# Protathlitis

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Genus of spinosaurid theropod dinosaur

Protathlitis Temporal range: Early Cretaceous (Barremian), 129.4–125 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Tail vertebrae of Protathlitis Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Clade: Dinosauria Clade: Saurischia Clade: Theropoda Family: †Spinosauridae Subfamily: †Baryonychinae Genus: †Protathlitis Santos-Cubedo et al., 2023 Type species †Protathlitis cinctorrensis Santos-Cubedo et al., 2023

***Protathlitis*** (meaning "champion") is a potentially [dubious](/source/Nomen_dubium) and [chimeric](/source/Chimera_(paleontology)) genus of [theropod](/source/Theropod) dinosaur from the [Early Cretaceous](/source/Early_Cretaceous) ([Barremian](/source/Barremian)) [Arcillas de Morella Formation](/source/Arcillas_de_Morella_Formation) of [Castellón](/source/Province_of_Castell%C3%B3n), Spain. The [type](/source/Type_species) and [only species](/source/Monotypic_taxon) is ***Protathlitis cinctorrensis***, known from a partial skeleton. It was originally identified as a [basal](/source/Basal_(phylogenetics)) member of the [Baryonychinae](/source/Baryonychinae).[1] If a spinosaurid identity of the material is correct, its discovery, as well as those of the spinosaurids *[Camarillasaurus](/source/Camarillasaurus)*, *[Iberospinus](/source/Iberospinus)*, *[Riojavenatrix](/source/Riojavenatrix)*, and the contemporary *[Vallibonavenatrix](/source/Vallibonavenatrix)* shows that the Iberian Peninsula held a diverse assemblage of these theropods during the Early Cretaceous.[2]

## Discovery and naming

The [holotype](/source/Holotype) remains, the [maxillary](/source/Maxilla) fragment 8ANA-109 and [caudal vertebrae](/source/Caudal_vertebrae) 3ANA83, 4ANA43, 4ANA69, 4ANA76, and 5ANA78, were recovered from the ANA site of the Arcillas de Morella Formation, which was discovered in 1998 and remained unexplored until 2002. A tooth, 4ANA-11, possibly from the left mandible or right maxilla, was also referred.[1]

The remains were [described](/source/Species_description) as a new genus and species of spinosaurid in 2023, *Protathlitis cinctorrensis*. The genus name, "*Protathlitis*", is Greek for "champion", and is dedicated to the [2020–21 UEFA Europa League](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_UEFA_Europa_League) won by [Villareal C.F.](/source/Villareal_C.F.) and in light of the club's centenary in 2023. The specific name, "*cinctorrensis*", honors [Cinctorres](/source/Cinctorres), the town where the remains were discovered.[1]

In 2024, Montealegre, Castillo-Visa & Sellés tentatively assigned specimen IPS919, a nearly complete tooth including a partial [root](/source/Tooth_root) from the Arcillas de Morella Formation, to [cf.](/source/Cf.) *Protathlitis*.[3]

## Classification

Skeletal diagram of the related *Baryonyx*, showing the known bones of *Protathlitis* in red

Speculative [life restoration](/source/Life_restoration) as a spinosaurid

Santos-Cubedo et al. (2023) performed a [phylogenetic analysis](/source/Phylogenetic_analysis), placing *Protathlitis* as the basalmost member the Baryonychinae. Their results are shown in the [cladogram](/source/Cladogram) below:[1]

Spinosauridae Camarillasaurus Baryonychinae Protathlitis Baryonyx Ceratosuchops Suchomimus Spinosaurinae Ichthyovenator Vallibonavenatrix Spinosaurus Irritator

In their 2025 reassessment of *Camarillasaurus*, Rauhut and colleagues noted that the type material was likely chimeric, with many bones deviating from the expected morphology of spinosaurids and even theropods in general. They also noted the lack of evidence that the remains all belonged to the same individual or species. As such, they regarded it as a probable *[nomen dubium](/source/Nomen_dubium)*.[4]

## Palaeoenvironment

*Protathlitis* hails from the [Arcillas de Morella Formation](/source/Arcillas_de_Morella_Formation), which has been dated to the [Barremian](/source/Barremian) [stage](/source/Stage_(geology)) of the [Early Cretaceous](/source/Early_Cretaceous) [period](/source/Period_(geology)), between 129.4 and 125 million years ago. It coexisted in this environment with other dinosaurs including the [ornithischians](/source/Ornithischia) *[Iguanodon bernissartensis](/source/Iguanodon)* and *[Morelladon beltrani](/source/Morelladon)*, an indeterminate [sauropod](/source/Sauropoda), and the fellow spinosaurid *Vallibonavenatrix*.[5][6][7]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Protathlitis_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Protathlitis_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Protathlitis_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Protathlitis_1-3) Santos-Cubedo, A.; de Santisteban, C.; Poza, B.; Meseguer, S. (2023). ["A new spinosaurid dinosaur species from the Early Cretaceous of Cinctorres (Spain)"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10195869). *Scientific Reports*. **13** (1). 6471. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2023NatSR..13.6471S](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023NatSR..13.6471S). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/s41598-023-33418-2](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fs41598-023-33418-2). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10234/203142](https://hdl.handle.net/10234%2F203142). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [10195869](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10195869). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [37202441](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37202441).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Riojavenatrix_2-0)** Isasmendi, E.; Cuesta, E.; Díaz-Martínez, I.; Company, J.; Sáez-Benito, P.; Viera, L. I.; Torices, A.; Pereda-Suberbiola, P. (2024). ["Increasing the theropod record of Europe: a new basal spinosaurid from the Enciso Group of the Cameros Basin (La Rioja, Spain). Evolutionary implications and palaeobiodiversity"](https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad193/7564790). *Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society*. **202** (3). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad193](https://doi.org/10.1093%2Fzoolinnean%2Fzlad193).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Montrealegre2024_3-0)** Montealegre, Adrian; Castillo-Visa, Oscar; Sellés, Albert (2024-01-31). ["New theropod remains from the late Barremian (Early Cretaceous) of Eastern Iberian Peninsula"](https://ddd.uab.cat/record/288360). *[Historical Biology](/source/Historical_Biology)*. **37** (2): 437–447. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/08912963.2024.2308220](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F08912963.2024.2308220). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0891-2963](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0891-2963).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rauhut2025_4-0)** Rauhut, Oliver W. M.; Canudo, José Ignacio; Castanera, Diego (September 16, 2025). ["Revision of the theropod dinosaur Camarillasaurus cirugedae from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) of Teruel province, Spain"](https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2025/5627-revision-of-early-cretaceous-theropod-dinosaur). *Palaeontologia Electronica*. **28** (3): 1–67. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.26879/1543](https://doi.org/10.26879%2F1543). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1094-8074](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1094-8074).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cretaceousdistribution_5-0)** Weishampel, David B; et al. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution (Early Cretaceous, Europe)." In: Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 562. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-520-24209-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-520-24209-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-indvar_6-0)** Verdú, F.J.; Godefroit, P.; Royo-Torres, R.; Cobos, A.; Alcalá, L. (2017). "Individual variation in the postcranial skeleton of the Early Cretaceous *Iguanodon bernissartensis* (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda)". *Cretaceous Research*. **74**: 65–86. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017CrRes..74...65V](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017CrRes..74...65V). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cretres.2017.02.006](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cretres.2017.02.006).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Malafaia, E.; Miguel Gasulla, J.; Escaso, F.; Narváez, I.; Luis Sanz, J.; Ortega, F. (2019). "A new spinosaurid theropod (Dinosauria: Megalosauroidea) from the late Barremian of Vallibona, Spain: Implications for spinosaurid diversity in the Early Cretaceous of the Iberian Peninsula". *Cretaceous Research*. **106** 104221. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2020CrRes.10604221M](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020CrRes.10604221M). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104221](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cretres.2019.104221). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [202189246](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:202189246).

v t e Theropoda Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Clade: Avemetatarsalia Clade: Dinosauria Avemetatarsalia see Avemetatarsalia Theropoda see below↓ Theropoda Theropoda Anteavis Chindesaurus? Daemonosaurus? Eodromaeus? Erythrovenator Guaibasaurus? Nhandumirim? Tawa? Herrerasauria? Neotheropoda Dilophosaurus Dolichosuchus? Dracovenator Gojirasaurus Lepidus Liliensternus Lophostropheus Newtonsaurus Notatesseraeraptor Sarcosaurus Shuangbaisaurus Sinosaurus Tachiraptor Velocipes? Zupaysaurus Coelophysoidea Dracoraptor? Newtonsaurus? Panguraptor Pendraig Podokesaurus Powellvenator Coelophysidae Camposaurus Coelophysis Lucianovenator Megapnosaurus? Panguraptor? Procompsognathus Pterospondylus? Segisaurus Averostra see below↓ Dubious neotheropods Teinurosaurus Halticosaurus Averostra Averostra Dornraptor Lophostropheus? Ceratosauria Berberosaurus Camarillasaurus? Dandakosaurus? Fosterovenator Ostafrikasaurus? Saltriovenator Sarcosaurus? Spinostropheus? Neoceratosauria Ceratosauridae Ceratosaurus Genyodectes Abelisauroidea Bahariasaurus? Betasuchus Dahalokely Deltadromeus? Eoabelisaurus? Genusaurus Gualicho? Ligabueino Noasauridae Afromimus? Austrocheirus? Berthasaura Compsosuchus? Dahalokely? Genusaurus? Kiyacursor Ligabueino Spinostropheus Elaphrosaurinae Elaphrosaurus Huinculsaurus Limusaurus Noasaurinae Laevisuchus Masiakasaurus Noasaurus Velocisaurus Vespersaurus Abelisauridae Chenanisaurus Dryptosauroides? Eoabelisaurus Indosuchus Kryptops Kurupi Rugops Spectrovenator Tarascosaurus Tralkasaurus Vitosaura Xenotarsosaurus Majungasaurinae Arcovenator Dahalokely? Genusaurus Indosaurus Majungasaurus Rahiolisaurus? Rajasaurus Carnotaurinae Majungasaurinae? Brachyrostra Dahalokely? Ekrixinatosaurus Elemgasem Guemesia Ilokelesia Llukalkan Niebla Rahiolisaurus? Skorpiovenator Thanos Furileusauria Abelisaurus Aucasaurus Caletodraco Carnotaurus Elemgasem? Koleken Pycnonemosaurus Quilmesaurus Viavenator Tetanurae see below↓ Tetanurae Tetanurae Calamospondylus? Chienkosaurus? Chilesaurus? Chuandongocoelurus Cruxicheiros? Cryolophosaurus Kaijiangosaurus Kayentavenator Monolophosaurus Pandoravenator Sinosaurus? Szechuanosaurus Vectaerovenator Orionides Megalosauroidea Yunyangosaurus Piatnitzkysauridae Condorraptor Marshosaurus Piatnitzkysaurus Xuanhanosaurus? Megalosauria Streptospondylus? Megalosauridae Eustreptospondylus Megalosaurinae Duriavenator Megalosaurus Torvosaurus Wiehenvenator Afrovenatorinae Afrovenator Dubreuillosaurus Leshansaurus Magnosaurus Piveteausaurus Poekilopleuron? Spinosauridae Camarillasaurus? Cristatusaurus Iberospinus Ostafrikasaurus? Baryonychinae Baryonyx Protathlitis Riojavenatrix Suchosaurus? Vallibonavenatrix? Ceratosuchopsini Ceratosuchops Eocarcharia? Riparovenator Suchomimus Spinosaurinae Camarillasaurus? Ichthyovenator Irritator Oxalaia Siamosaurus Spinosaurini Sigilmassasaurus Spinosaurus Avetheropoda see below↓ Avetheropoda Avetheropoda Gasosaurus? Lourinhanosaurus? Carnosauria Altispinax Monolophosaurus? Megalosauridae? Spinosauridae? Allosauroidea Asfaltovenator Erectopus Xuanhanosaurus? Piatnitzkysauridae? Metriacanthosauridae Xuanhanosaurus? Yangchuanosaurus Yuanmouraptor Metriacanthosaurinae Alpkarakush Metriacanthosaurus Shidaisaurus Siamotyrannus Sinraptor Allosauria Allosauridae Allosaurus Antrodemus? Epanterias? Saurophaganax? Carcharodontosauria Datanglong Lusovenator Siamraptor Siats? Veterupristisaurus Neovenatoridae Chilantaisaurus? Gualicho? Neovenator Siats? Megaraptora? Carcharodontosauridae Acrocanthosaurus Altispinax? Concavenator Eocarcharia? Kelmayisaurus Lajasvenator Sauroniops Shaochilong Tameryraptor Ulughbegsaurus Veterupristisaurus Carcharodontosaurinae Carcharodontosaurus Giganotosaurini Giganotosaurus Mapusaurus Meraxes Taurovenator Tyrannotitan Megaraptora? Aoniraptor Bahariasaurus? Fukuiraptor Phuwiangvenator Rapator Siats? Chilantaisaurus? Megaraptoridae Aerosteon Australovenator Joaquinraptor Maip Megaraptor Murusraptor Orkoraptor Tratayenia Coelurosauria see below↓ Coelurosauria Coelurosauria Aratasaurus Asiamericana Bicentenaria Chilantaisaurus? Gualicho? Richardoestesia Sciurumimus? Vayuraptor Xinjiangovenator Zuolong Tyrannoraptora Tyrannosauroidea Chingkankousaurus Labocania? Coeluridae? Coelurus Tanycolagreus? Proceratosauridae Guanlong Kileskus Proceratosaurus Sinotyrannus Yutyrannus Pantyrannosauria Alectrosaurus Aviatyrannis Bagaraatan? Dilong Eotyrannus Jinbeisaurus Juratyrant Khankhuuluu Moros Santanaraptor Stokesosaurus Suskityrannus Timimus? Timurlengia Xiongguanlong Megaraptora? Eutyrannosauria Appalachiosaurus Bistahieversor? Dryptosaurus Nanotyrannus Tyrannosauridae Albertosaurinae Albertosaurus Gorgosaurus Tyrannosaurinae Asiatyrannus Nanuqsaurus Alioramini Alioramus Qianzhousaurus Daspletosaurini Daspletosaurus Thanatotheristes Teratophoneini Bistahieversor? Dynamoterror Labocania? Lythronax Teratophoneus Tyrannosaurini Tarbosaurus Tyrannosaurus Zhuchengtyrannus Maniraptoromorpha see below↓ Dubious coelurosaurs Iliosuchus Kakuru Phaedrolosaurus Shanyangosaurus Maniraptoromorpha Maniraptoromorpha Coelurus? Juravenator Ornitholestes Neocoelurosauria Aniksosaurus Compsognathidae Aniksosaurus? Aristosuchus Beipiaognathus? Compsognathus Huaxiagnathus? Mirischia? Scipionyx? Sinocalliopteryx? Sinosauropteryx? Xunmenglong Sinosauropterygidae? Huadanosaurus Huaxiagnathus Mirischia Sinocalliopteryx Sinosauropteryx Compsognathidae? Ornithomimosauria Arkansaurus Aviatyrannis? Calamosaurus? Hexing Kinnareemimus Nedcolbertia Nqwebasaurus Thecocoelurus? Valdoraptor Macrocheiriformes Harpymimus Pelecanimimus Shenzhousaurus Deinocheiridae Beishanlong Deinocheirus Garudimimus Harpymimus? Paraxenisaurus? Tyrannomimus Ornithomimidae Aepyornithomimus Anserimimus Archaeornithomimus "Coelosaurus" Dromiceiomimus Dzharacursor Gallimimus Mexidracon Ornithomimus Qiupalong Rativates Sinornithomimus Struthiomimus Tototlmimus Maniraptora see Maniraptora includes birds

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Protathlitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protathlitis) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protathlitis?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.