A large Megaraptoridae (Theropoda: Coelurosauria) from Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of Patagonia, Argentina

Rolando, Alexis Mauro Aranciaga; Motta, Matías J.; Agnolín, Federico; Manabe, Makoto; Tsuihiji, Takanobu; Novas, Fernando E.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-09272-z

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(183 reference statements)

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“…4). In megaraptorans, the origin of the coracoidal head of BB is observed in Aerosteon and Maip (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2022) as a rugose, raised zone (Figures 1a and 3a) that is homologous to the biceps tubercle that is present in some other non-avian theropods but absent in Megaraptora. In these megaraptorids, this zone shows blind pits and rugosities and is covered in radially arranged lineations.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In megaraptorans, the origin of APL is reconstructed on the distal half of the ulna (primarily its anteromedial part) and the lateral side of the distal half of the radius (Figure 4e-h); however, neither of these areas exhibit clear scars. The insertion is unambiguous in these theropods (Megaraptor, Australovenator, "Rapator") because the proximomedial process of metacarpal I is extraordinarily strongly projected and rugose, especially in the latter two Australian forms (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2022;Calvo et al, 2004;White et al, 2012;White, Falkingham, et al, 2013); for this reason, we reconstruct the insertion here (Figure 5). The function of APL would have been to extend and abduct the carpus and to abduct digit I.…”

Section: Antebrachial Musculaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this sense, the coracoid of early diverging megaraptorans such as Fukuiraptor shows a smaller ventral concavity (i.e., the origin site of CB) when compared to those of the derived megaraptorids Megaraptor, Aerosteon, and Maip (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2021Rolando et al, , 2022Azuma & Currie, 2000;Calvo et al, 2004). Similarly, when considered in light of those of Australovenator and Megaraptor, the humerus of Fukuiraptor exhibits a lower deltopectoral crest (which corresponds to the insertions of CB, DC, P, SC, and SCA), a smaller medial fossa (origin of TBM), a shallower anterodistal concavity (origin of BR), and less developed epicondyles (origins of numerous antebrachial muscles).…”

Section: Evolution Of Pectoral Girdle and Forelimb Musculature Within...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Early branching megaraptorans are known from the Early and middle Cretaceous of Thailand (Phuwiangvenator yaemniyomi and Vayuraptor nongbualamphuensis; Samathi et al, 2019Samathi et al, , 2022, Japan (Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis; Azuma & Currie, 2000;Currie & Azuma, 2006), and probably Australia (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2022;Benson et al, 2012) and South America (e.g., Aoniraptor libertatem; Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2018Rolando et al, , 2020Motta et al, 2016). More derived megaraptorans-that is, members of Megaraptoridae-have been found in the mid-Cretaceous of Australia (Australovenator wintonensis, "Rapator ornitholestoides," Megaraptoridae cf.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Megaraptorans are specialized, predatory non‐avian theropod dinosaurs characterized by low, elongate skulls with small, recurved teeth, highly pneumatized postcranial axial and girdle bones, and long, robustly constructed forelimbs that terminate in sharp, trenchant claws that are unusually large on the first and second digits (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2019, 2021, 2022; Benson et al, 2010; Coria & Currie, 2016; Lamanna et al, 2020; Novas et al, 2013, 2016; Paulina‐Carabajal & Currie, 2017; Porfiri et al, 2014, 2018; White et al, 2012; White, Benson, et al, 2013; White, Bell, Cook, Barnes, et al, 2015). The evolutionary relationships of megaraptorans are controversial, but most recent phylogenetic analyses have recovered these theropods as early diverging (i.e., “basal”) coelurosaurs (Aranciaga Rolando et al, 2019, 2021, 2022; Coria & Currie, 2016; Lamanna et al, 2020; Novas et al, 2013; Porfiri et al, 2014, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reconstruction of the pectoral girdle and forelimb musculature of Megaraptora (Dinosauria: Theropoda)

Rolando

Novas

Calvo

et al. 2023

The Anatomical Record

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Megaraptora is a group of enigmatic, carnivorous non‐avian theropod dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Asia, Australia, and especially South America. Perhaps the most striking aspect of megaraptoran morphology is the large, robustly constructed forelimb that, in derived members of the clade, terminates in a greatly enlarged manus with hypertrophied, raptorial unguals on the medialmost two digits and a substantially smaller ungual on digit III. The unique forelimb anatomy of megaraptorans was presumably associated with distinctive functional specializations; nevertheless, its paleobiological significance has not been extensively explored. Here we draw from observations of the pectoral girdle and forelimb skeletons of Megaraptora and myological assessments of other archosaurian taxa to provide a comprehensive reconstruction of the musculature of this anatomical region in these singular theropods. Many muscle attachment sites on megaraptoran forelimb bones are remarkably well developed, which in turn suggests that the muscles themselves were functionally significant and important to the paleobiology of these theropods. Furthermore, many of these attachments became increasingly pronounced through megaraptoran evolutionary history, being substantially better developed in derived taxa such as Australovenator wintonensis and especially Megaraptor namunhuaiquii than in early branching forms such as Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis. When considered alongside previous range of motion hypotheses for Australovenator, our results indicate that megaraptorans possessed a morphologically and functionally specialized forelimb that was capable of complex movements. Notable among these were extensive extension and flexion, particularly in the highly derived manus, as well as enhanced humeral protraction, attributes that very probably aided in prey capture.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%