[D] Pneumatoraptor fodori [sG] [T]
Describer
Osi, Apesteguia & Kowalewski 2010
Time
Cretaceous Late Santonian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Czehbánya Formation, Iharkút, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary
Info
Abstract: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of isolated teeth and postcranial elements of nonavian theropod dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Czehbánya Formation, Iharkút (western Hungary) indicate that these remains represent multiple dinosaur groups. Based on comparative and statistical analyses, 58 teeth and tooth fragments are identified as belonging to medium-sized basal tetanuran theropods that may have represented the toppredator of the terrestrial Iharkút ecosystem.
These teeth are almost identical with the two ‘Megalosaurus pannoiensis’ teeth from the lower Campanian of Muthmannsdorf (Austria) and show a notable similarity to teeth of the Middle Jurassic Megalosaurus bucklandii and the Lower Cretaceous ‘Megalosaurus dunkeri’ from England. A single pedal ungual phalanx is interpreted as the oldest European occurrence of Late Cretaceous abelisaurids, as suggested by a ventral groove and bifurcated grooves laterally bordering a convex, triangular area. Small-bodied paravian theropods are found to be the best represented group in Iharkút, including teeth, caudal vertebrae, a metacarpal III, manual phalanges, and a fragmentary left tibia.
A particularly notable paravian remain is a complete left scapulocoracoid possessing a unique pneumatic foramen ventral to the coracoid foramen. This specimen is assigned to Pneumatoraptor fodori n. g. et sp. Finally, numerous postcranial elements of Theropoda indet. were recovered, including a fragmentary sacrum that offers new insights into the sacral pneumaticity of theropods. The presence of these theropods in the Santonian Iharkút ecosystem provides the first evidence that during the early Late Cretaceous the Mediterranean archipelago was inhabited by both Gondwanan and Euramerican members of theropod dinosaurs. Consistent with data available for other archosaurian taxa, the close relationship of the basal tetanuran teeth with much older forms suggests that the Iharkút area may have functioned as a refugium in the early Late Cretaceous Mediterranean archipelago.
Holotype
MTM V.2008.38.1., nearly complete, left scapulacoracoid.
Etymology
Genus name refers to the pneumatic construction of the scapulocoracoid. Named after Géza Fodor †, who provided a generous support during the early stages of the Iharkút field works.
Locality
Iharkút, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary.
Age and horizon
Late Cretaceous, Santonian, Czehbánya Formation.
Diagnosis
Pneumatoraptor fodori can be diagnosed on the basis of a large, circular pneumatic foramen ventral to the coracoid foramen (2 mm in diameter) that opens towards the coracoid tubercle and is also in connection with the hollow scapular blade
Osi, Apesteguia & Kowalewski 2010
Time
Cretaceous Late Santonian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Czehbánya Formation, Iharkút, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary
Info
Abstract: Quantitative and qualitative analyses of isolated teeth and postcranial elements of nonavian theropod dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Czehbánya Formation, Iharkút (western Hungary) indicate that these remains represent multiple dinosaur groups. Based on comparative and statistical analyses, 58 teeth and tooth fragments are identified as belonging to medium-sized basal tetanuran theropods that may have represented the toppredator of the terrestrial Iharkút ecosystem.
These teeth are almost identical with the two ‘Megalosaurus pannoiensis’ teeth from the lower Campanian of Muthmannsdorf (Austria) and show a notable similarity to teeth of the Middle Jurassic Megalosaurus bucklandii and the Lower Cretaceous ‘Megalosaurus dunkeri’ from England. A single pedal ungual phalanx is interpreted as the oldest European occurrence of Late Cretaceous abelisaurids, as suggested by a ventral groove and bifurcated grooves laterally bordering a convex, triangular area. Small-bodied paravian theropods are found to be the best represented group in Iharkút, including teeth, caudal vertebrae, a metacarpal III, manual phalanges, and a fragmentary left tibia.
A particularly notable paravian remain is a complete left scapulocoracoid possessing a unique pneumatic foramen ventral to the coracoid foramen. This specimen is assigned to Pneumatoraptor fodori n. g. et sp. Finally, numerous postcranial elements of Theropoda indet. were recovered, including a fragmentary sacrum that offers new insights into the sacral pneumaticity of theropods. The presence of these theropods in the Santonian Iharkút ecosystem provides the first evidence that during the early Late Cretaceous the Mediterranean archipelago was inhabited by both Gondwanan and Euramerican members of theropod dinosaurs. Consistent with data available for other archosaurian taxa, the close relationship of the basal tetanuran teeth with much older forms suggests that the Iharkút area may have functioned as a refugium in the early Late Cretaceous Mediterranean archipelago.
Holotype
MTM V.2008.38.1., nearly complete, left scapulacoracoid.
Etymology
Genus name refers to the pneumatic construction of the scapulocoracoid. Named after Géza Fodor †, who provided a generous support during the early stages of the Iharkút field works.
Locality
Iharkút, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary.
Age and horizon
Late Cretaceous, Santonian, Czehbánya Formation.
Diagnosis
Pneumatoraptor fodori can be diagnosed on the basis of a large, circular pneumatic foramen ventral to the coracoid foramen (2 mm in diameter) that opens towards the coracoid tubercle and is also in connection with the hollow scapular blade