Smallest Titanosaur from Indo-Pakistan Landmass

2020

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Recently two slender and medium to large sized titanosaur taxa like Pakisaurus balochistani and Isisaurus colberti of pakisaurids Poripuch along with small sized stocky Saraikimasoom and medium sized stocky Gspsaurus of gspsaurids Poripuch have been recognized from Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.The diagnosis and description of Pakisaurus balochistani and some missing elements of Isisaurus colberti discovered from Pakistan are added here for understanding of possible fuller anatomy of slender titanosaurs. Further so far no any research information regarding the comparison of titanosaurs of India and Pakistan is available. Here present research provides the comparison between titanosaurs recognized from Pakistan and India. cently was discovered in 2000. So far 3000 fossil bones and pieces were discovered from Pakistan. All the fossil bones of titanosaurs were reported from the latest Cretaceous (67 -66 Ma) Vitakri Formation from Pakistan [3] [4] and its coeval Lameta sediments from India. The skull of Marisaurus jeffi titanosaur [5], different types of osteoderms of titanosaurs were reported first time in Asia [6] and titanosauriforms or basal titanosaur [7] were reported from Pakistan. Five taxa of titanosaurs from Pakistan namely Pakisaurus balochistani, Sulaimanisaurus gingerichi and Khetranisaurus barkhani of pakisaurids, Marisaurus jeffi and Balochisaurus malkani of balochisaurids were established on diverse caudal vertebrae [8]. This extended abstract [8] was submitted earlier than papers [5] [6] [7] but due to conference date changing from 2003 to 2004, the papers [5] [6] [7] were published earlier than conference [8] paper. These taxa of titanosaurs were described and figured in 2006 [9]. Diverse presacral vertebrae of titanosaurs were also reported from Pakistan [10]. Later on many postcranial fossils were referred to Marisaurus jeffi [11] [12] [13], Balochisaurus malkani [13] [14] and Pakisaurus balochistani [15]. These titanosaurs were considered invalid [16] except Isisaurus and Jainosaurus. The fossils from Pakistan were diagnostic and consequently Gspsaurus pakistani [17] and Saraikimasoom vitakri [17] were established on diagnostic skull and snout which were previously referred to Marisaurus jeffi [9] and Balochisaurus malkani [9] respectively. Further Nicksaurus razashahi [17] [18] and Maojandino alami [18] [19] were established on holotypic cranial, vertebral and appendicular elements which were previously referred to Marisaurus jeffi [9] and Balochisaurus malkani [9] respectively. Recently four titanosaurs from Indo-Pakistan like Gspsaurus pakistani [20] [21], Saraikimasoom vitakri [22] [23], Pakisaurus balochistani [24] and here, and Isisaurus colberti [25] (and here) were diagnosed out of total 15 named taxa from Indo-Pakistan subcontinent.

Section: Cranial Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cranial Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cranial Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cranial Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Pakisaurus balochistani (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 Isisaurus colberti Titanosaur Found from Pakistan

2020

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Recently Discovered Basilosaurid, Baluchithere Rhinoceros, Horses, Sea Cow, Proboscidean, Eucrocodile, Pterosaurs, Plesiosaur, Fishes, Invertebrates and Wood Fossils, Tracks and Trackways of Dinosaurs from Pakistan; Comparison of Recognized Four Titanosaur Taxa of Indo-Pakistan with Madagascar

2019

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Recent Geological and Paleontological exploration during the start of new/third millennium (from 2000 to 2019) yielded 45 taxa of vertebrates and invertebrates from Mesozoic and Tertiary (except a jawless fish from Cambrian and a trilobite from Permo-Triassic boundary) strata of Pakistan like dinosaurs, mesoeucrocodiles, eucrocodiles, pterosaurs-light bodied flying reptiles, plesiosaurs-broad bodied and ichthyosaurs-streamlined bodied reptiles and fishes, basilosaurid whale, Baluchithere rhinoceroses and paleo-horses mammals, invertebrates (hippurites/rudists, oysters, mussels and other bivalves, ammonites, belemnites nautilides and gastropods Mollusca, starfish echinoids, nummulites, assilina and alveolina foraminifers, arthropods and corals), algae, sponge and wood fossils. Here described new fossil records would attract widespread interests.

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 Saraikimasoom vitakri (Poripuchia, Stocky Titanosauria, Sauropoda) from Pakistan and Referred Fossils from India

2020

OJG

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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.