Research • Studies on the phylogenetic relationships of the
dinosaurs are published by Baron,
Norman & Barrett (2017) and Parry, Baron & Vinther (2017), recovering
sister-group relationship between
Ornithischia and
Theropoda; the study of Baron, Norman & Barrett (2017) is subsequently reexamined by Langer
et al. (2017). • An investigation into common approaches used to identify
sexual dimorphism in the fossil record is published by Mallon (2017), who argues that the available evidence precludes the detection of sexual dimorphism in non-avian dinosaurs. • A study on the possible reasons why sexual dimorphism is rarely detected in non-avian dinosaurs, indicated by body-size data from the
American alligator and the
greater rhea, is published by Hone & Mallon (2017). • A study on the impact of large herbivorous dinosaurs on global
nutrient availability in the
Cretaceous as indicated by remnant plant material (
coal deposits) is published by Doughty (2017). • A study on changes in
morphological and biomechanical diversity of the
mandibles of herbivorous dinosaurs through time, as well as its implications for the relationship between jaw shape, function, and ecological evolutionary drivers in the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs, is published by MacLaren
et al. (2017). • A study on the anatomical diversity of the
jugal bone in dinosaurs and its evolution is published by Sullivan &
Xu (2017). • A study on a diverse dinosaur
ichnofauna from the Lower Cretaceous
Broome Sandstone (
Australia), including descriptions of six new
ichnospecies, is published by Salisbury
et al. (2017). •
Theropod tracks and potential
heterodontosaurid tracks are described from the
Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation (
Lesotho) by Abrahams
et al. (2017). • Dinosaur footprints are reported from the
Cretaceous Stanley Pool Formation (
Gabon) by M'Voubou, Moussavou & Ligna (2017). • Dinosaur trackways are reported from the
Cretaceous (probably
Cenomanian-
Turonian) Mamfe Basin (
Cameroon) by Martin
et al. (2017). • A re-evaluation of the purported Triassic dinosaur fossils from
Poland discovered prior to the description of
Silesaurus opolensis is published by Skawiński
et al. (2017), who interpret
Velocipes guerichi as a
theropod dinosaur. • A study evaluating whether reported set of unique
collagen peptides of
Tyrannosaurus rex and
Brachylophosaurus canadensis could reflect cross-sample contamination from the modern reference material used is published by Buckley
et al. (2017). • A study on the relationship between step width and speed (stride length) in
Late Triassic theropod trackways, its implications for non-avian theropod locomotion and for how it compared to bird and human locomotion is published by Bishop
et al. (2017). • A description and a study on the phylogenetic affinities of the
theropod fossils recovered from the
Early Cretaceous (
Berriasian–
Valanginian)
Bajada Colorada Formation (
Argentina) is published by Canale
et al. (2017). • Tracks of a giant theropod dinosaur are described from the
Late Jurassic (
Kimmeridgian)
Reuchenette Formation (
Switzerland) by Marty
et al. (2017), who name a new
ichnotaxon Jurabrontes curtedulensis. • Tracks of a large theropod dinosaur are described from the
Late Jurassic (
Kimmeridgian)
Reuchenette Formation (
Switzerland) by Razzolini
et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon
Megalosauripus transjuranicus. • Tracks produced by large theropod dinosaurs (estimated body length >8–9 meters) are described from the
Lower Jurassic upper
Elliot Formation (
Lesotho) by Sciscio
et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon
Kayentapus ambrokholohali. • Description of large dinosaur tracks (previously interpreted as
ornithopod tracks) from the
Cretaceous (
Campanian)
Cerro del Pueblo Formation (
Coahuila,
Mexico) is published by Rivera-Sylva
et al. (2017), who reinterpret the tracks as produced by
tetanuran (possibly
tyrannosaurid) theropods, and consider the tracks to be likely evidence of a gregarious behaviour of the trackmakers. • A study on the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the
Late Jurassic theropod dinosaurs known from the isolated teeth recovered from the Lusitanian Basin (
Portugal) is published by Malafaia
et al. (2017). • A study on the relations between the tooth size, shape and position on the skull and
mandible and the bite force of theropod dinosaurs is published by Monfroy (2017). • Small bird-like theropod tracks assigned to the
ichnogenus Trisauropodiscus are described from the
Middle Jurassic (
Bajocian-
Bathonian)
Imilchil Formation (
Morocco) by Gierliński
et al. (2017), who interpret
Trisauropodiscus as an ichnotaxon distinct from
Anomoepus and as a possible predecessor of
Carmelopodus and
ornithomimipodid morphotypes. • A fragmentary theropod egg is described from the
Lower Cretaceous Ilek Formation (
Kemerovo Oblast,
Russia) by Skutschas
et al. (2017), who name a new
ootaxon Prismatoolithus ilekensis. • A study on the
ontogenetic changes in the skeleton of
Limusaurus inextricabilis as indicated by the anatomy of the skeletons of 19 specimens representing six ontogenetic stages is published by Wang
et al. (2017). • New description of the
morphology of
Pycnonemosaurus nevesi and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Delcourt (2017). • Detailed maps of the musculature of the forelimbs of
Majungasaurus crenatissimus are created by Burch (2017). • A review of taxonomy and revised definitions of members of the family
Spinosauridae, as well as a study on their ecology and behaviour is published by Hone &
Holtz (2017). • A partial
spinosaurid tooth is described from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–Valanginian)
Feliz Deserto Formation (
Brazil) by Sales
et al. (2017), representing the oldest known occurrence of a spinosaurid from South America so far. • A reappraisal of spinosaurid skull materials from Brazil is published by Sales & Schultz (2017), who interpret the
holotype specimens of
Irritator challengeri and
Angaturama limai as fossils of different individuals. • Description of a series of tail vertebrae of
Allosaurus fragilis, preserving
sulci interpreted as origin attachment sites of the
caudofemoralis longus muscle, is published by Cau & Serventi (2017). • A study on the skull
morphology of
Neovenator salerii, indicating presence of a complex network of large,
anastomosing canals in the
premaxilla and
maxilla (interpreted as part of the neurovascular system), is published by Barker
et al. (2017). • A description of the braincase anatomy of
Murusraptor barrosaensis is published by Paulina-Carabajal &
Currie (2017). • A study on the integumentary structures of
Sinosauropteryx, rejecting their interpretation as degraded collagen fibres, is published by Smithwick
et al. (2017). • Smithwick
et al. (2017) reconstruct the color patterns of
Sinosauropteryx, presenting evidence of presence of
countershading and a stripe across the eye in this theropod. • Partial
metatarsus of a non-
tyrannosaurid tyrannosauroid theropod distinct from
Appalachiosaurus montgomeriensis and
Dryptosaurus aquilunguis is described from the
Upper Cretaceous (
Campanian)
Merchantville Formation (
Delaware,
United States) by Brownstein (2017) and Dalman, Jasinski & Lucas (2017). • A description of the preserved fossil integument of
tyrannosaurid theropods, confirming presence of scaly skin, is published by Bell
et al. (2017). • A study on the lateral grooves in the
dentaries of
albertosaurine tyrannosaurids is published by Rothschild & Naples (2017), who interpret the grooves as indicating that albertosaurines had a sensory organ analogous to the
lateral line of fish, which might have helped in determining the direction of the wind (and thus determining the origin of a detected smells). • A study on the feeding behaviour of
Tyrannosaurus rex and the factors that enabled members of this species to pulverize bones before eating them is published by Gignac & Erickson (2017). • A study on the running abilities of
Tyrannosaurus rex is published by Sellers
et al. (2017). • A description of
Early Cretaceous ornithomimosaur fossils recovered from the
Arundel Clay (
Maryland,
United States) is published by Brownstein (2017), who also reinterprets
Nedcolbertia justinhofmanni as a
basal member of Ornithomimosauria; the author's interpretation of the fossils as indicative of the presence of two ornithomimosaur taxa in the Arundel is subsequently criticized by McFeeters, Ryan & Cullen (2018). • Fossils of an ornithomimosaur considered to be a member of the genus
Qiupalong of uncertain specific assignment are described from the
Late Cretaceous (
Campanian)
Belly River Group strata in
Dinosaur Provincial Park (
Alberta,
Canada) by McFeeters
et al. (2017), representing the first North American occurrence of a member of this genus. •
Alvarezsaurid fossils are described from the
Upper Cretaceous (
Turonian)
Bissekty Formation (
Uzbekistan) by Averianov &
Sues (2017), representing the oldest record of the family in the
Northern Hemisphere reported so far. • A study on the feeding behavior and
niche differentiation in
therizinosaurs as indicated by the
morphology of their
mandibles is published by Lautenschlager (2017). • Putative therizinosaur tracks are described from the Late Cretaceous of
Morocco by Masrour, Lkebir & Pérez-Lorente (2017). • A study on the
histology of the teeth of
Suzhousaurus megatherioides and
Falcarius utahensis, as well as on its implications for the evolution of therizinosaur teeth, is published by Button
et al. (2017). • A specimen of the
tick species
Cornupalpatum burmanicum entangled in a pennaceous feather of an early bird or non-avian
pennaraptoran theropod is described from the Cretaceous amber from
Myanmar by Peñalver
et al. (2017). • Wang
et al. (2017) identify the truncation of tooth development during postnatal
ontogeny in a
caenagnathid oviraptorosaur and the
Early Cretaceous bird
Sapeornis, and interpret it as indicative of links between dental reduction and beak evolution in theropod dinosaurs. • A study on the incubation temperature of
oviraptorosaur eggs recovered from the
Upper Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation (
China) is published by Amiot
et al. (2017). • A study on the skull
morphology of
Avimimus portentosus based on a new specimen is published by Tsuihiji
et al. (2017). • A description of the anatomy of the
mandible of
Gigantoraptor erlianensis is published by Ma
et al. (2017). • Wiemann
et al. (2017) report the discovery of eggshell pigments in the eggs of
Late Cretaceous oviraptorid ootaxon
Macroolithus yaotunensis, which belonged to
Heyuannia huangi. • An
osteological description of the skull of the
holotype specimen of
Buitreraptor gonzalezorum is published by Gianechini, Makovicky & Apesteguía (2017). • Description of the anatomy of the skeleton of
Neuquenraptor argentinus is published by Brissón Egli
et al. (2017). • Wang
et al. (2017) reconstruct the body outline of
Anchiornis huxleyi based on the data on soft tissues revealed by laser-stimulated fluorescence imaging. • Description of four new specimens of
Anchiornis huxleyi and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Pei
et al. (2017). • A study on the evolution of the
sauropodomorph feeding apparatus is published by Button, Barrett &
Rayfield (2017). • A study on the bone microstructure of sauropodomorph dinosaurs and on its implications for the growth patterns of
basal sauropodomorphs is published by Cerda
et al. (2017). • A study on the shape differences among
sauropodomorph humeri and
femora and their implications for the posture and limb mobility of
titanosauriform sauropods is published by Ullmann, Bonnan & Lacovara (2017). • Sauropodomorph (including possible sauropod) tracks are described from the
Upper Triassic Fleming Fjord Formation (
Greenland) by Lallensack
et al. (2017). • A revision of the
biostratigraphy and morphological and taxonomic diversity of the sauropodomorph fauna from the
Elliot Formation (
South Africa) is published by Mcphee
et al. (2017), who interpret
Antetonitrus ingenipes as an
Early Jurassic taxon (rather than
Triassic one as originally assumed). • An isolated sauropodomorph tooth with a combination of features present in non-sauropod sauropodomorphs and sauropods is described from the Jurassic
Cañadón Asfalto Formation (
Argentina) by Becerra, Gomez & Pol (2017). • Reconstruction of the braincase of
Saturnalia tupiniquim, based on a specimen preserving skull elements (including the bones that form the braincase), is presented by Bronzati
et al. (2017). • Protein remains preserved in skeletal elements of an
Early Jurassic sauropodomorph dinosaur
Lufengosaurus are described by Lee
et al. (2017). • A
sauropod tooth is described from the
Santonian Csehbánya Formation (
Hungary) by Ősi, Csiki-Sava & Prondvai (2017), representing the first known sauropod body fossil from the Santonian of Europe. • Plant remains found in the
Late Cretaceous (
Maastrichtian)
Lameta sediments and associated
sauropod coprolites from the Nand-Dongargaon basin (
Maharashtra,
India) are described by Sonkusare, Samant & Mohabey (2017), providing information on the diet of sauropod dinosaurs. • A study on the maximum vertical reach of
sauropod necks is published by
Paul (2017). • A study on the
condyle convexity and range of motion of the
joints situated between the
vertebrae of the
sauropod dinosaurs as indicated by comparison with extant
alligators is published by Fronimos &
Wilson (2017). • A study evaluating the utility of secondary
osteons in inferring the
ontogenetic stages of sauropod specimens is published by Mitchell, Sander & Stein (2017). • Skin impression preserved in a sauropod footprint from the
Cretaceous (
Albian)
Haman Formation (
South Korea) is described by Paik
et al. (2017). • New sauropod fossil material is described from the
Lower Jurassic Nam Phong Formation (
Thailand) by Laojumpon
et al. (2017). • A study on the complexity pattern of the neurocentral
sutures in the vertebrae of
Spinophorosaurus nigerensis and its implications for the stress distribution in the vertebrae of this sauropod is published by Fronimos & Wilson (2017). • A study on the bifurcated spines in the neck vertebrae of
diplodocid sauropods, their implications for the reconstruction of soft tissues associated with bifurcated spines and on the neck posture of diplodocid sauropods, is published by Woodruff (2017). • A study on the
morphological and
histological features of the skeleton that can be used to determine maturity in diplodocid sauropods is published by Woodruff, Fowler &
Horner (2017). • Five partial vertebrae of a subadult specimen of
Barosaurus are described from the
Late Jurassic (
Kimmeridgian)
Morrison Formation (the Carnegie Quarry of
Dinosaur National Monument;
Utah,
United States) by Hanik, Lamanna & Whitlock (2017). • A study on the postcranial
skeletal pneumaticity in
rebbachisaurid sauropods, based primarily on the vertebrae of
Katepensaurus goicoecheai, is published by Ibiricu
et al. (2017), who report a form of pneumaticity that has not previously been observed in sauropods. • A revision of the sauropod fossil material from the
Lower Cretaceous (
Barremian)
Arcillas de Morella Formation (
Spain), indicating presence of at least three sauropod taxa, is published by Mocho
et al. (2017). • A study on the anatomy of the teeth of a specimen of
Camarasaurus recovered from the Howe-Stephens Quarry (Bighorn Basin,
Wyoming,
United States) is published by Wiersma & Sander (2017). • Partial skeleton of
Camarasaurus is described from the
Little Snowy Mountains (
Montana,
United States) by Woodruff & Foster (2017), representing the northernmost occurrence of a sauropod in the
Morrison Formation reported so far. • New information on the anatomy of the
lectotype specimen of
Lusotitan atalaiensis and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Mocho, Royo-Torres & Ortega (2017). • Description of new fossils referrable to the type individual of
Austrosaurus mckillopi and reassessment of the fossil material attributed to members of this species is published by Poropat
et al. (2017). • A study on the
histology of the bony structures found with the
holotype specimen of
Agustinia ligabuei is published by Bellardini & Cerda (2017), who argue that these structures are not
osteoderms and that there is no evidence of the presence of dermal armor in
Agustinia. • Tail
vertebrae of a
titanosaur sauropod affected by
osteomyelitis is described from the
Late Cretaceous (
Campanian)
Anacleto Formation (
Argentina) by de García
et al. (2017). • Bone abnormalities (interpreted as pathologies) present in the skeleton of the type specimen of
Bonitasaura salgadoi are described by Gonzalez, Gallina & Cerda (2017). • A study on the internal anatomy of the titanosaur
osteoderms recovered from the
Late Cretaceous site of Lo Hueco (
Spain) and the function of titanosaur dermal armor is published by Vidal
et al. (2017). • A description of new fossil material of
Alamosaurus sanjuanensis (an articulated series of cervical vertebrae from
Big Bend National Park, Texas) and a study of phylogenetic relationships of this species is published by Tykoski &
Fiorillo (2017). • A study on the
osteology and positional assignment of the dorsal vertebrae of
Dreadnoughtus schrani is published by Voegele, Lamanna & Lacovara (2017). • A study on pathologic titanosaurian eggs from several
Upper Cretaceous basins in southwestern Europe is published by Sellés, Vila & Galobart (2017), who interpret the abundance of abnormal eggs as probably caused by a dinosaur faunal replacement at the end of early
Maastrichtian (circa 71-70 million years ago). • A redescription of the postcranial material of
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus is published by Baron,
Norman & Barrett (2017), who argue that
Stormbergia dangershoeki is most likely a junior synonym of
L. diagnosticus. • A
mandible recovered from the Lower Jurassic upper
Elliot Formation (
South Africa), assigned to
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, is digitally reconstructed in 3D by Sciscio
et al. (2017). • A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the
stegosaurians is published by Raven & Maidment (2017). • A study on the purported stegosaur fossils from the
Middle Jurassic (
Aalenian-
Bajocian)
Inferior Oolite Group (
United Kingdom) is published by
Galton (2017). • A study on the purported stegosaurian dermal plate from the
Upper Cretaceous (
Maastrichtian)
Kallamedu Formation (
India) is published by Galton & Ayyasami (2017). • A well-preserved stegosaurian
sacrum with paired
ilia, referred to the species
Wuerhosaurus ordosensis and providing new information on the anatomy of the
pelvic girdle of the taxon, is described from the
Lower Cretaceous Luohandong Formation (
China), is described by Hou & Ji (2017), who interpret the finding as confirming that
Wuerhosaurus ordosensis and
Wuerhosaurus homheni are different species. •
Moment arms of muscles of
Stegosaurus stenops are calculated by Brassey, Maidment & Barrett (2017). • A study on the anatomical features related to feeding and the mechanisms of food processing in
ankylosaurian dinosaurs is published by Ősi
et al. (2017). • Description of a new specimen of
Crichtonpelta benxiensis (nearly completely preserved skull) from the
Cretaceous (late
Albian–
Turonian)
Sunjiawan Formation (
China) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Yang
et al. (2017). • A study on the skeletal anatomy of
Ankylosaurus magniventris, reinterpreting previously established aspects of the anatomy of members of the species, is published by Arbour & Mallon (2017). • A study on the length of the
incubation period in
Hypacrosaurus stebingeri and
Protoceratops andrewsi is published by Erickson
et al. (2017). • A study on the ornithischian teeth known from the Upper Cretaceous
Csehbánya Formation (
Hungary) is published by Virág & Ősi (2017), attributing some of the teeth to the genus
Mochlodon and some to the genus
Ajkaceratops (the first teeth that can provisionally be referred to the latter genus). • A naturally occurring brain
endocast of an
iguanodontian
ornithopod (possibly
Barilium or
Hypselospinus), preserving mineralized brain soft tissues, is described from the
Early Cretaceous (
Valanginian)
Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (
United Kingdom) by Brasier
et al. (2017). • A study on the
formation of tooth enamel in
Lanzhousaurus magnidens is published by Suarez
et al. (2017). • A study on the individual variation in the
morphology of the postcranial skeleton of
Iguanodon bernissartensis is published by Verdú
et al. (2017), who consider
Delapparentia turolensis to be impossible to distinguish from
Iguanodon species based on the available material. • Description of the
osteology of the skeleton of a specimen of
Ouranosaurus nigeriensis exhibited at the
Natural History Museum of Venice is published by Bertozzo, Dalla Vecchia & Fabbri (2017). • A description of a new specimen of
Eolambia caroljonesa and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by McDonald
et al. (2017). • A redescription of the skull anatomy of
Edmontosaurus regalis and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of
hadrosaurids is published by Xing, Mallon & Currie (2017). • A study on the
taphonomy of the Standing Rock Hadrosaur Site, a vast
Edmontosaurus annectens bone bed from the Upper Cretaceous (
Maastrichtian)
Hell Creek Formation (
South Dakota,
United States) is published by Ullmann
et al. (2017). • Redescription of a specimen of
Gryposaurus notabilis from the
Upper Cretaceous Dinosaur Park Formation (
Alberta,
Canada) housed at the
Milan Natural History Museum and a
paleopathological analysis of the specimen is published by Bertozzo
et al. (2017). • Schroeter
et al. (2017) reevaluate
collagen I peptides recovered from a specimen of
Brachylophosaurus canadensis in
2009 and recover additional eight peptide sequences of collagen I from the same specimen. • An isolated dentary and postcranial skeleton from
Dinosaur Provincial Park (
Alberta,
Canada) is interpreted as likely representing the same skeleton as the holotype skull of
Corythosaurus excavatus by Bramble
et al. (2017). • A study on the
histology of two hadrosaurid
dentary dental batteries from the
Upper Cretaceous of
Dinosaur Provincial Park (
Alberta,
Canada) and its implications for inferring the tooth movement within the hadrosaurid
dental battery is published by Bramble
et al. (2017). • A study on the fossilized feces (
coprolites) recovered from the Cretaceous
Kaiparowits Formation (
Utah,
United States), produced by large herbivorous dinosaurs (most likely hadrosaurs), is published by
Chin, Feldmann & Tashman (2017), who report evidence indicating that the dinosaurs that produced the coprolites consumed
crustaceans and rotted
wood. • A study on the
morphological diversity of the snouts and frills of the
ceratopsians, as well as on the skull and jaw shape changes in the evolution of the group is published by Maiorino
et al. (2017). • New specimen of
Liaoceratops yanzigouensis is described from the Lujiatun Bed of the
Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (
China) by Yang
et al. (2017), who describe the postcranial skeleton of
L. yanzigouensis for the first time. • An isolated
ceratopsid tooth is described from the
Late Cretaceous (late
Maastrichtian)
Owl Creek Formation (
Mississippi,
United States) by Farke & Phillips (2017), representing the first reported occurrence of a ceratopsid from eastern North America. • A study on correlating the microstructure and nanostructure from
femoral bones of
Koreanosaurus through
electron microscopy is published by Kim
et al. (2017). • A study on the microstructure and chemistry of a fossil rib of
Koreanosaurus boseongenesis, its hosting
mudstone, and the boundary in-between, intending to establish the factors that contributed to
diagenesis and the preservation of fossil bone, is published by Kim
et al. (2017). • A study on Dinosaur Park troodonts concludes that
Troodon is a
nomen dubium, revives
Stenonychosaurus and names a new genus,
Latenivenatrix. •
Chilesaurus diegosuarezi, considered to be a
theropod dinosaur by the authors of its description, is reinterpreted as a
basal ornithischian by Baron & Barrett (2017). • A study on the forelimb posture of four articulated specimens of
Chilesaurus diegosuarezi from the
Late Jurassic Toqui Formation (
Chile) is published by Chimento
et al. (2017). • Closely associated theropod and probable hadrosaur eggs are described from the Upper Cretaceous (
Maastrichtian)
St. Mary River Formation (
Montana,
United States) by Jackson & Varricchio (2017), who name a new theropod
ootaxon Tetonoolithus nelsoni.
New taxa ==Birds==