The year 2012 in Archosaur paleontology was eventful.
Archosaurs include the only living dinosaur group —
birds
Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves (), characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweigh ...
— and the reptile
crocodilians, plus all extinct
dinosaurs, extinct crocodilian relatives, and
pterosaurs. Archosaur
palaeontology
Paleontology (), also spelled palaeontology or palæontology, is the scientific study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene epoch (roughly 11,700 years before present). It includes the study of fossi ...
is the scientific study of those animals, especially as they existed before the
Holocene Epoch began about 11,700 years ago. The year
2012 in paleontology
Note: In 2012, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature was amended, with new regulations allowing the publication of new names and nomenclatural acts in zoology after 2011, in works "produced in an edition containing simultaneously ob ...
included various significant developments regarding archosaurs.
This article records new
taxa of
fossil archosaur
Archosauria () is a clade of diapsids, with birds and crocodilians as the only living representatives. Archosaurs are broadly classified as reptiles, in the cladistic sense of the term which includes birds. Extinct archosaurs include non-avian d ...
s of every kind that have been
described during the year 2012, as well as other significant discoveries and events related to
paleontology of archosaurs that occurred in the year 2012.
Pseudosuchians
Research
* The postcranial skeleton of ''
Sebecus icaeorhinus'' is described by Diego Pol ''et al.'' (2012).
* Skull anatomy of ''
Dakosaurus'' and ''
Plesiosuchus
''Plesiosuchus'' is an extinct genus of geosaurine metriorhynchid crocodyliform known from the Late Jurassic (late Kimmeridgian to early Tithonian stage) of Dorset, England and possibly also Spain. It contains a single species, ''Plesiosuchus ...
'' is described by Mark T. Young ''et al.'' (2012).
* ''
Kemkemia auditorei'', previously thought to be a theropod dinosaur, is reinterpreted as a member of
Crocodyliformes by Gabriel Lio ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study including a
supertree A supertree is a single phylogenetic tree assembled from a combination of smaller phylogenetic trees, which may have been assembled using different datasets (e.g. morphological and molecular) or a different selection of taxa. Supertree algorithms ...
of Crocodyliformes is published by Mario Bronzati, Felipe Chinaglia Montefeltro and Max C. Langer (2012).
* Skull remains of a member of the genus ''
Gavialis
''Gavialis'' is a genus of crocodylians that includes the living gharial ''Gavialis gangeticus'' and one known extinct species, ''Gavialis bengawanicus.'' ''G. gangeticus'' comes from the Indian Subcontinent, while ''G. bengawanicus'' is know ...
'' belonging or related to the species ''
Gavialis bengawanicus
''Gavialis bengawanicus'' is an extinct species of crocodilian that is related to the modern Indian gharial. Fossils have been found in Thailand and Indonesia. The type locality is at Trinil.
The presence of this species in Thailand may provide ...
'' are described from the Early
Pleistocene of
Thailand by Martin ''et al.'' (2012).
New taxa
Newly named basal dinosauriforms
Non-avian dinosaurs
Research
* A study including a large phylogenetic analysis of non-
coelurosaurian
tetanuran theropod dinosaurs is published by Matthew T. Carrano, Roger B. J. Benson and Scott D. Sampson (2012).
* A study including a systematic revision of the family
Dromaeosauridae and a large phylogenetic analysis of
paravian
Paraves are a widespread group of theropod dinosaurs that originated in the Middle Jurassic period. In addition to the extinct dromaeosaurids, troodontids, anchiornithids, and possibly the scansoriopterygids, the group also contains the aviala ...
theropod dinosaurs (both avian and non-avian) is published by Alan Turner, Peter Makovicky and Mark Norell (2012).
* A specimen of ''
Microraptor'' is described by Quanguo Li ''et al.'' (2012), with melanosome imprints making it possible to determine the plumage coloration and
iridescence
Iridescence (also known as goniochromism) is the phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear to gradually change color as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. Examples of iridescence include soap bubbles, feathers, butterfl ...
in the plumage.
* A new specimen of ''
Austroraptor cabazai
''Austroraptor'' ( ) is a genus of large dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in what is now Argentina.
''Austroraptor'' was a large-sized, moderately-built, ground-dwelling, bipedal carnivore, estimated at ...
'' is described by Philip J. Currie and Ariana Paulina Carabajal (2012).
* A specimen of ''
Mei long'' is described by Chunling Gao ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study of ''
Khaan mckennai
''Khaan'' (; from Mongol 'lord') was an oviraptorid dinosaur that was found in the Djadochta Formation of Mongolia and lived in the Late Cretaceous Period ( Campanian), 75-71 million years ago.
Description
''Khaan'' did not differ much f ...
'' was published by Amy M. Balanoff and Mark Norell (2012).
* A new information on ''
Yixianosaurus longimanus
''Yixianosaurus'' (meaning "Yixian lizard") is a maniraptoran theropod dinosaur genus from the Early Cretaceous of China.
The type species, ''Yixianosaurus longimanus'', was formally named and described by Xu Xing and Wang Xiaolin in 2003. Its ...
'' is published by T. Alexander Dececchi, Hans C. E. Larsson and David W. E. Hone (2012).
* Three specimens of ''
Ornithomimus'' with evidence of feathers are described by Darla K. Zelenitsky ''et al.'' (2012).
* A new information on the anatomy of the holotype specimen of ''
Nqwebasaurus thwazi'' is published by Jonah N. Choiniere, Catherine A. Forster and William J. de Klerk (2012).
* A study of ''
Alioramus'' was published by Stephen Brusatte, Thomas D. Carr and Mark Norell (2012).
* Abdominal contents of two specimens of ''
Sinocalliopteryx gigas
''Sinocalliopteryx'' (meaning 'Chinese beautiful feather') is a genus of carnivorous compsognathid theropod dinosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of China (Jianshangou Beds, dating to 124.6 Ma).
While similar to the related ''Huax ...
'' are described by Lida Xing ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study of musculoskeletal anatomy, three-dimensional body proportions and body mass evolution in
allosauroid theropod dinosaurs is published by Karl T. Bates, Roger B. J. Benson, and Peter L. Falkingham (2012).
* A study of the braincase of ''
Sinraptor dongi
''Sinraptor'' is a genus of metriacanthosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic. The name ''Sinraptor'' comes from the Latin prefix "Sino", meaning Chinese, and "raptor" meaning robber. The specific name ''dongi'' honours Dong Zhiming. ...
'' is published by Ariana Paulina Carabajal and Philip J. Currie (2012).
* A study of ''
Kelmayisaurus petrolicus'', interpreting it as likely to be a member of
Carcharodontosauridae, is published by Stephen L. Brusatte, Roger B.J. Benson and Xing Xu (2012).
* Description of pectoral girdle and forelimb of ''
Majungasaurus crenatissimus'' is published by Sara H. Burch and Matthew T. Carrano (2012).
* A study of Early Cretaceous Australian theropod dinosaurs was published by Roger B. J. Benson ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study including a phylogenetic analysis of
titanosauriform sauropod
Sauropoda (), whose members are known as sauropods (; from '' sauro-'' + '' -pod'', 'lizard-footed'), is a clade of saurischian ('lizard-hipped') dinosaurs. Sauropods had very long necks, long tails, small heads (relative to the rest of their bo ...
dinosaurs is published by Michael D'Emic (2012).
* The postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in the skeletons of five taxa of early
sauropodomorph dinosaurs is described by Adam M. Yates, Mathew J. Wedel and Matthew F. Bonnan (2012).
* The study on the presumed course of the
recurrent laryngeal nerve in sauropod dinosaurs is published by Mathew J. Wedel (2012).
* ''
Pachysuchus
''Pachysuchus'' is a Nomen dubium, dubious extinct genus of basal sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of China.
''Pachysuchus'' is known from a poorly preserved partial Rostrum (anatomy), rostrum that was described from the Lower Luf ...
'', previously thought to be an
Early Jurassic phytosaur, is reinterpreted as a sauropodomorph dinosaur by Paul M. Barrett and Xu Xing (2012).
* A study of vertebral laminae of sauropod dinosaurs is published by Jeffrey A. Wilson (2012).
* A study on the neural spine bifurcation in
diplodocoid sauropod dinosaurs is published by D. Cary Woodruff and Denver W. Fowler (2012).
* A study of the postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in the skeletons of ''
Saltasaurus'', ''
Neuquensaurus'' and ''
Rocasaurus
''Rocasaurus'' (meaning "General Roca lizard") is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod that lived in South America. ''Rocasaurus'' was discovered in Argentina in 2000, within the Allen Formation which is dated to be middle Campanian to early Maastr ...
'' is published by Ignacio A. Cerda, Leonardo Salgado and Jaime E. Powell (2012).
* A study of
Early Cretaceous
The Early Cretaceous ( geochronological name) or the Lower Cretaceous (chronostratigraphic name), is the earlier or lower of the two major divisions of the Cretaceous. It is usually considered to stretch from 145 Ma to 100.5 Ma.
Geology
Pro ...
sauropod dinosaurs from North America is published by Michael D. D’Emic and Brady Z. Foreman (2012). Among other findings, additional sauropod material from the
Cloverly Formation of Wyoming was referred to ''
Sauroposeidon'', ''
Paluxysaurus'' was synonymized with ''Sauroposeidon'', ''
Rugocaudia
''Rugocaudia'' is a potentially dubious genus of basal titanosauriform sauropod dinosaur known from the Early Cretaceous of Montana, United States.
Discovery
''Rugocaudia'' is known only from the holotype MOR 334, a partial postcrania ...
'' was considered a ''
nomen dubium
In binomial nomenclature, a ''nomen dubium'' (Latin for "doubtful name", plural ''nomina dubia'') is a scientific name that is of unknown or doubtful application.
Zoology
In case of a ''nomen dubium'' it may be impossible to determine whether a s ...
'' and the cause of the North American sauropod extinction in the middle of the Cretaceous period was discussed.
* The first sauropod dinosaur (a member of
Titanosauria) from Antarctica described by Ignacio A. Cerda ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study of biomechanics, pectoral girdle articulation and body mass of the Triassic dinosaurs from Brazil (''
Staurikosaurus
''Staurikosaurus'' (Pronounced "STORE-ee-koh-SAWR-us", "Southern Cross lizard") is a genus of herrerasaurid dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Brazil, found in the Santa Maria Formation.
Description
Colbert (1970) described ''Staurikosaurus' ...
'', ''
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honour of the god Saturn, held on 17 December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to 23 December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple ...
'', ''
Pampadromaeus'', ''
Guaibasaurus
''Guaibasaurus'' is an extinct genus of basal saurischian dinosaur known from the Late Triassic Caturrita Formation of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Most analyses recover it as a sauropodomorph, although there are some suggestions that it ...
'' and ''
Unaysaurus'') is published by Rafael Delcourt, Sergio A. K. de Azevedo, Orlando N. Grillo and Fernanda O. Deantoni (2012).
* Anatomy of ''
Fruitadens haagarorum
''Fruitadens'' is a genus of heterodontosaurid dinosaur. The name means "Fruita teeth", in reference to Fruita, Colorado (USA), where its fossils were first found. It is known from partial skulls and skeletons from at least four individuals of d ...
'' is described by Richard J. Butler ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study including a phylogenetic analysis of
ankylosaurian dinosaurs is published by Richard S. Thompson ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study including a phylogenetic analysis of
iguanodontian
ornithopod dinosaurs is published by Andrew T. McDonald (2012).
* A study of the forearm orientation in
hadrosaurid
Hadrosaurids (), or duck-billed dinosaurs, are members of the ornithischian family Hadrosauridae. This group is known as the duck-billed dinosaurs for the flat duck-bill appearance of the bones in their snouts. The ornithopod family, which inclu ...
s is published by Phil Senter (2012).
* Skin impressions of two different species of ''
Saurolophus
''Saurolophus'' (; meaning "lizard crest") is a genus of large hadrosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period of Asia and North America, that lived in what is now the Horseshoe Canyon and Nemegt formations about 70 million to 68 million ...
'' are described by Phil Bell (2012).
* A new description of ''
Eolambia caroljonesa
''Eolambia'' (meaning "dawn lambeosaurine") is a genus of herbivorous hadrosauroid dinosaur from the early Late Cretaceous of the United States. It contains a single species, ''E. caroljonesa'', named by paleontologist James Kirkland in 1998. ...
'' is published by Andrew T. McDonald ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study of anatomy and relationships of ''
Bolong yixianensis'' is published by Wu Wenhao and
Pascal Godefroit (2012).
* An overview of Early Cretaceous iguanodontian ornithopod dinosaurs of England and Belgium is published by
David B. Norman
David Bruce Norman (born 20 June 1952 in the United Kingdom) is a British paleontologist, currently the main curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge University. From 1991 to 2011, Norman has also been the Sedgwick Mus ...
(2012).
* A study of the bone histology of ''
Tenontosaurus tilletti
''Tenontosaurus'' ( ; ) is a genus of medium- to large-sized ornithopod dinosaur. It was a relatively medium sized ornithopod, reaching in length and in body mass. It had an unusually long, broad tail, which like its back was stiffened with a n ...
'' is published by Sarah Werning (2012).
* A study of the bone histology of ''
Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki'' is published by Tom R. Hübner (2012).
* A study questioning the interpretation of ''
Torosaurus'' as a junior synonym and a growth stage of ''
Triceratops'' was published by Nicholas R. Longrich and Daniel J. Field (2012).
* A study of some of the earliest known dinosaur assemblages is published by Martín D. Ezcurra (2012). Among other findings, ''
Teyuwasu
''Staurikosaurus'' (Pronounced "STORE-ee-koh-SAWR-us", "Southern Cross lizard") is a genus of herrerasaurid dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Brazil, found in the Santa Maria Formation.
Description
Colbert (1970) described ''Staurikosaurus' ...
'' is interpreted as a member of the clade
Dinosauriformes
Dinosauromorpha is a clade of avemetatarsalian archosaurs (reptiles closer to birds than to crocodilians) that includes the Dinosauria (dinosaurs) and some of their close relatives. It was originally defined to include dinosauriforms and lager ...
of uncertain phylogenetic placement and a ''nomen dubium''.
* A study of anatomical variability exhibited by major dinosaur groups living during the latest Cretaceous is published by Stephen L. Brusatte ''et al.'' (2012).
* A study of biodiversity of late Maastrichtian non-avian dinosaurs is published by Jean Le Loeuff (2012).
New taxa
Newly named birds
Pterosaurs
Research
* A study on the bone
histology of ''
Rhamphorhynchus'' and its implications for inferring life history of members of the genus is published by Prondvai ''et al.'' (2012).
New taxa
Archosauria '' incertae sedis''
Newly named archosaurs with uncertain affinities
References
{{Reflist
2010s in paleontology
Paleontology
2012 in paleontology