Abstract

A new theropod Abelisauridae is described, Ekrixinatosaurustinis novasi gen. et sp. nov., of northwestern Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina). A preliminar cladistic analysis placed Ekrixinatosaurus together with Majungatholus and Carnotaurini; and the sister group is Ilokelesia. The presence of this specimen in Albian-Cenomarúan beds allows us to support the early divergence (pre-Senonian) of this clade, and the hypothesis of the presence of Abelisauridae in continental Africa. The present distribution of Abelisauridae indicates: 1) a vicariance of this clade based on a pre-Cenomanian pan-Gondwanic distribution; 2) dispersion throughout terrestrial bridges. In both cases, the absence of Abelisauridae in continental Africa can be considered a bias of the fossil record. © Asociación Paleontológica Argentina.