Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar, Philip J. Currie, Ryuji Takasaki, Tomonori Tanaka, Masaya Iijima & Rinchen Barsbold (2017)
Ornithomimosaurs from the Nemegt formation of Mongolia: manus morphological variation and diversity.Â
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology (advance online publication)
Highlights
Morphologically different ornithomimosaur mani are discovered from Mongolia.
Nemegt ornithomimosaurs are highly diversified by their manus variation.
Various paleoecological niches are presumably occupied in the Nemegt Formation.
The different manual unguals may be used for different functions related to feeding.
Abstract
The Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia is rich in well-preserved dinosaurs and Ornithomimosauria is one of the most common taxa in the formation. Three ornithomimosaur taxa, Anserimimus planinychus, Deinocheirus mirificus, and Gallimimus bullatus, have been discovered from the formation so far. However, the recently discovered specimens suggest there is even greater morphological variation of ornithomimosaurs in the Nemegt Formation than are presently recognized. This study focuses on the structures of manual elements among Nemegt ornithomimosaurs and reveals their remarkable diversity. The manual structures of seven individuals are morphologically distinct from each other. Numerical analyses on metacarpals, phalanges, and unguals also support high morphological diversity of the Nemegt ornithomimosaurs. The large diversity of manual morphology may be related to large variety of palaeoecological niches were prevailed in the Nemegt ecosystem.