- Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Research Interests:
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... 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...
Research Interests: Paleontology, Biology, Palaeoecology, Biogeography, Medicine, and 3 morePalaeontology, Cretaceous, and Taxon
Research Interests:
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... 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.
Research Interests:
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... 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 ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... 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...
Research Interests: Geology, Paleontology, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Photogrammetry, and 13 moreIchnology, Vertebrate Ichnology, Vertebrate Paleontology, Pyrenees, Gondwana, Permian, Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian, Early Permian, Fluvial, Permian and Triassic tetrapods, Cambridge University, Permian Triassic Boundary, and Laurasia
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... 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...
Research Interests: Geology, Paleontology, Sedimentology, Paleobotany, Taxonomy, and 15 morePaleoecology, Crocodylians, Taphonomy, Palaeoecology, Dinosaur Paleontology, Theropods, Palaeontology, Palaeobotany, Invertebrate Paleontology, Sedimentary geology and stratigraphy, Crocodyliformes, Cretaceous, Hadrosauridae, Fluvial Sedimentology, and Angiosperms
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... 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.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... 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 occurrence in Vale de Meios tidal flat represents the unique paleoethological evidence of megalosaurids moving towards the lagoon, most likley during the low tide periods with feeding purposes. Megalosaurid dinosaurs were the dominant tetanuran theropods in the Middle Jurassic age 1 , a time period generally featured by the scarcity of dinosaur fossils worldwide 2. For this period of time, most of the theropod European record is assigned to the Megalosauridae family based on skeletal remains from France, England and Scotland 3–9. In addition, the ichnological record, mostly concentrated in England, Scotland and Portugal 10–13 preserves various large track morphotypes that fit into the approximate size of Megalosaurus, a characteristic mid-to-large basal megalosaurid from the Bathonian of England 6,7. The Lusitanian basin in West-Central Portugal bears two temporally significant theropod tracksites of Bathonian age: Algar dos Potes and Vale de Meios tracksites. Because of the poor dinosaur record in the Middle Jurassic, the description of new localities represents a very significant contribution to understand the composition of dinosaur faunas of that age. Particularly, the occurrence of new fossil evidence potentially related to megalosaurid theropods increases the knowledge of the clade in terms of diversity, taxonomy, behaviour and environmental distribution. New data from tracks and trackways is also of pivotal importance to ascertain trackmaker affinity and habitat. The aim of the present study is to formally describe the Vale de Meios tracksite (Figs 1–3), one of the largest theropod tracksites described worldwide from the Middle Jurassic. For this purpose we provide a detailed sedimentary analysis and an exhaustive description of the track morphology, preservation and ichnotaxonomy. Moreover, paleoenvironmental and paleoethological reconstructions are provided on the basis of the unique orientation and arrangement of the trackways on the tidal flat. Materials and Methods Two field campaigns in 2014 and 2015 produced a 2D cartography and photogrammetric models of the most interesting trackways and track morphologies (see Supplementary Information for three-dimensional models) at the Vale de Meios locality (Fig. 3). The whole outcrop was divided into 5 × 5 m squares and each square was provided with a letter and a number in order to locate tracks with x, y coordinates (Fig. 3A). Photogrammetric
Research Interests:
Recently discovered evidence of tracks in the continental beds of the Late Cretaceous Tremp Formation in the southern Pyrenees (NE Iberian Peninsula) has been identified as scratch marks made by buoyant crocodiles. The tracks are... more
Recently discovered evidence of tracks in the continental beds of the Late Cretaceous Tremp Formation in the southern Pyrenees (NE Iberian Peninsula) has been identified as scratch marks made by buoyant crocodiles. The tracks are preserved in two distinct environments and substrates (marly limestones originating in a littoral mud flat and fine-grained sandstones deposited in fluvial settings). Most of the crocodylian traces are ascribed to ichnogenus Characichnos, whereas a single plantigrade pes track is assigned to ichnogenus cf. Crocodylopodus. The crocodylian swim traces (Characichnos ichnofacies) found in the early and late Maastrichtian co-occur with Brontopodus ich-nofacies attributable to terrestrial tetrapods (titanosaur sauropods, cf. Brontopodus ichnogenus; and hadrosaurid ornithopods, Hadrosauropodus ichnogenus). Analysis of the tracks allows the interpretation of palaeoenvironmental settings and track production. Thus, in lagoonal environments, swim tracks of crocodylians were produced during the rise of the water level in successive tide cycles; in fluvial settings, the swim traces of crocodylians were produced within the channel at the low-water stage. To date, there are no reports of Late Cretaceous crocodylian tracks in Europe, and the studied evidence represents the first and youngest track record of the group in the lat-est part of the Cretaceous (C29r) in this continent and probably in the world.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... EL LABERINTODONT DE LA CALMA, HIST~RIA DEL JACIMENT ... En una primera inspecció visual del terreny, el Dr JV Santafb, l'especialista en dinosaures de l'Institut, va creure que es tractava de les restes d'un rbptil,... more
... EL LABERINTODONT DE LA CALMA, HIST~RIA DEL JACIMENT ... En una primera inspecció visual del terreny, el Dr JV Santafb, l'especialista en dinosaures de l'Institut, va creure que es tractava de les restes d'un rbptil, possiblement d'un crocodilih. ...
... ROS* ABSTRACT GAETE, R. GALOBART, A. and ROS, X. First Appointment about Parotosuchus (Capitosauridae, Amphibia) in the Lower Triassic of the Montseny massif. ... Paleontology, 13 (2): 2 10-253, 24 figs. Ingavat, R. and Javier, P.... more
... ROS* ABSTRACT GAETE, R. GALOBART, A. and ROS, X. First Appointment about Parotosuchus (Capitosauridae, Amphibia) in the Lower Triassic of the Montseny massif. ... Paleontology, 13 (2): 2 10-253, 24 figs. Ingavat, R. and Javier, P. 1981. Cyclotosaurus cf. ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... rex or as Kislangia aff. rex: Valdeganga 3-4 (Mein et al., 1978), Galera 2 (Martin Suarez, 1988) and Almenara 1 (= Casablanca 1; Agusti & Galobart, 1986; Esteban Aenlle & Lopez Martinez, 1987).... more
... rex or as Kislangia aff. rex: Valdeganga 3-4 (Mein et al., 1978), Galera 2 (Martin Suarez, 1988) and Almenara 1 (= Casablanca 1; Agusti & Galobart, 1986; Esteban Aenlle & Lopez Martinez, 1987). The site of Galera 2 (Guadix ...
The morphology of the cervical vertebrae and skull structures associated with the neck musculature was studied in the felid sabertooth Homotherium latidens from the Spanish early Pleistocene site of Incarcal. Cervical anatomy of... more
The morphology of the cervical vertebrae and skull structures associated with the neck musculature was studied in the felid sabertooth Homotherium latidens from the Spanish early Pleistocene site of Incarcal. Cervical anatomy of Homotherium was compared to that of modern pantherine cats, Smilodon, and other sabertoothed carnivores, and the relationship between neck function and killing behavior was investigated. Homotherium latidens possesses the structures associated with the canine shear-bite, as described in Smilodon. Our study of muscle insertion areas in the cervical vertebrae of Homotherium does not support previous statements about unusually strong scalenes and their role in stabbing. Instead, we see evidence of increased muscular control of various movements of the neck, including lateral flexion, depression and extension. These features, and the greater relative length of the neck in Homotherium and other machairodonts, are interpreted as adaptations for delivering a canine shear-bite in precise areas of the body of relatively large prey.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Vila, B., Galobart, À., Oms, O., Poza, B. & Bravo, A.M. 2009: Assessing the nesting strategies of Late Cretaceous titanosaurs: 3-D clutch geometry from a new megaloolithid eggsite. Lethaia, Vol. 43, pp. 197–208.Detailed mapping and... more
Vila, B., Galobart, À., Oms, O., Poza, B. & Bravo, A.M. 2009: Assessing the nesting strategies of Late Cretaceous titanosaurs: 3-D clutch geometry from a new megaloolithid eggsite. Lethaia, Vol. 43, pp. 197–208.Detailed mapping and excavation at the egg locality of Font del Bullidor (Vallcebre Syncline, NE Iberian Peninsula) document various clutches with megaloolithid (Megaloolithus siruguei) eggs and provide significant information on the mode of incubation of Late Cretaceous titanosaurs. Clutches of eggs are preserved in a greyish lagoonal mudstone deposited overlying a sinuous channel infill. Despite the lithological uniformity of the mudstone, clutch architecture can be inferred from the topographical position of the eggs within some clutches. Mapping methods underscore the importance of documenting the spatial relationship of the egg-bearing bed and the mapping plan, as well as an accurate 3-D coordinate acquisition. Both geometry of the clutches and taphonomic observations on particular eggs indicate that eggs were laid in a shallow pit excavated into the substrate. Most of the eggs were incubated under a cover of sediment before hatching or cracking. This corroborates previous inferences on nesting mode. □Clutch, dinosaurs, eggs, Maastrichtian, Megaloolithus siruguei, Pyrenees.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Engineering, Paleontology, Physics, Chemistry, Photogrammetry, and 28 moreIchnology, Vertebrate Ichnology, Biomechanics, Functional Anatomy, Biology, Locomotion, Evolution, Dinosaur Paleontology, Theropods, Medicine, Multidisciplinary, Ornithopods, Spain, Dinosaurs, Gait, Dinosaur Tracks, Sauropods, Dinosaur Footprints, Dinosaur trackways, Dinosaur footprints and trackways, Animals, PLoS one, Posture, Vertebrate Tracks, Fossil Footprints, Cross Section, Species Specificity, and Extremities
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
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... 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
Research Interests:
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... 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.