An unusual new basal iguanodont (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Lower Cretaceous of Teruel, Spain

Abstract

We describe a new basal iguanodont, Proa valdearinnoensis, from the Lower Cretaceous (lower Albian) EscuchaFormation of Teruel Province, Spain. The new taxon is known from abundant cranial and postcranial material belongingto several individuals, and is distinguished by an autapomorphy (predentary comes to a point at its rostral margin, withdivergent lateral processes) and a unique combination of characters. Proa fills part of an otherwise lengthy temporal gap(early Aptian–Santonian) in the European fossil record of basal iguanodonts. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis placesProa in a polytomy with Iguanodon bernissartensis and more derived iguanodontians (Hadrosauroidea). Proa is morebasal than the Valanginian Hypselospinus and late Barremian-early Aptian Mantellisaurus, suggesting a long ghost lineage leading to Proa.