[D] Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Novas, 1986
Time
Triassic Late Carnian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Incertae Sedis \\\\\\\"Carnosaurs\\\\\\\"
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Ischigualasto Formation, San Juan, Argentina
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Represented by an incomplete skeleton consisting of portions of the skull, the axis a cranial cervical vertebrae, and a section of distal caudal vertebrae. The maxilla bears three strongly - developed caniniform teeth, set mesially among the tooth row.
The accessory antorbital fenestra is small. A slight diastema may have existed between the maxillary tooth row and the more elevated premaxillary tooth row. The infratemporal fenestra is large. Of the vertebral material, the caudal series is the best known.
The prezygapophyses of these caudal vertebrae are considerably elongate, extending forward as far as the middle of each preceding vertebrae. Novas (1986) correctly rejected rauisuchid and ornithosuchid relationships for F.ischigualastensis, suggesting instead that it represents a primitive theropod.
Novas, F. E. 1986. Un probable terópodo (Saurischia) de La Formación Ischigualasto (Triásico Superior), San Juan, Argentina. IV Congreso Argentino de Paleontologia y Bioestratigrafía:1-6.
Translated by Matthew Carrano, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, December 2001.
[A Probable theropod (Saurischia) from the Ischualsto Formation (Upper Triassic) San Juan, Argentina. Fernando E. Novas]
Translated by M. Carrano
Abstract
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis n. gen., n. sp. is a medium-sized carnivorous archosaur from the Ischigualasto Formation, characterized by a short and tall maxilla with a convex ventral margin, supplied with three robust “canines”, and distal caudal vertebrae with elongated prezygapophyses that overlap the posterior half of the preceding vertebra. These and other characters permit differentiating it from known families of thecodonts.
Caudals with such elongated prezygapophyses have not been recorded in thecodonts and quadrupedal saurischians, but have in various theropod saurischians (obligatorily bipedal cursors). Assuming that this vertebral pattern is related to advances in the locomotor apparatus, Frenguellisaurus is considered to be a dinosaur of the suborder Theropoda. Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis and Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis are considered representatives of the oldest radiation of medium-sized carnivorous bipedal archosaurs.
The new discovery improves the knowledge of the adaptive types developed in the early stages of saurischian evolution. The anatomical characteristics of these dinosaurs, which were difficult to locate satisfactorily within the saurischian groups of the latter time, suggest that they represent archaic lineages, close to the first stages of the evolution of the group.
Introduction
In the course of an exploratory paleontological trip undertaken in 1975 to the Hoyada de Ischigualasto, San Juan prov., remains of a new archosaur were encountered in layers of the Ischigualasto Formation The discovery was made by Messrs. Gargiulo and Oñate from the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de San Juan. Knowledge of the oldest saurischians was restricted to only three incompletely known genera, Staurikosaurus, Herrerasaurus and Ischisaurus, from the upper Middle Triassic to lower Upper Triassic of South America.
Systematics
Frenguellisaurus gen. nov.
Etymology
In honor of Dr. Joaquín Frenguelli, who realized an important paleontological and geological work in the Triassic Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Valley.
Typespecies
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis sp. nov.
Distribution
Lower section (close to the Middle Triassic) of the Ischigualasto Formation Ischigualastian Reptile Age, principally of the Upper Triassic, San Juan, Argentina.
Diagnosis
Medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur, with low and long skull (56 cm); maxilla distinct from those of Ornithosuchidae and Rauisuchidae, and comparable to that of Dilophosaurus in its anterior section with convex ventral margin, provided with strong “canines”; below the antorbital fenestra the maxilla is lower than in this genus.
Antorbital fenestra smaller and with a wider anterior section than in Dilophosaurus and the representatives of the families cited. Tall jugal, with ventral border more inclined posteriorly and ventrally, such that the maxilla and jugal form a pronounced sinuosity, greater than in Dilophosaurus.
Short dentary, representing half the length of the mandible. Specialized posterior caudal vertebrae, similar to those of Allosaurus, with longer prezygapophyses that surpass the posterior half of the centrum of the preceding vertebra. The prezygapophyses are reinforced laterally by a thick edge; on the lateral face of the centrum and the base of the neural arch exist horizontal “crests” and “prominences” for muscular insertions.
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis sp. nov.
Etymology
Ischigualastensis, from Ischigualasto, locality where the described material was discovered.
Holotype
PV-UNSJ 53. Most of a skull including the right premaxilla, both maxillae, left jugal, and temporal, occipital and basicranial regions; both mandibular rami; axis, part of one anterior cervical and twenty-five distal caudals.
Stratigraphic and geographic provenance
Lower section (close to the Middle Triassic) of the Ischigualasto Formation, left bank of the La Chilca River, about 12 km before the Puerta de La Chilca, NW sector of the Hoyada de Ischigualasto, Valle Fértil dept., San Juan prov.
Diagnosis
The same as for the genus.
Description
Skull
The skull, somewhat incomplete, preserves elements of sufficient diagnostic value to allow its reconstruction. The temporal region shows lateral flattening and breakage that do not greatly alter the proportions and morphology of its constituent bones.
The skull is long and low, 56 cm long. The premaxilla, mostly broken, is robust and has an ascending ramus to contact the extensive and laterally compressed maxilla. The maxilla has a tall, wide anterior sector whose ventral margin is strongly convex; in this region the interdental plates reach their greatest size; these characters correspond to the presence of three large “canines”, laterally compressed and with serrated edges; the estimated length of the largest of these would be 6 cm.
Below the antorbital fenestra the maxilla is low; somewhat in lateral view the maxilla ends at the height of the lacrimal, medially it reaches further posteriorly, ending below the orbit. A recess of poorly defined contours precedes the antorbital fenestra. This latter is proportionally short axially and has a widely concave anterior margin, bordered anteriorly and ventrally by a slight antorbital fossa.
The jugal is slender and tall, such that the orbital fenestra occupies an elevated position relative to the infratemporal fenestra. The inferior margin of the maxilla and jugal is markedly sinuous.
The parietal crest is relatively long. The supra- and infratemporal fenestrae are extended axially. The squamosal shows a ventral ramus not totally preserved but with indications that it had a certain anteroventral projection. The quadrate is long and has a mobile articulation with the squamosal; the posterior face has the quadrate foramen.
The mandible is tall relative to the skull. The dentary, very laterally compressed, represents half the length of the mandible. The splenial exceeds the posterior end of the dentary ventrally in both hemimandibles. The glenoid cavity is deep and transversely extensive. The retroarticular process is tall, wide and short anteroposteriorly.
The occiput is exposed posterodorsally and presents a triangular contour. The occipital condyle is subspherical, and the paroccipital processes are very long and have expanded distal ends.
Vertebrae
The axis, an anterior cervical in a bad state of preservation, and 25 distal caudal vertebrae are available.
The axis has a centrum longer than tall, provided with a ventral keel; the odontoid process is large. The neural spine, axially extensive, increases its height and thickness posteriorly. A deep basin affects the posterior part of the neural spine.
The anterior cervical is incomplete, but indicates that it is a vertebra with a tall neural arch and a centrum relatively low and somewhat elongated. The preserved caudal vertebrae possibly correspond to the interval between caudals 14 and 51. In all of them the centrum is longer than tall, and except the most distal ones, the vertebral centrum presents its middle part very constricted and its ends bulky.
There are marked structures related to tendinous insertions, consisting of longitudinal “prominences” and “crests” developed on the lateral face of the vertebral centrum and the base of the neural arch. The prezygapophyses, crossed laterally by a conspicuous rim, experience a notable elongation in the distal half of the tail; in caudals 28? to 35? they overlap the posterior half of the preceding vertebra, and in the last caudals (44? to 51?) they come to surpass the posterior two-thirds of the preceding vertebra.
Comparisons
The comparisons of the skull will be restricted to thecodonts of medium to large size with representatives in the Ischigualasto Formation (Rauisuchidae and Ornithosuchidae), pseudosuchians considered ancestral to dinosaurs [Euparkeriidae and Lagosuchidae], and some carnivorous saurischians. Then comparisons are made of the caudal vertebrae with thecodonts and saurischians in general.
[Rauisuchidae]
Thecodonts of quadrupedal and plantigrade habit, that include the largest carnivores of the Middle and Upper Triassic (Bonaparte, 1984). In the Ischigualasto Formation they are represented by Saurosuchus galilei (Sill, 1974), whose skull has an approximate length of 70 cm. Different from Frenguellisaurus, the rauisuchids possess: tall maxilla, antorbital fenestra with low anterior margin, jugal low (Saurosuchus, Heptasuchus, Luperosuchus) or relatively low (Prestosuchus); ventral margin of the maxilla and jugal rectilinear or somewhat sinuous, but not as markedly so as in Frenguellisaurus. In none of the rauisuchids is there a recess anterior to the antorbital fenestra. The dentary is longer than the postdentary elements. The retroarticular process is very robust, clearly individualized and moved away from the glenoid cavity.
[Ornithosuchidae]
A family represented by the genera Venaticosuchus (Ischigualasto Formation; Bonaparte, 1975a), Ornithosuchus (“[Lossiemouth Beds]” Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation, Scotland; Walker, 1964) and Riojasuchus (Los Colorados Formation, La Rioja, Argentina; Bonaparte, 1975a). They are clearly different from Frenguellisaurus in the following features: maxilla with rectilinear or slightly convex inferior margin, continuous with that of the jugal; jugal without ventral expansion; dentary robust and long (Ornithosuchus) or short and with a concave ventral margin (Venaticosuchus, Riojasuchus); retroarticular process very tall (Ornithosuchus) or very low and small (Venaticosuchus, Riojasuchus).
[Euparkeriidae]
Thecodonts of small size from the Lower Triassic (Ewer, 1965). Different from Frenguellisaurus in possessing a long maxilla of rectangular shape and with a rectilinear ventral margin; the anterior ascending process of the maxilla is axially short. The jugal is low. The mandible has a low and long retroarticular process.
[Lagosuchidae]
Thecodonts of small size from the Middle Triassic of Argentina. Only the basicranium and maxilla are known from the skull of Lagosuchus (Bonaparte, 1975b). This latter is long, styliform below the antorbital fenestra, and has a rectilinear ventral margin. The teeth do not show a marked size disparity.
Herrerasauridae
Carnivorous saurischians that include the genera Herrerasaurus and Ischisaurus (both from the Ischigualasto Formation; Reig, 1963) and, eventually, Staurikosaurus (Colbert, 1970; Galton, 1977) from the Santa Maria Formation (Zone associated with [Rhynchocephalia]), Brazil.
Only the two mandibular rami are known from the skull of Staurikosaurus, both affected by deformation. It differs from Frenguellisaurus in the morphology of the articular region, with the internal laminar process in a more posterior position, continuous with the posteroventral end of the mandible. The holotype material of Ischisaurus (MACN 18.060) includes dentaries, splenials and articular regions. In both mandibular rami the splenial is exposed ventrolaterally, as in Frenguellisaurus. The articular region has a laminar projection directed posterodorsally that limits the glenoid cavity. This notable specialization allows Ischisaurus to be differentiated not only from Frenguellisaurus but also from the rest of the dinosaurs.
Reig (1963) illustrated a dentary that he attributed to the genus Herrerasaurus. This specimen (PVL 2558) includes portions of the femur and tibia that are assignable to Herrerasauridae, and posterior dorsal vertebrae and a pubis that decidedly do not pertain to the genus Herrerasaurus. It is evident that this specimen unites pieces of two (or more) individuals corresponding to distinct taxa. Faced with the impossibility of deciding to which of these the cranial material pertains, it is not considered representative of the genus Herrerasaurus.
Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic Theropods
Dilophosaurus, from the Kayenta Formation (Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic) of the US (Arizona), has a skull of comparable size and shape to that of Frenguellisaurus. Different from the latter, it has an antorbital fenestra extended in its ventral section, with a low anterior margin, not preceded by a recess; an anteroposteriorly shorter infratemporal fenestra; a mandible with a longer dentary and comparatively small medial laminar process.
Syntarsus (Forest Sandstone, Zimbabwe), Coelophysis (Chinle Formation, US), Liliensternus (Knollenmergel, Germany; Welles, 1984), Procompsognathus (Stubensandstein, Germany), all from the Upper Triassic, present marked differences with Frenguellisaurus in the morphology and proportions of the skull, making any comparison unnecessary.
With respect to the caudal vertebrae, it must be decided that there are few genera of thecodonts where the distal caudals are known. Among those are counted [Ticinosuchus] (Krebs, 1965), [Postosuchus] (Chatterjee, 1985) and Lagosuchus, which lack elongated prezygapophyses as in Frenguellisaurus. Better documented is the morphology of the distal caudals in dinosaurs.
Among these, caudal vertebrae with very long prezygapophyses are frequent and almost exclusive to the suborder Theropoda. Specimens of this are Staurikosaurus, Ischisaurus, Ornitholestes, Allosaurus, tyrannosaurs, ornithomimids (Osborn, 1917), Deinonychus, etc. Nevertheless, some representatives of the group do not have such a specialization, as for example Compsognathus and Dilophosaurus. Structures for tendinous insertions similar to those observable in Frenguellisaurus are shown particularly in Allosaurus (Madsen, 1976). The previous comparisons allow differentiating Frenguellisaurus from the known families and genera of thecodonts and dinosaurs. I now intend to establish to which of these archosaur orders it pertains.
Recently, Paul (1984) intended to distinguish the characters of thecodonts and dinosaurs. For the majority of thecodonts the following characters were found in the skull: 1) jugal robust, tetraradiate; 2) lacrimal short and wide; 3) quadrate inclined backward and down; 4) maxilla tall and rectangular.
Frenguellisaurus presents characters 1), 3) and presumably 2). Following this author, primitive theropods, prosauropods and generalized ornithischians have the following characters that distinguish them from thecodonts: 1) skull with long and low profile; 2) quadrate tall and vertical; 3) jugal small, triradiate; 4) maxilla low and triangular; 5) lacrimal wide. The skull of Frenguellisaurus would be found, therefore, closer to the thecodont parentage than that of the dinosaurs. The anatomy of the caudal end of Frenguellisaurus, similar to that of advanced theropods, thus as the absence of this morphological type in thecodonts and other quadrupedal dinosaurs suggests, on the contrary, greater affinities with the former.
In summary: some of the cranial morphology of Frenguellisaurus recalls in certain aspects the thecodont parentage, the morpho-functional advances of the dinosaur grade that the tail implies, it is included among the latter group. Since the dinosaurs on which Paul (op. cit.) based his study are from the Upper Triassic, it is probable that in more archaic forms, from the Ischigualastian age (close to the thecodont condition), the skull maintained primitive characters like those observed in Frenguellisaurus.
From the functional point of view, caudal vertebrae with long prezygapophyses seem to hold a narrow relationship with bipedalism and cursoriality (nevertheless, bipedal progression does not necessarily imply the development of such structures). Thus to suggest the fact to be so spread out among theropods (of those that are not doubted, were obligatory bipeds, the majority cursorial) and in addition to not be recorded in thecodonts and other quadrupedal dinosaurs. The elongated prezygapophyses restrict the possibilities for lateral flexion at the caudal end, in the manner that the same act as a single body, composing the moments of inertia of each vertebral segment into a single one (Ostrom, 1969). The tail functioned as a dynamic stabilizer during running, when the animal achieved rapid and irregular movements.
Conclusions
Although Frenguellisaurus possesses a skull with primitive characters for a saurischian, the morphology of the maxilla, jugal, dentary and the presence of large “canines” constitute derived characters compared to those of thecodonts and dinosaurs, suggesting a more specialized mechanism of the buccal apparatus for the capture of prey.
The presence of distal caudals with elongated prezygapophyses in Frenguellisaurus and Staurikosaurus permits affirming that this character, related to bipedal locomotion, had developed early in saurischians eventually not directly ancestral with typical theropods from the Triassic.
The existing fossil record permits considering Frenguellisaurus and Herrerasaurus as representatives of the oldest radiation of medium-sized, carnivorous, bipedal archosaurs (approximate total length: 4m), occurred at the beginning of the Upper Triassic (Ischigualastian). The rapid increase in body size and the reinforcement of adaptations related to locomotion, permitted the members of the Lagosuchidae - Staurikosaurus - Herrerasaurus lineage to participate in trophic levels each time higher in the course of the Triassic, than in the Ischigualastian had been occupied only by rauisuchid thecodonts. The radiation of these primitive carnivorous saurischians precedes that of typical Upper Triassic theropods ([Coelophysidae], [Procompsognathidae], Halticosauridae) provided with major advances in the locomotor apparatus (dolichoiliac ilium, major tibia-astragalus connection, tridactyly).
Source: Polyglot Paleontologist
Novas, 1986
Time
Triassic Late Carnian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Incertae Sedis \\\\\\\"Carnosaurs\\\\\\\"
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Ischigualasto Formation, San Juan, Argentina
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Represented by an incomplete skeleton consisting of portions of the skull, the axis a cranial cervical vertebrae, and a section of distal caudal vertebrae. The maxilla bears three strongly - developed caniniform teeth, set mesially among the tooth row.
The accessory antorbital fenestra is small. A slight diastema may have existed between the maxillary tooth row and the more elevated premaxillary tooth row. The infratemporal fenestra is large. Of the vertebral material, the caudal series is the best known.
The prezygapophyses of these caudal vertebrae are considerably elongate, extending forward as far as the middle of each preceding vertebrae. Novas (1986) correctly rejected rauisuchid and ornithosuchid relationships for F.ischigualastensis, suggesting instead that it represents a primitive theropod.
Novas, F. E. 1986. Un probable terópodo (Saurischia) de La Formación Ischigualasto (Triásico Superior), San Juan, Argentina. IV Congreso Argentino de Paleontologia y Bioestratigrafía:1-6.
Translated by Matthew Carrano, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, December 2001.
[A Probable theropod (Saurischia) from the Ischualsto Formation (Upper Triassic) San Juan, Argentina. Fernando E. Novas]
Translated by M. Carrano
Abstract
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis n. gen., n. sp. is a medium-sized carnivorous archosaur from the Ischigualasto Formation, characterized by a short and tall maxilla with a convex ventral margin, supplied with three robust “canines”, and distal caudal vertebrae with elongated prezygapophyses that overlap the posterior half of the preceding vertebra. These and other characters permit differentiating it from known families of thecodonts.
Caudals with such elongated prezygapophyses have not been recorded in thecodonts and quadrupedal saurischians, but have in various theropod saurischians (obligatorily bipedal cursors). Assuming that this vertebral pattern is related to advances in the locomotor apparatus, Frenguellisaurus is considered to be a dinosaur of the suborder Theropoda. Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis and Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis are considered representatives of the oldest radiation of medium-sized carnivorous bipedal archosaurs.
The new discovery improves the knowledge of the adaptive types developed in the early stages of saurischian evolution. The anatomical characteristics of these dinosaurs, which were difficult to locate satisfactorily within the saurischian groups of the latter time, suggest that they represent archaic lineages, close to the first stages of the evolution of the group.
Introduction
In the course of an exploratory paleontological trip undertaken in 1975 to the Hoyada de Ischigualasto, San Juan prov., remains of a new archosaur were encountered in layers of the Ischigualasto Formation The discovery was made by Messrs. Gargiulo and Oñate from the Museo de Ciencias Naturales de San Juan. Knowledge of the oldest saurischians was restricted to only three incompletely known genera, Staurikosaurus, Herrerasaurus and Ischisaurus, from the upper Middle Triassic to lower Upper Triassic of South America.
Systematics
Frenguellisaurus gen. nov.
Etymology
In honor of Dr. Joaquín Frenguelli, who realized an important paleontological and geological work in the Triassic Ischigualasto-Villa Unión Valley.
Typespecies
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis sp. nov.
Distribution
Lower section (close to the Middle Triassic) of the Ischigualasto Formation Ischigualastian Reptile Age, principally of the Upper Triassic, San Juan, Argentina.
Diagnosis
Medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur, with low and long skull (56 cm); maxilla distinct from those of Ornithosuchidae and Rauisuchidae, and comparable to that of Dilophosaurus in its anterior section with convex ventral margin, provided with strong “canines”; below the antorbital fenestra the maxilla is lower than in this genus.
Antorbital fenestra smaller and with a wider anterior section than in Dilophosaurus and the representatives of the families cited. Tall jugal, with ventral border more inclined posteriorly and ventrally, such that the maxilla and jugal form a pronounced sinuosity, greater than in Dilophosaurus.
Short dentary, representing half the length of the mandible. Specialized posterior caudal vertebrae, similar to those of Allosaurus, with longer prezygapophyses that surpass the posterior half of the centrum of the preceding vertebra. The prezygapophyses are reinforced laterally by a thick edge; on the lateral face of the centrum and the base of the neural arch exist horizontal “crests” and “prominences” for muscular insertions.
Frenguellisaurus ischigualastensis sp. nov.
Etymology
Ischigualastensis, from Ischigualasto, locality where the described material was discovered.
Holotype
PV-UNSJ 53. Most of a skull including the right premaxilla, both maxillae, left jugal, and temporal, occipital and basicranial regions; both mandibular rami; axis, part of one anterior cervical and twenty-five distal caudals.
Stratigraphic and geographic provenance
Lower section (close to the Middle Triassic) of the Ischigualasto Formation, left bank of the La Chilca River, about 12 km before the Puerta de La Chilca, NW sector of the Hoyada de Ischigualasto, Valle Fértil dept., San Juan prov.
Diagnosis
The same as for the genus.
Description
Skull
The skull, somewhat incomplete, preserves elements of sufficient diagnostic value to allow its reconstruction. The temporal region shows lateral flattening and breakage that do not greatly alter the proportions and morphology of its constituent bones.
The skull is long and low, 56 cm long. The premaxilla, mostly broken, is robust and has an ascending ramus to contact the extensive and laterally compressed maxilla. The maxilla has a tall, wide anterior sector whose ventral margin is strongly convex; in this region the interdental plates reach their greatest size; these characters correspond to the presence of three large “canines”, laterally compressed and with serrated edges; the estimated length of the largest of these would be 6 cm.
Below the antorbital fenestra the maxilla is low; somewhat in lateral view the maxilla ends at the height of the lacrimal, medially it reaches further posteriorly, ending below the orbit. A recess of poorly defined contours precedes the antorbital fenestra. This latter is proportionally short axially and has a widely concave anterior margin, bordered anteriorly and ventrally by a slight antorbital fossa.
The jugal is slender and tall, such that the orbital fenestra occupies an elevated position relative to the infratemporal fenestra. The inferior margin of the maxilla and jugal is markedly sinuous.
The parietal crest is relatively long. The supra- and infratemporal fenestrae are extended axially. The squamosal shows a ventral ramus not totally preserved but with indications that it had a certain anteroventral projection. The quadrate is long and has a mobile articulation with the squamosal; the posterior face has the quadrate foramen.
The mandible is tall relative to the skull. The dentary, very laterally compressed, represents half the length of the mandible. The splenial exceeds the posterior end of the dentary ventrally in both hemimandibles. The glenoid cavity is deep and transversely extensive. The retroarticular process is tall, wide and short anteroposteriorly.
The occiput is exposed posterodorsally and presents a triangular contour. The occipital condyle is subspherical, and the paroccipital processes are very long and have expanded distal ends.
Vertebrae
The axis, an anterior cervical in a bad state of preservation, and 25 distal caudal vertebrae are available.
The axis has a centrum longer than tall, provided with a ventral keel; the odontoid process is large. The neural spine, axially extensive, increases its height and thickness posteriorly. A deep basin affects the posterior part of the neural spine.
The anterior cervical is incomplete, but indicates that it is a vertebra with a tall neural arch and a centrum relatively low and somewhat elongated. The preserved caudal vertebrae possibly correspond to the interval between caudals 14 and 51. In all of them the centrum is longer than tall, and except the most distal ones, the vertebral centrum presents its middle part very constricted and its ends bulky.
There are marked structures related to tendinous insertions, consisting of longitudinal “prominences” and “crests” developed on the lateral face of the vertebral centrum and the base of the neural arch. The prezygapophyses, crossed laterally by a conspicuous rim, experience a notable elongation in the distal half of the tail; in caudals 28? to 35? they overlap the posterior half of the preceding vertebra, and in the last caudals (44? to 51?) they come to surpass the posterior two-thirds of the preceding vertebra.
Comparisons
The comparisons of the skull will be restricted to thecodonts of medium to large size with representatives in the Ischigualasto Formation (Rauisuchidae and Ornithosuchidae), pseudosuchians considered ancestral to dinosaurs [Euparkeriidae and Lagosuchidae], and some carnivorous saurischians. Then comparisons are made of the caudal vertebrae with thecodonts and saurischians in general.
[Rauisuchidae]
Thecodonts of quadrupedal and plantigrade habit, that include the largest carnivores of the Middle and Upper Triassic (Bonaparte, 1984). In the Ischigualasto Formation they are represented by Saurosuchus galilei (Sill, 1974), whose skull has an approximate length of 70 cm. Different from Frenguellisaurus, the rauisuchids possess: tall maxilla, antorbital fenestra with low anterior margin, jugal low (Saurosuchus, Heptasuchus, Luperosuchus) or relatively low (Prestosuchus); ventral margin of the maxilla and jugal rectilinear or somewhat sinuous, but not as markedly so as in Frenguellisaurus. In none of the rauisuchids is there a recess anterior to the antorbital fenestra. The dentary is longer than the postdentary elements. The retroarticular process is very robust, clearly individualized and moved away from the glenoid cavity.
[Ornithosuchidae]
A family represented by the genera Venaticosuchus (Ischigualasto Formation; Bonaparte, 1975a), Ornithosuchus (“[Lossiemouth Beds]” Lossiemouth Sandstone Formation, Scotland; Walker, 1964) and Riojasuchus (Los Colorados Formation, La Rioja, Argentina; Bonaparte, 1975a). They are clearly different from Frenguellisaurus in the following features: maxilla with rectilinear or slightly convex inferior margin, continuous with that of the jugal; jugal without ventral expansion; dentary robust and long (Ornithosuchus) or short and with a concave ventral margin (Venaticosuchus, Riojasuchus); retroarticular process very tall (Ornithosuchus) or very low and small (Venaticosuchus, Riojasuchus).
[Euparkeriidae]
Thecodonts of small size from the Lower Triassic (Ewer, 1965). Different from Frenguellisaurus in possessing a long maxilla of rectangular shape and with a rectilinear ventral margin; the anterior ascending process of the maxilla is axially short. The jugal is low. The mandible has a low and long retroarticular process.
[Lagosuchidae]
Thecodonts of small size from the Middle Triassic of Argentina. Only the basicranium and maxilla are known from the skull of Lagosuchus (Bonaparte, 1975b). This latter is long, styliform below the antorbital fenestra, and has a rectilinear ventral margin. The teeth do not show a marked size disparity.
Herrerasauridae
Carnivorous saurischians that include the genera Herrerasaurus and Ischisaurus (both from the Ischigualasto Formation; Reig, 1963) and, eventually, Staurikosaurus (Colbert, 1970; Galton, 1977) from the Santa Maria Formation (Zone associated with [Rhynchocephalia]), Brazil.
Only the two mandibular rami are known from the skull of Staurikosaurus, both affected by deformation. It differs from Frenguellisaurus in the morphology of the articular region, with the internal laminar process in a more posterior position, continuous with the posteroventral end of the mandible. The holotype material of Ischisaurus (MACN 18.060) includes dentaries, splenials and articular regions. In both mandibular rami the splenial is exposed ventrolaterally, as in Frenguellisaurus. The articular region has a laminar projection directed posterodorsally that limits the glenoid cavity. This notable specialization allows Ischisaurus to be differentiated not only from Frenguellisaurus but also from the rest of the dinosaurs.
Reig (1963) illustrated a dentary that he attributed to the genus Herrerasaurus. This specimen (PVL 2558) includes portions of the femur and tibia that are assignable to Herrerasauridae, and posterior dorsal vertebrae and a pubis that decidedly do not pertain to the genus Herrerasaurus. It is evident that this specimen unites pieces of two (or more) individuals corresponding to distinct taxa. Faced with the impossibility of deciding to which of these the cranial material pertains, it is not considered representative of the genus Herrerasaurus.
Upper Triassic – Lower Jurassic Theropods
Dilophosaurus, from the Kayenta Formation (Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic) of the US (Arizona), has a skull of comparable size and shape to that of Frenguellisaurus. Different from the latter, it has an antorbital fenestra extended in its ventral section, with a low anterior margin, not preceded by a recess; an anteroposteriorly shorter infratemporal fenestra; a mandible with a longer dentary and comparatively small medial laminar process.
Syntarsus (Forest Sandstone, Zimbabwe), Coelophysis (Chinle Formation, US), Liliensternus (Knollenmergel, Germany; Welles, 1984), Procompsognathus (Stubensandstein, Germany), all from the Upper Triassic, present marked differences with Frenguellisaurus in the morphology and proportions of the skull, making any comparison unnecessary.
With respect to the caudal vertebrae, it must be decided that there are few genera of thecodonts where the distal caudals are known. Among those are counted [Ticinosuchus] (Krebs, 1965), [Postosuchus] (Chatterjee, 1985) and Lagosuchus, which lack elongated prezygapophyses as in Frenguellisaurus. Better documented is the morphology of the distal caudals in dinosaurs.
Among these, caudal vertebrae with very long prezygapophyses are frequent and almost exclusive to the suborder Theropoda. Specimens of this are Staurikosaurus, Ischisaurus, Ornitholestes, Allosaurus, tyrannosaurs, ornithomimids (Osborn, 1917), Deinonychus, etc. Nevertheless, some representatives of the group do not have such a specialization, as for example Compsognathus and Dilophosaurus. Structures for tendinous insertions similar to those observable in Frenguellisaurus are shown particularly in Allosaurus (Madsen, 1976). The previous comparisons allow differentiating Frenguellisaurus from the known families and genera of thecodonts and dinosaurs. I now intend to establish to which of these archosaur orders it pertains.
Recently, Paul (1984) intended to distinguish the characters of thecodonts and dinosaurs. For the majority of thecodonts the following characters were found in the skull: 1) jugal robust, tetraradiate; 2) lacrimal short and wide; 3) quadrate inclined backward and down; 4) maxilla tall and rectangular.
Frenguellisaurus presents characters 1), 3) and presumably 2). Following this author, primitive theropods, prosauropods and generalized ornithischians have the following characters that distinguish them from thecodonts: 1) skull with long and low profile; 2) quadrate tall and vertical; 3) jugal small, triradiate; 4) maxilla low and triangular; 5) lacrimal wide. The skull of Frenguellisaurus would be found, therefore, closer to the thecodont parentage than that of the dinosaurs. The anatomy of the caudal end of Frenguellisaurus, similar to that of advanced theropods, thus as the absence of this morphological type in thecodonts and other quadrupedal dinosaurs suggests, on the contrary, greater affinities with the former.
In summary: some of the cranial morphology of Frenguellisaurus recalls in certain aspects the thecodont parentage, the morpho-functional advances of the dinosaur grade that the tail implies, it is included among the latter group. Since the dinosaurs on which Paul (op. cit.) based his study are from the Upper Triassic, it is probable that in more archaic forms, from the Ischigualastian age (close to the thecodont condition), the skull maintained primitive characters like those observed in Frenguellisaurus.
From the functional point of view, caudal vertebrae with long prezygapophyses seem to hold a narrow relationship with bipedalism and cursoriality (nevertheless, bipedal progression does not necessarily imply the development of such structures). Thus to suggest the fact to be so spread out among theropods (of those that are not doubted, were obligatory bipeds, the majority cursorial) and in addition to not be recorded in thecodonts and other quadrupedal dinosaurs. The elongated prezygapophyses restrict the possibilities for lateral flexion at the caudal end, in the manner that the same act as a single body, composing the moments of inertia of each vertebral segment into a single one (Ostrom, 1969). The tail functioned as a dynamic stabilizer during running, when the animal achieved rapid and irregular movements.
Conclusions
Although Frenguellisaurus possesses a skull with primitive characters for a saurischian, the morphology of the maxilla, jugal, dentary and the presence of large “canines” constitute derived characters compared to those of thecodonts and dinosaurs, suggesting a more specialized mechanism of the buccal apparatus for the capture of prey.
The presence of distal caudals with elongated prezygapophyses in Frenguellisaurus and Staurikosaurus permits affirming that this character, related to bipedal locomotion, had developed early in saurischians eventually not directly ancestral with typical theropods from the Triassic.
The existing fossil record permits considering Frenguellisaurus and Herrerasaurus as representatives of the oldest radiation of medium-sized, carnivorous, bipedal archosaurs (approximate total length: 4m), occurred at the beginning of the Upper Triassic (Ischigualastian). The rapid increase in body size and the reinforcement of adaptations related to locomotion, permitted the members of the Lagosuchidae - Staurikosaurus - Herrerasaurus lineage to participate in trophic levels each time higher in the course of the Triassic, than in the Ischigualastian had been occupied only by rauisuchid thecodonts. The radiation of these primitive carnivorous saurischians precedes that of typical Upper Triassic theropods ([Coelophysidae], [Procompsognathidae], Halticosauridae) provided with major advances in the locomotor apparatus (dolichoiliac ilium, major tibia-astragalus connection, tridactyly).
Source: Polyglot Paleontologist