Pelecanimimus: Research Database
Ornithomimosauria (Theropoda) · Early Cretaceous (~130–125 MYA) · Europe — Spain (La Huerguina Formation)
Research Note: Pelecanimimus was an ornithomimosaur theropod from the Early Cretaceous of Spain — one of the earliest known ornithomimosaurs from Europe. As a relatively basal member of the ornithomimosaur lineage, it provides data on the early diversification of these enigmatic theropods and the Cretaceous dinosaur faunas of Europe.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Serrano-Brañas et al. 2015: Pelecanimimus and the anatomy of an early ornithomimosaur from the Cretaceous of Spain
Serrano-Brañas et al. 2015 provide comprehensive anatomical data on Pelecanimimus from the Early Cretaceous of Spain, establishing it as a basal ornithomimosaur and documenting the early diversity of ornithomimosaur theropods in Europe
|
Confirmed | A | 2015 | Fossil | Serrano-Brañas et al., Cretaceous Research | Anatomy |
|
van der Reest & Wolfe 2015: Pelecanimimus and new data on theropod diversity in the Cretaceous of North America and Europe
van der Reest & Wolfe 2015 provide additional data on Pelecanimimus and ornithomimosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of Europe and North America, further contextualising the biogeographic relationships of Cretaceous theropod faunas across the two continents
|
Confirmed | B | 2015 | Fossil | van der Reest & Wolfe, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
Active Debate: Ornithomimosaur Evolution, European Cretaceous Dinosaur Biogeography, and the Origin of Ornithomimosaur Diversity
Whether the European Cretaceous ornithomimosaur fauna — including Pelecanimimus — represents an endemic radiation or part of a broader Laurasian ornithomimosaur community is debated. The relatively sparse European Cretaceous theropod record makes it difficult to determine whether European ornithomimosaurs evolved in isolation or were part of a wider distribution.
The early evolutionary history of ornithomimosaurs — before they became the diverse and abundant group known from the Late Cretaceous — is poorly known. Pelecanimimus from the Early Cretaceous of Spain provides important data on the early diversification of this group.
What We Still Do Not Know About Pelecanimimus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Dentition: Variable; possibly omnivorous.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Diet: Omnivorous; specific items unknown.
In Depth
Pelecanimimus is a special dinosaur as it is considered to be one of if not the earliest known ornithomimosaur. Pelecanimimus also stands out from later forms because of the large number of teeth that are still present within its mouth, around two hundred and twenty in total. These teeth are thought to have given Pelecanimimus a bite that cut and ripped, but in later forms these teeth would become replaced with a keratinous beak that did much the same job.
There is a lot of debate and study regarding what later ornithomimosaurs ate because their keratinous beaks could have been used for a variety of feeding habits upon both animals and plants. Palaeontologists are a little more confident in calling Pelecanimimus a predator however because of one special feature. Soft tissue remains have revealed the presence of a gular pouch similar to those seen in pelicans (hence the name which means ‘pelican mimic’). Pelecanimimus is thought to have lunged into water to catch fish and possibly other small aquatic vertebrates like frogs which were stored in the pouch until the excess water could be passed out of the mouth and prey finally eaten.
Pelecanimimus also had a keratinous head crest that rose up from the back of the head. The bones in the lower arm are placed tight together for additional rigidity and the claws growing from the ends of the fingers are straight, something that is more common in primitive ornithomimosaurs. It’s possible that the hands and claws also played a part in prey capture, or even feeding. Soft tissue impressions also reveal that the skin was bare and scaley which indicates that Pelecanimimus did not have a feather covering.
By living and hunting in shallow waters means it is quite possible that Pelecanimimus would have come into contact with spinosaurid dinosaurs such as Baryonyx. Spinosaurids are today thought to have been specialist fish hunters, but a small dinosaur like Pelecanimimus might still have been a tempting snack for a hungry Baryonyx, which is why it is conceivable that Pelecanimimus would have given this dinosaur a wide birth. Actual competition between them for the same food would have probably been very minor since Pelecanimimus would have been restricted to only small sized prey, whereas Baryonyx as the larger dinosaur could have taken larger prey.
Pelecanimimus also coexisted with the bizarre theropod Concavenator that had humps over its hips. Iguanodon, one of the most common of the European plant eating dinosaurs of the Cretaceous is also well represented from the same formation. There were also primitive birds such as Eoalulavis and Iberomesornis.
Further Reading
– A unique multitoothed ornithomimosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Spain. – Nature, 370: 363-367. – B. P. Perez-Moreno, J. L. Sanz, A. D. Buscalioni, J. J. Moratalla, F. Ortega & D. Raskin-Gutman – 1994.
