CAMPANIAN-MAASTRICHTIAN DINOSAURS FROM THE BAGUA BASIN OF PERÚ: FIRST POSSIBLE REPORT OF SPINOSAURIDAE IN WESTERN SOUTH AMERICA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5710/Keywords:
Bagua Basin, South America, Perú, Dinosauria, Gondwana, Late Cretaceous, Theropoda, Titanosauria, Tooth crownsAbstract
We provide the first detailed description of osteo-dental non-avian dinosaur fossils from the Fundo El Triunfo Formation in the Bagua
Basin (Campanian–Maastrichtian) in northwestern Perú. The material described in this work includes three isolated teeth, which we refer to Spinosauridae based on the presence of diagnostic dental features, as well as abundant though fragmentary postcranial material that we refer to Titanosauria. A multivariate analysis was performed and provide additional support for referral of the teeth to Spinosauridae. These teeth possibly expand the geographical distribution and temporal range of Spinosauridae, representing their first record in western South America and the youngest remains of the group. The new material also provides key information on the size and distribution of titanosaurs in northern South America during the latest Cretaceous. These findings increase the very scarce record of non-avian dinosaur skeletal material in Perú, emphasizing the country’s potential for future paleontological exploration.
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