Dysalotosaurus juvenile specimen provides info on skeletal fusion
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Ben Creisler
May 18, 2026, 10:36:55 AM (yesterday) May 18
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Ben Creisler
Riccardo Rocchi, Filippo Maria Rotatori, Gabriel S. Ferreira & Federico Fanti (2026)
An exquisitely preserved young iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic of Tanzania sheds light on skeletal fusion patterns within Archosauria
Papers in Palaeontology 12(3): e70085
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70085
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.70085
Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki (Ornithopoda, Dinosauria) is a small-sized dryosaurid iguanodontian known from various isolated remains collected from the Tendaguru Formation (Upper Jurassic, Tanzania). Micro-computed tomography of a small individual encased in a block offered a unique opportunity to describe c. 40 associated elements and clarify previously undocumented anatomical details of this species. The preserved material includes cranial elements, an almost complete cervical series, four dorsal vertebrae, and part of the appendicular skeleton. A comprehensive assessment of the individual, based on qualitative features and morphometric analyses, indicates an early ontogenetic stage and an absolute age of 4–5 years. Notably, the cervical vertebrae predominantly exhibit partially closed neurocentral sutures, whereas the two more posterior dorsal vertebrae have open sutures, along with disarticulated neural arches. This finding challenges the simple ‘tail-to-head’ fusion pattern typically assumed for the vertebral series of Ornithopoda, and suggests a potential cervical locus of neurocentral fusion within this clade. Phylogenetic comparative methods indicate a complex distribution of these neurocentral fusion patterns within Archosauria.
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A new paper:
[Free Access]
NOTE: The article is labeled "Free access" but it is currently paywalled. I assume it will have a free pdf later on.
Riccardo Rocchi, Filippo Maria Rotatori, Gabriel S. Ferreira & Federico Fanti (2026)
An exquisitely preserved young iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic of Tanzania sheds light on skeletal fusion patterns within Archosauria
Papers in Palaeontology 12(3): e70085
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70085
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.70085
Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki (Ornithopoda, Dinosauria) is a small-sized dryosaurid iguanodontian known from various isolated remains collected from the Tendaguru Formation (Upper Jurassic, Tanzania). Micro-computed tomography of a small individual encased in a block offered a unique opportunity to describe c. 40 associated elements and clarify previously undocumented anatomical details of this species. The preserved material includes cranial elements, an almost complete cervical series, four dorsal vertebrae, and part of the appendicular skeleton. A comprehensive assessment of the individual, based on qualitative features and morphometric analyses, indicates an early ontogenetic stage and an absolute age of 4–5 years. Notably, the cervical vertebrae predominantly exhibit partially closed neurocentral sutures, whereas the two more posterior dorsal vertebrae have open sutures, along with disarticulated neural arches. This finding challenges the simple ‘tail-to-head’ fusion pattern typically assumed for the vertebral series of Ornithopoda, and suggests a potential cervical locus of neurocentral fusion within this clade. Phylogenetic comparative methods indicate a complex distribution of these neurocentral fusion patterns within Archosauria.
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Ben Creisler
May 18, 2026, 12:34:00 PM (23 hours ago) May 18
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The free pdf is now available:
Free pdf:
Riccardo Rocchi, Filippo Maria Rotatori, Gabriel S. Ferreira & Federico Fanti (2026)
An exquisitely preserved young iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic of Tanzania sheds light on skeletal fusion patterns within Archosauria
Papers in Palaeontology 12(3): e70085
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70085
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.70085
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