Postcranial osteology of a new specimen of Buitreraptor gonzalezorum (Theropoda, Unenlagiidae)

Abstract

Buitreraptor gonzalezorum is a theropod dinosaur belonging to the clade Unenlagiidae. It is known by several specimens coming from the Upper Cretaceous of Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. In spite of its completeness, only a preliminary description of its postcranial anatomy is available. The aim of the present contribution is to make a detailed anatomical description of the postcranial skeleton of a newly discovered Buitreraptor gonzalezorum specimen. Comparisons with a large number of paravians are also carried out. This resulted in the finding of potentially phylogenetically informative characters with deep implications on early paravian evolution. The new individual sheds light on anatomical elements and allows recognition of new autapomorphies, as well as possible synapomorphies of the clade Unenlagiidae.