Osteology of the two-fingered oviraptorid Oksoko avarsan (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria)

Abstract

Oviraptorosaurs are among the most diverse and best-known extinct theropod groups. Their bizarre anatomy and their social and reproductive behaviour are now well understood. Among the oviraptorid subclade, the two-fingered Oksoko avarsan is particularly well-represented. It is known from several exquisite skeletons, preserving not only the entire skeleton, but multiple stages through ontogeny, providing an exemplar for understanding the anatomy of oviraptorids and the changes that their skeletons experienced over their lifetimes. Here I comprehensively describe the osteology of Oksoko avarsan and comment on its ontogenetic variation. Excellent preservation of the specimens provides unparalleled detail into the anatomy of an oviraptorid, providing valuable context for interpreting other oviraptorosaurs. Several changes are observed to occur through ontogeny relating to robustness of the bones and proportions of the skeleton, but there is little evidence suggesting that discrete features like the cranial crest arose late in ontogeny. Instead, early development of the cranial crest in oviraptorids, and its internal connection with the nasal passages and other pneumatic spaces, argue in favour of a role in vocalization, perhaps alongside sexual display. Detailed anatomical and ontogenetic data, like those provided by known specimens of Oksoko avarsan, are necessary to help to underpin ongoing research into the palaeobiology and macroevolution of Oviraptorosauria.