Artículo
First record of Kawanectes lafquenianum (Plesiosauria, Elasmosauridae) from the La Colonia Formation of Argentina, with comments on the mandibular morphology of elasmosaurids
Fecha de publicación:
01/2020
Editorial:
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Revista:
Alcheringa
ISSN:
0311-5518
Idioma:
Inglés
Tipo de recurso:
Artículo publicado
Clasificación temática:
Resumen
The elasmosaurid plesiosaur Kawanectes lafquenianum is recorded from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian levels of the La Colonia Formation in Argentina for the first time, thus extending the stratigraphical range of this taxon, which was previously recorded only from the geographically proximal Allen Formation. The new fossils are referrable to K. lafquenianum on the basis of the large posterodistal projection on the humerus supporting an articular facet for a proximal supernumerary ossification, the presence of a depression anterior to the main muscle scar on ventral surface of the humeral shaft, and a high humerus/femur length ratio ( 1.2). Novel diagnostic character states for K. lafquenianum include the presence of a high triangular and distally pointed coronoid process on the mandible, a mandibular symphysis that incorporates 2.5 alveolar spaces on each ramus, and a retroarticular process without dorsal or medial inflexion. Relatively low b/a ratio (measure of coronoid–glenoid cavity length/preglenoid length) could suggest a mechanical advantage toward fast jaw closure and weak bite forces. Comparisons with other elamosaurids this imply that Southern Hemisphere weddellonectian taxa, such as K. lafquenianum, Aristonectes parvidens and Kaiwhekea katiki, were possibly adapted for rapid snapping bites.
Palabras clave:
BITE FORCES
,
CAMPANIAN
,
FEEDING HABITS
,
MAASTRICHTIAN
,
UPPER CRETACEOUS
Archivos asociados
Licencia
Identificadores
Colecciones
Articulos(CCT - LA PLATA)
Articulos de CTRO.CIENTIFICO TECNOL.CONICET - LA PLATA
Articulos de CTRO.CIENTIFICO TECNOL.CONICET - LA PLATA
Citación
O'gorman, Jose Patricio; First record of Kawanectes lafquenianum (Plesiosauria, Elasmosauridae) from the La Colonia Formation of Argentina, with comments on the mandibular morphology of elasmosaurids; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Alcheringa; 44; 1; 1-2020; 176-193
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