Katepensaurus Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Cervical vertebrae | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Clade: | Saurischia |
Clade: | † Sauropodomorpha |
Clade: | † Sauropoda |
Superfamily: | † Diplodocoidea |
Family: | † Rebbachisauridae |
Subfamily: | † Limaysaurinae |
Genus: | † Katepensaurus Ibiricu et al., 2013 |
Type species | |
†Katepensaurus goicoecheai Ibiricu et al., 2013 |
Katepensaurus ("hole lizard") is an extinct genus of rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur known from the Late Cretaceous of south-central Chubut Province of central Patagonia, Argentina. It contains a single species, Katepensaurus goicoecheai.
The holotype and only known specimen of Katepensaurus goicoecheai is UNPSJB-PV 1007, a partial skeleton from the Lower Member of the Bajo Barreal Formation of Chubut Province, Argentina. [1] The specimen preserves one skull bone (a frontal), three cervical vertebrae, six dorsal vertebrae, five caudal vertebrae, and several difficult-to-identify fragments, which probably include portions of additional vertebrae as well as possible fragments of some limb bones (a metacarpal or metatarsal and an astragalus). [2] It represents an individual that was at least seven years old and had not finished growing when it died. [3] The Lower Member of the Bajo Barreal Formation is considered to date to the Cenomanian or Turonian age of the early Late Cretaceous. Additional rebbachisaurid specimens from the Bajo Barreal Formation have been described, including a cervical vertebra (UNPSJB-PV 1005), an isolated caudal vertebra (UNPSJB-PV 580), and a partial tail consisting of four incomplete caudal vertebrae and two chevrons (UNPSJB-PV 1004). [4] It is possible that these specimens also belong to Katepensaurus, although the available evidence is insufficient to determine their affinities more precisely than Rebbachisauridae. [1] Remains of a rebbachisaurid taxon distinct from Katepensaurus have been found in the Bajo Barreal Formation, and it is possible that these specimens belong to this other unnamed species. [5]
The only known specimen of Katepensaurus goicoecheai was collected from the "2005 Quarry" at Estancia Laguna Palacios, a ranch owner at which the National University of the Patagonia San Juan Bosco regularly conducted field work. In 2013, Lucio M. Ibiricu, Gabriel A. Casal, Rubén Dario Martínez, Matthew C. Lamanna, Marcelo Luna and Leonardo Salgado described this specimen as representing a new genus and species, which they named Katepensaurus goicoecheai. The generic name is derived from Tehuelche katepenk, "hole", referring to a distinctive opening in the transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae. The specific name honours Alejandro Goicoechea, the owner of the Estancia Laguna Palacios. [1] At the time the species was named, only three cervical vertebrae, three dorsal vertebrae, and two caudal vertebrae had been excavated and identified, but subsequent excavations conducted at the quarry uncovered additional bones from the same skeleton. [2]
Katepensaurus is distinguished from other rebbachisaurids primarily by various details of its dorsal vertebrae. As in other sauropods, the vertebrae of Katepensaurus were highly pneumatized, with openings in the bone, such as the lateral pneumatic fossae, that would have been filled by air sacs in life. In Katepensaurus, the lateral pneumatic fossae of the dorsal vertebrae were divided in two by a ridge of bone, which is an uncommon trait among sauropods not known in other rebbachisaurids but present in the more distantly related Supersaurus . [1] Katepensaurus is unique among sauropods in exhibiting an additional set of pneumatic openings, termed laterodiapophyseal fenestrae, through which air sacs would have filled the transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae. [3] It is these openings that give Katepensaurus its name. [1] The arrangement of the vertebral laminae, a complex arrangement of bony ridges that are characteristic of sauropod vertebrae, is generally similar between Katepensaurus and other rebbachisaurids. However, Katepensaurus shows a unique pair of laminae, termed the dorsal parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa lamina and the ventral parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa lamina, that have not been seen in any other rebbachisaurid. [1] Other unique traits that have been documented in the dorsal vertebrae of Katepensaurus include vertical ridges on the junction between the neural arch and centrum, well-defined, rounded fossae on the lateral aspect of the postzygapophyses, [1] and a teardrop-shaped profile of the posterior articular surface of the centrum. [2]
Katepensaurus exhibits a combination of traits characteristic of nigersaurines/rebbachisaurines [lower-alpha 1] and traits characteristic of limaysaurines, [1] and its phylogenetic affinities are not certain. An analysis by Ibiricu and colleagues in 2015 recovered Katepensaurus as a limaysaurine; [2] in contrast, analyses by Fanti and colleagues in 2015 and Canudo and colleagues in 2018 recovered Katepensaurus as the basalmost rebbachisaurine. [6] [7] Analyses by Mannion and colleagues in 2019 could not resolve the affinities of Katepensaurus precisely, and found differing results depending on their analysis protocol. In one of their analyses, Katepensaurus was recovered as a limaysaurine, but in the other, it was recovered outside Khebbashia, as a basal rebbachisaurid. [8]
Argentinosaurus is a genus of giant sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Argentina. Although it is only known from fragmentary remains, Argentinosaurus is one of the largest known land animals of all time, perhaps the largest, measuring 30–35 metres (98–115 ft) long and weighing 65–80 tonnes. It was a member of Titanosauria, the dominant group of sauropods during the Cretaceous. It is widely regarded by many paleontologists as the biggest dinosaur ever, and perhaps lengthwise the longest animal ever, though both claims have no concrete evidence yet.
Aeolosaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now South America. Like most sauropods, it would have been a quadrupedal herbivore with a long neck and tail. Aeolosaurus is well known for a titanosaur, as it is represented by the remains of several individuals belonging to at least two species. However, like most titanosaurs, no remains of the skull are known. The holotype of Aeolosaurus rionegrinus consists of a series of seven tail vertebrae, as well as parts of both forelimbs and the right hindlimb. It was discovered in the Angostura Colorada Formation in Argentina, which dates from the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous, about 83 to 74 million years ago. The species A. maximus was transferred over to the new genus Arrudatitan in 2021.
Xenotarsosaurus is a genus of abelisaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous of Argentina.
Rebbachisaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur of the superfamily Diplodocoidea, that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in Africa and possibly also South America about 99-97 million years ago. Remains attributed to Rebbachisaurus have been found in Morocco, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia and possibly also Argentina, although only the Moroccan remains can be referred to the genus without doubt. The discovery of Rayososaurus, a South American sauropod nearly identical to Rebbachisaurus which may have actually have been the same animal as Rebbachisaurus, supports the theory that there was still a land connection between Africa and South America during the Early Cretaceous, long after it was commonly thought the two continents had separated.
Algoasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Berriasian-early Valanginian-age Early Cretaceous Upper Kirkwood Formation of Cape Province, South Africa, specifically near a town called Despatch. Only one species, A. bauri, is known.
Aniksosaurus is a genus of avetheropod dinosaur from what is now Chubut Province, Argentina. It lived during the Cenomanian to Turonian of the Cretaceous period, between 96-91 million years ago. The type species, Aniksosaurus darwini, was formally described from the Bajo Barreal Formation of the Golfo San Jorge Basin by Rubén Dario Martínez and Fernando Emilio Novas in 2006; the name was first coined in 1995 and reported in the literature in 1997. The specific epithet honors Charles Darwin who visited Patagonia in 1832/1833 during the Voyage of the Beagle.
Epachthosaurus was a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. It was a basal lithostrotian titanosaur. Its fossils have been found in Central and Northern Patagonia in South America.
Rocasaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod that lived in South America. Rocasaurus was discovered in Argentina in 2000, within the Allen Formation which is dated to be middle Campanian to early Maastrichtian in age. This genus grew up to 8 metres (26 ft) long, making it one of the smaller sauropods. It seems to be closely related to saltasaurid dinosaurs, like Saltasaurus and Neuquensaurus.
Rinconsaurus is a genus of titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous in what is now Argentina. The type species, Rinconsaurus caudamirus, was described by Calvo and Riga in 2003, and is based on three partial skeletons.
Puertasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period. It is known from a single specimen recovered from sedimentary rocks of the Cerro Fortaleza Formation in southwestern Patagonia, Argentina, which probably is Campanian or Maastrichtian in age. The only species is Puertasaurus reuili. Described by the paleontologist Fernando Novas and colleagues in 2005, it was named in honor of Pablo Puerta and Santiago Reuil, who discovered and prepared the specimen. It consists of four well-preserved vertebrae, including one cervical, one dorsal, and two caudal vertebrae. Puertasaurus is a member of Titanosauria, the dominant group of sauropods during the Cretaceous.
Amargatitanis is a genus of dicraeosaurid sauropod dinosaur from the Barremian-age La Amarga Formation of Neuquén, Argentina. It is known from a single, incomplete postcranial skeleton consisting of a partial hindlimb, ischium, and two vertebrae. These remains were unearthed by Argentine paleontologist José Bonaparte in 1983 during an expedition by the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales and later described as a new genus and species, Amargatitanis macni by Sebastián Apesteguía. The genus name comes from the words Amarga, where the fossils were collected, and titanis meaning "titan". Its species name is in reference to the MACN, where the remains are stored.
The Bajo Barreal Formation is a geological formation in the Golfo San Jorge Basin of Chubut and Santa Cruz, Argentina whose strata date back to the Middle Cenomanian to Late Turonian. The formation was first described by Teruggi & Rossetto in 1963. The sandstones, claystones, mudstones, conglomerates and tuff were deposited in a fluvial environment. The upper part of formation is laterally equivalent to the Yacimiento El Trébol and Meseta Espinosa Formation and the lower part to the Laguna Palacios, Cañadón Seco and Comodoro Rivadavia Formations. The Bajo Barreal Formation is a reservoir rock in the Golfo San Jorge Basin.
Nigersaurus is a genus of rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur that lived during the middle Cretaceous period, about 115 to 105 million years ago. It was discovered in the Elrhaz Formation in an area called Gadoufaoua, in Niger. Fossils of this dinosaur were first described in 1976, but it was only named Nigersaurus taqueti in 1999, after further and more complete remains were found and described. The genus name means "Niger reptile", and the specific name honours the palaeontologist Philippe Taquet, who discovered the first remains.
Demandasaurus is a genus of rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur from early Cretaceous deposits of Spain. Demandasaurus is known from an incomplete but associated skeleton that includes cranial and postcranial remains. It was collected from the Castrillo de la Reina Formation in Burgos Province of Spain. It was first named by Fidel Torcida Fernández-Baldor, José Ignacio Canudo, Pedro Huerta, Diego Montero, Xabier Pereda Suberbiola and Leonardo Salgado in 2011 and the type species is Demandasaurus darwini.
Drusilasaura is an extinct genus of possible lognkosaurian titanosaur sauropod dinosaur which lived during the late Cretaceous of Santa Cruz Province of southern Patagonia, Argentina.
Comahuesaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur of the family Rebbachisauridae. It was found in the Lohan Cura Formation, in Argentina and lived during the Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian. The type species is C. windhauseni, named by Carballido and colleagues in 2012. It had originally been assigned to Limaysaurus by Salgado et al. (2004), but was later assigned its own genus based on the presence of diagnostic characters in the caudal centra, pubis and ischium.
Pilmatueia is a diplodocoid sauropod belonging to the family Dicraeosauridae that lived in Argentina during the Early Cretaceous. Its type and only species is Pilmatueia faundezi. Pilmatueia was probably closely related to other South American dicraeosaurids such as Amargasaurus. Pilmatueia had relatively pneumatic vertebrae compared to other dicraeosaurids, which were otherwise characterized by a reduction in pneumaticity relative to other sauropods. Pilmatueia dates to the Valanginian, an age of the Cretaceous period for which dinosaur faunas are poorly known.
Sidersaura is an extinct genus of rebbachisaurid sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Huincul Formation of Argentina. The genus contains a single species, S. marae, known from the remains of four individuals. Sidersaura represents one of the largest known rebbachisaurids.
Chakisaurus is an extinct genus of elasmarian ornithopod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Huincul Formation of Argentina. The genus contains a single species, C. nekul, known from multiple partial skeletons belonging to individuals of different ages. Chakisaurus represents the first ornithischian species to be named from the Huincul Formation.