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While revising my theropod file, I came across
"bone taxon A" of Russell 1996. This is based on two skull roofs (NMC
50807- frontals and parietals; NMC 50807- frontals) from the Albian Gres Rouges
Infracenomaniens of Morocco. They are rather small (frontal lengths of 50
mm and 65 mm), but firmly coossified. What intrigued me was the fact there
is a sagittal crest on the parietals. This character is otherwise only
known in abelisaurids, "Alas.... er "Chilantaisaurus" maortuensis :-) ,
tyrannosaurids and some more derived coelurosaurs. Comparing it to Troodon
indicated the cerebral hemispheres were much smaller, suggesting this is not a
coelurosaur. Although rather small and elongate for an abelisaurid, the
fact noasaurids are closely related (and have unknown frontals), of similar size
and are also known from Africa (Masiakasaurus) makes me ponder a noasaurid
affinity for the taxon. The humerus NMC 41873 also resembles Masiakasaurus
in general proprtions and may derive from the same taxon. Any
thoughts?
Reference- Russell, D.A. 1996. Isolated dinosaur
bones from the Middle Cretaceous of the Tafilalt, Morocco. Bulletin du Muse'um
national d'Histoire naturelle (4e se'r.) 18:349-402.
Mickey Mortimer
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