#prosauropods

IT’S THE SECOND PRELIMINARY SURVEY: SAUROPODOMORPHA!

HERE. ARE. THE. CATEGORIES. REMEMBER, SOME THINGS ARE INELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE IN LAST YEARS. 

Non-Plateosaur Prosauropods: Featuring such gems as Buriolestes, a carnivorous Prosauropod that throws early Saurischian phylogeny into turmoil; Saturnalia, named for the pagan festival; Alwalkeria, an underrated early Saurischian; and Thecodontosaurus, one of the more famous early Sauropodomorphs 

Non-Anchisaur Plateosaurs: Featuring Plateosaurus, arguably the most famous prosauropod; Riojasaurus, the prosauropod that convergently evolved sauropod-like traits; Glacialisaurus, the prosauropod from the Antarctic; and Seitaad, who’s a dapper fellow

Non-Gravisaur Anchisaurs: Featuring Aardonyx, which sheds important light into how prosauropods evolved into sauropods; Lessemsaurus, an almost-sauropod; Antetonitrus, one of the earliest sauropods; and “Thotobolosaurus”, the trash-heap reptile

Miscellaneous Gravisaurs: Featuring Vulcanodon, the animal that for a long time didn’t have a known head; Spinophorosaurus, the sauropod with spikes on its tail; Cetiosaurus, the first described sauropod; and Jobaria, one of the most complete sauropods known

Mamenchisaurids: Featuring Omeisaurus, the dinosaur with the second-longest neck; Xinjiangtitan, which evolved similar characteristics to Diplodocids; Datousaurus, which may have been one of the earliest members of this group; and Tienshanosaurus, which may have an egg associated with it

Turiasaurs: Featuring Turiasaurus, one of the larger sauropod known from Europe; Atlasaurus, which may have been a Brachiosaurid and highlights the convergent evolution between the groups; Zby, which is recently described and known from Portugal; and Cardiodon, which is named from the heart shapes of its teeth

Rebbachisaurids: Featuring Rebbachisaurus, the sauropod with a sail; Tataouinea, found near where Tatooine was filmed for Star Wars; Cathartesaura, which basically has a genus name which is the combination of the binomial name for the Turkey Vulture; and Nopcsaspondylus, which took more than a century to properly describe

Dicraeosaurids: Featuring Brachytrachelopan, the sauropod that thinks it’s a hadrosaur; Amargatitanis, which was thought to be a titanosaur but now has been found to be a member of this group; Dicraeosaurus, which lent its name to the whole group and also had a short neck; and Dyslocosaurus, which was an early derived member and thus had the long neck more characteristic of Diplodocoids

Diplodocids: Featuring Barosaurus, which was much longer than previously believed and had amazing flexibility in its neck for moving side to side; Apatosaurus, one of the most famous sauropods; Supersaurus, one of the bigger Diplodocoids (the group including Rebbachisaurids, Dicraeosaurids, and Diplodocids);  and Tornieria, which has a complicated taxonomic history and is from a place OTHER than the Morrison Formation

Non-Titanosauriform Macronarians: Featuring Abrosaurus, one of the earlier Macronarians; Bellusaurus, which was found in a mass bonebed; Lourinahsaurus, which had longer forelimbs than Camarasaurus; and Cathetosaurus, which had weird spurs on its neural spines

Non-Somphospondyl Titanosauriformes: Featuring Ornithopsis, which was thought to be an intermediary between birds and reptiles and they were not wrong; Brachiosaurus, which is very famous but very poorly known; Europasaurus, which is like Giraffatitan but SMOL; and Cedarosaurus, which may or may not have had gastroliths 

Non-Titanosaur Somphospondylians: Featuring Sauroposeidon, the tallest known dinosaur; Angolatitan, the only non-avian dinosaur known from Angola; Erketu, the Macronarian that thought it was a Diplodocoid; and Tambatitanis, a sauropod with curving neural spines rather than straight, allowing for a different range of motion

Non-Lithostrotian Titanosaurs: Featuring Magyarosaurus, the SMOLEST titanosaur; Puertasaurus, one of the biggest dinosaurs known (but still smaller than Argentinosaurus); Savannasaurus, which is newly described and was unusually wide-bodied for a titanosaur; and Jiangshanosaurus, not to be confused with Jingshanosaurus, who is still disappointed they were eliminated last year

Lithostrotians: Featuring Dreadnoughtus, one of the more completely known titanosaurs with very long forelimbs; Rapetosaurus, yet another titanosaur that is actually decently known, with a very well preserved juvenile skeleton; Opisthocelicaudia, who gave birth to a meme; and Sarmientosaurus, which held its neck lower than other titanosaurs to eat more low-lying plants

REMEMBER TO VOTE, REBLOG, AND SHARE; VOTING WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT, CENTRAL TIME ON JANUARY 28TH (so 10pm January 27th in Pacific, and 1am January 28th in Eastern)

Time for the next round!!! It’s time to vote in the SAUROPODOMORPH or BASAL DINOSAUROMORPH GENUS that WILL be the competitor in this year’s Dinosaur March Madness!!!! All eligible genera ARE LISTED. Please READ the below information so that you make an informed voting choice! You have through January 21st!!!

HIGHLIGHTS & INELIGIBLES

Non-Dinosaurian Dinosauromorphs

An important thing to note is that none of these are technically dinosaurs but we felt that leaving them out was unfair to them. This group is actually quite diverse. The ones farther away from dinosaurs were typically bipedal insectivores, while the silesaurids (a group closer to dinosaurs) were mainly long-legged quadrupedal herbivores. Highlighted genera include Lewisuchus (a medium-sized carnivorous silesaurid from Argentina), Silesaurus (a large silesaurid from Poland and the first well-known silesaurid to be discovered), Asilisaurus (one of the earliest known dinosauromorphs, a large silesaurid from Tanzania), Marasuchus (a small bipedal dinosauromorph from Argentina), and Ixalerpeton (a small bipedal dinosauromorph that lived alongside dinosaurs like Buriolestes).  List of ineligible candidates: None

Herrerasaurids and Basal Dinosaurs

Dinosaur relationships kinda exploded last year so it’s necessary to put all the potentially basal ones that we can’t quite place in one category. Herrerasaurids are one particular group of carnivorous early dinosaurs. In recent years they have generally been considered theropods, but some new studies have resurrected older notions that they may be more closely related to sauropodomorphs or even not true dinosaurs at all. Highlighted genera include Chilesaurus (a bizarre herbivorous dinosaur that has been variously considered a theropod or an ornithischian), Staurikosaurus (a Herrerasaurid that was one of the first-named early dinosaurs), and Sanjuansaurus (a Herrerasaurid that lived alongside Herrerasaurus, but was slightly smaller). List of ineligible candidates: Eoraptor, Herrerasaurus

Basal Sauropodomorphs

Sauropodomorphs represent one of the three main lineages of dinosaurs (the others being theropods and ornithischians). They are characterized by having relatively small skulls and long necks. Most Sauropodomorphs were herbivores, though the earliest members, like the ones listed here, may have been more omnivorous. Highlighted genera include Panphagia (a very early sauropodomorph that may have been omnivorous), Saturnalia (one of the earliest sauropodomorphs), Efraasia (a small sauropodomorph similar to Thecodontosaurus with a long history). List of ineligible candidates: Pantydraco, Thecodontosaurus, Buriolestes

Basal Plateosaurs

Plateosaurian sauropodomorphs grew larger than the more basal taxa from the previous category, but most early Plateosaurs were still bipedal. Highlighted genera include Riojasaurus (a bulky sauropodomorph that might’ve been a quadruped), Unaysaurus (a relative of Plateosaurus that lived in Brazil), Lufengosaurus (a relative of Massospondylus that lived in China), and Adeopapposaurus (a relative of Massospondylus that lived in Argentina). List of ineligible candidates: Plateosaurus, Massospondylus

Basal Sauropodiforms

In Sauropodiforms, body size became larger still, and quadrupedality became more widespread. Highlighted genera include Anchisaurus (one of the first basal sauropodomorphs discovered and one of the few dinosaurs found in the Eastern US), Mussaurus (known from mostly baby specimens), Melanorosaurus (one of the closest relatives to sauropods), and Yunnanosaurus (a large sauropodomorph and the only one to have lived in the Middle Jurassic). List of ineligible candidates: Jingshanosaurus, Aardonyx

Basal Sauropods

In true sauropods, the face became shorter than those of more basal sauropodomorphs, and the feet had five functional toes (most dinosaurs have four-toed feet). Highlighted genera include Antetonitrus (one of the earliest sauropods) and Gongxianosaurus (one of the most completely known early sauropods) List of ineligible candidates: None

Basal Gravisaurs

A group of sauropods defined by Vulcanodon and Eusauropoda, the true sauropods. Members of this group show adaptations for eating by simply stripping plant matter off trees and allowing the gut to process it rather than chewing. Highlighted genera include Jobaria (one of the most completely known sauropods), Atlasaurus (once thought to be a close relative of Brachiosaurus), Cetiosaurus (first sauropod described), Tazoudasaurus (shows evidence that it actually chewed its food). List of ineligible candidates: Vulcanodon, Shunosaurus

Mamenchisaurids & Turiasaurs

Mamenchisaurids are a group of some of the longest known sauropods. They lived in the Jurassic, and most have been found in China. Turiasaurs are known for having spines on their backs, and many Turiasaurs grew very large in size. Highlighted genera include Turiasaurus (believed to be the largest dinosaur in Europe, and one of the largest known period), Moabosaurus (known from at least 18 individuals and over 5,500 bones), Chuanjiesaurus (an extremely large sauropod for its age), and Xinjiangtitan (one of the longest sauropods known). List of ineligible candidates: Mamenchisaurus, Omeisaurus, Zby

Basal Diplodocoids

Diplodocoids form one of the major branches of sauropod taxonomy. These are generally large bodied sauropods with long necks and slender, almost whiplike tails. The following are basal members of this group. Highlighted genera include Haplocanthosaurus (one of the smallest sauropods known from the famous Morrison Formation), Limaysaurus (known for tall spines along its back), Demandasaurus (medium-sized sauropod known from incomplete remains), and Xenoposeidon (known from a single vertebra that shows features that are different from other sauropods) List of ineligible candidates: Rebbachisaurus, Nigersaurus

Flagellicaudatans

Large Ciplodocoid sauropods with long necks and thin, whiplike tails. Some of the most recognizable sauropods belong to this group, such as Brontosaurus, Amargasaurus, and Diplodocus. Highlighted genera include Dicraeosaurus (small sauropod that had a short neck and tail and Y-shaped spines running down its back), Barosaurus (giant sauropod that’s among the largest known), Tornieria (a large sauropod of similar size to Barosaurus and was thought to be the same at one time), and Supersaurus (one of the largest dinosaurs known from good remains) List of ineligible candidates: Amargasaurus, Brontosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachytrachelopan, Apatosaurus

Basal Macronarians

Macronarians are sauropods that have large nasal openings in their skulls. Like the Diplodocoids, they form a major branch in sauropod taxonomy, with many famous examples such as Brachiosaurus and the Titanosaurs. Highlighted genera include Lourinhasaurus (originally thought to be Apatosaurus and is known from several individuals throughout Europe), and Tehuelchesaurus (thought to be similar to Omeisaurus in body shape) List of ineligible candidates: Camarasaurus, Bellusaurus

Basal Titanosauriforms

These are generally large bodied sauropods that fed from treetops as opposed to mid-height or ground-level browsing like other sauropods. They include Brachiosaurus and its close relatives. Highlighted genera include Europasaurus (an unusually small brachiosaurid), Abydosaurus (has the first complete skull described from the Cretaceous Americas), Cedarosaurus (found with gastroliths), and Vouivria (known from partial remains found in a chalk stone) List of ineligible candidates: Giraffatitan, Brachiosaurus

Basal Somphospondylians

Somphospondyli includes titanosaurs and all other macronarians more closely related to them than to Brachiosaurus. The following are Somphospondylians that are not Titanosaurs. Highlighted genera include Euhelopus (first dinosaur scientifically studied in China), Huabeisaurus (a relatively complete Asian sauropod), Phuwiangosaurus (medium-sized sauropod named for a princess), Tambatitanis (has spines on its back that curve forward), and Brontomerus (seems to have had the largest thigh muscles proportional to its body than any other sauropod) List of ineligible candidates: Sauroposeidon 

American Titanosaurs

Titanosaurs include some of the largest known sauropods. They are known for wide bodies and while many grew to massive sizes, others were fairly small for sauropods. The following are Titanosaurs from North and South America. Several of the South American Titanosaurs have held at one point or another the title of largest dinosaur known, despite many being known from partial, relatively incomplete remains. Highlighted genera include Patagotitan (a recently described giant sauropod known from several partial skeletons), Antarctosaurus (a possibly armored titanosaur), Tapuiasaurus (known from a partial skeleton with a nearly complete skull), Sarmientosaurus (known from a nearly complete skull), and Neuquensaurus (one of the most complete South American sauropods) List of ineligible candidates: Saltasaurus, Argentinosaurus, Puertasaurus, Dreadnoughtus, Alamosaurus

African, European & Australian Titanosaurs

Titanosaurs from Africa, Europe, and Australia. Highlighted genera include Rapetosaurus (the first titanosaur known from nearly intact remains including the skull), Savannasaurus (has an unusually wide body), Paludititan (a very small sauropod), Ampelosaurus (found with osteoderms that would serve as body armor), and Malawisaurus (relatively small sauropod with skull material). List of ineligible candidates: None

Asian Titanosaurs

American Museum of Natural History, Part 38: The Dinosaur Halls Part 8: The Long Necks

Onto the Saurischian Hall! First four photos we have Plateosaurus, which was really cool to see because I haven’t really gotten to see many prosauropod fossils. Then we have a Diplodocus, and Camarasaurus. Finally we have some tracks, and the back view of Brontosaurus. Of course, it was labeled in-exhibit as Apatosaurus, as it has not been updated since Tschopp et al., 2015; not to mention that whether or not you separate out Brontosaurus is under debate.