Sobre uma coluna vertebral de um titanossaurídeo (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) do grupo Bauru, Neocretáceo do Brasil

A new titanosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous continental deposits of the Bauru Group is described. Trigonosaurus pricei n.gen., n.sp., is based on two specimens, both collected at the Caieira Quarry near Peirópolis, Minas Gerais. The holotype consists of the five most posterior cervical vertebrae, 10 dorsals, six sacrals and the left ilium (MCT 1488-R). The second specimen (paratype) consists of 10 caudal vertebrae that according to a quarry map, were found isolated but show a similar morphology and compatible size suggesting that they belonged to one individual (MCT 1719-R). Trigonosaurus pricei is diagnosed by a combination of characters such as elongated cervicals and middorsals, dorsal vertebrae 9 and 10 with incipient postzygodiapophyseal lamina and transverse processes well developed throughout the sequence formed by anterior and medial caudals. The occurrence of this new taxon indicates a higher diversity of titanosaurids in the Brazil during the Cretaceous period.Um novo titanossaurídeo procedente dos depósitos continentais do grupo Bauru (Neocretáceo) é descrito. Trigonosaurus pricei n.gen., n.sp. é baseado em dois exemplares coletados na localidade Caieira na região de Peirópolis, Minas Gerais. O holótipo é composto das últimas cinco vértebras cervicais, 10 vértebras dorsais, seis sacrais e o ílio esquerdo (MCT 1488-R). O segundo exemplar (parátipo) é formado por 10 vértebras caudais que, de acordo com um mapa da escavação, foram encontradas isoladas, mas apresentam o mesmo padrão morfológico e um tamanho compatível, sendo, deste modo, consideradas como pertencentes a um mesmo indivíduo (MCT 1719-R). Trigonosaurus pricei é diagnosticado por uma combinação de caracteres tais como vértebras cervicais e dorsais médias alongadas, vértebras dorsais 9 e 10 com uma incipiente lâmina diapopós-zigapofisiária e processos transversos bem desenvolvidos por toda seqüência anterior e média da série caudal. A ocorrência deste novo táxon demonstra a existência de uma maior diversidade de titanosaurídeos no Brasil durante o período Cretáceo

Tecidos moles (não resistentes): como se fossilizam?

A preservação de tecidos moles (não resistentes) desperta atenção pela qualidade dos fósseis preservados, e pela raridade. Este trabalho faz ampla revisão do assunto, desfaz alguns dos mitos correntes sobre fossilização destes materiais, como anaerobiose e soterramento rápido, bem como assinala a relevância do papel da replicagem de estruturas morfológicas por colônias microbianas. No âmbito dos fatores que influenciam a preservação de tecidos não resistentes estão pH, processos de decomposição, soterramento rápido e mineralização rápida por meio de carbonatos ou fosfatos. É possível citar exemplos de fácies sedimentares nas quais há preservação de tecidos não resistentes, como os folhelhos pirobetuminosos, calcários litográficos, folhelhos e diatomitos. Destaca-se o papel das colônias microbianas, tanto na forma de microesferas, como aquelas não-esferulíticas. Os três mitos principais que se procurou desfazer no artigo são: (1) a presença de oxigênio; (2) o soterramento rápido e (3) as colônias microbianas

Morphology of the dental carinae in Mariliasuchus amarali (Crocodylomorpha, Notosuchia) and the pattern of tooth serration among basal mesoeucrocodylia

Volume: 66Start Page: 63End Page: 8

Considera\ue7\uf5es e problemas em evolu\ue7\ue3o e an\ue1lise filogen\ue9tica de mesossauros (Mesosauridae, Proganosauria)

Volume: 60Start Page: 137End Page: 14

Morphology of the dental carinae in Mariliasuchus amarali (Crocodylomorpha, Notosuchia) and the pattern of tooth serration among basal Mesoeucrocodylia.

Carinated teeth are common in Mesoeucrocodylia, and the occurrence of denticles over the carinae is related to high predacious species, often referred as ziphodont. This characteristic is broadly recognized as homoplastic. Carinae morphology is cryptic, difficult to be studied under common techniques, and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) allows the access to detailed information, offering a higher degree of confidence. Previous SEM study allowed the recognition of true/false ziphodont patterns, according to the morphology of the denticles, but such studies on gondwanan mesoeucrocodyles are uncommon. Mariliasuchus amarali is an Upper Cretaceous notosuchian mesoeucrocodyle from South America (Bauru Group, Brazil), with carinated teeth and specialized dentition. Its geological and biochronological distribution are reappraised. SEM study of two teeth shows carinae composed of isolated tuberous anisomorphic true denticles, supporting previous study. Enamel ornamentation does not develop over the carinae, and fabric becomes anastomosed in middle and posterior teeth. Carinae only occur in posterior molariform teeth, related to food processing. Morphological variability of Mariliasuchus is commented, focusing on dentition. Overall characteristics, molariform morphology and wear planes support a non-predacious habit for Matiliasuchus. Matiliasuchus pattern could not be related to true/false ziphodont patterns, either by morphology or function, and is defined as ziphomorph. Ziphomorph pattern is evaluated within the range of mesoeucrocodyles. The detailed study of homoplastic characteristics, such as dental carinae, may provide useful apomorphic information for cladistic analysis

A new Sphagesaurus (Mesoeucrocodylia: Notosuchia) from the Upper Cretaceous of Monte Alto City (Bauru Group, Brazil), and a revision of the Sphagesauridae

Since the description of Sphagesaurus, mostly dental material has been reported, apart from two incomplete skulls. Here we describe a new species of Sphagesaurus, from Monte Alto City, Southeastern Brazil, which includes the skull and most of the mandible. Distinctive characters (e. g. antorbital fenestra; robust quadrate; anterior mandibular teeth incisiform; ornamented sulcate palate) allow differentiation from S. huenei. Several characters allow assignment to the genus Sphagesaurus (e. g. teardrop-like oblique molariform teeth), while new information is provided (e. g. premaxilla, pterygoid and mandible morphology; jugal foramen; occipital surface; battery of mandibular teeth). A revision of the Family Sphagesauridae Kuhn 1968 is given. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis supports a sister-taxon relationship for S. huenei and the new species. The phylogenetic relationship of notosuchians is explored. Sphagesaurids were terrestrial notosuchians that evolved during the Upper Cretaceous of South America, known only from the Adamantina Formation, Campanian-Maastrichtian (Upper Cretaceous) from Brazil.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Morphological and anatomical observations about Mariliasuchus amarali and Notosuchus terrestris (Mesoeucrocodylia) and their relationships with other South American notosuchians.

The phylogenetic relationship of the notosuchians Mariliasuchus amarali (Campanian; Bauru Group) and Notosuchus terrestris (Santonian; Neuquen Group) is revised. Morpho-anatomical evaluation of Mariliasuchus in the current bibliography indicate close relationship with Notosuchus, while cladistic analysis either related Mariliasuchus to Candidodon itapecuruense (Albian/eo-Cenomanian; Sao Luis-Grajau Basin), as part of the phylotaxon Candidodontidae, or to Comahuesuchus brachybuccalis (Santonian; Neuquen Group). Comparative study of specimens shows similarities on the palate, choanae, dentition, retroarticular process, and other structures from Mariliasuchus and Notosuchus supporting the original classification as a Notosuchidae. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis sets these taxa as sister-groups. Reevaluation of a previously published phylogenetic analysis from other authors provides further support for the Mariliasuchus + Notosuchus clade. The current work indicates that Mariliasuchus is a Notosuchidae, refuting its allocation as a Candidodontidae. The influence of character construction and the definition of Notosuchia are discussed