Pronunciation: ta-LEN-ca-wen
Meaning: Small skull
Author/s: Novas et al. (2004)
Synonyms: None known
First Discovery: Santa Cruz, Argentina
Discovery Chart Position: #545
Talenkauen santacrucensis
Discovered among the petrified remains of large evergreen trees and freshwater critters, the forest-by-the-riverside-dwelling Talenkauen santacrucensis
is one of just a few ornithischian dinosaurs known from the Cretaceous period of South America and one of the most primitive iguanodontians known from anywhere.
Talenkauen was rather Dryosaurus-like in shape and build but had a proportionally longer neck, and unlike its more derived brethren, it retained teeth in the tip of its beak and four toes. Like Thescelosaurus and fellow elasmarian Macrogryphosaurus, it sported peculiar thin ovals along both sides of its ribcage that were once thought to be armour plates but are likely discs of mineralised intercostal (between the ribs) cartilage that doesn't often fossilise. However, none of that amazingness is the most amazing thing about Talenkauen.
Tiny bone fragments and several 1mm high teeth were found mingled with the adult holotype of Talenkauen, and while far too small to belong to that specimen, they are virtually identical miniature versions of the corresponding fossils. Given the minimal wear on the teeth, scientists reckon these mini-remains belong to a near-newborn infant, making Talenkauen the first Gondwanan ornithopod for which neonatal remains are known.
Talenkauen was rather Dryosaurus-like in shape and build but had a proportionally longer neck, and unlike its more derived brethren, it retained teeth in the tip of its beak and four toes. Like Thescelosaurus and fellow elasmarian Macrogryphosaurus, it sported peculiar thin ovals along both sides of its ribcage that were once thought to be armour plates but are likely discs of mineralised intercostal (between the ribs) cartilage that doesn't often fossilise. However, none of that amazingness is the most amazing thing about Talenkauen.
Tiny bone fragments and several 1mm high teeth were found mingled with the adult holotype of Talenkauen, and while far too small to belong to that specimen, they are virtually identical miniature versions of the corresponding fossils. Given the minimal wear on the teeth, scientists reckon these mini-remains belong to a near-newborn infant, making Talenkauen the first Gondwanan ornithopod for which neonatal remains are known.
(Small skull from Santa Cruz)Etymology
Talenkauen means "small skull" ("Talenk" small and "kauen" skull) in Aonikenk (also known as Tehuelche), a nearly extinct Chon language spoken by the Tehuelches of Pategonia; a group of nomadic hunters who arrived from Chile.
The species epithet, santacrucensis is derived from "Santa Cruz" (for Santa Cruz Province where it was found) and the Latin "-ensis" (from).
Discovery
The remains of Talenkauen were discovered in the Pari Aike Formation on Cerro Los Hornos (Los Hornos Hill), on the southern coast of Lago (lake) Viedma, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, in 2000.
The holotype (MPM-10001) is a partial articulated skeleton missing the rear part of the skull, the tail and the hands.
Preparators
Marcelo P. Isasi and S. Reuil.
