Filippo M. Rotatori

Paleontology MsC, PhD student
Ornithopod dinosaurs macroevolution | Mesozoic vertebrates from Iberia | Phylogenetics and 3D modelling

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

I am ecstatic to share the first dinosaur species I describe so far: Hesperonyx martinhotomasorum (reconstruction by Victor Carvalho ).
This guy is a new small sized iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal.

Here's the link: https://t.co/nsvy3ySzeu

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

The cool animation made by @errequad for his master research !

[The PalAss @ThePalAss]

An exquisitely preserved young iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic of Tanzania sheds light on skeletal fusion patterns within Archosauria https://t.co/K6oS7NuwMU #PapersinPalaeontology @errequad @PalaeoFil @ManucciFabio @MorphoSource @MorphoBank

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

@TomHoltzPaleo Thank you for sharing !

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

This work resulted from the Erasmus+ and Master Thesis project of @errequad , carried out between Bologna University and University of Tübingen.

It has been a pleasure to see this taking shape as a co-advisor :) Enjoy!

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

New paper out! 🦴We studied an exceptionally preserved juvenile of Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki from the Tendaguru Formation using micro-CT scans, reconstructing ~40 bones hidden inside a rock block. @ThePalAss
https://t.co/RrOShy1aiL

#Paleontology #Jurassic #Evolution

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

Another example of how museum collections + modern imaging techniques can reveal spectacular hidden fossils. 🦖

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

The surprise? Neck vertebrae were fusing earlier than those further back in the spine — challenging the traditional “tail-to-head” model of vertebral fusion in dinosaurs.

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

@Paleojim @ASWolniewicz @AAlechiarenza @PaleoSoc @Fossilcrates Hi Jim, when I saw collections in Yale and AMNH I also felt that Tenontosaurs look more 'derived' than expected. At this stage I did not tackle so much that part of the tree. I do agree with you that Aptian and possibly J/K extinctions has huge impacts on their evolution.

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

🦖 Plot twist: iguanodonts didn’t start in the Cretaceous. Our study pushes their origin back to the Early–Middle Jurassic (~180 Ma) — revealing a long hidden history. 🔥 Plus: a new clade, Ouranosauria (incl. Ouranosaurus-like forms)🌍 Global by the Late Jurassic.@AAlechiarenza

[The PalAss @ThePalAss]

The early origin of Iguanodontia: new insights into the macroevolution, diversity & biogeography of the clade https://t.co/Y6kibg6gZt @PalaeoFil @AAlechiarenza @MorphoBank @d_bonadonna

[The PalAss @ThePalAss]

The early origin of Iguanodontia: new insights into the macroevolution, diversity & biogeography of the clade https://t.co/Y6kibg6gZt @PalaeoFil @AAlechiarenza @MorphoBank @d_bonadonna

[Darío Estraviz López @DarioEstraviz]

INCREDIBLE WORK! Congratulations to the authors 👏🏽
Also some interesting implications for Iberian ornithopods...

Cc: @PalaeoFil

[Alessandro Chiarenza @AAlechiarenza]

New paper out today in @ThePalAss : https://t.co/02jNBYRW2H

Co-led with @PalaeoFil (coauthors Federico Fanti & Miguel Moreno-Azanza).

Using the largest data matrix yet, we name a new sail-backed clade (Ouranosauria) & reassess Iguanodon taxonomy. 🎨 Artwork by Davide Bonadonna

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

9/ 🦕 There’s still a lot to uncover… but the story of iguanodonts just got much deeper.

[Filippo M. Rotatori @PalaeoFil]

8/ And to the @MapasLab that welcomed me, plus all collaborators, institutions, and collections that made this work possible.