Keywords
Theropods
Evolution
Fossils
Brazil
How to Cite
Abstract
Abelisauridae is a broad dinosaur family of Theropoda that includes large extinct carnivores as well as extant birds. The distribution is mostly in the southern hemisphere, although some specimens are found in Europe. The phylogenetic relationships of the abelisaurids have been improved, but there is still some disagreement regarding the inclusion of some groups in the family, which deserve attention. The body plan of the abelisaurids is conservative among the group, but they have a large cranial disparity. They also tend to develop cranial structures such as horns, thick skull bones and cornified covering. The variety of cranial soft tissues associated with skeletal features suggests that abelisaurids may have had low-stress headbutting behavior. The Brazilian record is still scarce, and there are only two known species from different geological units. Even so, it is possible to observe that the abelisaurid diversity in Brazil was large.
References
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