Viavenator cervical vertebra pneumatic structures + faveoloolithid eggshells from Cretaceous of Argentina (free pdfs)
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Ben Creisler
Jun 13, 2026, 12:29:11 PM (6 days ago) Jun 13
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Ben Creisler
New papers:
Free pdf:
Hugo Valdéz, Matías Fernández, Virginia Zurriaguz, Federico Gianechini, Leonardo S. Filippi and Ariel H. Méndez Ariel (2026)
Pneumatic structures in a cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni (Dinosauria: Theropoda)
Ameghiniana (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.04.05.2026.3690
https://www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/ameghiniana/libraryFiles/downloadPublic/169
Abelisaurids are a group of mostly Gondwanan theropod dinosaurs, whose anatomy and phylogenetics relationships are well known. However, this is not the case for some paleobiological aspects such as postcranial pneumaticity. In this work, the pneumaticity of the fifth cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni was analyzed. This was done using CT scans and comparing their results with other abelisauroids. Furthermore, in order to obtain a more precise result regarding pneumaticity, an analysis was performed of air space proportion (ASP) of the fifth cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni. Viavenator has a polycamerate internal structure, similar to that of some noasaurids from Brazil and Majungasaurus crenatissimus. However, in Viavenator, unlike other analyzed taxa, a ventral pneumatic foramen was found, a unique characteristic among abelisaurids and even theropods. Regarding the ASP, it was found that the vertebra is more pneumatized in the anterior portion than in the posterior portion. This is the first ASP study on an abelisaurid vertebra, making it extremely important to expand this type of analysis in the future across this fascinating group of theropods.
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Free pdf:
Noelia V. Cardozo, Mariela S. Fernández, Gabriel A. Casal, Bruno N. Alvarez, Julieta L. Caglianone, Lara J. Campano, Marcelo Luna and Lucio M. Ibiricu (2026)
First record of Faveoloolithidae eggshells from the late Maastrichtian of the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation, Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina
Ameghiniana (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.22.04.2026.3661
https://www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/ameghiniana/libraryFiles/downloadPublic/168
This study reports the first occurrence of Faveoloolithidae eggshells from “the upper section” (late Maastrichtian) of the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation, Chubut Group, in the Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina. A total of 161 eggshell fragments were examined using a binocular microscope, petrographic microscope, and scanning electron microscope. The specimens show morphological features consistent with the oofamily Faveoloolithidae, including a dinosauroid-spherulitic basic organization, a filispherulitic structural morphotype and a multicanaliculate pore system. However, as evidenced in others South American record, their well-developed external ornamentation and greater thickness distinguish them from other ootaxa within the oofamily; therefore, they are assigned to Faveoloolithidae indet. These eggshell fragments were recovered within deposits interpreted as low energy, shallow water bodies, developed in floodplain environments near the coastline. These levels are characterized by a remarkable abundance of hadrosaurid remains and, to date, the absence of sauropod fossils. Although an association with hadrosaurids might be suggested, a titanosaurian affinity cannot be excluded, as these sauropods are traditionally linked to Faveoloolithidae eggshells. This uncertainty reflects the complexity of taxonomic assignments in fragmentary oological records.
====
Free pdf:
Hugo Valdéz, Matías Fernández, Virginia Zurriaguz, Federico Gianechini, Leonardo S. Filippi and Ariel H. Méndez Ariel (2026)
Pneumatic structures in a cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni (Dinosauria: Theropoda)
Ameghiniana (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.04.05.2026.3690
https://www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/ameghiniana/libraryFiles/downloadPublic/169
Abelisaurids are a group of mostly Gondwanan theropod dinosaurs, whose anatomy and phylogenetics relationships are well known. However, this is not the case for some paleobiological aspects such as postcranial pneumaticity. In this work, the pneumaticity of the fifth cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni was analyzed. This was done using CT scans and comparing their results with other abelisauroids. Furthermore, in order to obtain a more precise result regarding pneumaticity, an analysis was performed of air space proportion (ASP) of the fifth cervical vertebra of Viavenator exxoni. Viavenator has a polycamerate internal structure, similar to that of some noasaurids from Brazil and Majungasaurus crenatissimus. However, in Viavenator, unlike other analyzed taxa, a ventral pneumatic foramen was found, a unique characteristic among abelisaurids and even theropods. Regarding the ASP, it was found that the vertebra is more pneumatized in the anterior portion than in the posterior portion. This is the first ASP study on an abelisaurid vertebra, making it extremely important to expand this type of analysis in the future across this fascinating group of theropods.
====
Free pdf:
Noelia V. Cardozo, Mariela S. Fernández, Gabriel A. Casal, Bruno N. Alvarez, Julieta L. Caglianone, Lara J. Campano, Marcelo Luna and Lucio M. Ibiricu (2026)
First record of Faveoloolithidae eggshells from the late Maastrichtian of the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation, Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina
Ameghiniana (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.22.04.2026.3661
https://www.ameghiniana.org.ar/index.php/ameghiniana/libraryFiles/downloadPublic/168
This study reports the first occurrence of Faveoloolithidae eggshells from “the upper section” (late Maastrichtian) of the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation, Chubut Group, in the Golfo San Jorge Basin, Argentina. A total of 161 eggshell fragments were examined using a binocular microscope, petrographic microscope, and scanning electron microscope. The specimens show morphological features consistent with the oofamily Faveoloolithidae, including a dinosauroid-spherulitic basic organization, a filispherulitic structural morphotype and a multicanaliculate pore system. However, as evidenced in others South American record, their well-developed external ornamentation and greater thickness distinguish them from other ootaxa within the oofamily; therefore, they are assigned to Faveoloolithidae indet. These eggshell fragments were recovered within deposits interpreted as low energy, shallow water bodies, developed in floodplain environments near the coastline. These levels are characterized by a remarkable abundance of hadrosaurid remains and, to date, the absence of sauropod fossils. Although an association with hadrosaurids might be suggested, a titanosaurian affinity cannot be excluded, as these sauropods are traditionally linked to Faveoloolithidae eggshells. This uncertainty reflects the complexity of taxonomic assignments in fragmentary oological records.
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