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1 September 2010 Predation Bite-Marks on a Peirosaurid Crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén Province, Argentina
Lucas Ernesto Fiorelli
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Abstract

Bite marks and injuries caused by intraspecific predation or aggressive social behavior are uncommon in fossil vertebrates, and in the fossil record of suchian archosaurs they are extremely unusual. A peirosaurid crocodyliform collected from the Upper Cretaceous beds of the Neuquén Group (northern Patagonia, Argentina) shows abundant bite marks and injuries. These injuries are spread across all the preserved parts of the specimen, with the highest concentration of bite marks, perforations and breakage in the caudal region. Characteristics of these injuries are analyzed, and their possible origin and related taphonomic aspects are assessed. Results indicate that the injuries were not produced by intraspecific fighting, but probably by the predating action of a theropod dinosaur.

©Asociación Paleontológica Argentina
Lucas Ernesto Fiorelli "Predation Bite-Marks on a Peirosaurid Crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén Province, Argentina," Ameghiniana 47(3), 387-400, (1 September 2010). https://doi.org/10.5710/AMGH.v47i3.1
Received: 11 May 2009; Accepted: 1 April 2010; Published: 1 September 2010
KEYWORDS
Bite marks
Cretácico Superior
Mordeduras
Neuquén
Peirosaurid
Peirosáurido
Predación
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