Sebecosuchia was a group of highly specialized cursorial crocodyliforms that diversified during t... more Sebecosuchia was a group of highly specialized cursorial crocodyliforms that diversified during the Cretaceous and persist until the end of the Miocene. Their unique combination of cranial and post-cranial features indicates that they were active terrestrial predators that occupied the apex of the Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, even competing with theropod dinosaurs. Here, we report the discovery of the earliest sebecid worldwide, and the first from Eurasia, Ogresuchus furatus gen. et sp. nov., based on a semi-articulate specimen located in a titanosaurian sauropod nesting ground. The new taxon challenges current biogeographical models about the early dispersal and radiation of sebecid crocodylomorphs, and suggests an origin of the group much earlier than previously expected. Moreover, the new taxon suggests a potential convergent evolution between linages geographically isolated. Taphonomic evidences suggest that Ogresuchus died almost in the same place where fossilized, i...
Southwestern Europe is one of the best regions for characterizing the dinosaur assemblages that p... more Southwestern Europe is one of the best regions for characterizing the dinosaur assemblages that prevailed just before the end-Cretaceous extinction. Aiming to better document this scenario, we provide the first evidence of dinosaur skin impressions in the red-beds of the Tremp Formation (southern Pyrenees). The impressions are assigned to sauropods (probably titanosaurians) on the basis of their scale morphology, arrangement and size. They represent a valuable tool for analysing the last occurrences of the sauropod clade before the K–Pg extinction, as they fall within chron C29r (latest Maastrichtian), thus representing some of the lastin situremains of this clade worldwide.
A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portuga... more A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portugal)preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized in at least 80 unidirectional trackways arranged in a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Quantitative and qualitative comparisons reveal that the large tridactyl, elongated and asymmetric tracks resemble the typical Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Megalosauripus ichnogenus in all morphometric parameters. Few of the numerous tracks are preserved as elite tracks while the rest are preserved as different gradients of modified true tracks according to water content, erosive factors, radial fractures and internal overtrack formations. Taphonomical determinations are consistent with paleoenvironmental observations that indicate an inter-tidal flat located at the margin of a coastal barrier. The Megalosauripus tracks represent the oldest occurrence of this ichnotaxon and are attributed to large megalosaurid dinosaurs. Their ...
Recent finds of tetrapod ichnites in the red-bed and volcaniclastic succession of the Iberian Pyr... more Recent finds of tetrapod ichnites in the red-bed and volcaniclastic succession of the Iberian Pyrenean Basin permits an assessment of the faunal diversity and palaeoenvironment of a late early Permian setting. The tetrapod ichnoassemblage is inferred with the aid of photogrammetry and constituted byBatrachichnus salamandroides,Limnopusisp., cf.Amphisauropus(these three ichnotaxa present associated swimming traces, assigned toCharacichnos), cf.Ichniotherium,Dromopusisp., cf.Varanopus,Hyloidichnusisp. andDimetropus leisnerianus. These ichnotaxa suggest the presence of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, diadectomorphs, araeoscelids, captorhinids and synapsid pelycosaurs as potential trackmakers. These faunas correlate to the late early Permian. Two ichnoassociations correspond to two different palaeoenvironments that were permanently or occasionally aquatic (meandering fluvial systems and unconfined runoff surfaces, respectively). Ichnotaxa in the fluvial system is more diverse and abunda...
Resumen Durante el presente 2011 se cumplen 10 años de la presentación del primer proyecto de inv... more Resumen Durante el presente 2011 se cumplen 10 años de la presentación del primer proyecto de investi-gación paleontológica y geológica de los afloramientos cretácicos del Pirineo catalán. Dos proyec-tos quinquenales (2002-2006 y 2007-2011), presentados en el Servei d'Arqueologia i Paleontologia de la Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultural de la Generalitat de Catalunya, han servido de marco legal para la solicitud de permisos y subvenciones para las actividades de campo. Los primeros resultados científicos, así como el potencial paleontológico y geológico de las cuencas catalanas, han permitido al equipo de trabajo obtener dos proyectos del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Como resumen de los resultados obtenidos, se han publicado 15 trabajos en revistas incluidas en SCI, se han descubier-to decenas de nuevos yacimientos y se ha sentado la base para la divulgación de estos conocimientos en una red de centros de interpretación denominada "Terra de Dinosaures". Abst...
The Molí del Bar o-1 site (north-eastern Iberia) has yielded one of the richest fossil assemblage... more The Molí del Bar o-1 site (north-eastern Iberia) has yielded one of the richest fossil assemblages of the continental upper Maastrichtian from western Europe. It includes abundant plant (charophytes, sporomorphs, angiosperm leaves, seeds and logs), invertebrate (mollusc shells, partial insect exoskeletons and eggs) and vertebrate (teeth, bones, eggshells) fossils. The fossil assemblage is composed of both parautochthonous and allochthonous remains that mostly deposited in a pool formed at the edge of a meandering river. Plant megafossil evidence suggest that at least three angiosperm species (a willow-like dicot, palms and a likely typhacean monocot) formed the plant community growing in this fluvial environment. Tooth remains indicate that crocodylomorphs were diverse (including atoposaurids, ziphosuchians and eusuchians) which together with small theropod dinosaurs likely consumed prey carcasses or scavenged near the depositional setting. Prismatoolithid eggshells also suggest the presence of nearby nesting area of theropods. On the other hand, hadrosauroids apparently dominated phytophagous faunas including lambeosaurines as well as more basal forms. The taxonomic composition of the Molí del Bar o-1 site matches the expected for the timespan and environment and represents a relevant locality to know the diversity of the latest Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems in south western Europe.
In the present paper, the fossil record of the archosaurs (dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs and pterosa... more In the present paper, the fossil record of the archosaurs (dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs and pterosaurs) of the southern Pyrenees before the CretaceousePalaeogene (KePg) transition is revised. On the basis of this fossil record, a well-dated succession of dinosaurs and other archosaurs is established within polarity magnetochrons C30 and C29r. Almost 150 sites with dinosaur remains have been identified, containing hadrosauroid ornithopods, titanosaur sauropods and theropods, as well as egg sites and tracks. Fossil remains of dinosaurs and other archosaurs are abundant in C29r, disappearing abruptly near the top of the "Lower Red Garumnian" unit of the Tremp Formation. Thus this should be located very close to, or coinciding with the KePg boundary. These data suggest that the disappearance of the dinosaurs and other archosaurs was geologically abrupt in the southern Pyrenees, but to date there is no incontrovertible evidence of the presence of the impact level that marks the CretaceousePalaeogene boundary. Interestingly, what is highlighted in the southern Pyrenees is that the vertebrate-rich upper Maastrichtian continental sites were replaced by similar sedimentological facies characterized by the virtual absence not only of dinosaurs but also of any vertebrate remain throughout the lower Palaeocene. This could mean that the Danian terrestrial ecosystems of the southern Pyrenees took longer than other areas of the world to recover their biodiversity after the KÀPg extinction event.
ABSTRACT Vertebrate ichnites offer an interesting approach to the ecosystem diversity of the Perm... more ABSTRACT Vertebrate ichnites offer an interesting approach to the ecosystem diversity of the Permian and Triassic periods of the Iberian Peninsula. The vertebrate record for Iberian Peninsula is sparse within the different basins. Recent fieldwork at the Catalonian and Pyrenean basins (Catalonia area) is yielding new direct and indirect vertebrate remains. On these basins, direct remains (e.g. bones) of temnospondyls, procolophonids and archosaurs (Fortuny, 2011) are known from only a few continental localities. During the last three decades, some localities preserving ichnites have been discovered at Permian and Triassic facies (Calzada, 1987; Robles and Llompart, 1987). Since 2009 new sampling at the Catalonian and Pyrenean basins is increasing the number of ichnogenus known for Permian and Triassic periods of the region (Fortuny et al., 2010; Fortuny et al., 2011). Some of them represent the first cite of such ichnotaxa for the Iberian Peninsula. The main goal of this work is to present the ichnological diversity of these two basins. Recent findings are filling gaps during Permo- Triassic periods and are expected to assess with more confidence the real vertebrate diversity of these ecosystems.
Sebecosuchia was a group of highly specialized cursorial crocodyliforms that diversified during t... more Sebecosuchia was a group of highly specialized cursorial crocodyliforms that diversified during the Cretaceous and persist until the end of the Miocene. Their unique combination of cranial and post-cranial features indicates that they were active terrestrial predators that occupied the apex of the Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, even competing with theropod dinosaurs. Here, we report the discovery of the earliest sebecid worldwide, and the first from Eurasia, Ogresuchus furatus gen. et sp. nov., based on a semi-articulate specimen located in a titanosaurian sauropod nesting ground. The new taxon challenges current biogeographical models about the early dispersal and radiation of sebecid crocodylomorphs, and suggests an origin of the group much earlier than previously expected. Moreover, the new taxon suggests a potential convergent evolution between linages geographically isolated. Taphonomic evidences suggest that Ogresuchus died almost in the same place where fossilized, i...
Southwestern Europe is one of the best regions for characterizing the dinosaur assemblages that p... more Southwestern Europe is one of the best regions for characterizing the dinosaur assemblages that prevailed just before the end-Cretaceous extinction. Aiming to better document this scenario, we provide the first evidence of dinosaur skin impressions in the red-beds of the Tremp Formation (southern Pyrenees). The impressions are assigned to sauropods (probably titanosaurians) on the basis of their scale morphology, arrangement and size. They represent a valuable tool for analysing the last occurrences of the sauropod clade before the K–Pg extinction, as they fall within chron C29r (latest Maastrichtian), thus representing some of the lastin situremains of this clade worldwide.
A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portuga... more A new dinosaur tracksite in the Vale de Meios quarry (Serra de Aire Formation, Bathonian, Portugal)preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized in at least 80 unidirectional trackways arranged in a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Quantitative and qualitative comparisons reveal that the large tridactyl, elongated and asymmetric tracks resemble the typical Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Megalosauripus ichnogenus in all morphometric parameters. Few of the numerous tracks are preserved as elite tracks while the rest are preserved as different gradients of modified true tracks according to water content, erosive factors, radial fractures and internal overtrack formations. Taphonomical determinations are consistent with paleoenvironmental observations that indicate an inter-tidal flat located at the margin of a coastal barrier. The Megalosauripus tracks represent the oldest occurrence of this ichnotaxon and are attributed to large megalosaurid dinosaurs. Their ...
Recent finds of tetrapod ichnites in the red-bed and volcaniclastic succession of the Iberian Pyr... more Recent finds of tetrapod ichnites in the red-bed and volcaniclastic succession of the Iberian Pyrenean Basin permits an assessment of the faunal diversity and palaeoenvironment of a late early Permian setting. The tetrapod ichnoassemblage is inferred with the aid of photogrammetry and constituted byBatrachichnus salamandroides,Limnopusisp., cf.Amphisauropus(these three ichnotaxa present associated swimming traces, assigned toCharacichnos), cf.Ichniotherium,Dromopusisp., cf.Varanopus,Hyloidichnusisp. andDimetropus leisnerianus. These ichnotaxa suggest the presence of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, diadectomorphs, araeoscelids, captorhinids and synapsid pelycosaurs as potential trackmakers. These faunas correlate to the late early Permian. Two ichnoassociations correspond to two different palaeoenvironments that were permanently or occasionally aquatic (meandering fluvial systems and unconfined runoff surfaces, respectively). Ichnotaxa in the fluvial system is more diverse and abunda...
Resumen Durante el presente 2011 se cumplen 10 años de la presentación del primer proyecto de inv... more Resumen Durante el presente 2011 se cumplen 10 años de la presentación del primer proyecto de investi-gación paleontológica y geológica de los afloramientos cretácicos del Pirineo catalán. Dos proyec-tos quinquenales (2002-2006 y 2007-2011), presentados en el Servei d'Arqueologia i Paleontologia de la Direcció General del Patrimoni Cultural de la Generalitat de Catalunya, han servido de marco legal para la solicitud de permisos y subvenciones para las actividades de campo. Los primeros resultados científicos, así como el potencial paleontológico y geológico de las cuencas catalanas, han permitido al equipo de trabajo obtener dos proyectos del Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Como resumen de los resultados obtenidos, se han publicado 15 trabajos en revistas incluidas en SCI, se han descubier-to decenas de nuevos yacimientos y se ha sentado la base para la divulgación de estos conocimientos en una red de centros de interpretación denominada "Terra de Dinosaures". Abst...
The Molí del Bar o-1 site (north-eastern Iberia) has yielded one of the richest fossil assemblage... more The Molí del Bar o-1 site (north-eastern Iberia) has yielded one of the richest fossil assemblages of the continental upper Maastrichtian from western Europe. It includes abundant plant (charophytes, sporomorphs, angiosperm leaves, seeds and logs), invertebrate (mollusc shells, partial insect exoskeletons and eggs) and vertebrate (teeth, bones, eggshells) fossils. The fossil assemblage is composed of both parautochthonous and allochthonous remains that mostly deposited in a pool formed at the edge of a meandering river. Plant megafossil evidence suggest that at least three angiosperm species (a willow-like dicot, palms and a likely typhacean monocot) formed the plant community growing in this fluvial environment. Tooth remains indicate that crocodylomorphs were diverse (including atoposaurids, ziphosuchians and eusuchians) which together with small theropod dinosaurs likely consumed prey carcasses or scavenged near the depositional setting. Prismatoolithid eggshells also suggest the presence of nearby nesting area of theropods. On the other hand, hadrosauroids apparently dominated phytophagous faunas including lambeosaurines as well as more basal forms. The taxonomic composition of the Molí del Bar o-1 site matches the expected for the timespan and environment and represents a relevant locality to know the diversity of the latest Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems in south western Europe.
In the present paper, the fossil record of the archosaurs (dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs and pterosa... more In the present paper, the fossil record of the archosaurs (dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs and pterosaurs) of the southern Pyrenees before the CretaceousePalaeogene (KePg) transition is revised. On the basis of this fossil record, a well-dated succession of dinosaurs and other archosaurs is established within polarity magnetochrons C30 and C29r. Almost 150 sites with dinosaur remains have been identified, containing hadrosauroid ornithopods, titanosaur sauropods and theropods, as well as egg sites and tracks. Fossil remains of dinosaurs and other archosaurs are abundant in C29r, disappearing abruptly near the top of the "Lower Red Garumnian" unit of the Tremp Formation. Thus this should be located very close to, or coinciding with the KePg boundary. These data suggest that the disappearance of the dinosaurs and other archosaurs was geologically abrupt in the southern Pyrenees, but to date there is no incontrovertible evidence of the presence of the impact level that marks the CretaceousePalaeogene boundary. Interestingly, what is highlighted in the southern Pyrenees is that the vertebrate-rich upper Maastrichtian continental sites were replaced by similar sedimentological facies characterized by the virtual absence not only of dinosaurs but also of any vertebrate remain throughout the lower Palaeocene. This could mean that the Danian terrestrial ecosystems of the southern Pyrenees took longer than other areas of the world to recover their biodiversity after the KÀPg extinction event.
ABSTRACT Vertebrate ichnites offer an interesting approach to the ecosystem diversity of the Perm... more ABSTRACT Vertebrate ichnites offer an interesting approach to the ecosystem diversity of the Permian and Triassic periods of the Iberian Peninsula. The vertebrate record for Iberian Peninsula is sparse within the different basins. Recent fieldwork at the Catalonian and Pyrenean basins (Catalonia area) is yielding new direct and indirect vertebrate remains. On these basins, direct remains (e.g. bones) of temnospondyls, procolophonids and archosaurs (Fortuny, 2011) are known from only a few continental localities. During the last three decades, some localities preserving ichnites have been discovered at Permian and Triassic facies (Calzada, 1987; Robles and Llompart, 1987). Since 2009 new sampling at the Catalonian and Pyrenean basins is increasing the number of ichnogenus known for Permian and Triassic periods of the region (Fortuny et al., 2010; Fortuny et al., 2011). Some of them represent the first cite of such ichnotaxa for the Iberian Peninsula. The main goal of this work is to present the ichnological diversity of these two basins. Recent findings are filling gaps during Permo- Triassic periods and are expected to assess with more confidence the real vertebrate diversity of these ecosystems.
La presente comunicación pretende dar a conocer el estado de conocimiento sobre las localidades f... more La presente comunicación pretende dar a conocer el estado de conocimiento sobre las localidades fosilíferas del Principado de Andorra, encargado por el Área de Investigaciones Históricas del Departamento de Patrimonio Cultural y Política Lingüística del Gobierno del Principado de Andorra a la empresa Igeotest SL, con el asesoramiento del Instituto de Paleontología Crusafont de Sabadell. El objetivo ha sido documentar la carta paleontológica del Principado y para ello se ha propuesto la protección de parte del territorio andorrano en base a un criterio de riesgo, existiendo al mismo tiempo por cada zona fosilífera una subdivisión en yacimiento (J1) y área de presunción paleontológica (J2). El trabajo se ha efectuado en cuatro fases de estudio: Fase 1: Vaciado bibliográfico de más de 70 referencias con el reconocimiento de 30 localidades fosilíferas en Andorra. Fase 2: Reconocimiento de campo, descartando localidades que no fueron fructíferas y añadiendo otras que no estaban citadas en la bibliografía, inventariando un total de 36 afloramientos fosilíferos repartidos en 16 yacimientos. Fase 3: Una vez situados los yacimientos fosilíferos en su contexto geológico se procedió a la valoración desde el punto de vista de la cantidad, estado de preservación y probabilidad de deterioro en un futuro. Con esta valoración se estimó el riesgo que presentan los yacimientos respecto a su conservación futura e interés de preservación. Paralelamente se ha estimado el área de presunción paleontológica que representan los yacimientos, siendo ésta un total de 800 Ha y representa el 1,7 % del territorio andorrano, cifra que denota la escasez de fósiles en el Principado. Fase 4: Gracias al proyecto de fundación Marcel Chevalier de Igeotest SL, se ha dotado al Patrimonio Cultural Nacional de un fondo lítico con 100 piezas fósiles representativas de los yacimientos inventariados para su futuro estudio. Para un futuro quedó una quinta fase de estudio, la cual consistía en efectuar una recopilación de la información y documentación de los fósiles de Andorra que se encuentran en manos de colecciones públicas, ya que la documentación bibliográfica ha dejado constancia de la existencia de personas e instituciones susceptibles de aportar información sobre este aspecto
A state of the art of the Barremian Konservat-Lagerstätte of la Pedrera de Meià site (Southern Py... more A state of the art of the Barremian Konservat-Lagerstätte of la Pedrera de Meià site (Southern Pyrenees) is compiled here including the acquisition of new geological data. The relevance of this site, together with the nearby la Cabroa site, is due to its paleobiotic richness and the fact that 113 holotypes and paratypes of flora and fauna have already been defined. Since its discovery at the end of the 19th century and its exploitation as a lithographic limestone quarry, the site has been the object of paleontological interest by national and foreign research teams that are summarized here (including the catalogue of 224 publications). A survey of the existing type specimens in collections all over Europe is also provided, being France and Germany, the countries where more fossils are hosted other than Spain.The geological frame of this site is also reviewed, by revisiting unpublished geological mappings (mainly that of Krusat, 1966) and integrating it in a comprehensive map that includes 4 revisited outcrops of lithographic limestone which could be potential paleontological sites. Previous stratigraphic sections did allow the precise framing of paleontological data and findings, that now can be allocated in new stratigraphic sections accounting for 50m and that contain a minimum of 40.000 laminae, being a minimum estimation of the years represented in the la Pedrera de Meià site.
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