Post by Cross on Mar 8, 2016 10:25:35 GMT 5
Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi
Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi
Scientific classification:
Life
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Clade: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Olfactores
Clade: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Class: Reptilia or Clade: Sauropsida
Clade: Eureptilia
Clade: Romeriida
Clade: Diapsida
Clade: Neodiapsida
Clade: Archelosauria
Clade: Archosauromorpha
Clade: Archosauriformes
Clade: Crurotarsi
Clade: Archosauria
Clade: Avemetatarsalia
Clade: Ornithodira
Clade: Dinosauromorpha
Clade: Dinosauriformes
Clade: Dinosauria
Order: Saurischia
Clade: Eusaurischia
Suborder: Sauropoda
Clade: Macronaria
Genus: †Notocolossus
Species: †N. gonzalesparejasi
Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi is a species of giant lithostrotian titanosaurian sauropod from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Coniacian–lower Santonian, ~86 Ma) of Argentina. The type species was described and named by Riga et al. (2016). The holotype specimen is UNCUYO-LD 301 and includes a large, 1.76m long humerus, an anterior caudal, and an anterior dorsal. The second, referred specimen UNCUYO-LD 302 preserves what may be the most complete sauropod pes ever discovered, as well as several associated caudals. The described pes comprises a homogeneous metatarsus, suggesting that the pes was adapted for supporting extraordinary weight. Phylogenetic analysis recovers N. gonzalesparejasi as the sister taxon to Dreadnoughtus shcrani (Lacovara et al. 2014) within the titanosaur clade Lithostrotia.
The two specimens were found in the Cerro Guillermo, Malargüe Department, southern-most Mendoza Province, Argentina.
Diagnosis of N. gonzalesparejasi is as follows (quoted from the original paper) :
"Large titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur diagnosed by the following autapomorphies: (1) anterior dorsal vertebra with parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa subdivided by two ‘accessory’ laminae (one subvertical and visible in anterior and lateral views, the other anterodorsally oriented and visible only in lateral view); (2) anterior caudal vertebrae with laminae that converge ventrally on the anterior surface of the neural spine, not reaching the prezygapophyses and forming a ‘V-shaped’ conformation in anterior view; humerus with (3) greatly expanded proximomedial process, the proximal apex of which lies well medial to the humeral midshaft, (4) proportionally wide proximal end (proximal width: midshaft width ≈ 2.9), and (5) proximolaterally–distomedially oriented ridge bounding distal edge of ‘coracobrachialis fossa’; and pes with (6) metatarsal I with proximal dorsoventral diameter greater than the proximodistal length of the bone, (7) relatively short metatarsal III (only 1.2 times the length of metatarsal I), (8) proximal phalanges more than half as wide as their corresponding metatarsals are long, and (9) pedal unguals reduced, rugose, and distally truncated. These characters are associated with a unique combination of synapomorphies of the anterior caudal vertebrae that is observable in both known specimens: centra with (1) deeply concave anterior articular cotyles and strongly convex posterior articular condyles; (2) circular anterior articular surfaces and slightly quadrangular posterior articular surfaces; (3) anteroposteriorly concave lateral surfaces; (4) multiple vascular foramina on the lateral surfaces, ventral to the transverse processes; and (5) anteroposteriorly narrow, slightly concave ventral surfaces; transverse processes that are (6) robust, elongate, and posteroventrally directed, nearly reaching the anteroposterior level of the posterior condyle of the centrum; (7) wide and rounded at their lateral ends; and (8) ornamented by longitudinal ridges on their anteroventral margins at the approximate midlength of the process; and (9) neural arches that are anteriorly placed. N. gonzalezparejasi also exhibits the following distinctive morphologies: (1) humerus with markedly asymmetrical proximal margin in anterior view (nearly straight laterally but strongly expanded and rounded proximomedially); metatarsal V (2) 90 percent the length of metatarsal IV and (3) longer than metatarsal I; and (4) pedal phalangeal formula 2-2-2-2-0, with digits I–III bearing unguals."
Images taken from the original description paper.
The holotypic anterior dorsal vertebrae is missing most of the right transverse process and anterior centrodiapophyseal lamina. The neural canal, on the other hand, is relatively well preserved and the centrum is large and rounded. The anterior dorsal preserves most of the parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa and a small taphonomic deformity can be seen in the form of an elevated, damaged area above the incomplete right transverse process.
Description of the humerus :
The holotypic humerus has a large proximomedial process and radial condyle and large, shallow scratches can be seen running laterally across the humeral shaft. These could be either muscle scars or scavenging marks, or possibly the result of post-mortem taphonomic retrodeformation.
The preserved pes of the referred specimen is asymmetrical mediolaterall and includes five short metatarsals robust in morphology with rugose proximal and distal ends. The preserved pes is 450mm wide in transverse mediolaterall width. Metatarsals III and IV do not show the condition of being substantially longer than the other metatarsals unlike the condition present in most other titanosaurs. It is common for most titanosaurs to have their M-III and M-IV metatarsals be around 27% longer than the others, however, in Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi, they are only 20% longer.
Hypothesized phylogenetic position of Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi and pedal evolution of Sauropoda :
Using a scaling equation proposed by Campione and Evans, Riga et al. (2016) estimate the body mass of Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi at between 40-60 tons. Based on comparisons with its sister taxon Dreadnoughtus schrani, the most reasonable range of body mass could be 40 tons as a conservative assumption. Not much more information on the animal can be given in present time due mainly to the fact that it has been only recently discovered and described and only one scientific publication has been published on it.
---Reference
Riga, B. J. G., Lamanna, M. C., David, L. D. O., Calvo, J. O., & Coria, J. P. (2016). A gigantic new dinosaur from Argentina and the evolution of the sauropod hind foot. Scientific reports, 6, 19165.
Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi
Scientific classification:
Life
Domain: Eukaryota
(unranked): Unikonta
(unranked): Opisthokonta
(unranked): Holozoa
(unranked): Filozoa
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
(unranked): Bilateria
Clade: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Olfactores
Clade: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Clade: Eugnathostomata
Clade: Teleostomi
Superclass: Tetrapoda
Clade: Reptiliomorpha
Clade: Amniota
Class: Reptilia or Clade: Sauropsida
Clade: Eureptilia
Clade: Romeriida
Clade: Diapsida
Clade: Neodiapsida
Clade: Archelosauria
Clade: Archosauromorpha
Clade: Archosauriformes
Clade: Crurotarsi
Clade: Archosauria
Clade: Avemetatarsalia
Clade: Ornithodira
Clade: Dinosauromorpha
Clade: Dinosauriformes
Clade: Dinosauria
Order: Saurischia
Clade: Eusaurischia
Suborder: Sauropoda
Clade: Macronaria
Genus: †Notocolossus
Species: †N. gonzalesparejasi
Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi is a species of giant lithostrotian titanosaurian sauropod from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Coniacian–lower Santonian, ~86 Ma) of Argentina. The type species was described and named by Riga et al. (2016). The holotype specimen is UNCUYO-LD 301 and includes a large, 1.76m long humerus, an anterior caudal, and an anterior dorsal. The second, referred specimen UNCUYO-LD 302 preserves what may be the most complete sauropod pes ever discovered, as well as several associated caudals. The described pes comprises a homogeneous metatarsus, suggesting that the pes was adapted for supporting extraordinary weight. Phylogenetic analysis recovers N. gonzalesparejasi as the sister taxon to Dreadnoughtus shcrani (Lacovara et al. 2014) within the titanosaur clade Lithostrotia.
The two specimens were found in the Cerro Guillermo, Malargüe Department, southern-most Mendoza Province, Argentina.
Diagnosis of N. gonzalesparejasi is as follows (quoted from the original paper) :
"Large titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur diagnosed by the following autapomorphies: (1) anterior dorsal vertebra with parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa subdivided by two ‘accessory’ laminae (one subvertical and visible in anterior and lateral views, the other anterodorsally oriented and visible only in lateral view); (2) anterior caudal vertebrae with laminae that converge ventrally on the anterior surface of the neural spine, not reaching the prezygapophyses and forming a ‘V-shaped’ conformation in anterior view; humerus with (3) greatly expanded proximomedial process, the proximal apex of which lies well medial to the humeral midshaft, (4) proportionally wide proximal end (proximal width: midshaft width ≈ 2.9), and (5) proximolaterally–distomedially oriented ridge bounding distal edge of ‘coracobrachialis fossa’; and pes with (6) metatarsal I with proximal dorsoventral diameter greater than the proximodistal length of the bone, (7) relatively short metatarsal III (only 1.2 times the length of metatarsal I), (8) proximal phalanges more than half as wide as their corresponding metatarsals are long, and (9) pedal unguals reduced, rugose, and distally truncated. These characters are associated with a unique combination of synapomorphies of the anterior caudal vertebrae that is observable in both known specimens: centra with (1) deeply concave anterior articular cotyles and strongly convex posterior articular condyles; (2) circular anterior articular surfaces and slightly quadrangular posterior articular surfaces; (3) anteroposteriorly concave lateral surfaces; (4) multiple vascular foramina on the lateral surfaces, ventral to the transverse processes; and (5) anteroposteriorly narrow, slightly concave ventral surfaces; transverse processes that are (6) robust, elongate, and posteroventrally directed, nearly reaching the anteroposterior level of the posterior condyle of the centrum; (7) wide and rounded at their lateral ends; and (8) ornamented by longitudinal ridges on their anteroventral margins at the approximate midlength of the process; and (9) neural arches that are anteriorly placed. N. gonzalezparejasi also exhibits the following distinctive morphologies: (1) humerus with markedly asymmetrical proximal margin in anterior view (nearly straight laterally but strongly expanded and rounded proximomedially); metatarsal V (2) 90 percent the length of metatarsal IV and (3) longer than metatarsal I; and (4) pedal phalangeal formula 2-2-2-2-0, with digits I–III bearing unguals."
Images taken from the original description paper.
The holotypic anterior dorsal vertebrae is missing most of the right transverse process and anterior centrodiapophyseal lamina. The neural canal, on the other hand, is relatively well preserved and the centrum is large and rounded. The anterior dorsal preserves most of the parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa and a small taphonomic deformity can be seen in the form of an elevated, damaged area above the incomplete right transverse process.
Description of the humerus :
The holotypic humerus has a large proximomedial process and radial condyle and large, shallow scratches can be seen running laterally across the humeral shaft. These could be either muscle scars or scavenging marks, or possibly the result of post-mortem taphonomic retrodeformation.
The preserved pes of the referred specimen is asymmetrical mediolaterall and includes five short metatarsals robust in morphology with rugose proximal and distal ends. The preserved pes is 450mm wide in transverse mediolaterall width. Metatarsals III and IV do not show the condition of being substantially longer than the other metatarsals unlike the condition present in most other titanosaurs. It is common for most titanosaurs to have their M-III and M-IV metatarsals be around 27% longer than the others, however, in Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi, they are only 20% longer.
Hypothesized phylogenetic position of Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi and pedal evolution of Sauropoda :
Using a scaling equation proposed by Campione and Evans, Riga et al. (2016) estimate the body mass of Notocolossus gonzalesparejasi at between 40-60 tons. Based on comparisons with its sister taxon Dreadnoughtus schrani, the most reasonable range of body mass could be 40 tons as a conservative assumption. Not much more information on the animal can be given in present time due mainly to the fact that it has been only recently discovered and described and only one scientific publication has been published on it.
---Reference
Riga, B. J. G., Lamanna, M. C., David, L. D. O., Calvo, J. O., & Coria, J. P. (2016). A gigantic new dinosaur from Argentina and the evolution of the sauropod hind foot. Scientific reports, 6, 19165.
