Abelisauroidea (Theropoda, Dinosauria) from Africa: a review of the fossil record

The Continental African abelisauroid theropod dinosaur fossil record from the Jurassic-Cretaceous periods is becoming increasingly better understood, and offers great insight into the evolution and biogeography of this long-lived group of carnivores. Abelisauroidea is among the most familiar groups of theropod dinosaurs from Gondwana, with fossil records in South America, Australia, India and Africa, along with Europe. The objective of the present study is to review the fossil record of abelisauroids in continental Africa. Based on the literature and records from the online databases "The Paleobiology Database" and "The Theropod Database", we review the distribution of these theropods in Africa and comment on their evolution. The African continent is a major region of importance when it comes to 26 Abelisauroidea fossil findings, including records of both major subdivisions of the clade: the Abelisauridae and Noasauridae families. The oldest Abelisauroidea fossil record found in Africa dates from the Late Jurassic, while the final records date from the end of the Cretaceous. This indicates that clade was the longest surviving lineage of the large theropods of Africa, and they filled a variety of ecological roles, including apex predators, at the end of the Cretaceous, when tyrannosaurids occupied similar niches in the northern continents.

First dinosaur record from the Marília Formation (Maastrichtian) in the Gurinhatã municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract Titanosaurs are one of the most common dinosaurs found in Cretaceous outcrops, especially in Brazil. In this article we describe a proximal portion of an ulna (Paleo-UFG/V-0039) which was found isolated Paleo-UFG/V-0039 comes from a sandstone outcrop, with fine to medium granulation, of the Marília Formation (Bauru Group) that appears irregularly in the municipality of Gurinhatã, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The occurrence described here is the first dinosaur osteological remains documented in this municipality. Although incomplete, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 could be identified as an indeterminate lithostrotian titanosaur whose morphology is similar to some appendicular elements of European species than South American ones. However, the incompleteness of the specimen has difficult complex interpretations. Finally, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 highlights the importance of the Gurinhatã outcrops and other sites in this region for future discoveries.

First dinosaur record from the Marília Formation (Maastrichtian) in the Gurinhatã municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Abstract Titanosaurs are one of the most common dinosaurs found in Cretaceous outcrops, especially in Brazil. In this article we describe a proximal portion of an ulna (Paleo-UFG/V-0039) which was found isolated Paleo-UFG/V-0039 comes from a sandstone outcrop, with fine to medium granulation, of the Marília Formation (Bauru Group) that appears irregularly in the municipality of Gurinhatã, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The occurrence described here is the first dinosaur osteological remains documented in this municipality. Although incomplete, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 could be identified as an indeterminate lithostrotian titanosaur whose morphology is similar to some appendicular elements of European species than South American ones. However, the incompleteness of the specimen has difficult complex interpretations. Finally, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 highlights the importance of the Gurinhatã outcrops and other sites in this region for future discoveries.

First dinosaur record from the Marília Formation (Maastrichtian) in the Gurinhatã municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Titanosaurs are one of the most common dinosaurs found in Cretaceous outcrops, especially in Brazil. In this article we describe a proximal portion of an ulna (Paleo-UFG/V-0039) which was found isolated Paleo-UFG/V-0039 comes from a sandstone outcrop, with fine to medium granulation, of the Marília Formation (Bauru Group) that appears irregularly in the municipality of Gurinhatã, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The occurrence described here is the first dinosaur osteological remains documented in this municipality. Although incomplete, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 could be identified as an indeterminate lithostrotian titanosaur whose morphology is similar to some appendicular elements of European species than South American ones. However, the incompleteness of the specimen has difficult complex interpretations. Finally, Paleo-UFG/V-0039 highlights the importance of the Gurinhatã outcrops and other sites in this region for future discoveries.(AU)

Paleobiogeographic evolution and distribution of Carcharodontosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) during the middle Cretaceous of North Africa

Over the last few decades, the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids, a group of large predatory dinosaurs, from North Africa have been better understood mainly due the discovery of new species. We review this record here and discuss its importance for understanding the evolution and ecology of these dinosaurs. North Africa has one of the best records of carcharodontosaurid species. These species show dietary specializations and paleogeographic distributions similar to other top predatory theropods such as Abelisauridae and Spinosauridae. However, carcharodontosaurids have a wider distribution than other large theropods. The middle Cretaceous of North Africa was characterized by the niche overlap between large predators. This evidence increases our understanding of the evolution of Carcharodontosauridae in a highly competitive region, a conjuncture rarely reported for large top predators.(AU)

Paleobiogeographic evolution and distribution of Carcharodontosauridae (Dinosauria, Theropoda) during the middle Cretaceous of North Africa

Over the last few decades, the systematics and evolution of carcharodontosaurids, a group of large predatory dinosaurs, from North Africa have been better understood mainly due the discovery of new species. We review this record here and discuss its importance for understanding the evolution and ecology of these dinosaurs. North Africa has one of the best records of carcharodontosaurid species. These species show dietary specializations and paleogeographic distributions similar to other top predatory theropods such as Abelisauridae and Spinosauridae. However, carcharodontosaurids have a wider distribution than other large theropods. The middle Cretaceous of North Africa was characterized by the niche overlap between large predators. This evidence increases our understanding of the evolution of Carcharodontosauridae in a highly competitive region, a conjuncture rarely reported for large top predators.