Vulcanodontidae

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Vulcanodontidae
Temporal range: Early Jurassic, Sinemurian-Toarcian 199–175  Ma
Vulcanodon.jpg
Models of Vulcanodon in Poland
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: Sauropodomorpha
Clade: Sauropoda
Clade: Gravisauria
Family: Vulcanodontidae
Cooper, 1984
Genera
Synonyms
  • Barapasauridae Hunt et al., 1995

The Early Jurassic sauropod dinosaurs Zizhongosaurus , Barapasaurus , Tazoudasaurus , and Vulcanodon may form a natural group of basal sauropods called the Vulcanodontidae. Basal vulcanodonts include some of the earliest known examples of sauropods. The family-level name Vulcanodontidae was erected by M.R. Cooper in 1984. [1] In 1995 Hunt et al. published the opinion that the family is synonymous with the Barapasauridae. [2] One of the key morphological features specific to the family is an unusually narrow sacrum.

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References

  1. Cooper, M.R. (1984). "A reassessment of Vulcanodon karibaensis Raath (Dinosauria: Saurischia) and the origin of the Sauropoda". Palaeontologia Africana 25: 203–231.
  2. A. P. Hunt, M. G. Lockley, S. G. Lucas and C. A. Meyer (1995). "The global sauropod fossil record". Gaia 10: 261-279.