Did oviraptorosaurs (Dinosauria; Theropoda) inhabit Argentina?

In this contribution a putative oviraptorosaurian cervical vertebra discovered in the Campanian-Maastrichtian El Brete Formation from Salta Province, NW Argentina is analysed. Based on the resemblances of this vertebra with those of the basal neoceratosaurian Elaphrosaurus and with the noasaurid Noasaurus, the Salta specimen is interpreted to belong to the third or fourth cervical vertebra of a Noasauridae (eventually Noasaurus). Furthermore, it is Suggested that the Supposed anterior cervical vertebrae of Masiakasaurus, Laevisuchus and Noasaurus possibly correspond to a more posterior position than previously considered. Contrary to abelisaurids, the morphology of the anterior cervical vertebrae of noasaurids indicates that they probably were long neck theropods resembling ornithomimid coelurosaurs. Therefore, the occurrence of oviraptorosaurs in Argentina is rejected. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.