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Dinosaur morphological diversity and the end-Cretaceous extinction

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  • Stephen L. Brusatte

    (American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024 USA.
    Columbia University)

  • Richard J. Butler

    (GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
    Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie)

  • Albert Prieto-Márquez

    (Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie)

  • Mark A. Norell

    (American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024 USA.)

Abstract

The extinction of non-avian dinosaurs 65 million years ago is a perpetual topic of fascination, and lasting debate has focused on whether dinosaur biodiversity was in decline before end-Cretaceous volcanism and bolide impact. Here we calculate the morphological disparity (anatomical variability) exhibited by seven major dinosaur subgroups during the latest Cretaceous, at both global and regional scales. Our results demonstrate both geographic and clade-specific heterogeneity. Large-bodied bulk-feeding herbivores (ceratopsids and hadrosauroids) and some North American taxa declined in disparity during the final two stages of the Cretaceous, whereas carnivorous dinosaurs, mid-sized herbivores, and some Asian taxa did not. Late Cretaceous dinosaur evolution, therefore, was complex: there was no universal biodiversity trend and the intensively studied North American record may reveal primarily local patterns. At least some dinosaur groups, however, did endure long-term declines in morphological variability before their extinction.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen L. Brusatte & Richard J. Butler & Albert Prieto-Márquez & Mark A. Norell, 2012. "Dinosaur morphological diversity and the end-Cretaceous extinction," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1815
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1815
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