Testing the persistence of Carcharodontosauridae (Theropoda) in the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia based on dental evidence

The deposits corresponding to the Upper Cretaceous Neuquén and San Jorge Gulf basins from northern central Patagonia have provided two of most complete sequences terrestrial vertebrate faunas all Gondwanan landmasses. Among carnivorous components, carcharodontosaurid theropods appeared as common elements during Early earliest Late in Patagonia. Although recorded mostly lower Turonian, isolated teeth suggest their presence younger strata Patagonia, reaching clade region late early Maastrichtian. Here, we verify assignment such previously identified belonging Carcharodontosauridae Using three different methods, namely a cladistic analysis performed on dentition-based data matrix, discriminant cluster analyses conducted large dataset theropod crown measurements, assign tooth Candeleros Formation Cerro Lisandro, Bajo Barreal, Portezuelo, Plottier Allen formations abelisaurid theropods. These new reappraisals provide additional evidence about extinction South America at Turonian–earliest Coniacian part general faunistic turnover event, with last clear this lineage coming early–middle Turonian.