New online paper in Cretaceous Research

["Michael Lange" <Michael.Lange@gmx.ch>]

Here is an interesting new online paper in Cretaceous Research

Bell, Currie & Lee (2012) Tyrannosaur feeding traces on Deinocheirus 
(Theropoda:?Ornithomimosauria) remains from the Nemegt Formation (Late 
Cretaceous), Mongolia. Cretaceous Research

Abstract

Bite marks attributable to Tarbosaurus bataar are identified on fragments of 
gastralia from the giant putative ornithomimosaur, Deinocheirus mirificus. 
Hundreds of bone fragments collected from the holotype quarry of D. mirificus 
by members of the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Project at Altan Uul 
III (Mongolia) were visually inspected for biomodification. Parallel striae and 
gouges were identified on two gastralia, which are interpreted as bite marks. 
Serration marks, interpreted from parallel striae, are broadly U-shaped and 
measure 0.5 mm in diameter. A comparison of these marks with the denticles of 
Nemegt theropods reveals the tyrannosaur, Tarbosaurus as the most likely 
culprit. The identification of tyrannosaur bite marks on the bones of D. 
mirificus sheds light on both the diet of Tarbosaurus and the taphonomy of the 
only known specimen of Deinocheirus.

Highlights

► Tarbosaurus bite marks are identified on gastralia of the enigmatic theropod 
Deinocheirus. ► Evidence suggests bites are a result of feeding/scavenging 
behaviour, not interspecific agonism. ► These findings are consistent with 
opportunistic feeding style in tyrannosaurids. ► Feeding/scavenging was partly 
responsible for disarticulation of the Deinocheirus skeleton.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195667112000572

Michael
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