Wulatelong, new oviraptorid from Upper Cretaceous of China (free pdf)

[Ben Creisler <bcreisler@gmail.com>]

From: Ben Creisler
bcreisler@gmail.com

A new open access paper in Vertebrata PalAsiatica:

XU Xing, TAN Qing-Wei, WANG Shuo, Corwin SULLIVAN, David W. E. HONE,
HAN Feng-Lu, MA Qing-Yu, TAN Lin & XIAO Dong (2013)
A new oviraptorid from the Upper Cretaceous of Nei Mongol, China, and
its stratigraphic implications.
Vertebrata PalAsiatica 51(2): 85-101
http://www.ivpp.cas.cn/cbw/gjzdwxb/xbwzxz/201305/P020130507385115746165.pdf


Here we report a new oviraptorid taxon based on a specimen collected
from the Upper Cretaceous Wulansuhai Formation of Bayan Mandahu,
Linhe, China. This new taxon is distinguishable from other oviraptorid
species by the following unique features: the ventral extremity of the
large and elongate external naris is located below the mid-height of
the premaxilla, the strap-like jugal process of the maxilla extends
well beyond the preorbital bar posteriorly and overlaps the jugal, and
the anterodorsal process of the surangular is basally constricted in
lateral view. Although diagnosable as an oviraptorid, this new taxon
possesses several plesiomorphic features absent in other oviraptorids
but reminiscent of more basal  oviraptorosaurs, suggesting a
relatively basal position within the Oviraptoridae. The infratemporal
fenestra has a narrow dorsal border, the anterior and posterior
processes of the lacrimal are relatively long, the ectopterygoid is
located relatively posteriorly, the external mandibular fenestra is
comparatively posterior in position, the scapula is relatively short
and slender, the pubic peduncle of the ilium is both more ventrally
extended and much wider anteroposteriorly than the ischial peduncle,
the ischium is relatively short, and metatarsal III is compressed
between metatarsals II and IV. This taxon, Wulatelong gobiensis gen.
et sp. nov., is therefore inferred to be a basal oviraptorid. A
preliminary analysis of the Bayan Mandahu dinosaur fauna supports the
view that the Bayan Mandahu strata are the oldest Upper Cretaceous red
beds exposed in the Gobi area of the Mongolian Plateau.