Sinosaurus from southwestern China

• Author / Creator

  Xing, Lida

• Early Jurassic Sinosaurus triassicus (=“Dilophosaurus sinensis”) is the
  earliest large dinosaur predator from China; however, all the specimens of this
  species have remained poorly know. The Hewanzi specimen described in this
  thesis is the only well prepared one. Morphology of the crest and braincase of the
  Hewanzi specimen indicates that it possesses advanced characteristics that are
  more developed than in Dilophosaurus. A phylogenetic analysis shows
  Sinosaurus and Cryolophosaurus emerge as more derived theropods; they were
  recovered as more closely related to Averostra than to Coelophysis and
  Dilophosaurus. These results may suggest the Hewanzi specimen represents
  another species of Sinosaurus. A finite element analysis (FEA) suggests the
  structural features of the crest in Dilophosaurus and Sinosaurus cannot play a
  mechanical role during combat. In addition, a remodeled alveolus in the maxilla
  of Sinosaurus is the first confirmed example of dental pathology in a dinosaur.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Sinosaurus
  • China
  • Theropoda

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3HP8F

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.