An Unusual Spinosaurd Vertebra Described in KK

[Troodon]

 An unusual mid-cervical vertebra belonging to a large spinosaurid from the Cenomanian Kem Kem Group of Morocco is described in this new paper.   

 

Here is one more example that continues to fuel the debate that there are multiple Spinosaurids in the Kem Kem Group

 

https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/vamp/index.php/VAMP/article/view/29370

 

 

 

Conclusions from paper:

 

The specimen ROM 65537 represents a new spinosaurid mid-cervical morphotype from the Kem Kem Group of Morocco, with a unique combination of characters not previously documented in a single element. The occurrence of a new spinosaurid mid-cervical morphotype in the Kem Kem Group may be unexpected if one accepts the referral of all spinosaurid material from this unit to a single species, Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, for which representative specimens of all expected post-atlas cervical vertebrae have been previously identified (Ibrahim et al. 2020a; Smyth et al. 2020). The morphology of ROM 65537 could be interpreted as representing a greater degree of intraspecific variation in the cervicals of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus than previously recognized, or alternatively, may provide new evidence for the occurrence of two spinosaurid taxa in the Kem Kem Group. The discovery of more material will hopefully allow for future testing of the axial position and taxonomic identity of this unusual specimen. 

[Praefectus]

Very interesting. Does this new vertebrae resemble material that is attributed to Sigilmassasaurus? Thanks for sharing. 

[Troodon]

1 hour ago, Praefectus said:

Very interesting. Does this new vertebrae resemble material that is attributed to Sigilmassasaurus? Thanks for sharing. 

Sigilmassasaurus had a ventral platform vtp in the attached image which is not evident in the one published.  The author was also one of those who contributed to the Sigilmassasaurus paper and I dont see any mention of it in this paper.  Lots of unknowns in the KK provides for lots of discussion 

[LordTrilobite]

Good stuff.