Ornithopod diversity in the Griman Creek Formation (Cenomanian), New South Wales, Australia

Remarks

Norman (2014) diagnosed Clypeodonta based partly on several characters of the dentary teeth: (1) Laterally compressed, asymmetrical and shield shaped in lingual aspect; (2) apicobasally curved (convex) crowns, and; (3) strong primary ridge flanked by a variable number of less prominent secondary ridges. All of these features are present in W. pobeni although the mesiodistal asymmetry of the crown is less marked in W. pobeni compared to most other ornithopods except Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075). Norman (2014) also commented on the asymmetrical distribution of enamel (thicker lingually than it is labially in dentary teeth) in his diagnosis of Ornithopoda; however, these features are not preserved in any of the GCF fossils. W. pobeni lacks the tightly packed tooth arrangement typical of derived Iguanodontia but does possess curved roots; a feature of most iguanodontians (unknown in Q. intrepidus) but also Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and Parksosaurus warreni (Boyd, 2014). The mesiodistally broad crowns (i.e. not ‘lozenge-shaped’; sensu Scheetz, 1999) together with the presence of apicobasal ridges on the lingual surface of the crown suggest W. pobeni probably occupied a position close to the base of Ornithopoda, which is also reflected by the results of our phylogenetic analysis (see Phylogenetic Analysis). The presence of dentary teeth with 10 or more ridges is an unambiguous synapomorphy for the clade containing Weewarrasaurus and crownward ornithopods (see Results section). Within Ornithopoda, this feature of the dentary teeth is present in the rhabdodontids Mochlodon vorosi, Mochlodon suessi, Rhabdodon priscus, Zalmoxes robustus, and Zalmoxes shqiperorum and Atlascopcosaurus loadsi.

Relative to the height of the dentary, the tooth crowns are unusually large, having a mesiodistal length equal to 0.57 times the dorsoventral height of the dentary itself. By contrast, dentary height in Q. intrepidus varies from 2.6–3.0 times crown length depending on the position along the tooth row. Dentaries of Atlascopcosaurus loadsi and L. amicagraphica are unknown (Herne, 2014). An isolated dentary, NMV P182967, from the Eumeralla Formation also differs in having proportionately small teeth (dorsoventral height of the dentary/mesiodistal crown length = 2.9). Several other taxa possess maxillary and/or dentary teeth that are greatly enlarged relative to the tooth bearing element (e.g. Matheronodon provincialis, Godefroit et al., 2017; Lanzhousaurus magnidens, You, Ji & Li, 2005); however, such cases appear to be restricted to Iguanodontia.

Weewarrasaurus pobeni can be distinguished from Q. intrepidus—the only named basal neornithischian from Australia with an unequivocally assignable dentary—in having a relatively shallow dentary, basally shallow crowns with a centrally located primary ridge and basally-tapering primary and (some) secondary ridges. The sinuous ventral margin of the dentary also differs from Q. intrepidus, where the margin is ventrally convex over its length (Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1999, Fig. 8) (Herne et al., in press). Labial ridges are present on the crowns of W. pobeni, Q. intrepidus and the single known crown of Kangnasaurus coetzeei, but those of W. pobeni differ in being weakly developed, not extending the full height of the crown surface, and having blunter crests. The labial ridges on the crowns of VOD type III (Herne, 2014, Fig. 6.10) appear more strongly developed than those of W. pobeni; however, the basal region of the crowns cannot be observed for comparisons. Round-crested labial ridges are more strongly developed in P. warreni and Thescelosaurus neglectus (Galton, 1997, Fig. 2), than in W. pobeni. In contrast to W. pobeni, the labial surfaces of the crowns of Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974), VOD type IV (Herne, 2014), and most basal iguanodontians (Norman, 2004) are smooth. It is of note that VOD type IV (NMV P182967) was previously referred to Atlascopcosaurus loadsi (Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1989); however, past referrals of all dentary material to that taxon are not presently considered as valid (Herne, 2014).

• Ornithopoda indet. A

Materials: AM F105667, AM F106297, incomplete right dentaries with dentition.

Locality and horizon: AMF105667 collected by Ed Long at Dead Bird (locality), Coocoran opal field; AMF106297 mined by Marcel Miltenberg at Emu’s (locality), Coocoran opal field (Fig. 1A). Both Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

AM F105667 and AM F106297 are the smallest but among the most completely-preserved ornithopod dentaries from the GCF (Fig. 5; Table 1). The following description is based on the more complete specimen, AM F105667 (Figs. 5D–5F), except where noted, although both appear indistinguishable based on the available material. Viewed dorsally, the dentary is gently bowed (concave laterally) and anteriorly tapering in lateral view, the latter condition being plesiomorphic for Ornithopoda (Boyd, 2014). The coronoid process is not preserved, although curvature of the caudal part of the tooth row (concave in medial view) and the presence of a suture for the splenial (visible in AM F106297), suggest that the break at the caudal end was close to the coronoid process. The alveolar margin, which is damaged at both ends, preserves at least eight alveoli, although the transverse partitions between them in the rostral and caudal-most parts of the tooth row are difficult to discern, making this number tentative. As the caudal end of the dentary is missing, additional alveoli were likely present caudally. The lateral surface is dorsoventrally convex and pierced by two elliptical foramina (three in AM F106297) at about two-thirds the height of the dentary, in line with alveoli four and five, respectively. More rostrally, three or four smaller foramina occur in a roughly horizontal line in the region of the predentary contact, as occurs in most basal neornithischians (Norman, Witmer & Weishampel, 2004a; Norman et al., 2004c). Laterally, the dental parapet is dorsoventrally low and forms a step where it merges with the buccal shelf, which is dorsally convex over its length. Viewed laterally, the dorsally convex buccal ridge and ventrally convex ventral margin converge anteriorly, giving the rostral part of the dentary a ‘bullet-like’ appearance. The convex ventral margin of the dentary is similar to Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075) and Gasparinisaura cincosaltensis (MUCPv-208); however, given that the caudal end of AM F105667 is missing, the overall shape of the complete dentary is uncertain. The low, lateral dental parapet differs from the dorsoventrally deep dental parapet of Q. intrepidus, the buccal shelf of which also differs from AM F105667 in being dorsolaterally concave. In dorsal aspect, the medial and lateral margins of the tooth row converge rostrally and the alveoli are simultaneously reduced in size. Whether or not a diastema was present and the form of contact with the predentary are unknown. Medially, the rostroventral region of the dentary is dorsoventrally concave, scooping medially where it would have contacted the adjoining dentary at the symphysis. The symphysis itself is abraded and likely incomplete but forms a line parallel with the long axis of the dentary in dorsal view. Due to narrowing of the rostral part of the tooth row, medial inflection of the symphysis does not extend beyond the medial margin of the main body of the dentary. The Meckelian groove extends caudally along the ventromedial edge of the dentary from the caudal end of the symphyseal margin (corresponding roughly to the juncture of alveoli three and four). The Meckelian groove expands into the triangular meckelian canal. The caudal end of the Meckelian canal is not preserved on the specimens. The medial surface of the dentary, dorsal to the Meckelian groove and canal, is flat. The presence of a single nutrient foramen per alveolus, as characteristic of all genasaurians (Norman et al., 2004c), is indicated at aveolus four in AM F105667.

The largest and best-exposed crown (position D5) has a parabolic apical margin and a prominent and basally tapering primary ridge on the lingual surface. This basal taper is accentuated by a small ‘cusplet’ on the mesial edge of the primary ridge, similar to LRF 766, which makes it appear apically bifurcated. Two secondary apicobasal ridges are present mesially and distally with respect to the primary ridge, although additional ridges are likely present but are obscured by the surrounding bone. The primary and secondary ridges form a fan-shaped arrangement. The labial surface of the crown appears to be smooth and devoid of apicobasal ridges, similar to Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974), VOD type IV (Herne, 2014), and most basal iguanodontians (Norman, 2004). In AM F106297, the broken roots of teeth are visible in alveoli two and seven (as preserved). The roots are circular in cross section, unlike the D-shaped, or grooved roots, seen in roots of Tenontosaurus tilletti, R. priscus and more derived iguanodontians (Scheetz, 1999). CT scans were unfortunately unavailable for either AM F106297 or AM F105667, leaving the remaining dental morphology unknown.

Remarks

The shield-like form of the tooth crowns and the presence of a primary ridge surrounded by less prominent secondary ridges is a combination of features found only in Clypeodonta. Similar to W. pobeni, AM F105667 has circular roots in cross section and lacks the tightly packed tooth arrangement typical of most Iguanodontia (except the rhabdodontid Zalmoxes spp.). AM F106297 and AM F105667 differ from Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075) in their more elongate proportions and in having unworn tooth crowns with smoother labial surfaces. In this respect, AM F106297 and AM F105667 more closely resemble VOD type IV (Herne, 2014) and W. pobeni. The convex ventral margin on the dentary, the form of the lateral neurovascular foramina, and dorsoventrally-limited contact surface for the splenial of AM F106297 and AM F105667 differs from the procurved ventral margin, elongate foramina, and more expansive splenial sutural surface in W. pobeni. We therefore consider AM F106297 and AM F105667 to pertain to a second taxon of ornithopod.

• Ornithopoda indet.

Material: LRF 660, premaxillary tooth

Locality and Horizon: Olga’s (locality) on the Coocoran opal field, New South Wales (Fig. 1A); Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

The isolated crown, LRF 660, is folidont (=lanceolate; Hendrickx, Mateus & Araújo, 2015), mesiodistally as long as it is tall and has a distinct basal constriction (Figs. 6R–6U). A basal constriction is widespread among non-iguanodontian neornithischians as well as the unnamed Vegagete rhabdodontid (Dieudonné et al., 2016), but is absent in most heterodontosaurids (Butler et al., 2009). The crown has a symmetrical ‘D’-shaped cross-section (sensu Hendrickx, Mateus & Araújo, 2015) with a maximum labiolingual width only slightly less than the mesiodistal length. In lingual aspect, the apex of the crown forms a blunt point and is distally offset relative to the central root axis. The mesial margin is convex whereas the distal margin is comparatively straight in labiolingual view, giving the tooth the overall appearance of being weakly recurved. Although the mesial and distal margins form distinct carinae, there are no marginal denticles; however, there are at least three (possibly four) poorly expressed mesial secondary ridges on the labial surface (Figs. 6R and 6S). Marginal denticles are similarly absent in the premaxillary teeth of Changchunsaurus parvus, Haya griva, and Thescelosaurus neglectus (Jin et al., 2010; Boyd, 2015) as well as in the more basal neornithischian Yandusaurus hongheensis. The secondary ridges are parallel to the primary ridge, and become less distinct basally, gradually terminating at a point approximately in line with the mesiodistally longest point of the tooth. The primary ridge is more strongly expressed than the secondary ridges and extends basally onto the root; however, in no case are any of the ridges as prominent as would be expected on maxillary or dentary teeth. The presence of distinct primary and secondary ridges in LRF 660 differs from the premaxillary teeth of Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and Thescelosaurus neglectus (Boyd, 2014), which have finer, more numerous apicobasal ridges, and also from Changchunsaurus parvus, Jeholosaurus shangyuanensis, and Zephyrosaurus schaffi, which have smooth crowns (Sues, 1980; Barrett & Han, 2009; Jin et al., 2010). No premaxillary teeth of any other Australian ornithopod are known, although two edentulous premaxillae (NMV P208539, NMV P212800; Herne, 2014) from the Wonthaggi Formation (Victoria) (= ‘undifferentiated Strzelecki Group’ of Toslini, McLoughlin & Drinnan, 1999) preserve alveoli that suggest teeth considerably smaller than LRF 660. Secondary ridges are absent on the distal half of LRF 660 and there is no cingulum. Lingually, there is a large, steep and apicobasally concave wear surface that covers approximately half of the height of the crown. Subsequently, the presence/absence of lingual apicobasal ridges cannot be determined.

Remarks

The combination of a basally-constricted, weakly recurved crown with the absence of both marginal denticles and a cingulum identifies LRF 660 as a probable premaxillary tooth. The presence of premaxillary teeth is traditionally regarded as a feature of non-iguanodontian neornithischians; however, premaxillary teeth are present in Tenontosaurus dossi (single alveolus, tooth not preserved; Winkler, Murray & Jacobs, 1997) and the Vegagete rhabdodontid (three teeth; Dieudonné et al., 2016). The presence of distinct (albeit weak) primary and secondary ridges in LRF 660 is a feature normally associated with maxillary and dentary teeth of basal iguanodontians although the only preserved premaxillary crown described for any basal iguanodontian (that of the Vegagete rhabdodontid) lacks apicobasal ridges and is unlike LRF 660 and all other ornithopods in its ‘wedge’-like expansion of one (either labial or lingual) side (Dieudonné et al., 2016, p. 10) and the absence of both a cingulum and carinae. Herne (2014) described two edentulous ornithopod premaxillae (NMV P208539, NMV P212800) from the Wonthaggi Formation (Victoria), which likely represent two distinct taxa and have higher tooth counts (three or four in NMV P208539; five in NMV P212800) than would be expected among basal iguanodontians. Although no teeth were present in the Victorian premaxillae, the large size of LRF 660 would appear to preclude it from either of these taxa as well as from the dentaries from the GCF described here. Furthermore, as premaxillary teeth are unknown above Dryomorpha, we consider LRF 660 to represent possibly a third but indeterminate ornithopod taxon from the GCF.

• Ornithopoda indet.

Materials: AM F112862, isolated right dentary tooth.

Locality and horizon: Allah’s (locality) on the Coocoran opal field, New South Wales (Fig. 1A); Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

AM F112862 is a small, unworn crown (Figs. 6V–6Y). The basal part of the primary ridge is damaged but the tooth is otherwise well preserved. In lingual view (Fig. 6X), the crown is roughly diamond shaped, symmetrical (the basal region being subequal in height to the apical region) with a steep parabolic apical margin, contrasting with the low apical margin in W. pobeni (LRF 766, LRF 3067). There is no apical wear facet, which indicates that these contours are real and not the result of wear. The primary ridge is centrally located and appears to taper basally although damage in this region makes the latter observation equivocal. There are four parallel secondary ridges constrained by bounding ridges that diverge apically from either side of the primary ridge. Given the overall mesiodistal symmetry of the crown, it is not possible to distinguish distal from mesial. Dr1–2 and Mr1–2 converge near the base of the primary ridge whereas Mr1 and Dr1 only extend a short distance from the apex (i.e. they do not reach the base of the primary ridge). There is no basal cingulum. The labial surface of the crown is smooth and lacks apicobasal ridges, similar to W. pobeni, Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974), VOD type IV (Herne, 2014), and most basal iguanodontians (Norman, 2004).

Remarks

Mesiodistally symmetric crowns with a centrally placed and modestly pronounced primary lingual ridge and a number of secondary ridges, as seen in AM F112862, are characteristic of non-iguanodontian ornithopods (Scheetz, 1999), including W. pobeni and Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075). In more derived iguanodontians (e.g. Muttaburrasaurus langdoni, Tenontosaurus tilletti, Zalmoxes spp.), the primary ridge becomes more strongly developed and, to some extent, offset from the midline. The absence of labial ridges in AM F112862 is a typical dryomorphan feature (convergently absent in Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974)) but is also found in W. pobeni, AM F105667 and an undescribed dentary from the Eumeralla Formation in Victoria (NMV P182967; dentary Type IV of Herne, 2014). We therefore assign LRF 766 to an indeterminate non-dryomorphan ornithopod.

Although AM F112862 shares with W. pobeni the aforementioned features, it can be differentiated from the latter by its more diamond-shaped and apicobasally tall lingual face. All three specimens (AM F112862, LRF 766, LRF 3067) bear different numbers of secondary lingual ridges; however, this feature is known to be ontogenetically variable in related taxa (e.g. Talenkauen santacrucensis; Egerton et al., 2013). The teeth in the two partial dentaries, AM F105667 and AM F106297, are not adequately exposed to permit most comparisons, although AM F105667 shares with AM F112862 the absence of apicobasal ridges on the labial crown surface. This feature is also shared with VOD type IV (NMV P182967, Herne, 2014), although AM F112862 differs in having fewer secondary ridges. The absence of labial apicobasal ridges also differentiates AM F112862 from Q. intrepidus. Although AM F112862 can be differentiated from W. pobeni, we cannot reject the possibility that AM F112862 is from the same taxon as AM F105667 and AM F106297.

• Iguanodontia Dollo 1888

• Iguanodontia indet.

Material: AM F119282 (QMF 14421, a cast), maxillary tooth.

Locality and horizon: McNamara’s (locality) on the Three Mile opal field, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales (Fig. 1B); Cenomanian, GCF, Rolling Downs Group in the Surat Basin.

Description

Molnar (1996) figured and briefly described AM F119282 (referring to the cast, QMF 14421), which consists of the crown and incomplete root of a relatively large left maxillary tooth (Figs. 6I–6L). The crown is spatulate but strongly asymmetrical, in part resulting from an oblique wear facet on the occlusal margin. In addition, the asymmetry of the crown results from: a mesially offset, ‘V’-shaped cingular vertex relative to the central root axis, both labially and lingually; and viewed lingually, distal offset of the primary ridge and the obliquely sloping distal bounding ridge at roughly 45° to the central root axis. The mesial bounding ridge is subvertical. The distally offset primary ridge is oriented sub-parallel to the central root axis and forms the apical-most point on the crown (Fig. 6J). Mesial to the primary ridge, there are five secondary ridges, which is similar to Atlascopcosaurus loadsi (NMV P166409), greater than L. amicagraphica and Leaellynasaura sp. (NMV P186440, Herne, 2014) but only about half as many as Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541). The mesial secondary ridges are curved with the concave margin of the curve facing mesially such that they form a fan like arrangement, similar to Atlascopcosaurus loadsi (NMV P166409, NMV P157390). Each secondary ridge also bears a longitudinal furrow or groove that extends the entire length of the ridge conferring a smooth, ‘m’-shaped cross-section to each ridge (Fig. 6M). Similar longitudinal grooves are visible on some maxillary crowns of Muttaburrasaurus langdoni (QM F14921), Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541) and Leaellynasaura sp. (NMV P186440) but are otherwise unknown in other neornithischians. As the occlusal edge is worn, it is unknown if each secondary ridge terminated in one or more denticles. Only Mr3 and Mr4 extend to the vertex of the cingulum; Mr1 converges near the base of the primary ridge and Mr5 is truncated by the mesial bounding ridge. Distal to the primary ridge, only a single faint secondary ridge could be discerned, and which sits within a triangular, mesiodistally narrow paracingular fossa.

The lingual surface of the crown has at least five secondary apicobasal ridges, although additional ridges were likely present but are obscured by poor preservation of this surface. The ridges are parallel and extend to the base of the crown. Equally well-developed lingual ridges are present in Atlascopcosaurus loadsi (NMV P166409) and Leaellynasaura sp. (NMV P229196) although in L. amicagraphica (NMV P185991), the ridges are developed only on the apical half of the crown. Lingual ridges cannot be observed on any specimen of Muttaburrasaurus due to poor preservation (and/or incomplete preparation) and unequivocal maxillary teeth of Q. intrepidus are unknown. The root is basally tapering and elliptical in cross section, being labiolingually wider than it is mesiodistally long. Not enough of the root is preserved to determine whether it was straight or bowed.

Remarks

Norman (2014) described asymmetrical maxillary crowns as one of the distinguishing features of Clypeodonta. The reportedly asymmetrical crowns of Y. hongheensis and Zephyrosaurus schaffi (Norman, 2004) in fact appear to be due to wear on the imbricated crowns. Asymmetry due to a prominent, distally-offset primary ridge together with a mesially-offset, V-shaped cingular vertex, however, is a combination of features seen only in Australian (Atlascopcosaurus loadsi, L. amicagraphica, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni) and some Argentinean (G. cincosaltensis, Talenkauen santacrucensis; Cambiaso, 2007, Fig. 17) taxa (P. Bell, 2018, M. Herne, 2012, personal observation). Lingual ridges (confirming the presence of enamel), such as those in AM F119282, are absent in more advanced iguanodontians (Norman, 2004). The single prominent (primary) ridge on the labial surface of AM F119282 differs from the two prominent ridges in the maxillary teeth of Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 2009) and a tooth referred to an unnamed Spanish rhabdodontid (Dieudonné et al., 2016).

Among Australian taxa, AM F119282 is most similar to Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541, QM F14921) in the combination of a strongly asymmetrical crown, distally offset primary ridge, mesially offset cingular vertex and the presence of slender ‘grooved’ secondary ridges. As previously noted by Molnar (1996), AM F119282 differs from Muttaburrasaurus in its smaller size and having only about half as many mesial secondary ridges. These differences led Molnar (1996, p. 639) to identify AM F119282 as belonging to a ‘more plesiomorphic species of Muttaburrasaurus’. Although the generic referral to Muttaburrasaurus is problematic, we agree that AM F119282 represents a basal iguanodontian based on the asymmetrical crown, prominent primary ridge, and well-developed secondary ridges on both labial and lingual surfaces. The discovery of AM F119282 and AM F119236 (a dentary tooth; see below) from the same mineral claim at the McNamara’s locality on the Three Mile opal field, together with the overall rarity of large ornithopod teeth from the GCF in general, lends circumstantial support to the idea that they belong to the same taxon.

• Iguanodontia indet.

Material: AM F81865, maxillary tooth.

Locality and horizon: Mineral claim known as ‘The Boneyard’ at the Nine Mile opal field, New South Wales (Fig. 1B); specimen excavated in mid 1980s by Alex Ritchie and Robert Jones (Australian Museum); Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

A left maxillary tooth, AM F81865 (Figs. 6Z–CC), is the largest of the maxillary crowns mentioned (but not described) by Molnar (1996). In general, it is similar in morphology to AM F119282: the crown is spatulate and strongly asymmetrical in labial view, due to the mesially offset cingular vertex, distally offset primary ridge and the steeply angled wear facet. The primary ridge is parallel to the central root axis and forms the apical-most point on the crown (Fig. 6BB). There are seven mesial secondary ridges, two greater than AM F119282 (described above), but similar to Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F14921), although only about half as many as another referred specimen of Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541). The mesial secondary ridges diverge from the primary ridge but, unlike AM F119282, they are straight rather than forming a fan-like arrangement and longitudinal grooves are restricted to the basal parts of the ridges (Fig. 6CC). Mr1 and Mr2 are truncated by the primary ridge, whereas Mr3 and Mr4 extend to the vertex of the cingulum. A single distal secondary ridge is present within narrow distal paracingular fossa although it does not extend basally to contact the cingulum. The distal bounding ridge is subvertical and parallel to the primary ridge whereas the mesial bounding ridge is oblique, resulting in an acute, ‘V’-shaped cingulum.

The lingual surface of the crown has at least five secondary apicobasal ridges, similar to AM F119282, Atlascopcosaurus loadsi (NMV P166409) and Leaellynasaura sp. (NMV P229196). These ridges are parallel to the crown-root axis. Not enough of the root is preserved to determine whether it was straight or bowed.

Remarks

In most respects, AM F81865 closely resembles AM F119282 (described above). Some minor variation occurs in the number and curvature of the secondary ridges as well as the extent of longitudinal grooves and steepness of the wear facet, all of which we regard as potentially attributable to individual or positional variation within the tooth row. We therefore assign AM F81865 to an indeterminate basal iguanodontian based on the asymmetrical crown, prominent, distally-offset primary ridge and well-developed secondary ridges on both labial and lingual surfaces. We agree with Molnar’s (1996) suggestion that AM F81865 and AM F119282 likely belong to the same taxon and that they differ substantially from the maxillary teeth of Muttaburrasaurus spp. in their smaller size and having only about half as many mesial secondary ridges.

• Iguanodontia indet.

Material: AM F119236 (QMF 14420, a cast), right dentary tooth.

Locality and horizon: McNamara’s (locality) on the Three Mile opal field, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales (Fig. 1B); Cenomanian, GCF, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

AM F119236 (Figs. 6N–6Q) is a poorly preserved crown and root that was recovered from the same mineral claim as AM F119282 (see above) at the McNamara’s locality on the Three Mile opal field. Molnar (1996) mentioned the cast of this specimen (QMF 14420), which he identified it as a possible maxillary tooth, but did not describe it. Based on comparisons with other better-preserved teeth (see below), we tentatively interpret it as a right dentary tooth and describe it as such here. The root is basally tapering but is truncated by a transverse break. Consequently, not enough of the root is preserved to determine whether it was straight or bowed. At the root-crown junction, the distal margin of the crown expands rapidly and presents a strongly convex distal outline in labial view. The mesial margin is comparatively straight (vertical) as there is no equivalent constriction of the root-crown junction. A distinct cingulum is lacking. The crown is strongly asymmetrical and worn (interpreted as a result of both diagenetic and feeding wear) rendering the original shape of the crown indeterminate. As preserved, it is about twice as broad mesiodistally as it is tall, and labiolingually tapering towards the apex. From the broadest point of the tooth, the mesial and distal margins converge abruptly to form a low, obtuse apex. Mesial to the apex, the apical (occlusal) margin is gently convex in labial view, whereas distal to the apex, the apical margin is concave. The apex, which is centrally located on the crown, is formed by what is presumably the primary ridge; however, as with the secondary ridges, the primary ridge has been worn to a nub, presumably as a result of extensive occlusal wear. The primary ridge is shallow, at this point being no more developed than the secondary ridges. Three mesial secondary ridges are present between the primary ridge and the mesial bounding ridge; however, none of these extend far basally onto the labial face. The region distal to the primary ridge is entirely smooth and devoid of any sign of denticles or secondary ridges. Lingually, there are at least three (but possibly more) broad, but faint apicobasal ridges. The most prominent ridge—the middle of the three visible ridges—lies immediately distal to the apex and all ridges are basally tapering, terminating in line with the crown-root constriction.

Remarks

The poor preservation of AM F119236 prevents most meaningful comparisons; however, several observations can still be made. Firstly, the apparent absence of a prominent primary ridge on the labial face of the crown is superficially reminiscent of the condition in non-iguanodontian neornithischians, in which there is no distinction between the primary and secondary ridges. This is, however, likely influenced by the degree of wear on AM F119236 and therefore the systematic relevance of this feature cannot be determined with certainty. Moreover, on a better preserved dentary tooth (LRF 492), the prominence of the primary ridge diminishes basally, closely approximating the condition in AM F119236. The extension of the labial secondary ridges to the base of the crown is similar to a variety of neornithischians (e.g. Haya griva; Hypsilophodon foxii, P. warreni, Talenkauen santacrucensis), and all basal iguanodontians (Galton, 1974; Norman, 2004; Makovicky et al., 2011; Boyd, 2014). The presence of lingual and labial ridges is characteristic of all non-dryomorphan iguanodontians, except Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and most basal iguanodontians (Norman, 2004) where they are limited to the lingual surface. The distribution of these characters therefore only allows a tentative identification for AM F119236 as an indeterminate non-dryomorphan ornithopod, and likely a basal Iguanodontia.

• Iguanodontia indet.

Material: LRF 492, right dentary tooth

Locality and horizon: Molyneux South (locality) on the Coocoran opal field, New South Wales (Fig. 1B); Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

An isolated right dentary tooth, LRF 492, is the largest and most complete ornithopod tooth so far recovered from the GCF (Figs. 6A–6H). The root is basally tapering and bowed ventrolabially, as is typical of basal Iguanodontia (Norman, 2004) but also Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and P. warreni (Boyd, 2014). The distal surface of the root is flattened, giving the root a distinct ‘D’-shaped cross section (Fig. 6H), similar to the squared-off roots of Tenontosaurus tilletti and R. priscus, although it lacks the longitudinal groove seen in more derived iguanodontians (Scheetz, 1999). The crown is worn labially but appears to be basally deep, having only a short apical region. The primary ridge is centrally located, at least twice as broad as the secondary ridges, and widens apically where it bifurcates into two subsidiary ridges. This combination of features on the primary ridge is similar to the crowns of Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541, QM F14921), Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075) and some undescribed Victorian dentaries (NMV P182967, NMV P221082), but differs from others (e.g. NMV P199135) where the primary ridge tapers apically. Denticles in LRF 492 are, however, largely obliterated by the labial wear facet. Distal to the primary ridge, there are two secondary ridges, about half as many as are present in both Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541, QM F14921) and Q. intrepidus (NMV P199075). The distal bounding ridge is oriented at roughly 45° to the central root axis and converges basally with the horizontal cingulum at the base of Dr1. The mesial bounding ridge is subvertical. Each ridge terminates in a single denticle, similar to Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541, QM F14921) and all Victorian neornithischians (e.g. NMV P182967, NMV P221082), but distinct from the unsupported denticles (=mammillae) found in Zalmoxes spp. (Weishampel et al., 2003), Tenontosaurus tilletti (Thomas, 2015) and more derived iguanodontians (Weishampel et al., 2003). Between the mesial bounding ridge and the primary ridge, there are three parallel-sided secondary ridges, which is less than half the number in Muttaburrasaurus sp. (QM F12541). The labial surface is flat apicobasally and convex mesiodistally. This surface is dominated by a large, nearly vertical wear facet, basal to which are three or four broad apicobasal ridges (Fig. 6D). The labial surfaces of the dentary teeth are not well enough exposed in any specimen of Muttaburrasaurus to allow comparisons.

Remarks

A prominent and centrally-placed primary ridge is found in Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and Iguanodontia. On the other hand, well-developed secondary ridges that terminate in a single denticle are not found above Dryomorpha where the secondary ridges are progressively lost and are fewer in number than the denticles (Norman, 2004). We therefore assign LRF 492 to an indeterminate basal iguanodontian.

LRF 492 shares similarities (number of secondary ridges; centrally located, apically divergent and ‘split’ primary ridge; horizontal cingulum) with an isolated dentary tooth (QM F52774) from the Winton Formation (originally reported as a maxillary tooth by Hocknull & Cook (2008)); however, LRF 492 is at least five times as large as QM F52774.

• Iguanodontia indet.

Material: LRF R1556, left jugal.

Locality and horizon: Unknown locality at the Coocoran opal field; Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

LRF R1556 (Fig. 7) is a cast of nearly complete left jugal (the unnumbered original is at the Australian Museum, Sydney). The jugal is a triradiate element with an elongated anterior process, a shorter postorbital process, and an even more abbreviated posterior process although it is possible that the latter is incompletely preserved (see below). The lateral surface of the jugal is dorsoventrally convex as in most ornithopods, and lacks ornamentation (present in Thescelosaurus; Boyd et al., 2009) or a boss (present in Zephyrosaurus schaffi and Orodromeus makelai; Sues, 1980; Scheetz, 1999). The postorbital and anterior processes form an arc delimiting the posteroventral and ventral margins of the orbit, respectively. The anterior process is straight and gently tapering anteriorly, terminating in a bluntly rounded end. This end is imperfectly preserved such that the lacrimal and maxillary contacts are unknown. Medially, a deep groove extends nearly the entire length of the anterior process. This groove is set within a ‘raised’ (i.e. medially expanded) region that demarcates the maxillary process anteriorly and the ectopterygoid contact posteriorly (Fig. 7C). Ventral to this raised region, the ventral surface of the anterior process is dorsoventrally concave where it would have overlapped the posterodorsal surface of the maxilla.

The subconical postorbital process is recumbent and buttressed medially by a ridge that extends from the posterior end of the ectopterygoid contact. The contact surface for the postorbital is not clearly discernible owing to the incomplete preservation of the specimen. The posterior (quadratojugal) process is virtually absent, superficially similar to that of G. cincosaltensis (Coria & Salgado, 1996); however, this process is mediolaterally thin and it is possible that part of it is missing. As preserved, the posterodorsally-inclined posterior margin of the posterior process lies essentially ventral to the postorbital process; only a small, posteriorly-directed spur at the base of the postorbital process projects posteriorly beyond the postorbital process. In contrast, the other Australian ornithopods (L. amicagraphica, Muttaburrasaurus langdoni) have much longer and dorsoventrally expanded posterior processes (Herne, 2014), although this may be affected by breakage in the current specimen (LRF R1556). Subsequently, only a small portion of the anteroventral margin of the infratemporal fenestra (formed chiefly by the postorbital process) is preserved. The medial surface of the posterior process (i.e. the region ventral to the postorbital process) is mediolaterally thin and concave where it would have overlapped the lateral surface of the quadratojugal.

Remarks

LRF R1556 can be differentiated from the holotype of L. amicagraphica (Herne, 2014) in having a more recumbent postorbital process, which also lacks medial and lateral grooves; a grooved contact for the ectopterygoid, and; a straight, grooved maxillary process on the medial surface of the anterior process. It is also potentially differentiated from both L. amicagraphica and Muttaburrasaurus langdoni—the only other Australian ornithischian with a preserved jugal—in having a truncated and unexpanded posterior process, although, as noted above, this may be the result of breakage in LRF R1556.

Given that the jugal is usually preserved in articulation with the facial skeleton, the medial surface of the jugal has not been described for many neornithischians. However, the articulation between the jugal, maxilla, and ectopterygoid offers some insight into taxonomy of the group (Figs. 7C–7H). In parksosaurids (e.g. Zephyrosaurus schaffi, O. makelai) and also Camptosaurus dispar, the medial surface of the anterior process bears a medially-projecting and modestly arched maxillary process (Character 39:0; Boyd, 2015). Hadrosauriformes (e.g. Iguanodon spp., Ouranosaurus nigeriensis) have a similar maxillary process although it is anteromedially projected and more strongly arched (Character 39:2; Boyd, 2015). Dryosaurids (Dryosaurus altus, Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki) have a rather different arrangement where the maxillary process is straight and grooved (Character 39:1; Boyd, 2015). The shape of the ectopterygoid contact also varies. In Anklyopollexia (Camptosaurus dispar, Iguanodon spp.), the contact surface for the ectopterygoid consists of a rounded facet (Character 40:1; Boyd, 2015), whereas in more basal forms (Dryosaurus altus, Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki, O. makelai, Thescelosaurus neglectus, Zephyrosaurus schaffi), the ectopterygoid inserts into a short, deep groove on the medial surface of the jugal (Character 40:0; Boyd, 2015). Based on these observations, LRF R1556 is most reminiscent of dryosaurids: the maxillary process is straight and grooved with a short, deep groove for the ectopterygoid. However, given the limited taxon sample for these characters, it is unclear whether some of these features are more widespread among non-marginocephalian neornithischians. Other taxonomically-informative features (such as the morphology of the postorbital and lacrimal contacts) are not observable in LRF R1556. We therefore tentatively identify LRF R1556 as a non-ankylopollexian iguanodontian or dryomorphan.

• Ankylopollexia Sereno 1986

• Ankylopollexia indet.

Material: LRF 267, basioccipital-basisphenoid.

Locality and horizon: Unknown locality (probably Emu’s field) on the Coocoran opal fields, New South Wales; Wallangulla Sandstone, GCF, Cenomanian, Rolling Downs Group of the Surat Basin.

Description

The basioccipital-basisphenoid (LRF 267) consists of a fused basioccipital and basisphenoid; the line of fusion between the two elements has been entirely obliterated (Fig. 8). Overall, the element is slightly mediolaterally broader than it is long. In dorsal view, the anterior margin is flat and straight, as in Thescelosaurus assiniboiensis (Brown, Boyd & Russell, 2011), where it would have abutted the basisphenoid. The paired basal tubera are blade-like and in ventral view are oriented posterolaterally. In anterior view they are semicircular, separated by a medial concavity that is as broad as the basal tubera are anteromedially-posterolaterally long. There is no sagittal ridge in this region, which is also the case for Muttaburrasaurus langdoni (QM F6140) and Zalmoxes spp. (Weishampel et al., 2003; Godefroit, Codrea & Weishampel, 2009) but unlike Anabisetia saldivai (MC PVPH-74), G. cincosaltensis (MUCPv-208), Hypsilophodon foxii (Galton, 1974) and all other non-iguanodontian neornithischians (Boyd, 2014). The posterolateral edges of the basal tubera form the broadest part of the basioccipital. Immediately posterior to the basal tubera, the basioccipital is constricted ventrally and, to a lesser extent, mediolaterally to form a distinct ‘neck’ that leads to the occipital condyle. A distinct neck is absent in Zalmoxes shqiperorum and hadrosaurids (Godefroit, Codrea & Weishampel, 2009). The occipital condyle is bulbous and reniform in posterior view. The concave dorsal surface of the occipital condyle forms a significant contribution to the ventral margin of the foramen magnum is it does in most neornithischians. In fact, in dorsal view, the basioccipital contribution to the foramen magnum is approximately 40% of the width of the posterodorsal surface of the basioccipital (Fig. 8D), which is greater than many parksosaurids (e.g. O. makelai, Oryctodromeus cubicularis, Thescelosaurus neglectus, Zephyrosaurus schaffi (Boyd, 2014)). This contribution is reduced in more derived iguanodontians (e.g. Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki, R. priscus, Camptosaurus dispar (Hübner & Rauhut, 2010)) and is lost altogether in G. cincosaltensis and Iguanodon bernissartensis where the basioccipital is excluded from the foramen magnum by the exoccipitals (Norman, 1980, 1986; Coria & Salgado, 1996). In posterior view, the sutural surfaces for the exoccipitals/opisthotics are dorsomedially inclined. The dorsolateral margins of the basioccipital each bear three notches that would have formed the floors of the canals transmitting the cranial nerves. The anteriormost notch is V-shaped in dorsal view, reflecting the confluence of two minor canals into a common opening for c.n. IX–XI. The two more posteriorly-placed notches are interpreted as the paired openings for c.n. XII. The anterior of these two notches is posteromedially directed (in dorsal view), whereas the posterior one presents as a subcircular ‘dimple’.

The entire dorsal surface of the fused basisphenoid–basioccipital is dominated by a median ‘t’-shaped depression, which forms the floor of the braincase. Within this depression, immediately posterior to the anterior margin of the basisphenoid are two pits, which likely formed the paired openings for cranial nerve VI. At about one-third of the distance from the anterior edge, is a small, elliptical midline fossa (Fig. 8A). The significance of this fossa is unclear, and we are unaware of the presence of this feature in other ornithopods. In line with this fossa in LRF 267 are triangular left and right lateral extensions of the median depression, which formed the floor of the inner ear (in the region of the lagena) leading to the fenestra ovalis. Immediately anterior to this depression, presumably on the lateral edge of the basisphenoid (although the basisphenoid and basioccipital are indistinguishably fused) is a shallow notch interpreted as the floor of the common opening for cranial nerves V and VII.

Remarks

Dinosaur basicrania are highly conservative; however, LRF 267 is identifiable as an ornithischian based on its apneumatic, anteroposteriorly elongate form and presumed subhorizontal orientation (based on the orientation of the floor of the endocranial cavity; Fig. 8E). In contrast, the basioccipital in theropods is typically pneumatic and anteroventrally oriented (Paulina Carabajal, 2009, 2011). Many neosauropods possess a basioccipital depression between the basal tubera and the occipital condyle (Wilson, 2002) and most titanosaurs—the most widely documented group of sauropods from the Cretaceous of Australia—also possess a median subcondylar foramen (Díez Díaz, Pereda Superbiola & Sanz, 2011 and references therein), neither of which is present in LRF 267. Eusuchian crocodylomorphs have a strongly ‘verticalised’ basioccipital (Gower & Webber, 1998; Salisbury et al., 2006) and there is no evidence in LRF 267 that the Eustachian system is enclosed by the basisphenoid as it is in crocodilians (and convergently in birds; Gower & Webber, 1998) nor evidence for a foramen between the basioccipital and basisphenoid (median pharyngeal foramen (=median Eustachian foramen)), which is characteristic of Crocodyliformes more broadly (Benton & Clark, 1988).

LRF 267 possesses a mosaic of derived and more basal features: The absence of a ventral keel and a flat floor of the braincase resembles the basioccipital of derived iguanodontians within Ankylopollexia (e.g. Camptosaurus dispar, I. bernissartensis). In contrast, a ventral keel is present and the floor of the braincase is also arched in all non-iguanodontian neornithischians (Scheetz, 1999; Boyd, 2014). Dryosaurids (Dryosaurus altus, Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki) also possess a ventral keel (Janensch, 1955; Galton, 1983; Hübner & Rauhut, 2010). On the other hand, the basioccipital of LRF 267 forms a relatively broad contribution to the foramen magnum, which is the primitive neornithischian condition and unlike what is seen in Iguanodontia. Overall, however, most of the features of LRF 267 allow us to tentatively identify it as an ankylopollexian.