A Century of Spinosaurs - A Review and Revision of the Spinosauridae with Comments on Their Ecology

2017/06/01 by David Hone, Thomas R. Holtz · 7 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Avian ecology and behavior

paper · doi:10.1111/1755-6724.13328

openalex publication_date 2017/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/26

Abstract

The spinosaurids represent an enigmatic and highly unusual form of large tetanuran theropods that were first identified in 1915. A recent flurry of discoveries and taxonomic revisions of this important and interesting clade has added greatly to our knowledge. Spinosaur body fossils are however generally rare and most species are known from only limited skeletal remains. Their unusual anatomical adaptations to the skull, limbs and axial column all differ from other large theropods and point to an unusual ecological niche and a lifestyle intimately linked to water.

Citations

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• Function in the stunted forelimbs of Mononykus olecranus (Theropoda), a dinosaurian anteater
• Functional morphology of spinosaur ‘crocodile-mimic’ dinosaurs
• A reappraisal of the morphology and systematic position of the theropod dinosaurSigilmassasaurusfrom the “middle” Cretaceous of Morocco
• NEW INFORMATION REGARDING THE HOLOTYPE OF SPINOSAURUS AEGYPTIACUS STROMER, 1915
• My theropod is bigger than yours … or not: estimating body size from skull length in theropods
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Cited by

• Calcium isotopes offer clues on resource partitioning among Cretaceous predatory dinosaurs
• Spinosaur taxonomy and evolution of craniodental features: Evidence from Brazil
• Sigilmassasaurus is Spinosaurus: A reappraisal of African spinosaurines
• Taphonomic evidence supports an aquatic lifestyle for Spinosaurus
• New spinosaurids from the Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, UK) and the European origins of Spinosauridae
• Baryonychinae [wikipedia]
• Spinosauridae [wikipedia]