First Snout with Complete Teeth Row of Small Titanosaur in Indo-Pakistan Found from the Latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Formation of Pakistan; Associated Cranial and Postcranial Skeletons of <i>Saraikimasoom vitakri</i> (Poripuchia, Stocky Titanosauria, Sauropoda) from Pakistan and Referred Fossils from India

Abstract

Titanosaurs articulated cranial elements especially jaw bones with articulated complete teeth row are extraordinarily rare. Here the holotypic snout with articulated jaw bones and complete teeth row of Saraikimasoom vitakri are being presented which has international significance and contributes to understanding the evolutionary relationships and paleobiogeographic history of the vertebrates of Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. The completeness of the skeleton, in particular the presence of a well-preserved skull has a significant influence on resolution of titanosaur phylogeny. Here Saraikimasoom vitakri holotypic snout from South Kinwa, and referred jaw with articulated pointed and rounded teeth along with associated postcranial fossils from north Kinwa, and other associated materials from Mari Bohri, mid-Sangiali, Zubra Basti Nala and Grut localities of Pakistan are being presented. All these assemblages show consistent results.

<i>Pakisaurus balochistani</i> (Poripuchia, Slender Titanosauria, Sauropoda) Associated Skeletons Found from the Latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Formation of Pakistan and Referred Fossils from India; Filling of Important Missing Links of <i>Isisaurus colberti</i> Titanosaur Found from Pakistan

“…The humerus and caudal vertebra of lower Bor are overlapped with holotype (Figures 1-3) of Pakisaurus balochistani. The lower Bor skeletal key elements did not match to holotypic materials of Isisaurus colberti from Dangargaon, India [25], and referred lower Sangiali and Zubra peak skeletons [23] from Pakistan ( Figure 6) of Isisaurus colberti pakisaurid slender Poripuch titanosaur, and Chota Simla skeleton from India [16] [21] [32] and Alam, Top Kinwa and Mari Bohri skeletons from Pakistan of Gspsaurus pakistani [20] [21], and north Kinwa and Mari Bohri skeletons and lower Sangiali fossils from Pakistan of Saraikimasoom vitakri [22] [23] gspsaurid stocky poripuchian titanosaurs. Further Some fossils from India referred to Pakisaurus balochistani [24] (and here) like an isolated tooth GSI 20,006 from Rahioli [33] [34]; braincase GSI K27/497 [35]; axis from Nand [36]; caudal vertebra K20/315, poorly preserved tibia K20/321 and fibula K27/489 from Bara Simla [35] [37]; caudal vertebra K27/504, braincase GSI K27/497 ( Figure 5), caudal vertebra K20/317 and chevron from Bara Simla [35] and middle caudal vertebra (NHMUK R16481) from Chota Simla of Jainosaurus (=Antarctosaurus) septentrionalis [16].…”

“…Their comparisons can be explained as below. The Saraikimasoom vitakri [23] and Gspsaurus pakistani [21] condyle expanded or well divided especially radial condyle is expanded and exposed anteriorly and situated almost at the transverse centre. Third morphology of humerus [21] is moderate in size belongs to Gspsaurus pakistani, which represents prominent medial process of medial limb of proximal humerus is more extruded in the medial side (with possibly distal condyle expanded or well divided).…”

“…Third morphology of humerus [21] is moderate in size belongs to Gspsaurus pakistani, which represents prominent medial process of medial limb of proximal humerus is more extruded in the medial side (with possibly distal condyle expanded or well divided). Fourth morphology of humerus [23] is relatively small belongs to Saraikimasoom vitakri which represents distal humerus with expanded radial condyle exposed anteriorly but situated offset from centre. The deltopectoral crest is shifted medially shown in the Sangiali humeri of Saraikimasoom Vitakri and also like the Chota Simla humerus of Gspsaurus pakistani.…”

“…Diverse skulls of titanosaurs from Indo-Pakistan: Four braincases were described from the latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Lameta Formation in Bara Simla and Dongargaon localities of central India and Rahioli locality of western India [76]. Two braincases reported from the latest Maastrichtian Vitakri Lameta Formation in Alam [21] and Eastern Top Kinwa [23] localities of Balochistan, central Pakistan. The Kinwa locality braincase assigned to Saraikimasoom vitakri and Alam locality braincase is part of holotype of Gspsaurus pakistani.…”

“…All these braincases are different from each other. In this way more than four types of braincases were reported from Indo-Pakistan like large braincase having thick quadrangular occipital condyle with median cut, ventral W-shaped surface and dorsal reverse W-Shaped surface and almost straight lateral sides of Gspsaurus pakistani [21]; relatively small braincase with convex lateral sides and ventral feeble W-shaped of Saraikimasoom vitakri [23]; large braincase with D-shaped and convex lateral sides of Pakisaurus balochistani; and small braincase with D-shaped and lateral convex sides belong to Isisaurus colberti.…”