Dataset Information

Martharaptor greenriverensis, a new theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian?) of Utah has yielded a rich dinosaur fauna, including the basal therizinosauroid theropod Falcarius utahensis at its base. Recent excavation uncovered a new possible therizinosauroid taxon from a higher stratigraphic level in the Cedar Mountain Formation than F. utahensis.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we describe a fragmentary skeleton of the new theropod and perform a phylogenetic analysis to determine its phylogenetic position. The skeleton includes fragments of vertebrae, a scapula, forelimb and hindlimb bones, and an ischium. It also includes several well-preserved manual unguals. Manual and pedal morphology show that the specimen is distinct from other theropods from the Cedar Mountain Formation and from previously described therizinosauroids. It is here named as the holotype of a new genus and species, Martharaptor greenriverensis. Phylogenetic analysis places M. greenriverensis within Therizinosauroidea as the sister taxon to Alxasaurus + Therizinosauridae, although support for this placement is weak.

Conclusions/significance

The new specimen adds to the known dinosaurian fauna of the Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation. If the phylogenetic placement is correct, it also adds to the known diversity of Therizinosauroidea.

SUBMITTER: Senter P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3430620 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Martharaptor greenriverensis, a new theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah.

Senter Phil P Kirkland James I JI DeBlieux Donald D DD

PloS one 20120829 8

<h4>Background</h4>The Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian?) of Utah has yielded a rich dinosaur fauna, including the basal therizinosauroid theropod Falcarius utahensis at its base. Recent excavation uncovered a new possible therizinosauroid taxon from a higher stratigraphic level in the Cedar Mountain Formation than F. utahensis.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Here we describe a fragmentary skeleton of the new theropod and perform a phylogeneti ...[more]

PMID: 22952806

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Dataset Information

Martharaptor greenriverensis, a new theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah.

Background

Methodology/principal findings

Conclusions/significance

Publications

Martharaptor greenriverensis, a new theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah.

Similar Datasets

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