Giganotosaurus

About: Giganotosaurus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 10 publications have been published within this topic receiving 1030 citations.

A new carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina

Abstract: A new carcharodontosaurid theropod from the Huincul Formation (Aptian-Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous) of Neuquen Province, Argentina, is described. Approximately the same size as Giganotosaurus carolinii Coria & Salgado, 1995, Mapusaurus roseae n. gen., n. sp. is characterized by many features including a deep, short and narrow skull with relatively large triangular antorbital fossae, relatively small maxillary fenestra, and narrow, unfused rugose nasals. Mapusaurus roseae n. gen., n. sp. has cervical neural spines and distally tapering epipophyses, tall dorsal neural spines, central pleurocoels as far back as the first sacral vertebra, accessory caudal neural spines, stout humerus with poorly defined distal condyles, fused metacarpals, ilium with brevis fossa extending deeply into ischial peduncle, and femur with low fourth trochanter. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Mapusaurus n. gen. shares with Carcharodontosaurus Stromer, 1931 and Giganotosaurus Coria & Salgado, 1995 several derived features that include narrow blade-like teeth with wrinkled enamel, heavily sculptured facial bones, supraorbital shelf formed by a postorbital/palpebral complex, and a dorsomedially directed femoral head. Remains of Mapusaurus n. gen. were recovered from a bonebed where 100% of the identifiable dinosaur bones can be assigned to this new genus. Based on the metatarsals recovered, a minimum of seven individuals was buried at the site. It is conceivable that this bonebed represents a long term or coincidental accumulation of carcasses. The presence of a single carnivorous taxon with individuals of different ontogenic stages provides evidence of variation within a single population, and may also indicate some behavioural traits for Mapusaurus roseae n. gen., n. sp.

A new specimen of Acrocanthosaurus atokensis (Theropoda, Dinosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous Antlers Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Aptian) of Oklahoma, USA

Abstract: A new skeleton of Acrocanthosaurus atokensis is the most complete specimen collected and has the only known complete skull. Aspects of the new skeleton are described in detail, with special attention directed to the morphology of the skull and forelimb. Although unquestionably one of the largest theropods ever found, it is smaller than Carcharodontosaurus, Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus. Comparison with other theropods suggests that Acrocanthosaurus bears a strong resemblance to these taxa because of characters that are size determinate, and the evidence suggests Acrocanthosaurus is more closely related to Allosauridae than to Carcharodontosauridae. Three families (Allosauridae, Carcharodontosauridae, Sinraptoridae) are recognized in the Allosauroidea.

A new giant carnivorous dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Patagonia

Abstract: LARGE carnivorous animals, the top members of the trophic chain, are rare, and flesh-eating dinosaurs were rarer still. For years the only known giant theropods were Tyrannosaums rex1 and the poorly known Deinocheirus mirificus2, both from the Northern Hemisphere, but many important new dinosaurs have been dis-covered in the Southern Hemisphere during the past decade, con-siderably increasing our knowledge of ancient ecosystems. Here we report a new giant carnivorous dinosaur from the Upper Creta-ceous of northwestern Patagonia (Argentina). This new taxon, Giganotosaums carolinii gen. et. sp. nov., is characterized by aproportionally low skull, a reduced shoulder girdle, and robust vertebrae and hind limbs. It represents a primitive evolutionary iteration of large theropods, and provides an opportunity to exam-ine the Gondwanan dinosaur palaeocommunities and their relation-ships to those from Laurasia. Several characters place G. carolinii within the Tetanurae3, and closer to Neotetanurae4 than to Torvosauroidea4. G. carolinii is the largest theropod ever recorded from the Southern Hemisphere, and is probably the world's biggest predatory dinosaur, having a body 12.5 metres long and an estima-ted weight of 6 to 8 tonnes.

Basal Abelisaurid and Carcharodontosaurid Theropods from the Lower Cretaceous Elrhaz Formation of Niger

Abstract: We report the discovery of basal abelisaurid and carcharodontosaurid theropods from the mid Cretaceous (Aptian—Albian, ca. 112 Ma) Elrhaz Formation of the Niger Republic. The abelisaurid, Kryptops palaios gen. et sp. nov., is represented by a single individual preserving the maxilla, pelvic girdle, vertebrae and ribs. Several features, including a maxilla textured externally by impressed vascular grooves and a narrow antorbital fossa, clearly place Kryptops palaios within Abelisauridae as its oldest known member. The carcharodontosaurid, Eocarcharia dinops gen. et sp. nov., is represented by several cranial bones and isolated teeth. Phylogenetic analysis places it as a basal carcharodontosaurid, similar to Acrocanthosaurus and less derived than Carcharodontosaurus and Giganotosaurus. The discovery of these taxa suggests that large body size and many of the derived cranial features of abelisaurids and carcharodontosaurids had already evolved by the mid Cretaceous. The presence of a close relative of the No...

New information on the skull of the enigmatic theropod spinosaurus, with remarks on its size and affinities

Abstract: New specimens of the unusual theropod Spinosaurus cf. S. aegyptiacus from the Late Cretaceous (early Cenomanian) of Morocco reveal new information about the structure of the snout and the very large adult body size attained by the species. The external naris is retracted farther caudally on the snout than in other spinosaurids and is bordered exclusively by the maxilla and nasal. The fused nasals preserve a longitudinal, fluted crest. The size of the snout suggests that Spinosaurus may well have exceeded the maximum adult body size of other large Cretaceous theropods such as Tyrannosaurus and Giganotosaurus. The new material also supports the monophyly of the Spinosaurinae and the separation of Spinosaurus and Irritator.