos Santos DD, Gianechini FA, Pittman M, Lamanna MC. Diuqin lechiguanae gen. et sp. nov., a new unenlagiine (Theropoda: Paraves) from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Neuquén Group, Upper Cretaceous) of Neuquén Province, Patagonia, Argentina. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:77. [PMID: 38872101 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unenlagiine paravians are among the most relevant Gondwanan theropod dinosaur clades for understanding the origin of birds, yet their fossil record remains incomplete, with most taxa being represented by fragmentary material and/or separated by lengthy temporal gaps, frustrating attempts to characterize unenlagiine evolution. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Here we describe Diuqin lechiguanae gen. et sp. nov., a new unenlagiine taxon from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Bajo de la Carpa Formation of the Neuquén Basin of Neuquén Province in northern Patagonia, Argentina that fills a substantial stratigraphic gap in the fossil record of these theropods. Although known only from a very incomplete postcranial skeleton, the preserved bones of Diuqin differ from corresponding elements in other unenlagiines, justifying the erection of the new taxon. Moreover, in several morphological aspects, the humerus of Diuqin appears intermediate between those of geologically older unenlagiines from the Neuquén Basin (e.g., Unenlagia spp. from the Turonian-Coniacian Portezuelo Formation) and that of the stratigraphically younger, larger-bodied Austroraptor cabazai from the Campanian-Maastrichtian Allen Formation. Consequently, the morphology of the new taxon appears to indicate a transitional stage in unenlagiine evolution. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Diuqin as a paravian with multiple plausible systematic positions, but the strongest affinity is with Unenlagiinae. The humerus of the new form exhibits subcircular punctures near its distal end that are interpreted as feeding traces most likely left by a conical-toothed crocodyliform, mammal, or theropod, the latter potentially corresponding to a megaraptorid or another unenlagiine individual. Thus, in addition to filling important morphological and temporal gaps in unenlagiine evolutionary history, the new taxon also offers information relating to the paleoecology of these theropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D Porfiri
- Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Secretaría de Extensión, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires, Neuquén, 1400, Argentina.
- Cátedras de Paleontología y Reptiles Mesozoicos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires, Neuquén, 1400, Argentina.
- Museo del Desierto Patagónico de Añelo, Calle 1 Familia Chávez y Calle 6 Auca Mahuida, Añelo, Neuquén, Argentina.
| | - Mattia A Baiano
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
- CONICET-Área Laboratorio e Investigación, Museo Municipal "Ernesto Bachmann," Dr. Natali s/n, Villa El Chocón, Neuquén, Argentina
- Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Isidro Lobo 516, General Roca, Río Negro, 8332, Argentina
| | - Domenica D Dos Santos
- Museo de Ciencias Naturales, Secretaría de Extensión, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires, Neuquén, 1400, Argentina
- Cátedras de Paleontología y Reptiles Mesozoicos, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Buenos Aires, Neuquén, 1400, Argentina
- Museo del Desierto Patagónico de Añelo, Calle 1 Familia Chávez y Calle 6 Auca Mahuida, Añelo, Neuquén, Argentina
| | - Federico A Gianechini
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de San Luis), Ejército de Los Andes 950, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Michael Pittman
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Matthew C Lamanna
- Section of Vertebrate Paleontology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Wu Q, O’Connor JK, Wang S, Zhou Z. Transformation of the pectoral girdle in pennaraptorans: critical steps in the formation of the modern avian shoulder joint. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16960. [PMID: 38436017 PMCID: PMC10909347 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Important transformations of the pectoral girdle are related to the appearance of flight capabilities in the Dinosauria. Previous studies on this topic focused mainly on paravians yet recent data suggests flight evolved in dinosaurs several times, including at least once among non-avialan paravians. Thus, to fully explore the evolution of flight-related avian shoulder girdle characteristics, it is necessary to compare morphology more broadly. Here, we present information from pennaraptoran specimens preserving pectoral girdle elements, including all purportedly volant taxa, and extensively compare aspects of the shoulder joint. The results show that many pectoral girdle modifications appear during the evolution from basal pennaraptorans to paravians, including changes in the orientation of the coracoid body and the location of the articulation between the furcula and scapula. These modifications suggest a change in forelimb range of motion preceded the origin of flight in paravians. During the evolution of early avialans, additional flight adaptive transformations occur, such as the separation of the scapula and coracoid and reduction of the articular surface between these two bones, reduction in the angle between these two elements, and elongation of the coracoid. The diversity of coracoid morphologies and types of articulations joining the scapula-coracoid suggest that each early avialan lineage evolved these features in parallel as they independently evolved more refined flight capabilities. In early ornithothoracines, the orientation of the glenoid fossa and location of the acrocoracoid approaches the condition in extant birds, suggesting a greater range of motion in the flight stroke, which may represent the acquisition of improved powered flight capabilities, such as ground take-off. The formation of a new articulation between the coracoid and furcula in the Ornithuromorpha is the last step in the formation of an osseous triosseal canal, which may indicate the complete acquisition of the modern flight apparatus. These morphological transitions equipped birds with a greater range of motion, increased and more efficient muscular output and while at the same time transmitting the increased pressure being generated by ever more powerful flapping movements in such a way as to protect the organs. The driving factors and functional adaptations of many of these transitional morphologies are as yet unclear although ontogenetic transitions in forelimb function observed in extant birds provide an excellent framework through which we can explore the behavior of Mesozoic pennaraptorans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingmai K. O’Connor
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Shiying Wang
- College of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhonghe Zhou
- CAS Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Jasinski SE, Sullivan RM, Carter AM, Johnson EH, Dalman SG, Zariwala J, Currie PJ. Osteology and reassessment of Dineobellator notohesperus, a southern eudromaeosaur (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae: Eudromaeosauria) from the latest Cretaceous of New Mexico. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:1712-1756. [PMID: 36342817 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Dromaeosaurids (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae), a group of dynamic, swift predators, have a sparse fossil record, particularly at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The recently described Dineobellator notohesperus, consisting of a partial skeleton from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of New Mexico, is the only diagnostic dromaeosaurid to be recovered from the latest Cretaceous of the southwestern United States. Reinterpreted and newly described material include several caudal vertebrae, portions of the right radius and pubis, and an additional ungual, tentatively inferred to be from manual digit III. Unique features, particularly those of the humerus, unguals, and caudal vertebrae, distinguish D. notohesperus from other known dromaeosaurids. This material indicates different physical attributes among dromaeosaurids, such as use of the forearms, strength in the hands and feet, and mobility of the tail. Several bones in the holotype exhibit abnormal growth and are inferred to be pathologic features resulting from an injury or disease. Similar lengths of the humerus imply Dineobellator and Deinonychus were of similar size, at least regarding length and/or height, although the more gracile nature of the humerus implies Dineobellator was a more lightly built predator. A new phylogenetic analysis recovers D. notohesperus as a dromaeosaurid outside other previously known and named clades. Theropod composition of the Naashoibito Member theropod fauna is like those found in the more northern Late Cretaceous North American ecosystems. Differences in tooth morphologies among recovered theropod teeth from the Naashoibito Member also implies D. notohesperus was not the only dromaeosaurid present in its environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven E Jasinski
- Department of Environmental Science and Sustainability, Harrisburg University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
- Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Robert M Sullivan
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Aja M Carter
- Penn Engineering - GRASP Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Erynn H Johnson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Sebastian G Dalman
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Juned Zariwala
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
| | - Philip J Currie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Pittman M, Bell PR, Miller CV, Enriquez NJ, Wang X, Zheng X, Tsang LR, Tse YT, Landes M, Kaye TG. Exceptional preservation and foot structure reveal ecological transitions and lifestyles of early theropod flyers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7684. [PMID: 36539437 PMCID: PMC9768147 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphology of keratinised toe pads and foot scales, hinging of foot joints and claw shape and size all inform the grasping ability, cursoriality and feeding mode of living birds. Presented here is morphological evidence from the fossil feet of early theropod flyers. Foot soft tissues and joint articulations are qualitatively assessed using laser-stimulated fluorescence. Pedal claw shape and size are quantitatively analysed using traditional morphometrics. We interpret these foot data among existing evidence to better understand the evolutionary ecology of early theropod flyers. Jurassic flyers like Anchiornis and Archaeopteryx show adaptations suggestive of relatively ground-dwelling lifestyles. Early Cretaceous flyers then diversify into more aerial lifestyles, including generalists like Confuciusornis and specialists like the climbing Fortunguavis. Some early birds, like the Late Jurassic Berlin Archaeopteryx and Early Cretaceous Sapeornis, show complex ecologies seemingly unique among sampled modern birds. As a non-bird flyer, finding affinities of Microraptor to a more specialised raptorial lifestyle is unexpected. Its hawk-like characteristics are rare among known theropod flyers of the time suggesting that some non-bird flyers perform specialised roles filled by birds today. We demonstrate diverse ecological profiles among early theropod flyers, changing as flight developed, and some non-bird flyers have more complex ecological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pittman
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Phil R. Bell
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - Case Vincent Miller
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Nathan J. Enriquez
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- grid.410747.10000 0004 1763 3680Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong 276005 China ,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300 China
| | - Xiaoting Zheng
- grid.410747.10000 0004 1763 3680Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University, Linyi City, Shandong 276005 China ,Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, Shandong 273300 China
| | - Leah R. Tsang
- grid.1020.30000 0004 1936 7371School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Australia ,grid.438303.f0000 0004 0470 8815Ornithology Collection, Australian Museum, William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Yuen Ting Tse
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Michael Landes
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6 Canada
| | - Thomas G. Kaye
- Foundation for Scientific Advancement, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650 USA
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Cau A, Madzia D. The phylogenetic affinities and morphological peculiarities of the bird-like dinosaur Borogovia gracilicrus from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12640. [PMID: 34963824 PMCID: PMC8656384 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Borogovia gracilicrus is a small-bodied theropod dinosaur from the Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) Nemegt Formation of southern Mongolia. The taxon is based on a single fragmentary specimen preserving only the distal part of the hindlimbs. The morphology of Borogovia shows a peculiar combination of features, some of which are traditionally considered troodontid synapomorphies and others which are unusual for Troodontidae but are shared with other maniraptoran clades. In particular, the second toe of B. gracilicrus differs from other troodontids in lacking some of the features which contribute to the specialized 'sickle-clawed' second toe, here termed the 'falciphoran condition', shared with dromaeosaurids and some other paravians, such as the strongly compressed and falciform ungual. Phylogeny reconstructions intended to explore the affinities of Borogovia consistently support its referral within a subclade of troodontids including all Late Cretaceous taxa. The placement of Borogovia is not significantly affected by its unusual combinations of hindlimb features or by the homoplasy of the elements forming the falciphoran condition. Borogovia is supported as a valid taxon and is distinct from the other Nemegt troodontids, Tochisaurus and Zanabazar. The lack of a falciform ungual, and the distinctive morphology of the second toe in B. gracilicrus are interpreted as a derived specialization among Troodontidae and not as retention of the plesiomorphic condition of non-paravian theropods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Madzia
- Department of Evolutionary Paleobiology, Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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