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Bite traces in a sauropod rib from the Upper Cretaceous São José do Rio Preto Formation (Bauru Basin), Brazil.

Authors :
Reis, Ludimilla F. S.
Ghilardi, Aline M.
Fernandes, Marcelo A.
Source :
Historical Biology; Aug2023, Vol. 35 Issue 8, p1329-1340, 12p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

By studying fossil bite traces, we can reconstruct the behaviour of extinct organisms and better understand past communities, environments, and ecosystems. In this paper, we analyse bite traces on a fragmented sauropod rib from the Upper Cretaceous of the Bauru Basin, southeastern Brazil. The fossil was collected in the Ibirá municipality, São Paulo State, in the strata of the São José do Rio Preto Formation (Santonian-?Maastrichtian). The analysed specimen displays nine tooth drag traces on its external surface, produced by six or seven biting events. The traces consist of shallow linear grooves, with tapered ends and a serrated or smooth edge morphology. They can be classified as Linichnus serratus, Linichnus bromleyi, and Knethichnus parallelum and were produced by an organism with ziphodont dentition, probably an Abelisauridae. This work adds to the knowledge of the Bauru Basin palaeoecology and palaeobiology and expands the record of Mordichnia of Gondwana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08912963
Volume :
35
Issue :
8
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Historical Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
164872671
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2090248