Piatnitzkysaurus axial osteology (free pdf)
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Ben Creisler
Jan 28, 2026, 10:34:02 AM (5 days ago) Jan 28
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Ben Creisler
A new paper:
Free pdf:
Luciano A. Pradelli, Diego Pol, Nahuel A. Vega & Martín D. Ezcurra (2026)
The axial osteology of the theropod dinosaur Piatnitzkysaurus floresi from the Early Jurassic of Patagonia, Argentina
Royal Society Open Science 13(1): 251876
doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251876
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/1/251876/479806/The-axial-osteology-of-the-theropod-dinosaur
Piatnitzkysaurus floresi is a theropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic deposits of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation of the Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. This species is known from two specimens and is one of the few Early Jurassic tetanurans recorded worldwide. The braincase and the frontal were redescribed in detail, but the rest of the skull elements (two maxillae and a dentary) and the vertebrae have only been briefly described and illustrated in the original description of the species almost 40 years ago. In the present work, we reinterpret certain attributes of the braincase and redescribe in detail the preserved tooth-bearing bones and vertebral column of Piatnitzkysaurus floresi. Computed tomography scans of one of the maxillae and the dentary improve our knowledge about dental development in early tetanurans. We also emend the diagnosis of Piatnitzkysaurus floresi based on the redescription carried out here and in a previous study. The new information about Piatnitzkysaurus floresi improves our knowledge about the evolution of early averostrans and will provide useful data for phylogenetic analyses on the origins and early diversification of Tetanurae, the most ecomorphologically diverse clade of theropods.
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Free pdf:
Luciano A. Pradelli, Diego Pol, Nahuel A. Vega & Martín D. Ezcurra (2026)
The axial osteology of the theropod dinosaur Piatnitzkysaurus floresi from the Early Jurassic of Patagonia, Argentina
Royal Society Open Science 13(1): 251876
doi: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251876
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article/13/1/251876/479806/The-axial-osteology-of-the-theropod-dinosaur
Piatnitzkysaurus floresi is a theropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic deposits of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation of the Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. This species is known from two specimens and is one of the few Early Jurassic tetanurans recorded worldwide. The braincase and the frontal were redescribed in detail, but the rest of the skull elements (two maxillae and a dentary) and the vertebrae have only been briefly described and illustrated in the original description of the species almost 40 years ago. In the present work, we reinterpret certain attributes of the braincase and redescribe in detail the preserved tooth-bearing bones and vertebral column of Piatnitzkysaurus floresi. Computed tomography scans of one of the maxillae and the dentary improve our knowledge about dental development in early tetanurans. We also emend the diagnosis of Piatnitzkysaurus floresi based on the redescription carried out here and in a previous study. The new information about Piatnitzkysaurus floresi improves our knowledge about the evolution of early averostrans and will provide useful data for phylogenetic analyses on the origins and early diversification of Tetanurae, the most ecomorphologically diverse clade of theropods.
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Mickey Mortimer
Jan 31, 2026, 11:17:57 PM (2 days ago) Jan 31
to Dinosaur Mailing Group
The authors strangely write "We interpret the dorsal tympanic recess as the depression covered by the preotic pendant", but this is universally identified as the anterior tympanic recess as far as I'm aware. Does anyone else know another publication that makes that connection? Besides that, this and last year's appendicular paper are incredibly useful, especially with the corresponding MorphoSource 3D models. Bonaparte's monograph is still needed for the vertebrae with exposed interiors though, as Pradelli et al. do not distinguish these in their figures.
Mickey Mortimer
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