A detailed osteological description of Xenotarsosaurus bonapartei (Theropoda: Abelisauridae): implications for abelisauroid phylogeny

Abstract

Xenotarsosaurus bonapartei was the third abelisaurid theropod dinosaur to be named from Argentina. The holotype comprises two partial anterior dorsal vertebrae and a nearly complete right hind limb from the Upper Cretaceous (lower Cenomanian–upper Turonian) Bajo Barreal Formation, central Patagonia, Argentina. The materials display morphological features that undoubtedly position Xenotarsosaurus within Abelisauroidea. Moreover, detailed comparisons with members of that theropod group confirm the close relationship of this taxon to abelisaurids. Here we provide an emended diagnosis of Xenotarsosaurus bonapartei that includes five newly recognized autapomorphies: (1) anterior dorsal vertebrae with large, strongly dorsoventrally developed parapophyses; (2) anterior dorsal vertebrae with well-developed centroprezygapophyseal fossae that are taller dorsoventrally than wide mediolaterally; (3) fibular condyle of femur triangular in shape and projecting posteriorly; (4) well-marked groove on anterolateral corner of proximal fibula; and (5) iliofibularis tubercle of fibula distally interrupted by hook-like concavity. To determine its systematic position within Abelisauroidea, we incorporated Xenotarsosaurus into a phylogenetic analysis, recovering this theropod as a non-carnotaurine abelisaurid more derived than Eoabelisaurus mefi. Xenotarsosaurus displays several plesiomorphic traits when compared with penecontemporaneous abelisaurids from the Neuquén Group. Similarly, other non-avian dinosaur taxa from the Bajo Barreal Formation are frequently postulated as more phylogenetically basal than coeval forms from northern Patagonia. This scenario suggests the potential existence of provincialism in early Late Cretaceous continental vertebrate faunas of southern South America. The present study increases knowledge of abelisaurid systematics, evolution, and paleobiogeography and augments our understanding of the Upper Cretaceous dinosaur assemblage of central Patagonia.