Ornithomimosaurs from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia: manus morphological variation and diversity
Ornithomimosaurs from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia: manus morphological variation and diversity
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DOI：
10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.10.031
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发表时间：
2018-04-01
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Barsbold, Rinchen
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Chinzorig, Tsogtbaatar;Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu;Barsbold, Rinchen
蒙古上白垩统Nemegt组有丰富的保存完好的恐龙，其中Omithomimosauria是该组中最常见的分类群之一。从形成至今，已经发现了三个鸟齿龙类群，即planinychus Anserimimus， Deinocheirus miriicus和Gallirnimus bullaws。然而，最近发现的标本表明，在Nemegt组中，鸟齿龙的形态变化比目前所认识到的还要大。本文对Nemegt鸟齿龙的手部结构进行了研究，揭示了其显著的多样性。包括上述3个已知分类群和4个新分类群在内的7个个体的手部结构在形态上彼此不同。对掌骨、指骨和双足的数值分析也支持Nemegt鸟齿龙的高度形态多样性。手工形态的巨大多样性可能与Nemegt生态系统中存在种类繁多的古生态位有关。
The Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia is rich in well-preserved dinosaurs and Omithomimosauria is one of the most common taxa in the formation. Three ornithomimosaur taxa, Anserimimus planinychus, Deinocheirus mirificus, and Gallirnimus bullaws, have been discovered from the formation so far. However, the recently discovered specimens suggest there is even greater morphological variation of ornithomimosaurs in the Nemegt Formation than are presently recognized. This study focuses on the structures of manual elements among Nemegt ornithomimosaurs and reveals their remarkable diversity. The manual structures of seven individuals, including aforementioned three known taxa and four new individuals, are morphologically distinct from each other. Numerical analyses on metacarpals, phalanges, and unguals also support high morphological diversity of the Nemegt ornithomimosaurs. The large diversity of manual morphology may be related to large variety of palaeoecological niches were prevailed in the Nemegt ecosystem.