Researchers from Argentina, Brazil, and the UK have identified a new genus and species of Abelisaurid Theropod Dinosaur.
Geological map indicating the location of Vitosaura Colozacani in the Los Lanos Formation, La Rioja, Argentina. Image credit: Jiménez Velandia et al., doi: 10.5710/amgh.24.09.2025.3653.
The newly identified dinosaur, Vitosaura Colozacani, existed approximately 80 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period.
This ancient species is part of the Abelisaurid family, a group of carnivorous dinosaurs that predominantly thrived in Gondwana throughout the Cretaceous.
Fossil evidence of this family currently comprises over 25 species, with the most comprehensive and well-preserved findings located in Patagonia, Argentina.
“The Abelisauridae is a clade first established in 1985, known for its distinctive features such as a robust and tall skull, well-protected maxillary and frontal areas, a highly compressed axial skeleton, and reduced forelimbs.”
“The discovery of numerous Abelisaurus species over recent decades, mainly on Gondwana’s landmasses, has significantly enhanced our understanding of this theropod lineage.”
“The Abelisauridae represented the predominant clade of theropod dinosaurs during the Cretaceous in Gondwana, with extensive records found in North Africa, India, and Madagascar, extending even into Laurasia, present-day Central Europe.”
“Beyond these findings, this group was remarkably successful in South America, boasting a rich fossil record.”
Fossilized remains of Vitosaura Colozacani were collected during field excursions in 2009 and 2010 at the Los Llanos Formation in La Rioja, northwest Argentina.
“The theropod remains include the first dorsal center, the second dorsal vertebra, a partial sacrum, left ilium, pubic bone, and other uncertain elements,” the paleontologist noted.
“These specimens were found alongside some post-titanosaur remains.”
Vitosaura Colozacani was a medium-sized Abelisaur measuring approximately 4.5-5.5 m (15-18 feet) in length.
The species inhabited a seasonally semi-arid environment where annual rainfall varied between 230 and 450 mm.
“The discovery of Vitosaura Colozacani expands the geographical range of Abelisaurus within the Campania Formation of the Los Lanos Formation in La Rioja; however, the implications of this new species are limited due to its incompleteness and the state of analysis reflected in various phylogenetic studies focusing on Abelisaurus interactions.”
“We believe further research is necessary to enhance the topological robustness of Abelisauridae phylogeny and to discover new materials that could be allocated to Vitosaura Colozacani to more thoroughly test the phylogenetic hypotheses discussed in our study.”
Research findings were published on October 2, 2025, in the journal Ameguinea.
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Harold Zimenez Verandia et al. 2025. A new late Cretaceous species of Abelisaurus from the province of La Rioja in northwestern Argentina. Ameguinea 62(5): 1-23; doi: 10.5710/amgh.24.09.2025.3653.
Source: www.sci.news
