Taxonomic identification of isolated theropod teeth: The case of the shed tooth crown associated with Aerosteon (Theropoda: Megaraptora) and the dentition of Abelisauridae

摘要: Abstract Shed teeth are usually the most abundant theropod material on a dinosaur fossil site and constantly reported in literature. Although new quantitative techniques have emerged to identify isolated with better accuracy, they remain difficult assign certain family-level or genus-level taxon because of presence rampant homoplasy their morphology lack thorough descriptions. Here we test three methods investigate phylogenetic position tooth previously considered be part holotype megaraptoran Aerosteon riocoloradensis (MCNA-PV-3137): cladistic analysis performed dentition-based data matrix scored across 105 species using backbone topology as constraint, well discriminant cluster analyses conducted dataset non-avian crown measurements. Even though technique appears reliable method affinities teeth, recommend conjointly corroborate identification dental material. The results support assignment associated MCNA-PV-3137 an abelisaurid theropod. It should therefore excluded from Aerosteon. A description anatomy Abelisauridae is also provided. current study first evaluate different methodological tools teeth. With added detailed Abelisauridae, it will assist future authors systematic palaeontology more confidence.