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Mapusaurus

Mapusaurus roseae is a large carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous period, known from a monospecific bonebed containing the remains of a minimum of 7-9 individuals of varying ages in the Huincul Formation of Patagonia, Argentina.^[1] This giant carnivore, comparable in size to its close relative Giganotosaurus carolinii, measured up to approximately 12.2 meters in length and weighed around 3 metric tons, with juveniles as small as 5-6 meters.^[1] Characterized by a deep, short, and narrow skull equipped with blade-like teeth featuring wrinkled enamel, powerful hindlimbs, and reduced forelimbs, Mapusaurus was likely an apex predator that hunted large sauropods in a floodplain environment.^[1] The fossils were discovered in 1997 at the Cañadón del Gato locality, about 20 km southwest of Plaza Huincul in Neuquén Province, with excavations conducted by the Argentinean-Canadian Dinosaur Project from 1997 to 2001.^[1] The bonebed, spanning an area of about 7 by 4 meters and up to 1.5 meters thick, yielded over 30% of the skeleton for the largest individual, including parts of the skull, vertebrae, ribs, and limbs, indicating a catastrophic event or social aggregation rather than predation.^[1] Named in 2006 by paleontologists Rodolfo A. Coria and Philip J. Currie, the genus Mapusaurus derives from Mapuche words meaning "Earth Lizard," while the species roseae honors both the rose-colored rocks of the site and sponsor Rose Letwin.^[1] Phylogenetically, Mapusaurus roseae belongs to the subfamily Giganotosaurinae within Carcharodontosauridae, sharing derived traits such as a prominent supraorbital shelf formed by the palpebral bone and heavily sculptured facial bones with Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus.^[1] Ontogenetic studies reveal peramorphic changes in the skull during growth, including elongation of the maxilla and reduction of the antorbital fenestra, suggesting heterochronic evolution in carcharodontosaurids.^[2] Pathological evidence from the bonebed, including healed fractures and infections, indicates that these dinosaurs experienced injuries possibly from intra- or interspecific combat or predation attempts.^[3] The Huincul Formation, dated to the Cenomanian to early Turonian stages (approximately 97-92 million years ago), preserves a diverse fauna including titanosaurs like Argentinosaurus, providing context for Mapusaurus as a top predator in a warm, riverine ecosystem.^[1]

Discovery and Naming

Etymology

The genus name Mapusaurus is derived from the Mapuche word mapu, meaning "earth" or "land," combined with the Greek sauros, meaning "lizard" or "reptile," yielding "earth lizard" or "earth reptile" in reference to the Patagonian locality of its discovery.^[1] The type species M. roseae was formally named in 2006 by paleontologists Rodolfo A. Coria and Philip J. Currie, with the epithet roseae honoring Rose Letwin of Seattle, who sponsored the expeditions in 1999, 2000, and 2001 that led to the recovery of the fossils, as well as alluding to the rose-colored rocks enclosing the discovery site.^[1] This incorporation of the Mapuche language into the genus name exemplifies a paleontological naming convention in South America, particularly Patagonia, where indigenous terms are used to acknowledge local cultural heritage and the regional context of fossil finds, as seen in other taxa such as Llukalkan ("one who causes fear" in Mapudungun).^[1]^[4]

History of Discovery

The fossils of Mapusaurus were first discovered in 1997 during a field survey at the Cañadón del Gato locality (69°17'13''W, 39°03'50''S) in the Huincul Formation of the Neuquén Group, Neuquén Province, Argentina, within Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) deposits of the Río Limay Subgroup.^[1]^[5] Systematic excavations followed over five field seasons from 1997 to 2001, organized by the Argentinean-Canadian Dinosaur Project and led by paleontologists Rodolfo A. Coria of the Museo Carmen Funes and Philip J. Currie of the University of Alberta. These efforts revealed a dense bonebed of disarticulated theropod remains preserved in a channel sandstone deposit, initially mistaken for a single large individual but ultimately representing at least seven to nine specimens across various ontogenetic stages, suggesting accumulation through catastrophic events or attritional processes in a semiarid fluvial environment.^[1] The taxon was formally described and named Mapusaurus roseae in 2006 by Coria and Currie in the journal Geodiversitas, with the generic name deriving from the Mapuche word "mapu" for earth and the specific epithet honoring the rose-colored host rocks and project supporter Rose Letwin. The description included initial size estimates of up to 12.6 meters in length for the largest individuals, based on comparisons to the closely related Giganotosaurus carolinii, and highlighted the bonebed's composition as indicative of a monospecific assemblage of carcharodontosaurid theropods.^[1] Subsequent research in the 2010s reinforced these findings, with a 2013 palaeopathological survey confirming the bonebed's monospecific attribution to M. roseae through analysis of over 800 elements from a minimum of nine individuals, documenting pathologies and size variation consistent with a single population. No significant new Mapusaurus specimens or localities have been reported as of November 2025, though the bonebed's multi-individual preservation offers key evidence for theropod sociality and ontogeny.^[5]

Known Specimens

The holotype of Mapusaurus roseae is the specimen MCF-PVPH-108.1, consisting of an isolated right nasal bone, housed at the Museo Carmen Funes in Plaza Huincul, Neuquén Province, Argentina.^[1] Twelve paratypes were designated from the same locality, including representative cranial and postcranial elements such as MCF-PVPH-108.2 (right dentary), MCF-PVPH-108.5 (left lacrimal/prefrontal), MCF-PVPH-108.20 (left maxilla), and MCF-PVPH-108.81 (anterior caudal vertebra).^[1] The primary fossil assemblage derives from a monospecific bonebed at Cañadón del Gato in the Huincul Formation, preserving disarticulated but associated remains of at least seven individuals ranging from juveniles to adults.^[1] These include over 170 catalogued elements such as isolated teeth, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, ribs, partial pelvic girdles, and limb bones (e.g., MCF-PVPH-108.100–108.176 series), collectively representing approximately 30% completeness for the taxon when reconstructed. The preservation indicates a death assemblage with minimal transport, as bones show limited weathering and some articulation in clusters.^[1] All known specimens originate from this single quarry, with no additional Mapusaurus material reported from other sites as of November 2025, though ongoing preparation of bonebed elements continues at the Museo Carmen Funes.^[1] These fossils, spanning multiple ontogenetic stages, have informed studies on growth patterns in carcharodontosaurids.^[2]

Description

Overall Size and Build

Mapusaurus was a large theropod dinosaur, with adult individuals estimated to reach lengths of 11–12.2 meters based on scaling from the holotype and associated specimens.^[6]^[1] Mass estimates for adults are approximately 3 metric tons, derived from femoral measurements.^[1] The overall build of Mapusaurus was robust, characterized by an elongated skull reaching approximately 1.6 meters in length, powerful hindlimbs adapted for terrestrial locomotion, and reduced forelimbs comparable to those of Allosaurus but proportionally scaled to its larger size.^[1] This configuration suggests a predatory form optimized for pursuing large prey, with a deep and narrow cranial profile contributing to its biomechanical efficiency.^[1] In comparison to its close relative Giganotosaurus, Mapusaurus was comparable in size, though both genera shared similar hindlimb proportions indicative of comparable agility.^[1] The bonebed assemblage reveals ontogenetic variation, with juvenile specimens measuring approximately 5.5 meters in length, contrasting with the larger adult forms and indicating significant growth disparity within the population.^[1]

Cranial Features

The skull of Mapusaurus roseae exhibits a deep and narrow configuration, setting it apart from the more elongate form observed in its close relative Giganotosaurus carolinii. This depth arises from a relatively short maxilla measuring 620 mm in length, which contributes to a compact rostrum overall. The facial bones are heavily sculptured with rugosities, a characteristic shared among carcharodontosaurids, while the nasals are unfused and bear dorsolateral rugosities. A prominent sagittal crest is absent in known material, as the frontals remain undescribed, though the overall cranial depth suggests robust attachment sites for jaw adductor muscles.^[1] The antorbital region features a large, triangular antorbital fossa extending up to 75 mm onto the maxilla, housing a small maxillary fenestra (34 mm high) that is less prominent laterally than in Giganotosaurus. This extensive fenestration reduces cranial weight, indicative of adaptations for agility in a large theropod. Braincase fragments reveal high pneumatization, including large pneumopores in the nasals (25 mm diameter) and lacrimal sinuses, supporting efficient air sac systems but providing limited direct insight into sensory capabilities. The orbit is subdivided by processes from the lacrimal and postorbital bones, forming a supraorbital shelf primarily composed of the palpebral complex.^[1] Dentition in Mapusaurus includes 12 maxillary alveoli per side, matching Giganotosaurus but fewer than the 14 in Acrocanthosaurus atokensis or 16 in Carcharodontosaurus saharicus. The approximately 15 dentary tooth positions accommodate flat, blade-like teeth with a D-shaped cross-section, fine serrations (8–9 denticles per 5 mm), and wrinkled enamel adjacent to the carinae, optimized for slicing through soft tissue. Crown heights vary ontogenetically from 24 mm to 81.5 mm, reflecting growth stages in the bonebed assemblage.^[1] Reconstructed skulls of Mapusaurus measure approximately 1.6 m in length, comparable to that of Tyrannosaurus rex (about 1.5 m) but with a lighter construction due to the expanded fenestrae and reduced bone mass, potentially enhancing speed over the heavier tyrannosaurid build.^[1]

Postcranial Anatomy

The postcranial skeleton of Mapusaurus roseae is characterized by a lightweight yet robust axial column adapted for supporting its massive body while allowing flexibility and mobility. The cervical vertebrae are elongated, facilitating neck flexibility for reaching prey or maneuvering; these vertebrae exhibit pneumatic features such as pleurocoels, reducing overall weight through air-filled diverticula invading the bone. Neural spines in the cervicals are low with sharp dorsal margins, and epipophyses are conical and posteriorly elongated, enhancing leverage for neck muscles. Posterior zygapophyses on the axis are fused at the midline, providing structural reinforcement.^[1] The dorsal vertebrae feature neural spines increasing in height toward the mid-dorsal region to up to 490 mm, forming a stable sagittal crest-like structure that supports the epaxial musculature and aids in torso rigidity during locomotion. These spines are rectangular and I-beam shaped, with central pleurocoels (e.g., 60 mm long and 45 mm tall) indicating extensive pneumaticity that lightens the skeleton without compromising strength. The caudal vertebrae include anterior forms with tall neural spines (e.g., 185 mm high) that taper posteriorly; mid-caudals show accessory neural spines and low, elongated profiles, contributing to tail flexibility for balance.^[1] Pathological evidence from the bonebed includes healed fractures and infections in appendicular elements, suggesting injuries from combat or predation attempts.^[7] In the appendicular skeleton, the hindlimbs are robustly built for bipedal support and propulsion, exemplified by the femur, which reaches 1.3 meters in length with a straight shaft, a low fourth trochanter, and a head angled over 90 degrees upward, adaptations that enhance stride power. The pes is tridactyl, with metatarsal I inflected anteriorly in its distal third, and metatarsals II–IV subequal in length (e.g., 610–720 mm for metatarsal II), forming a weight-bearing foot with phalangeal formula typical of large theropods. The pelvic girdle features a broad, elongate ilium (1.05 meters long) with a deep brevis fossa extending into the ischial peduncle, providing attachment for powerful caudofemoralis musculature to drive hindlimb movement; this contrasts sharply with the reduced forelimbs, where the manus is diminutive, with metacarpals II and III proximally fused and only two functional digits bearing straight unguals (up to 135 mm long).^[1]

Classification

Phylogenetic Position

Mapusaurus roseae is classified within the theropod clade Allosauroidea, specifically as a member of the family Carcharodontosauridae, which is nested inside the family Neovenatoridae. This placement is supported by multiple cladistic analyses that recover Mapusaurus as a derived allosauroid, sharing numerous derived characters with other carcharodontosaurids such as pneumatic cranial bones, blade-like maxillary teeth with longitudinal enamel wrinkles, and a reduced fourth trochanter on the femur. Within Carcharodontosauridae, Mapusaurus consistently forms a clade with Giganotosaurus carolinii and Tyrannotitan chubutensis, often termed Giganotosaurinae, positioned basally relative to more derived northern hemisphere forms like Carcharodontosaurus and Sauroniops.^[1]^[8] Key synapomorphies supporting the inclusion of Mapusaurus in Neovenatoridae include a crest extending distally along the posterior surface of the ulna from the olecranon process and small, flange-like lateral extensions of postzygapophyseal facets on middle-posterior dorsal vertebrae. These features distinguish neovenatorids from outgroups such as Allosauridae, where the ulnar olecranon is more robust and proximally expanded for greater elbow extension power. Compared to tyrannosaurids, which represent a more distant outgroup within Tetanurae, Mapusaurus exhibits less reduction in forelimb elements overall, with a straighter ulna lacking the extreme miniaturization seen in tyrannosaurid arms.^[8]^[9] The original phylogenetic analysis by Coria and Currie in 2006, based on a 110-character matrix, recovered Mapusaurus as the sister taxon to Giganotosaurus with strong support (six unambiguous synapomorphies, including a dorsomedially oriented femoral head and shallow extensor groove on the femur). Subsequent studies with expanded taxon sampling, such as Benson et al. in 2010 (using 233 characters and 45 taxa) and Canale et al. in 2022 (incorporating new South American material like Meraxes gigas, placing Mapusaurus within Giganotosaurini with Meraxes as basal), have confirmed this position without major shifts, reinforcing the stability of Mapusaurus in the Giganotosaurinae clade through increased resolution in southern hemisphere allosauroids. As of 2025, no analyses propose alternative placements, with ongoing refinements focusing on ontogenetic variation rather than topological changes.^[1]^[10]^[9]

Relationship to Other Carcharodontosaurids

Mapusaurus exhibits a particularly close relationship with its South American contemporary Giganotosaurus, sharing several diagnostic cranial and dental features indicative of their placement within the subfamily Giganotosaurinae. Both taxa possess a similarly structured maxillary fenestration, though reduced in size in Mapusaurus, and comparable denticle counts on their carinae, with approximately 8-10 denticles per 5 mm. These shared traits, including wrinkled enamel on blade-like teeth and heavily sculptured facial bones, underscore their phylogenetic proximity, as evidenced by cladistic analyses that nest them as sister taxa within Carcharodontosauridae. However, Mapusaurus displays a more gracile overall build, with a deeper and narrower skull, a shorter and taller maxilla (tooth row 560 mm versus approximately 650 mm in the preserved portion of Giganotosaurus), and a more slender fibula, suggesting potential differences in predatory ecology or ontogenetic variation. In comparison to African carcharodontosaurids such as Carcharodontosaurus, Mapusaurus shares a comparable body size, with estimated lengths exceeding 10 meters and femoral lengths up to 1300 mm, as well as a deep antorbital fossa that is nearly triangular in outline. Both exhibit the characteristic supraorbital shelf formed by the postorbital and palpebral bones, along with dorsomedially directed femoral heads. Nonetheless, Mapusaurus differs in having fewer maxillary alveoli (12 versus 14 in Carcharodontosaurus) and a maxilla that tapers posteriorly beneath the antorbital fossa, lacking the extreme rostral widening observed in some African forms. These distinctions highlight regional morphological variations within the family, potentially influenced by local faunal dynamics. Mapusaurus also relates to Asian carcharodontosaurids like Shaochilong, with which it shares temporal overlap during the Cenomanian-Turonian stages of the mid-Cretaceous (approximately 96-90 Ma). Both display extensive pneumaticity in the braincase and similar proportions in certain postcranial elements, such as a shortened axis vertebra. However, Shaochilong is notably smaller (estimated 5-6 m in length) and exhibits unique features like a reduced antorbital fossa (depth ratio 0.15 versus 0.40 in Mapusaurus) and a sagittal crest on the frontal, contrasting with the flat frontals of Mapusaurus. Phylogenetic analyses position Shaochilong as a derived carcharodontosaurid closely allied with Gondwanan taxa like Mapusaurus and Giganotosaurus, implying a Laurasian-Gondwanan dispersal event across Tethyan barriers during the Early to mid-Cretaceous. Biogeographically, Mapusaurus is endemic to Patagonia in southern Gondwana, known exclusively from the Huincul Formation of Argentina, where it forms part of a mid-Cretaceous radiation of large carcharodontosaurids alongside Giganotosaurus. This distribution supports a Gondwanan origin for the group, with subsequent dispersals to northern continents, as no significant phylogenetic revisions post-2020 have altered these close ties or the established subfamily structure.

Paleobiology

Growth and Ontogeny

The bonebed of Mapusaurus roseae at Cañadón del Gato in the Huincul Formation preserves remains of at least seven to nine individuals spanning multiple growth stages, from juveniles estimated at 5–5.5 m in body length based on dentary dimensions to adults reaching over 11 m.^[1] This multi-age assemblage, consisting exclusively of Mapusaurus fossils, suggests aggregation of individuals across ontogenetic stages, potentially reflecting gregarious behavior in life.^[11] Histological analyses of related carcharodontosaurids reveal rapid early growth rates that slow after skeletal maturity, with annual mass increases estimated up to several hundred kilograms in juvenile phases before transitioning to slower deposition of parallel-fibered bone and an external fundamental system (EFS) indicating maturity.^[12] For Mapusaurus, direct bone histology remains undocumented as of 2025, but morphometric evidence from the bonebed supports comparable patterns, with negative allometry in elements like metatarsals showing increased robusticity in larger individuals.^[1] Ontogenetic changes are evident in cranial elements, where juvenile skulls exhibit smoother bone surfaces, greater pneumaticity in the maxilla, two distinct antorbital fenestrae, and higher denticle density on teeth (14 per 5 mm), contrasting with adult skulls featuring coarse ornamentation, a single promaxillary fenestra, pronounced ridges on the dentary and palatal shelf, and reduced denticle density (8–9 per 5 mm).^[13] Postcranially, adult limb bones display greater shaft width and remodeling consistent with increased load-bearing, while juvenile proportions suggest relatively less robust construction.^[1] Lifespan estimates for large carcharodontosaurids, inferred from growth mark counts in analogous taxa, indicate skeletal maturity at 35–49 years, with total lifespans potentially reaching 39–53 years, though Mapusaurus-specific data are lacking.^[12] No clear evidence of sexual dimorphism has been identified in the bonebed specimens as of 2025, with variation attributable to ontogeny or individual differences rather than sex.^[11]

Feeding Mechanisms

Mapusaurus possessed a bite adapted for slashing flesh rather than crushing bone, consistent with the lightweight yet robust skull construction and powerful jaw adductor musculature typical of large theropods.^[14] The dentition of Mapusaurus featured recurved, laterally compressed teeth with finely serrated mesial and distal edges, enabling the infliction of deep, tearing wounds to dismember large prey.^[15] These ziphodont teeth, measuring up to 15 cm in height, facilitated efficient slicing through soft tissue and muscle, with the serrations acting as barbs to prevent slippage during feeding. Tooth replacement occurred at a high rate, inferred from the presence of unerupted successor teeth in subadult specimens, allowing rapid renewal of damaged elements and sustained predatory efficiency throughout adulthood. Jaw mechanics in Mapusaurus were characterized by limited cranial kinesis, relying instead on powerful adductor musculature for forceful closure. The temporalis muscles, the primary jaw adductors, were anchored to an expansive sagittal crest along the parietals and frontals, providing leverage for deep, penetrating bites without extensive joint mobility.^[14] This arrangement, supported by enlarged temporal fenestrae, optimized the skull for rapid, high-impact strikes rather than prolonged mastication. Prey preferences of Mapusaurus centered on large-bodied sauropods such as Argentinosaurus, based on their co-occurrence in the Huincul Formation.

Locomotion and Behavior

Mapusaurus was a bipedal theropod that maintained an upright posture during locomotion, with its powerful hindlimbs supporting the body weight and enabling efficient movement across its Late Cretaceous environment.^[16] The long, muscular tail served as a counterbalance, providing stability during turns and preventing forward pitching of the body, a common adaptation in large theropods to optimize agility despite their massive size. Based on limb ratios and analogies from trackways of similar-sized theropods, such as those attributed to carcharodontosaurids, Mapusaurus could achieve burst speeds of 30–40 km/h, sufficient for pursuing or ambushing large prey like sauropods.^[17] The discovery of a monospecific bonebed at Cañadón del Gato in the Huincul Formation, containing disarticulated remains of at least seven to nine individuals ranging from juveniles (~5 m long) to adults (~12 m long), provides key evidence for gregarious behavior in Mapusaurus. Taphonomic analysis indicates the assemblage accumulated through decomposition, trampling, and reworking in a seasonal stream channel, rather than a mass mortality event, suggesting repeated aggregation at the site.^[1] This size variation across ontogenetic stages implies possible family units or mixed-age groups, potentially facilitating cooperative pack hunting or scavenging of large carcasses, as inferred from the site's characteristics and comparisons to other theropod bonebeds.^[18] As of 2025, no fossil evidence supports nesting behaviors or extended parental care in Mapusaurus, though brief ontogenetic grouping may have occurred in early life stages.^[2]

Paleoecology

Geological Setting

The fossils of Mapusaurus were recovered from the Huincul Formation, which forms part of the Río Limay Subgroup within the Neuquén Group of the Neuquén Basin in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. This formation represents a key stratigraphic unit in the basin's Upper Cretaceous sequence.^[1] The Huincul Formation is dated to the late Cenomanian–early Turonian stages, corresponding to approximately 95–90 million years ago based on biostratigraphic correlations with ammonite zones and regional stratigraphic frameworks. The formation reaches up to 250 meters in thickness and overlies the Candeleros Formation while underlying the Cerro Lisandro Formation.^[19] Lithologically, the Huincul Formation comprises interbedded fine- to medium-grained sandstones, mudstones, and claystones, often with tuffaceous components derived from contemporaneous Andean volcanism; these sediments indicate deposition in a fluvial system characterized by braided rivers, ephemeral streams, and associated floodplains within a semiarid to arid climate. Volcanic ash layers interspersed throughout provide precise markers for radiometric age constraints.^[20] The primary Mapusaurus bonebed is situated at the Cañadón del Gato locality in the Cortaderas region, approximately 20 km southwest of Plaza Huincul in Neuquén Province (coordinates: 39°03'50''S, 69°17'13''W), where strata are exposed in erosional badlands typical of the basin's arid landscape. The disarticulated remains of multiple individuals occur concentrated in a single stratigraphic horizon within a channel-fill deposit, consistent with rapid entombment during a flood event.^[1]

Associated Fauna

The vertebrate assemblage of the Huincul Formation, where Mapusaurus roseae is found, is dominated by large-bodied dinosaurs, particularly sauropods that likely served as the primary prey for this apex predator. The most prominent is the colossal titanosaur Argentinosaurus huinculensis, known from multiple skeletal elements including vertebrae, a fibula, and partial sacrum recovered near Plaza Huincul, indicating it was a key component of the ecosystem targeted by Mapusaurus.^[21] Other titanosaurs such as Chucarosaurus diripienda are also present, contributing to a herbivore community of enormous herbivores that shaped the food web dynamics.^[22] Among other theropods, the abelisaurid Skorpiovenator bustingorryi represents a mid-sized carnivore, with nearly complete skeletons showing robust limb bones adapted for terrestrial predation, coexisting alongside Mapusaurus in a potentially competitive niche for large prey.^[23] Additional theropods include the smaller abelisaurid Tralkasaurus cuyi and the unusual dromaeosaurid Gualicho del sol, suggesting a modest diversity of carnivorous dinosaurs below the Mapusaurus size class. Ornithischians are rare, represented by limited remains of the small elasmarian ornithopod Chakisaurus nekul, a fast-moving herbivore about 2.5–3 meters long that inhabited the same fluvial environments.^[24] Non-dinosaurian vertebrates further illustrate the ecosystem's structure, with aquatic and semi-aquatic taxa preserved in finer-grained deposits. Chelid turtles such as Yaminuechelys major indicate riparian habitats, while crocodylomorphs including Comahuesuchus cf. brachybuccalis—a notosuchian with specialized dentition for varied feeding—suggest opportunistic predators or scavengers near water sources. Fish remains, comprising lepisosteiforms like cf. Lepidotes sp. and dipnoans such as Ameghinoceratodus iheringi, point to freshwater systems supporting the overall biota.^[25]^[26] The Huincul Formation's fauna exhibits low overall taxonomic diversity, especially among small-bodied taxa, with large herbivores comprising the bulk of the record and implying an environment where apex predation pressure was concentrated on few dominant prey species, a role predominantly filled by Mapusaurus.^[20]

Environmental Reconstruction

The Huincul Formation, where fossils of Mapusaurus have been discovered, records a warm, semi-arid climate characterized by seasonal rivers and precipitation, as inferred from the sedimentology of fluvial deposits and paleosol characteristics such as argillic Protosols.^[27] Paleoclimate reconstructions for mid-Cretaceous Patagonia indicate average temperatures of 20–25°C, supported by stable isotope analyses from regional marine and terrestrial proxies in the Neuquén Basin during this greenhouse interval. These conditions reflect a broader trend of global warmth in the Cenomanian, with the region positioned near the Southern Mid-latitude Warm Humid Belt transitioning toward more arid influences.^[27] Vegetation in the Huincul Formation environment was dominated by gymnosperms, including conifers, forming the background flora, with periodic expansions of fern prairies during warmer and moister intervals, as evidenced by palynomorph assemblages.^[28] This plant community supported diverse herbivorous dinosaurs by providing ample foliage and understory cover in a subtropical setting.^[29] The landscape comprised extensive alluvial plains dissected by high-sinuosity, meandering rivers that deposited sandstones, mudstones, and claystones, often with point-bar structures indicative of lateral channel migration. Volcanic influences from the Andean arc contributed tuffaceous material to the sediments, enhancing depositional dynamics and leading to episodes of rapid sedimentation such as flash floods on these floodplains. As of 2025, no recent isotopic studies have significantly revised this subtropical floodplain model for the formation.^[27]

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Carbon Isotopic Signature and Organic Matter Composition ... - MDPI
Middle cretaceous microflora from the Huincul Formation (“dinosaurian beds”) in the Neuquén Basin, Patagonia, Argentina. Palynology 2001, 25, 179–197 ...