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New specimens of the crested theropod dinosaur Elmisaurus rarus from Mongolia

Authors :
Philip J. Currie
Gregory F. Funston
Halszka Osmólska
Source :
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, Vol 61, Iss 1, Pp 143-157 (2016)
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
Institute of Paleobiology PAS, 2016.

Abstract

New specimens of Elmisaurus rarus from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia (Nemegt Formation) preserve bones not previously found in “elmisaurids” that help elucidate their relationships to Leptorhynchos elegans and other oviraptorosaurs. Elmisaurus rarus and the North American Leptorhynchos elegans are known from numerous but incomplete specimens that are closely related to, but nevertheless clearly distinguished from, Chirostenotes pergracilis and Epichirostenotes curriei. These specimens include the first known cranial bone attributed to Elmisaurus, the frontal, which clearly shows this animal had a cranial crest (most of which would have been formed by the nasal bones). The first vertebrae, scapula, femora, and tibiae from Elmisaurus are also described. The Elmisaurinae can be distinguished from the Caenagnathinae by the coossification of the tarsometatarsus and smaller size at maturity. Examination of oviraptorosaur hindlimbs reveals four distinct morphotypes, possibly attributable to paleoecological differences.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
05677920 and 17322421
Volume :
61
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.bee6329ac06943d0bdac5b8ec3088eeb
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00130.2014