info:eu-repo/semantics/article
A reanalysis of Murusraptor barrosaensis Coria & Currie (2016) affords new evidence about the phylogenetical relationships of Megaraptora
Fecha
2019-07Registro en:
Aranciaga Rolando, Alexis Mauro; Novas, Fernando Emilio; Agnolin, Federico; A reanalysis of Murusraptor barrosaensis Coria & Currie (2016) affords new evidence about the phylogenetical relationships of Megaraptora; Academic Press Ltd - Elsevier Science Ltd; Cretaceous Research; 99; 7-2019; 104-127
0195-6671
CONICET Digital
CONICET
Autor
Aranciaga Rolando, Alexis Mauro
Novas, Fernando Emilio
Agnolin, Federico
Resumen
Phylogenetic relationships of megaraptorid theropods are under intense debate. Some authors interpret them as archaic allosauroids that survived up to Late Cretaceous, whereas others consider megaraptorids as basal tyrannosauroids. The recently described Patagonian taxon Murusraptor barrosaensis offers novel information on skull, axial and hind limb anatomy, all of which may help in elucidating the phylogenetic affinities of megaraptorids as a whole. Murusraptor is particularly similar to juvenile specimens of tyrannosaurids; both share: 1) lacrimal with a long anterior process; 2) corneal process and; 3) lateral pneumatic fenestra; 4) square and dorsoventrally low frontals; 5) parietals with well-developed sagittal and nuchal crests, among other features. The current study lends further support to the hypothesis that megaraptorans are basal members of Coelurosauria (supported by 20 synapomophies), with strongest affiliation with Tyrannosauroidea (supported by >20 synapomorphies).