The Venice specimen of Ouranosaurus nigeriensis (Dinosauria, Ornithopoda)

A mounted skeleton of Ouranosaurus nigeriensis, displayed at the Natural History Museum of Venice since 1975, has been confirmed to include paratype material from Niger's Gadoufaoua locality. This study clarifies its complex history, revealing that while most elements are authentic, some (e.g., femur, coracoid) were replaced with plaster copies, and others (e.g., vertebrae, pelvic bones) likely originated from additional specimens. Osteohistological analysis shows the Venice specimen is sub-adult, providing new insights into its growth stages. Comparisons with the holotype highlight intraspecific variability and potential preparation errors, while also refining the taxon's diagnosis. The dorsal 'sail' structure remains a distinctive feature, reinforcing its role as a display trait among ornithopods.

Bertozzo, F., Dalla Vecchia, F. M., & Fabbri, M. (2017). The Venice specimen of Ouranosaurus nigeriensis (Dinosauria, Ornithopoda). PeerJ, 5, e3403. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.3403