ANSWER SHEET | Classifying Dinosaurs Based on Fossils

PART I: IDENTIFYING THE FEMUR

1. Discuss the distribution of the four different character states of the fourth trochanter (A, B,
C, and D) on the dinosaur cladogram.

The presence of a Type A fourth trochanter (symmetrical crest) is observed in non-dinosaur

archosaurs, which in the cladogram are represented by Lagosuchus talampayensis. The presence of
Type A among dinosaurs is interpreted as a secondary reduction of the fourth trochanter. In the
cladogram, this is the condition recorded in hydrosaurid ornithischians, and, among saurischian
dinosaurs, in sauropodomorphs and some theropods, such as Allosaurus.

The presence of a Type B fourth trochanter (strongly asymmetrical without a finger-like process) is
also interpreted as a secondary reduction of the trochanter recorded for some ornithischian dinosaurs,
such as Iguanodon, and saurischian dinosaurs, such as Herrerasaurus.

The fourth trochanter is further reduced in the more derived theropod dinosaurs, such as
coelosaurian theropods.

The presence of a Type C fourth trochanter (asymmetrical with a small finger-like process) is
observed in some ceratopsian ornithischians, such as Protoceratops.
The presence of Type D fourth trochanter (asymmetrical with a strong finger-like process) is considered
a shared derived character state supporting the Ornithischia clade. In the cladogram, this condition is
reported in Heterodontosaurus, Pssitacosaurus, Hypsilophodontidae species, and Tenontosaurus.

2. How do you explain the presence of A, B, and C types of fourth trochanters among the
ornithischians?

Among ornithischians, the presence of fourth trochanters Types A and B is interpreted as secondary
reduction. In Type C, the fourth trochanter is similar to Type D, but the finger-like process is smaller.

3. Based on this analysis, in what groups of the phylogeny could you place the fossil? Explain
your reasoning.

In the mystery fossil, the fourth trochanter is asymmetrical with a strong finger-like process, which is
consistent with Type D. Based on the available evidence, the mystery fossil could be assigned to any of
four groups: Heterodontosauridae (such as Heterodontosaurus), Psittacosaurus,
Hypsilophodontidae (such as Hypsilophodon), and basal iguanodontians (such as Tenontosaurus).
PART II: FURTHER IDENTIFYING THE FEMUR
4. Fill out the table with descriptions of the fourth trochanter for each type of dinosaur.

Position of the fourth

trochanter relative to the Shape of the fourth trochanter
midline of the femur

Heterodontosaurus The fourth trochanter is above the The fourth trochanter presents a
femur midline. The tip of the pointy and relatively straight
finger-like process doesn’t reach the finger-like process.
femur midline.

Psittacosaurus The tip of the finger-like process of

the fourth trochanter extends below
the femur midline.

Hypsilophodon The fourth trochanter is above the The fourth trochanter presents a
femur midline. The tip of the hanging or hook-like finger-like
finger-like process doesn’t reach the process.
femur midline.

Tenontosaurus The tip of the finger-like process of

the fourth trochanter extends below
the femur midline.

Mystery femur The fourth trochanter is above the The fourth trochanter presents a
femur midline. The tip of the hanging or hook-like finger-like
finger-like process doesn’t reach the process.
femur midline.

5. In which group do you think the mystery fossil belongs? Summarize your reasoning in a short
paragraph.

Based on the data of the comparative table, the mystery femur could be placed in the
Hypsilophodontidae. This claim is based on the observation that in both Hypsilophodon and the
mystery fossil. However, when we compare the shape of the process, the condition of the mystery
femur is more similar to the condition observed in Hypsilophodon.

Based on this evidence, we can infer that the place of the species, of which we only know its femur, is in
the clades Dinosauria, Ornithischia, Genosauria, Ornithopoda, and Hypsilophodontidae.
PART III: IDENTIFYING A SKELETON

1. For each of the 11 characters, use this table to record the condition observed in the
fossilized skeleton. Does it show the shared derived state or the ancestral condition? 1, 2,
and 3 are filled out for you as a model.

1. Hole in the hip socket: The fossil has a hole in 7. Number of fingers: The fossil presents
the hip socket, which is a shared derived condition three fingers, which is considered a shared
for the Dinosauria clade. (Note: All branches in the derived character state supporting the
Dinosauria clade are marked with black squares Tetanurae clade.
on the cladogram.)

2. Grasping hand: The fossil has a grasping hand. 8. Uncinate process connecting the ribs:
This is a shared derived condition for saurischian Three uncinate processes connecting the ribs
dinosaurs. (Note: All branches in the Saurischia on the right side of the body are visible on the
clade are marked with black squares on the fossil. Presence of bony uncinate processes is
cladogram.) a shared derived character state supporting
the Pennaraptora clade.

3. Femoral fourth trochanter: The femur does 9. Scapula/humerus length: The fossil’s
not have a well-developed fourth trochanter. This is scapula is longer than its femur, which is the
a derived character for the Ornithischia clade. ancestral condition within the Pennaraptora
Since our fossil does not have this character, it does clade. Having the humerus longer than the
not help us with the identification of the fossil. scapula is a shared derived condition of
(Note: The Ornithischia clade is marked with a gray Paraves within the Pennaraptora.
square on the cladogram.)

4. Furcula: A furcula is observed in the fossil. It 10. Neck length: The fossil presents eleven
is an L-shaped bone in contact with the proximal cervical vertebrae. Having 11 to 13 cervical
end of the right scapula. The presence of fused vertebrae is considered a shared derived
clavicles forming a furcula is a shared derived character state supporting the
character state supporting the Theropoda clade, Oviraptorosauria clade within Pennaraptora.
within Saurischia.

5. Length of the leg bones: In the fossil, the 11. Relative length of the fingers: In the
tibia is longer than the femur (453 mm and 402.4 fossil, finger 3 is slightly shorter than finger 2.
mm, respectively), which is the ancestral This is considered a shared derived character
condition. Having the tibia shorter than the state supporting the Oviraptoridae clade
femur is a shared derived character state within the Oviraptorosauria.
supporting the Saurapodomorpha clade.

6. Fusion of the hip bones: In the fossil, the

sacral vertebra appear to be independent bones,
not fused to the ilia. This is the ancestral
condition within Theropoda. Having sacral
vertebrae fused to the ilia is proposed as a
shared derived character state supporting the
Ceratosauria clade within Theropoda.
 2. Below is a cladogram showing the relationships among dinosaur groups relevant to the Gobi
Desert fossil skeleton investigation. Use the table to visualize the distribution of the shared
derived characters included in the analysis. For example, the distribution of the character
“presence of a hole in the hip socket” is a shared derived character state of dinosaurs. On
the cladogram, use the fill or highlight function to color in the cells for all the branches in the
clade that share the derived character state. The first three characters are completed for you
to use as models. You may want to use one color to indicate characters that your fossil has
and another color to indicate clades that do not include the fossil.
3. Summary for Part III: What group of dinosaurs does the fossil in Figure 5 of the instructions
come from? Explain your reasoning based on the characters you examined and what they
tell you about the classification of this dinosaur fossil.

Based on the available data, we can infer that the Gobi Desert fossil could be an oviraptorid
dinosaur. This claim is based on having identified the following shared derived characters in the
fossil:
● a hole in the hip socket, which places the fossil within the Dinosauria clade;
● a grasping hand, which places it within the Saurischia clade;
● a furcula, which places it within the Theropoda clade;
● hand with three fingers, which places it within the Tetanurae clade;
● neck with eleven cervical vertebrae, which places it within the Oviraptorosauria, and
● hand with finger 3 slightly shorter than finger 2, which finally places it within the
Oviraptoridae.