Notes on Spinosauridae (Theropoda, Dinosauria)

Abstract

Spinosaur remains were collected in Africa, Europa, Asia and Brazil, coming from deposits with ages ranging from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous. Although having a wide distribution - both geographically and temporally - little is actually known about the group since most specimens are incomplete. Up to now, only eight species were described. Spinosauridae is divided into the Baryonychinae (Suchomimus + Baryonyx + Cristatosaurus) and Spinosaurinae (Spinosaurus+ Angaturama + Irritator). Only in Africa members of both clades were found. One possible scenario that could explain the spinosaurid distribution, suggests that forms related to Baryonyx (the most primitive member of this clade) dispersed from Europe to Northern Africa, where Spinosaurinae were originated. Later, members of the Spinosaurinae further spread to South America.