The first record of an ornithomimosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group of the Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China

Here we report the discovery of a non-avian theropod manus claw and various closely associated caudal vertebrae from a Lower Cretaceous exposure of the Tugulu Group, in the Junggar Basin. The gross anatomy of the vertebrae indicate an ornithomimosaur affinity, and a morphometric analysis of the claw supports this diagnosis. As is consistent with the known morphology of basal ornithomimisaur manual unguals, the claw is strongly curved, relatively robust, and possesses a prominent distoventral flexor tubercle. The centrum of one caudal vertebra narrows noticeably anteroposteriorly, suggesting that it is from very near the terminus of the tail. This fragmentary material constitutes the first record of an ornithomimosaur known from the Junggar Basin.