The quadrate of oviraptorid dinosaurs
Teresa Maryańska and Halszka Osmólska
The quadrate of oviraptorid dinosaurs is strongly pneumatized and differs from the quadrates of other non-avian theropods by: (1) two separate facets on the otic process for contacts with the squamosal and braincase; (2) the articular surface for the pterygoid extended to the articular surface of the medial mandibular condyle; (3) the mandibular process provided laterally with a quadratojugal process bearing the quadratojugal cotyla. In the above characters the oviraptorid quadrate resembles those in most ornithothoracine birds, but, contrary to the streptostylic quadrate of birds, the oviraptorid quadrate is monimostylic.
Key words: Dinosauria, Oviraptoridae, quadrate.
Teresa Maryańska, Muzeum Ziemi, PAN, al. Na Skarpie 20/26, PL-00-488 Warszawa, Poland. Halszka Osmólska [osm@twarda.pan.pl], Instytut Paleobiologii PAN, ul. Twarda 51/55, PL-00-818 Warszawa, Poland.
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