[D] Mapusaurus roseae [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Coria & Currie, 2006
Time
Cretaceous Late Cenomanian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae [Giganotosaurinae]
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Huincul Formation, Rio Limay Formation [Group] (Cenomanian), of the Neuquén Group. Cañadón del Gato in the Cortaderas area 20 km southwest of Plaza Huincul, Neuquén Province Argentina
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Coria R. A. & Currie P. J. (2006) A new carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina. Geodiversitas 28 (1) : 71-118.
Etymology
“Mapu” is a Mapuche (local indigenous people) term for Earth. Therefore “Mapusaurus” should be translated as “Earth reptile”. The term “roseae” refers to the rosecolored rocks that surround the site where Mapusaurus n. gen. was found, and to Rose Letwin (Seattle) who sponsored the expeditions in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Holotype
MCF-PVPH-108.1, right nasal. PARATYPES. — MCF-PVPH-108.5, left lacrimal/prefrontal; MCF-PVPH-108.45, right humerus; MCFPVPH- 108.83, axis; MCF-PVPH-108.90, cervical neural arch; MCF-PVPH-108.115, right maxilla; MCFPVPH- 108.125, left dentary; MCF-PVPH-108.128, left ilium; MCF-PVPH-108.165, left ischium; MCFPVPH-108.167, jugal; MCF-PVPH-108.177, right postorbital-palpebral; MCF-PVPH-108.179, right splenial; MCF-PVPH-108.202, right fibula.
Mapusaurus n. gen. is a carcharodontosaurid theropod whose skull differs from Gigantosaurus in having thick, rugose unfused nasals that are narrower anterior to basal/maxilla/lacrimal junction; larger extension of antorbital fossa onto maxilla; smaller maxillary fenestra; wider bar (interfenestral strut) between antorbital and maxillary fenestrae; lower, flatter lacrimal horn; transversely wider prefrontal in relation to lacrimal width; ventrolaterally curving lateral margin of palpebral; shallower interdental plates; higher position of Meckelian canal; more posteriorly sloping anteroventral margin of dentary.
Mapusaurus roseae n. gen., n. sp. is unique in that upper quadratojugal process of jugal splits into two prongs; small anterior mylohyoid foramen positioned above dentary contact with splenial; second and third metacarpals fused; humerus with broad distal end and little separation between condyles; brevis fossa of ilium extends deeply into excavation dorsal to ischial peduncle. It also differs from Giganotosaurus in having conical, slightly curving cervical epipophyses that taper distally; axial posterior zygapophyses joined on midline; smaller and less elaborate prespinal lamina on midline of cervicals; remarkably sharp dorsal margin of cervical neural spines; taller, wider neural spines; curved ischiatic shaft; more slender fibula.
Coria & Currie, 2006
Time
Cretaceous Late Cenomanian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Carnosauria Carcharodontosauridae [Giganotosaurinae]
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Huincul Formation, Rio Limay Formation [Group] (Cenomanian), of the Neuquén Group. Cañadón del Gato in the Cortaderas area 20 km southwest of Plaza Huincul, Neuquén Province Argentina
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Coria R. A. & Currie P. J. (2006) A new carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina. Geodiversitas 28 (1) : 71-118.
Etymology
“Mapu” is a Mapuche (local indigenous people) term for Earth. Therefore “Mapusaurus” should be translated as “Earth reptile”. The term “roseae” refers to the rosecolored rocks that surround the site where Mapusaurus n. gen. was found, and to Rose Letwin (Seattle) who sponsored the expeditions in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Holotype
MCF-PVPH-108.1, right nasal. PARATYPES. — MCF-PVPH-108.5, left lacrimal/prefrontal; MCF-PVPH-108.45, right humerus; MCFPVPH- 108.83, axis; MCF-PVPH-108.90, cervical neural arch; MCF-PVPH-108.115, right maxilla; MCFPVPH- 108.125, left dentary; MCF-PVPH-108.128, left ilium; MCF-PVPH-108.165, left ischium; MCFPVPH-108.167, jugal; MCF-PVPH-108.177, right postorbital-palpebral; MCF-PVPH-108.179, right splenial; MCF-PVPH-108.202, right fibula.
Mapusaurus n. gen. is a carcharodontosaurid theropod whose skull differs from Gigantosaurus in having thick, rugose unfused nasals that are narrower anterior to basal/maxilla/lacrimal junction; larger extension of antorbital fossa onto maxilla; smaller maxillary fenestra; wider bar (interfenestral strut) between antorbital and maxillary fenestrae; lower, flatter lacrimal horn; transversely wider prefrontal in relation to lacrimal width; ventrolaterally curving lateral margin of palpebral; shallower interdental plates; higher position of Meckelian canal; more posteriorly sloping anteroventral margin of dentary.
Mapusaurus roseae n. gen., n. sp. is unique in that upper quadratojugal process of jugal splits into two prongs; small anterior mylohyoid foramen positioned above dentary contact with splenial; second and third metacarpals fused; humerus with broad distal end and little separation between condyles; brevis fossa of ilium extends deeply into excavation dorsal to ischial peduncle. It also differs from Giganotosaurus in having conical, slightly curving cervical epipophyses that taper distally; axial posterior zygapophyses joined on midline; smaller and less elaborate prespinal lamina on midline of cervicals; remarkably sharp dorsal margin of cervical neural spines; taller, wider neural spines; curved ischiatic shaft; more slender fibula.