Um novo elasmosaurídeo do Maastrichtiano (Cretácico Superior de Angola)

Foi publicado recentemente um novo elasmosaurídeo do Maastrichtiano (Cretácico Superior) de Angola. Este trabalho é publicado no âmbito do ProjectoPaleoAngola enfocado na paleontologia de Angola e no qual tem participado o Museu da Lourinhã. Este trabalho foi liderado pelo paleontólogo português Ricardo Araújo da Southern Methodist University (Dallas, USA). 

"Abstract: We report here a new elasmosaurid from the early Maastrichtian at Bentiaba, southern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon as the sistertaxon to Styxosaurus snowii, and that clade as the sister of a clade composed of (Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae (Libonectes morgani+Elasmosaurus platyurus)). The new taxon has a reduced dorsal blade of the scapula, a feature unique amongst elasmosaurids, but convergent with cryptoclidid plesiosaurs, and indicatesalongitudinal protraction-retraction limb cycle rowing style with simple pitch rotation at the glenohumeral articulation. Morphometric phylogenetic analysis of the coracoids of 40 eosauropterygian taxa suggests that there was a broad range of swimming styles within the clade."

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Refererência

• R. Araújo, M.J. Polcyn, A.S. Schulp, O. Mateus, L.L. Jacobs, A. Olímpio Gonçalves and M.-L. Morais A new elasmosaurid from the early Maastrichtian of Angola and the implications of girdle morphology on swimming style in plesiosaurs. Netherlands Journal of Geosciences - Geologie en Mijnbouw, Available on CJO 2015 doi:10.1017/njg.2014.44