Gojirasaurus
| Gojirasaurus | |
|---|---|
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| Scale and skeletal diagram | |
Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Genus: | †Gojirasaurus Carpenter,1997 |
| Species: | †G. quayi
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| Binomial name | |
| †Gojirasaurus quayi Carpenter, 1997
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| Synonyms | |
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Gojirasaurus(meaning "Godzillalizard")[1]is agenusof "coelophysoid"theropoddinosaur from theLate TriassicofNew Mexico.It is named after thegiant monstermovie characterGodzilla(Hepburn:Gojira),and contains a single species,Gojirasaurus quayi.
Discovery
[edit]Gojirasaurus quayiwas described and named byKenneth Carpenterin1997based on a partial skeleton, theholotypespecimen UCM 47221, fromQuay County, New Mexico.The holotype is an assortment of various postcranial bones, including a rightscapula,rightpubis,lefttibia,leftmetatarsal V,[2]fourvertebralcentra,aneural arch,and fragments of ribs andgastralia.[1]In addition, a single large serrated tooth is associated with the postcranial material. The holotype is housed in the collections of theUniversity of Colorado Museum of Natural History,in Boulder, Colorado.[1]
The specimen hails from purplish-greymudstonesof theBull Canyon Formation(sometimes called theCooper Canyon Formation), a major fossiliferous component of theDockum Groupin eastern New Mexico. In particular, it was found at a site in the vicinity of Revuelto Creek, the type locality for theRevueltian"faunachron".[3]The Revueltian is abiostratigraphicunit roughly equivalent to the mid-lateNorianstage of the Triassic Period, approximately 215–207 million years ago.[4]The Revuelto Creek fossils were deposited in the earlier part of the Revueltian, close to around 212 million years ago.[5]
Though it would not be formally named until 1997, the fossils ofGojirasauruswere frequently mentioned through the 1980s and 1990s, as a robustCoelophysis-like theropod from Revuelto Creek.[6][7]Among these preliminary accounts is a short description by Parrish & Carpenter (1986).[8]In 1994, an unpublishedthesisby Adrian Hunt attempted to name the Revuelto Creek theropod as "Revueltoraptor lucasi". Hunt's conception of the species included not just UCM 47221, but also numerous theropod-like fossils stored at the NMMNH (New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science). As a name, "Revueltoraptor lucasi" was never formally published, and later evaluations recognized that most of Hunt's additional fossils are likely fromShuvosaurusrather than theropods.[1]
Etymology
[edit]Thegeneric nameGojirasaurusis derived from the name of the giant Japanese movie monster "Gojira" (Godzilla) and theGreekword "sauros"(σαυρος) meaning "lizard";[9]thus, "Godzilla lizard". Carpenter (1997) selected "Gojira" in reference to the relatively large size of this theropod, which exceeded that of its Triassic counterparts. Thespecific namequayi,is a reference to Quay County.[1]
Description
[edit]
Gojirasaurusis one of the largest theropods known from theTriassicPeriod, with an estimate total length of 5.5–6 metres (18–20 ft) long and a weight of at least 150 kilograms (330 lb).[1][10]Benson et al. (2018) estimated that it weighed around 190 kilograms (420 lb), only exceeded byHerrerasaurusamong Triassic carnivorous dinosaurs.[11]Carpenter (1997) pointed to features of the pelvis and ankle suggesting that this was an immature individual, and could therefore have grown to even a larger size in maturity.[1]Christopher T. Griffin (2019) and Griffin andNesbitt(2020) confirmed thatGojirasauruspossessed features indicative of ontogenetic immaturity.[2][12]
Distinguishing anatomical features
[edit]According to Nesbittet al.(2007),Gojirasauruscan be distinguished based on the fact that itstibiais more robust than that of its relativeCoelophysis.Rauhut (2003) attempted to diagnose this genus based on the fact that the mid/posterior dorsalvertebraehad taller neural spines than those observed in othercoelophysoids.[13]
Griffin (2019) followed Nesbitt (2007)'s diagnosis onGojirasaurusand distinguishes it fromMegapnosaurusandDilophosaurusbased on several characteristics of metatarsal V.[2]
Classification
[edit]Parrish and Carpenter (1986) drew similarities between UCM 47221 and "Halticosaurus liliensterni",a large German theropod now known asLiliensternus.Both were assigned to the family "Procompsognathidae", though the authors acknowledged that family names in use at the time were provisional and likely to be obsolete in the future.[8]Conversely, Hunt (1994) and Hunt et al. (1998)[14]argued that the specimen is aherrerasaurid,alongside various other fossils from the Late Triassic of North America.[15][16]The formal naming and description ofGojirasaurusby Carpenter (1997) firmly classified it withinCoelophysoidea.Many traits were comparable toCoelophysis,Dilophosaurus,and particularlyLiliensternus.[1]
Variousphylogenetic analysesin the 2000s supported coelophysoid affinities forGojirasaurus,close to or among the smallerCoelophysidaerather than withDilophosaurus.[13][17][18][19][20]Many studies noted that its remains are too fragmentary for further elaboration. Starting with Yates (2005), themonophylyofCoelophysoideahas been brought into question, withDilophosaurusresolving as more closely related toaverostrans(non-coelophysoid theropods).[18]In some analyses,Gojirasaurusmaintains its position among the coelophysids,[18]but other studies instead bring it over to the lineage leading toDilophosaurusand averostrans.[21][22][23]
Validity
[edit]A persistent question regardingGojirasaurus quayiis how much of its fossil material actually belongs to one species.[15]Gojirasauruscoexisted withShuvosaurus,an unusual reptile with a toothless beak and bipedal stance. Though previously regarded as an aberrant dinosaur, by 2007 most specialists agreed thatShuvosauruswas actually more closely related to crocodilians, and that its dinosaur-like traits are merelyconvergent.[24]According to Nesbitt et al. (2007), some components of UCM 47221, such as the tibia and pubis, are clearly coelophysoid in form and distinct fromShuvosaurus.[15]However, other parts of the skeleton, such as the scapula and vertebrae, are not readily distinguishable fromShuvosaurus.[15]The serrated tooth could be from any number of large carnivorousarchosaurswhich inhabited the area.[15]
Even the assuredly coelophysoid components of the skeleton have few unambiguous unique features. For example, the robust tibia is similar toCoelophysis-like fossils whichPadian(1986) described fromPetrified Forest National Parkin Arizona, only differing in size.[25][15][16]Several studies regardGojirasaurusas a "metataxon": a collection of fossils for which assignment to a single species can neither be proven nor disproven.[13][15]Nevertheless,Gojirasauruspersists in the scientific literature as a useful example of a large Triassic coelophysoid, validity notwithstanding.[11][2][12]
Paleoecology
[edit]Gojirasaurus's assignment to theCoelophysoideawould suggest that it was a bipedal, terrestrial, actively mobile carnivore.
The Revuelto Creek area preserves a diverse fauna of both terrestrial and aquatic animals from the Bull Canyon Formation.[6][8][7][26]On land, herbivorouspseudosuchiansare quite common, including theshuvosauridShuvosaurus inexpectatus,[26]theaetosaursTypothorax coccinarum,[7][26]Paratypothorax,[7]andRioarribasuchus,[27]and the smallaetosauriformRevueltosaurus callenderi.[28]BothShuvosaurusandRevueltosaurushave previously been misidentified as dinosaurs.[7][26]
Among terrestrial carnivores,Gojirasauruswas joined by at least a few other true dinosaurus. Bull Canyon dinosaur fragments are sometimes identified ascoelophysids,herrerasaurids,[26]and/orChindesaurus,[7]but most are too fragmentary to assess in great detail.[15][2][5]Lepidosauromorphs,crocodylomorphs,and large carnivorous "rauisuchians"are also represented by rare fragments.[26]Particularly robustarchosauromorphlimb fragments, previously thought to be from a late-survivingrhynchosaur( "Otischalkia"),[7][26]are probably frommalerisaurineazendohsauridsinstead.[29]The early turtleChinlechelys tenertestais a notable component of the terrestrial fauna.[30][31]
Phytosaurfossils are common at Revuelto Creek. One particularly impressive phytosaur skull was initially referred to"Rutiodon" (Smilosuchus) gregorii,[6][8]and later to"Arribasuchus" buceros.[7]It and other Bull Canyon phytosaur remains most likely belong to a species ofMachaeroprosopus(Pseudopalatus).[26][32]Smallmetoposauridamphibians, sometimes identified as "Apachesaurus gregorii",[7][26]frequent the area alongside larger metoposaurids.[6][26]Various fish inhabited the waterways:arganodontidlungfish,coelacanths(Quayia zideki), andactinopterygians.[6][26]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefghCarpenter, Kenneth (13 August 1997)."A Giant Coelophysoid (Ceratosauria) Theropod from the Upper Triassic of New Mexico, USA".Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen.205(2): 189–208.doi:10.1127/njgpa/205/1997/189.ISSN0077-7749.
- ^abcdeGriffin, Christopher T. (September 2019)."Large neotheropods from the Upper Triassic of North America and the early evolution of large theropod body sizes".Journal of Paleontology.93(5): 1010–1030.Bibcode:2019JPal...93.1010G.doi:10.1017/jpa.2019.13.ISSN0022-3360.
- ^Lucas, Spencer G (1 November 1998)."Global Triassic tetrapod biostratigraphy and biochronology".Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.143(4): 347–384.Bibcode:1998PPP...143..347L.doi:10.1016/S0031-0182(98)00117-5.ISSN0031-0182.
- ^Martz, J. W.; Parker, W. G. (1 January 2017), Zeigler, Kate E.; Parker, William G. (eds.),"Revised Formulation of the Late Triassic Land Vertebrate" Faunachrons "of Western North America: Recommendations for Codifying Nascent Systems of Vertebrate Biochronology",Terrestrial Depositional Systems,Elsevier, pp. 39–125,ISBN978-0-12-803243-5,retrieved28 August2022
- ^abMarsh, Adam D.; Parker, William G. (12 November 2020)."New dinosauromorph specimens from Petrified Forest National Park and a global biostratigraphic review of Triassic dinosauromorph body fossils"(PDF).PaleoBios.37:1–56.doi:10.5070/p9371050859.ISSN2373-8189.
- ^abcdeCarpenter, Kenneth; Parrish, Michael (1985)."Late Triassic Vertebrates from Revuelto Creek, Quay County, New Mexico"(PDF).New Mexico Geological Society Guidebook, 36th Field Conference, Santa Rosa:197–198.
- ^abcdefghiLong, Robert A.; Murry, Phillip A. (1995)."Late Triassic (Carnian and Norian) tetrapods from the Southwestern United States".New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin.4:1–254.
- ^abcdParrish, Michael; Carpenter, Kenneth (1986)."A new vertebrate fauna from the Dockum Formation (Late Triassic) of eastern New Mexico".In Padian, Kevin (ed.).The Beginning of the Age of Dinosaurs.New York: Cambridge University Press. pp. 151–160.ISBN0521303281.
- ^Liddell, Henry GeorgeandRobert Scott(1980).A Greek-English Lexicon(Abridged ed.). United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-910207-5.
- ^Paul, Gregory S. (2010).The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. p.74.ISBN978-0-691-13720-9.
- ^abBenson, Roger B. J.; Hunt, Gene; Carrano, Matthew T.; Campione, Nicolás (2018). Mannion, Philip (ed.)."Cope's rule and the adaptive landscape of dinosaur body size evolution".Palaeontology.61(1): 13–48.Bibcode:2018Palgy..61...13B.doi:10.1111/pala.12329.ISSN0031-0239.
- ^abGriffin, Christopher T.; Nesbitt, Sterling J. (2020)."Does the Maximum Body Size of Theropods Increase across the Triassic–Jurassic Boundary? Integrating Ontogeny, Phylogeny, and Body Size".The Anatomical Record.303(4): 1158–1169.doi:10.1002/ar.24130.ISSN1932-8486.PMID30968581.
- ^abcRauhut, Oliver W.M. (2003)."The interrelationships and evolution of basal theropod dinosaurs"(PDF).Special Papers in Palaeontology.69:1–213.
- ^Hunt, Adrian P.; Lucas, Spencer G.; Heckert, Andrew B.; Sullivan, Robert M.; Lockley, Martin G. (1998)."Late Triassic dinosaurs from the western United States"(PDF).Geobios.31(4): 511–531.Bibcode:1998Geobi..31..511H.doi:10.1016/S0016-6995(98)80123-X.
- ^abcdefghNesbitt, Sterling J.; Irmis, Randall B.; Parker, William G. (June 2007)."A critical re-evaluation of the Late Triassic dinosaur taxa of North America"(PDF).Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.5(2): 209–243.Bibcode:2007JSPal...5..209N.doi:10.1017/S1477201907002040.S2CID28782207.
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- ^Tykoski, R.S. & Rowe, T. (2004). "Ceratosauria".In: Weishampel, D.B., Dodson, P., & Osmolska, H. (Eds.) The Dinosauria (2nd edition). Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 47–70ISBN0-520-24209-2
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- ^Spiekman, Stephan N. F.; Ezcurra, Martín D.; Butler, Richard J.; Fraser, Nicholas C.; Maidment, Susannah C. R. (2021)."Pendraig milnerae, a new small-sized coelophysoid theropod from the Late Triassic of Wales".Royal Society Open Science.8(10).Bibcode:2021RSOS....810915S.doi:10.1098/rsos.210915.ISSN2054-5703.PMC8493203.PMID34754500.
- ^Ezcurra, Martín D.; Marke, Daniel; Walsh, Stig A.; Brusatte, Stephen L. (20 November 2023)."A revision of the 'coelophysoid-grade' theropod specimen from the Lower Jurassic of the Isle of Skye (Scotland )".Scottish Journal of Geology.59(1–2): 012.Bibcode:2023ScJG...59...12E.doi:10.1144/sjg2023-012.ISSN0036-9276.
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