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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Early evolution of sauropodomorphs: anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of a remarkably well-preserved dinosaur from the Upper Triassic of southern Brazil

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Author(s):
Mueller, Rodrigo T. [1, 2] ; Langer, Max C. [3] ; Bronzati, Mario [4, 5] ; Pacheco, Cristian P. [1] ; Cabreira, Sergio F. [6] ; Dias-Da-Silva, Sergio [2]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Programa Pos Grad Biodiversidade Anim, BR-97105900 Santa Maria, RS - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Santa Maria, Ctr Apoio Pesquisa Paleontol, BR-97105900 Santa Maria, RS - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Lab Paleontol, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[4] Ludwig Maximilians Univ Munchen, D-80333 Munich - Germany
[5] Bayer Staatssammlung Palaontol & Geol, D-80333 Munich - Germany
[6] Univ Luterana Brasil, Museu Ciencias Nat, BR-92425900 Canoas, RS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY; v. 184, n. 4, p. 1187-1248, DEC 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

An exceptional new specimen (CAPPA/UFSM 0035) of Buriolestes schultzi was discovered during recent fieldwork at the type locality of the taxon, which is Carnian in age (Late Triassic). This early sauropodomorph is peculiar owing to its faunivorous feeding habits, unusual amongst the members of this large omnivorous/herbivorous clade. The specimen incorporates new data on skeletal portions that have so far been unknown for B. schultzi, particularly regarding the skull and axial skeleton. As such, B. schultzi is now as complete as the best-known early dinosaurs, such as Eoraptor lunensis and Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis. A phylogenetic investigation fully supports B. schultzi as a sauropodomorph, corroborating the previous assignation. Despite the presence of traits found in Theropoda, distinct skeletal portions of B. schultzi do not share its morphospace in a morphological disparity analysis. We also propose an alternative evolutionary scenario for the first members of Sauropodomorpha: some Carnian taxa from South America form a monophyletic group instead of a series of low-diversity lineages paraphyletic with respect to Plateosauria. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/03825-3 - The origin and rise of dinosaurs in Gondwana (late Triassic - early Jurassic)
Grantee:Max Cardoso Langer
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants