Titanosaur caudal vertebra paleopathology from Brazil + Jilinoolithus, new maniraptoran egg genus
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Ben Creisler
Mar 25, 2026, 1:37:18 PM (9 days ago) Mar 25
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Ben Creisler
New papers:
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First maniraptoran egg fossil discovered in the Cretaceous strata of Songliao Basin.
New ootaxon Jilinoolithus lamellotestus established (thin shell, 3 layers).
Confirms presence of small maniraptoran within Changchunsaurus Fauna, enhancing diversity.
Provides material for studies of maniraptoran distribution in the Late Cretaceous.
Abstract
A new maniraptoran egg was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation, Songliao Basin, northeast China. Features of the specimen include pear-shape and small size, thin eggshell with three structural layers, non-branching pore canals, and mammillary layer to squamatic to external zone thickness ratio of 1:1.9:0.5. These features collectively support the identification of this specimen as an maniraptoran egg and justify the establishment of a new ootaxon, Jilinoolithus lamellotestus oogen. et oosp. nov. This discovery is the first documented maniraptoran egg fossil within the Cretaceous strata of the Songliao Basin, enhancing the diversity of the Changchunsaurus Fauna and provides a more comprehensive perspective on the local ecosystem during this period.
Free pdf:
Maria Luiza Peres Bertolossi, Kamila L. N. Bandeira, Roberta Veronese do Amaral, Arthur S. Brum, Rafael C. da Silva & Valéria Gallo (2026)
Paleopathology of a putative colossosaurian caudal vertebra (Neosauropoda: Titanosauria) from the Presidente Prudente Formation, Brazil
The Anatomical Record (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70180
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70180
Free pdf:
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ar.70180
Studies investigating paleopathologies in sauropods remain scarce despite their relative abundance in the fossil record. In this study we report new occurrence of paleopathological features, corresponding to a neoplasm found in a middle caudal vertebra (MCT.R.2120) of an advanced titanosaur from the Presidente Prudente Formation (Bauru Basin, Upper Cretaceous). At the posteriormost portion of the vertebral centrum, the specimen exhibits a rounded bone callus outgrowth with smooth edges and a heavily eroded periosteum, exposing bone trabeculae at the apex of this knob-like structure. The bone callus measures 30 mm transversely, and 18 mm anteroposteriorly in the ventral view. We conducted a computed tomography analysis of the specimen, which revealed a compact and homogeneous central portion in the callus, with higher density than the surrounding bone tissue. Paleohistopathological analysis further showed a core of fibrolamellar bone with longitudinal vascular canals and secondary osteons, surrounded by irregular globular vascularization and avascular fibrous tissue at the periphery. These microstructural features are consistent with a benign, actively remodeling neoplastic process. Thus, these combined features strongly indicate a neoplastic condition in the studied specimen. As neoplasms are commonly found in the appendicular remains of other titanosaurs, their presence in caudal elements may indicate distinct causes from previous occurrences, such as biomechanical stress as contributing factors. Biomechanical studies have suggested a pentapodal posture (at least occasionally) for these sauropods, which would use part of their tail as support during mating and feeding. Thus, the new occurrence of a neoplasm in titanosaurs not only underscores the importance of continued paleopathological studies but also suggests that biomechanical stress might have played a significant role in developing these conditions.
Maria Luiza Peres Bertolossi, Kamila L. N. Bandeira, Roberta Veronese do Amaral, Arthur S. Brum, Rafael C. da Silva & Valéria Gallo (2026)
Paleopathology of a putative colossosaurian caudal vertebra (Neosauropoda: Titanosauria) from the Presidente Prudente Formation, Brazil
The Anatomical Record (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70180
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70180
Free pdf:
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ar.70180
Studies investigating paleopathologies in sauropods remain scarce despite their relative abundance in the fossil record. In this study we report new occurrence of paleopathological features, corresponding to a neoplasm found in a middle caudal vertebra (MCT.R.2120) of an advanced titanosaur from the Presidente Prudente Formation (Bauru Basin, Upper Cretaceous). At the posteriormost portion of the vertebral centrum, the specimen exhibits a rounded bone callus outgrowth with smooth edges and a heavily eroded periosteum, exposing bone trabeculae at the apex of this knob-like structure. The bone callus measures 30 mm transversely, and 18 mm anteroposteriorly in the ventral view. We conducted a computed tomography analysis of the specimen, which revealed a compact and homogeneous central portion in the callus, with higher density than the surrounding bone tissue. Paleohistopathological analysis further showed a core of fibrolamellar bone with longitudinal vascular canals and secondary osteons, surrounded by irregular globular vascularization and avascular fibrous tissue at the periphery. These microstructural features are consistent with a benign, actively remodeling neoplastic process. Thus, these combined features strongly indicate a neoplastic condition in the studied specimen. As neoplasms are commonly found in the appendicular remains of other titanosaurs, their presence in caudal elements may indicate distinct causes from previous occurrences, such as biomechanical stress as contributing factors. Biomechanical studies have suggested a pentapodal posture (at least occasionally) for these sauropods, which would use part of their tail as support during mating and feeding. Thus, the new occurrence of a neoplasm in titanosaurs not only underscores the importance of continued paleopathological studies but also suggests that biomechanical stress might have played a significant role in developing these conditions.
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Jilinoolithus lamellotestus oogen. et oosp. nov.
Longhan Wang, Jun Chen, Xiaobo Li, Wenhao Wu & Robert Reisz (2026)
First Discovery of Maniraptoran Egg from the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation (Cenomanian), Songliao Basin, Northeast China
Cretaceous Research 106389
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2026.106389
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667126000789
Highlights:
Longhan Wang, Jun Chen, Xiaobo Li, Wenhao Wu & Robert Reisz (2026)
First Discovery of Maniraptoran Egg from the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation (Cenomanian), Songliao Basin, Northeast China
Cretaceous Research 106389
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2026.106389
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667126000789
Highlights:
First maniraptoran egg fossil discovered in the Cretaceous strata of Songliao Basin.
New ootaxon Jilinoolithus lamellotestus established (thin shell, 3 layers).
Confirms presence of small maniraptoran within Changchunsaurus Fauna, enhancing diversity.
Provides material for studies of maniraptoran distribution in the Late Cretaceous.
Abstract
A new maniraptoran egg was discovered in the Upper Cretaceous Quantou Formation, Songliao Basin, northeast China. Features of the specimen include pear-shape and small size, thin eggshell with three structural layers, non-branching pore canals, and mammillary layer to squamatic to external zone thickness ratio of 1:1.9:0.5. These features collectively support the identification of this specimen as an maniraptoran egg and justify the establishment of a new ootaxon, Jilinoolithus lamellotestus oogen. et oosp. nov. This discovery is the first documented maniraptoran egg fossil within the Cretaceous strata of the Songliao Basin, enhancing the diversity of the Changchunsaurus Fauna and provides a more comprehensive perspective on the local ecosystem during this period.
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