A prognathodontin mosasaur from the Maastrichtian of the Dakhla Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Gebely A. El-Kheir, Ahmed A. Shaker, Hallie P. Street, Nick Longrich, Amin Strougo, Anhar Asan, Mohamed Abdel Gawad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (SciVal)

Abstract

Mosasaurs were diverse in the Upper Cretaceous in Africa, but relatively little is known about the mosasaur fauna of Egypt. Here, associated teeth and postcranial skeletal elements are reported for a mosasaur from the Maastrichtian Dakhla Shale of the Dakhla Oasis. The specimen includes tooth crowns, cervical, dorsal, and caudal vertebrae, and ribs. Teeth and bones exhibit features allowing referral to Prognathodontini. The teeth are relatively straight and blunt, suggesting affinities with Prognathodon overtoni or P. currii. Prognathodontins were important predators in the Maastrichtian of Africa, previously being recorded in Morocco, Congo, and Angola.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)60-75
Number of pages16
JournalFossils
Volume1
Issue number1
Early online date9 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2023

Funding

Funding: This research was funded by New Valley University.

FundersFunder number
New Valley University

    Keywords

    • Dakhla Oasis
    • Egypt
    • Maastrichtian
    • Mosasauridae
    • Prognathodon
    • Upper Cretaceous
    • Western Desert

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Palaeontology

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