A New Species of the Durophagous Mosasaurid <i>Carinodens</i> from the Late Maastrichtian Phosphates of Morocco and Implications for Maastrichtian Mosasaurid Diversity
Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems saw a major adaptive radiation of mosasaurids, which evolved highly disparate jaw and tooth morphologies to feed on different prey. A striking pattern seen in mosasaurids was a high diversity of durophagous forms. Durophagy likely evolved several times independently...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Diversity |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/1/25 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Late Cretaceous marine ecosystems saw a major adaptive radiation of mosasaurids, which evolved highly disparate jaw and tooth morphologies to feed on different prey. A striking pattern seen in mosasaurids was a high diversity of durophagous forms. Durophagy likely evolved several times independently in the mosasaurine genera <i>Globidens</i>, <i>Prognathodon</i>, and <i>Carinodens</i>. <i>Carinodens</i> is unusual in having low, rectangular, laterally compressed teeth. The genus is known from around the world, with the species <i>Carinodens minalmamar</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>belgicus</i> previously reported from the Maastrichtian Phosphates of Morocco. Here, we report a new species of <i>Carinodens</i>, <i>C</i>. <i>acrodon</i>, from the same Maastrichtian Phosphates. It is characterized by teeth with tall crowns, triangular apices, and broad bases. Many of the diagnostic features of this species appear to be plesiomorphies, suggesting the persistence of a primitive species of <i>Carinodens</i> into the latest Maastrichtian alongside the more derived <i>C</i>. <i>minalmamar</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>belgicus</i>. The new species contributes to an emerging pattern of mosasaurid hyperdiversity in the late Maastrichtian of Morocco. A revised faunal list, including stratigraphic range extensions of <i>Khinjaria</i> and <i>Stelladens</i> into the latest Maastrichtian of upper Couche III of the Phosphates of Morocco, suggests at least 16 species of mosasauroid coexisted here. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1424-2818 |