2009 in archosaur paleontology

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The year 2009 in archosaur paleontology was eventful. Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group — birds — and the reptile crocodilians, plus all extinct dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and pterosaurs. Archosaur paleontology is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. The year 2009 in paleontology included various significant developments regarding archosaurs.

This article records new taxa of fossil archosaurs of every kind that have been described during the year 2009, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to paleontology of archosaurs that occurred in the year 2009.

  • Delfino, M.; Smith, T. (2009). "A reassessment of the morphology and taxonomic status of 'Crocodylus' depressifrons Blainville, 1855 (Crocodylia, Crocodyloidea) based on the Early Eocene remains from Belgium". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 156 (1): 140–167. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00478.x.
Newly named crurotarsans
Name Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Armadillosuchus[1]

Valid

  • Marinho
  • Carvalho

Late Cretaceous

Adamantina Formation

Brazil

Notosuchian with heavy, armadillo-like body armor consisting of flexible bands and rigid shields

Armadillosuchus
Barcinosuchus[2]

Valid

  • Leardi
  • Pol

Aptian – Albian

Cerro Barcino Formation

Argentina

A peirosaurid

Collilongus[3]

Valid

  • Borsuk−Białynicka
  • Sennikov

Early Olenekian

Czatkowice 1

Poland

Possible rauisuchian

Coringasuchus[4]

Valid

Early Cenomanian

Alcântara Formation

Brazil

Duerosuchus[5]

Valid

  • Santiago
  • Andrés

Middle Eocene

Spain

Hypselorhachis[6]

Valid

Middle Triassic

Manda Beds

Tanzania

Possible ctenosauriscid

Kaprosuchus[7]

Valid

Upper Cretaceous

Echkar Formation

Niger

Unusual large mahajangasuchid with hypertrophied caniniform teeth and posteriorly projecting horns

Kaprosuchus
Kemkemia[8]

Valid

  • Cau & Maganuco

Cenomanian

Kem Kem Beds

Morocco

Initially identified as a theropod dinosaur,[8] but subsequently discovered to be a crocodyliform.[9]

Khoratosuchus[10]

Valid

Early Cretaceous

Thailand

Youngest Mesozoic crocodyliform yet known from Thailand

Laganosuchus [7]

Valid

Cenomanian

Echkar Formation
Kem Kem Beds

Niger
Morocco

Laganosuchus
Miadanasuchus [11]

Valid

  • Simons
  • Buckley

Campanian

Maevarano Formation

Madagascar

A new genus for "Trematochampsa" oblita (Buffetaut & Taquet, 1979)

Morrinhosuchus[12]

Valid

  • Iori
  • Carvalho

Late Cretaceous

Adamantina Formation

Brazil

Notosuchian from Brazil

Penghusuchus[13]

Valid

Late Miocene

Taiwan

A tomistomine crocodilian.

Polonosuchus[14]

Valid

Late Carnian

Poland

A new genus for "Teratosaurus" silesiacus (Sulej, 2005)

Polonosuchus
Yacarerani [15]

Valid

Late Cretaceous

Cajones Formation

Bolivia

Yacarerani

Non-avian dinosaurs

Research

Hadrosaur chewing study

A study titled "Quantitative analysis of dental microwear in hadrosaurid dinosaurs, and the implications for hypotheses of jaw mechanics and feeding" is published by British paleontologists Mark Purnell, Paul Barrett and student Vince Williams. The paper examined the chewing methods and diet of hadrosaurid ("duck billed") dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period. The scientists analyzed hundreds of microscopic scratches on the teeth of a fossilized Edmontosaurus jaw, and believe they determined exactly how a hadrosaur broke down and ate its food, which had previously eluded researchers.

The study found hadrosaurs had a unique way of eating unlike any creature living today. In contrast to a flexible lower jaw joint prevalent in today's mammals, hadrosaurs had a unique hinge between the upper jaws and the rest of its skull. The team found the dinosaur's upper jaws pushed outwards and sideways while chewing, as the lower jaw slid against the upper teeth.

The study also concluded that hadrosaurs likely grazed on horsetails and vegetation close to the ground, rather than browsing higher-growing leaves and twigs. However, Purnell said these conclusions were less secure than the more conclusive evidence regarding the motion of teeth while chewing. Previous studies found contradictory conclusions, and the issue remains a subject of debate.

The findings were published on June 30, 2009, in the journal, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Purnell said no previous study had ever employed this method of analyzing microscopic teeth scratches, and that the method could be used to study other areas of scientific research.

New taxa

Data courtesy of George Olshevky's dinosaur genera list.[18] ~44 dinosaur genera were erected in 2009.

Name Status Authors Discovery year Age Unit Location Notes Images
Adeopapposaurus[19] Valid
  • Ricardo N. Martínez

Cañón del Colorado Formation

Adeopapposaurus
Aerosteon[20] Valid

Rio Colorado Formation

Aerosteon

Albalophosaurus [21]

Valid
  • Ohashi
  • Barrett

Kuwajima Formation

Albertonykus[22] Valid

lower Maastrichtian

Horseshoe Canyon Formation

Albertonykus
Anchiornis[23] Valid

Tiaojishan Formation

Anchiornis

Angulomastacator[24]

Valid

  • J. R. Wagner
  • Lehman

Aguja Formation

Arenysaurus[25]

Valid

  • Xabier Pereda-Suberbiolaa
  • José Ignacio Canudob
  • et al.[CAL 9]
A Spanish Lambeosaurine.

Australovenator[26]

Valid

Winton Formation

An Australian Megaraptor. Specimen named "Banjo"
Australovenator
Baotianmansaurus[27]

Valid

Gaogou Formation

Barrosasaurus[28]

Valid
  • Salgado
  • Coria

Anacleto Formation

Ceratonykus[29]

Valid

  • Alifanov
  • Barsbold

Barun Goyot Formation

Ceratonykus
Diamantinasaurus[30]

Valid

Winton Formation

An Australian Titanosaur.
Diamantinasaurus

Elrhazosaurus[31]

Valid

  • Galton

Elrhaz Formation

Niger

Helioceratops[32]

Valid

Quantou Formation

Helioceratops
Hesperonychus[33]

Valid

  • Longrich
  • Currie

Dinosaur Park Formation

Smallest known dinosaur from North America.

Hesperonychus

Jintasaurus[34]

Valid

  • You
  • Li

Xinminpu Group

Kinnareemimus[35]

Valid

  • Buffetaut
  • Suteethorn
  • Tong

Sao Khua Formation

Kol[36]

Valid

  • Turner
  • Nesbitt
  • Norell

Djadochta Formation

Kol

Leshansaurus[37]

Valid

Shangshaximiao Formation

Levnesovia[38] Valid
  • Sues
  • Averianov

Bissekty Formation

The oldest Hadrosauroidean

Limusaurus[39] Valid
  • Xu

Shishugou Formation

The first Asian ceratosaur to be discovered

Limusaurus
Luoyanggia[40] Valid

Mangchuan Formation

An oviraptorosaur

Malarguesaurus[41] Valid
  • González Riga
  • Previtera
  • Pirrone

Portezuelo Formation

Minotaurasaurus[42] Valid
  • Clifford A. Miles
  • Clark J. Mikes
Minotaurasaurus
Miragaia[43] Valid
  • Mateus
  • Maidment
  • Christiansen

Sobral Unit

Long-necked stegosaur.

Miragaia
Nothronychus graffami[44] Valid

Tropic Shale Formation

A therizinosaurid.

Nothronychus graffami

Owenodon[31]

Valid

  • Galton

Purbeck Limestone

Owenodon
Panphagia[45] Valid
  • Martinez
  • Alcober

Ischigualasto Formation

One of the most basal known sauropodomorph.[45]

Panphagia

Qiaowanlong[34]

Valid
  • You
  • Li

Xinminpu Group

Qiaowanlong

Raptorex[46]

Yixian Formation

Tyrannosauroidea

Raptorex
Ruyangosaurus[47]

Valid

Mangchuan Formation

Ruyangosaurus
Shaochilong[48]

Valid

Ulansuhai Formation

Shaochilong
Shidaisaurus[49]

Valid

Upper Lufeng Formation

Sinotyrannus[50]

Valid

  • Ji
  • Ji
  • Zhang

Jiufotang Formation

Skorpiovenator[51] Valid

Huincul Formation

Skorpiovenator

Spinophorosaurus[52]

Irhazer Group

Sauropoda

Spinophorosaurus

Tatankacephalus[53]

Valid

  • Parsons
  • Parsons

Cloverly Formation

Tawa[54]

Valid

Chinle Formation

Tawa

Tethyshadros[55]

Valid

  • Dalla Vecchia

Liburnia Formation

Tianyulong[56]

Valid

Tiaojishan Formation

Tianyulong

Wintonotitan[30]

Valid

Winton Formation

Wintonotitan
Xianshanosaurus[40] Valid

Mangchuan Formation

A sauropod

"Xinghesaurus"

Nomen nudum

Name published without scientific description in Japanese guidebook "Dinosaur Expo 2009: The Miracle of Deserts"

Zanabazar[57]

Valid

Nemegt Formation

  1. Mongolia
Zanabazar

Aves

Research

Newly described birds

Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Alamitornis minutus [58]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Federico L. Agnolin

Agustín G. Martinelli

Late Cretaceous

Los Alamitos Formation

Placed in ?Patagopterygiformes by Agnolin and Martinelli.

Australotadorna alecwilsoni [59]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

Late Oligocene

Etadunna Formation

An Anatidae.

Bonasa nini [60]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Antonio Sánchez Marco

Early Pleistocene

Lower Elefante, TE 13 layer

A Phasianidae.

Calidris janossyi [61]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Miocene

MN 13

Originally described as a member of Scolopacidae belonging to the genus Calidris;[61] Zelenkov, Volkova and Gorobets (2016) reinterpreted it as a member of Turnicidae and transferred it to the genus Ortyxelos.[62]

Calonectris kurodai [63]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Storrs L. Olson

Middle Miocene

Calvert Formation

A Procellariidae, the smallest of the genus.

Cariama santacrucensis [64]

Sp. nov.

Disputed

Jorge I. Noriega

Sergio F. Vizcaino

Susana Bargo

Early-Middle Miocene

Estancia La Costa Member,

Santa Cruz Formation

Federico L. Agnolin, 2009, made it the type species of the separate genus Noriegavis Agnolin, 2009.[65] Originally interpreted as a seriema; Noriega & Mayr (2017) reinterpreted it as a member of the falconid genus Thegornis of uncertain specific assignment, on the basis of a reexamination of the holotype specimen.[66]

Charadrius lambrechti.[61]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Miocene

MN 13

A Scolopacidae.

Clangula matraensis [67]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Middle Miocene

MN 6–8

An Anatidae.

Confuciusornis feducciai [68]

Sp. nov.

Disputed

Zuhui Zhang

Chunling Gao

Qingjin Meng

Jinyuan Liu

Lianhai Hou

Guangmei Zheng

Early Cretaceous

Yixian Formation

A member of the family Confuciusornithidae. Considered to be a junior synonym of Confuciusornis sanctus by Wang, O'Connor & Zhou (2018).[69]

Cygnopterus neogradiensis [70]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

János Hír

Middle Miocene

Sajóvölgy Formation,

MN 7–8

An Anatidae.

Diomedeoides harmati [71]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Early Oligocene

MP 24

A Diomedeoididae Fischer, 1985, placed in Rupelornis van Beneden, 1871 by Gerald Mayr and Thierry Smith, 2012

Egretta polgardiensis [67]

Sp. nov.

Disputed

Jenö Kessler

Late Miocene

MN 13

Originally described as a member of Ardeidae and a species of Egretta; however, Zelenkov (2017) considered this species to be a junior synonym of the barn-owl species Tyto campiterrae Jánossy (1991).[72]

Elbretornis bonapartei [73]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Cyril A. Walker

Gareth J. Dyke

Maastrichtian

Lecho Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Euenantiornithes Chiappe, 2002, this is the type species of the new genus.

Eoanseranas handae [74]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

John D. Scanlon

Late Oligocene – Early Miocene

Riverleigh World Heritage Property

An Anseranatidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Gansugyps linxiaensis [75]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Zhang Zihui

Zheng Xiaoting

Zheng Guangmei

Hou Lianhai

Late Miocene

Upper Liushu Formation

An Accipitridae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Heliadornis minor [67]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Pliocene

MN 15–16

A Phaethontidae.

Heliornis sumeghensis [61]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Miocene

MN 11–12

A Heliornithidae

Jianchangornis microdonta [76]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Zhou Zhonghe

Zhang Fucheng

Li Zhiheng

Early Cretaceous

Albian

Jiufotang Formation

A basal Ornithurae Haeckel, 1866, this is the type species of the new genus.

Martinavis minor [73]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Cyril A. Walker

Gareth J. Dyke

Late Cretaceous

Maastrichtian

Lecho Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Euenantiornithes Chiappe, 2002.

Martinavis saltariensis [73]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Cyril A. Walker

Gareth J. Dyke

Late Cretaceous

Maastrichtian

Lecho Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Euenantiornithes Chiappe, 2002.

Martinavis whetstonei [73]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Cyril A. Walker

Gareth J. Dyke

Late Cretaceous

Maastrichtian

Lecho Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Euenantiornithes Chiappe, 2002.

Megalocoturnix cordoni [60]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Antonio Sánchez Marco

Early Pliocene

Ruscinian,

MN 15

A Phasianidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Megapaloelodus peiranoi [77]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Federico L. Agnolin

Late Miocene

Andalhualá Formation

A Phoenicopteriformes, Palaelodidae Stejneger, 1885.

Mergus minor [67]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Middle Miocene

MN 6–8

An Anatidae.

Miocepphus blowi [78]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Erik Wijnker

Storrs L. Olson

Late Miocene

Eastover Formation;

Breda Formation Mill

An Alcidae.

Miocepphus bohaskai [78]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Erik Wijnker

Storrs L. Olson

Late Miocene

Eastover Formation;

Breda Formation Mill

An Alcidae.

Miocepphus mergulellus [78]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Erik Wijnker

Storrs L. Olson

Late Miocene

Eastover Formation

An Alcidae.

''Palaeocryptonyx nov''aki [60]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Antonio Sánchez Marco

Late Pliocene

Villanyan,

MN 16

A Phasianidae.

Paracoracias occidentalis [79]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Julia A. Clarke

Daniel T. Ksepka

N. Adam Smith

Mark A. Norell

Eocene

Green River Formation

A stem Coraiiformes.

Pinpanetta fromensis [59]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

Late Oligocene

Etadunna Formation

An Anatidae.

Pinpanetta tedfordi [59]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

Late Oligocene

Etadunna Formation

An Anatidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Pinpanetta vickersrichae [59]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

Late Oligocene

Etadunna Formation

An Anatidae.

Podiceps csarnotatus [67]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Pliocene

MN 15-16

A Podicipedidae.

Porzana kretzoii [61]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Late Miocene

MN 13

A member of the family Rallidae. Originally described as a species Porzana; Zelenkov (2017) transferred this species to the genus Zapornia.[72]

Porzana matraensis [61]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Jenö Kessler

Middle Miocene

MN 6-8

A Rallidae.

Primozygodactylus eunjooae [80]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Gerald Mayr

Nikita V. Zelenkov

Middle Eocene

MP 11

A Zygodactylidae Brodkorb, 1971.

Pseudocepphus teres [78]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Erik Wijnker

Storrs L. Olson

Late Miocene

St. Marys Formation

An Alcidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Rapaxavis pani [81]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Eric M. Morschhauser

David J. Varricchio

Gao Chunling

Liu Jinyuan

Wang Xuri

Cheng Xiadong

Meng Qingjin

Early Cretaceous

Jiufotang Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Longipterygidae Zhang, Zhou, Hou et Gu, 2000, this is the type species of the new genus.

Rupephaps taketake [82]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Trevor H. Worthy

Suzanne J. Hand

Jennifer P. Worthy

Alan J. D. Tennyson

R. Paul Scofield

Early Miocene,

Altonian

Bannockburn Formation

A Columbidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Sapeornis angustis [83]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Pauline Provini

Zhou Zhonghe

Zhang Fucheng

Early Cretaceous,

Aptian

Jiufotang Formation

A Sapeornithidae Zhou et Zhang, 2006.

Selenornis steendorpensis [84]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Gerald Mayr

Early Oligocene,

MP ?23-24

Boom Formation

A Tytonidae, Selenornithinae Mourer-Chauviré, 1987.

Shanweiniao cooperorum [85]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Jingmai K. O'Connor

Xuri Wang

Luis M. Chiappe

Chunling Gao

Qingjin Meng

Xiaodong Cheng

Jinyuan Liu

Early Cretaceous

Yixian Formation

An Enantiornithes Walker, 1981, Familia Longipterygidae Zhang, Zhou, Hou et Gu, 2000, this is the type species of the new genus.

Shanweiniao cooperorum

Talpanas lippa [86]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Storrs L. Olson

Helen F. James

Holocene

Kauai

An Anatidae, Kaua'i Mole Duck, a Hawaiian duck that probably lived a kiwi-like lifestyle, this is the type species of the new genus.

Tologuica aurorae [87]

Gen. nov. et Sp. nov.

Valid

Nikita V. Zelenkov

Evgeny N. Kurochkin

Middle Miocene

Ööshin Formation

A Phasianidae, this is the type species of the new genus.

Tologuica karhui [87]

Sp. nov.

Valid

Nikita V. Zelenkov

Evgeny N. Kurochkin

Middle Miocene

Ööshin Formation

A Phasianidae.

Pterosaurs

Newly named pterosaurs
Name Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Carniadactylus[88]

Valid

  • Dalla Vecchia

Late Triassic

A campylognathoidid with a wingspan of about 70 cm.

Changchengopterus[89]

Valid

Middle Jurassic

Tiaojishan Formation

A primitive long-tailed pterosaur related to Dorygnathus.

Ningchengopterus[90]

Valid

Early Cretaceous

Yixian Formation

A pterodactyloid known from a juvenile specimen whose fossils preserved details of the flight membrane and fur.

Ningchengopterus.

Wukongopterus[91]

Valid

  • Wang
  • Kellner
  • Jiang
  • Meng

Late Jurassic

Daohugou Beds

A primitive long tailed pterosaur. The type specimen shows evidence of the animal having broken its shin while alive.

Wukongopterus

See also

Notes

References

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