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{{Short description|Genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period}}
{{Automatic taxobox
{{Speciesbox
| name = ''Leonerasaurus''
| fossil_range = [[Early Jurassic]]<br />~{{fossilrange|199}}
| image = Leonerasaurus.jpg
| image = Leonerasaurus.jpg
| image_alt=
| image_alt =
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Restored skeleton, photographed at the special exhibition "DINOSAURIER&nbsp;– Giganten Argentiniens" when stationed at the [[Museum Koenig|ForschungsMuseum Alexander König]] in [[Bonn]] in 2009.
| image_caption = Restored skeleton, photographed at the special exhibition "DINOSAURIER&nbsp;– Giganten Argentiniens" when stationed at the [[Museum Koenig|ForschungsMuseum Alexander König]] in [[Bonn]] in 2009.
| fossil_range = [[Early Jurassic]], {{fossilrange|199}}
| display_parents = 3
| display_parents = 3
| taxon = Leonerasaurus taquetrensis
| taxon = Leonerasaurus taquetrensis
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}}
}}


''Leonerasaurus'' is a [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] [[genus]] of [[Sauropodomorpha|sauropodomorph]] [[dinosaur]]. Currently, there is only one species known, named ''L.&nbsp;taquetrensis'' by Diego Pol, Alberto Garrido and Ignacio A. Cerda in [[2011 in paleontology|2011]]. The [[fossil]], an incomplete [[Juvenile (organism)|subadult]] individual, was found in the Las Leoneras [[Formation (stratigraphy)|Formation]] in [[Argentina]]. This formation is probably [[Early Jurassic]] in age. ''Leonerasaurus'' was a small non-[[sauropod]] sauropodomorph, showing an unusual combination of basal and derived characters. This indicates that the evolution of early sauropodomorphs witnessed a great degree of [[convergent evolution]].<ref name=Poletal2011/>
'''''Leonerasaurus''''' is a [[basal (phylogenetics)|basal]] [[genus]] of [[Sauropodomorpha|sauropodomorph]] [[dinosaur]]. Currently, there is only one [[species]] known, named ''L.&nbsp;taquetrensis'' by Diego Pol, Alberto Garrido and Ignacio A. Cerda in [[2011 in paleontology|2011]]. The [[fossil]], an incomplete [[Juvenile (organism)|subadult]] individual, was found in the [[Las Leoneras Formation]] in [[Argentina]]. This formation is probably [[Early Jurassic]] in age. ''Leonerasaurus'' was a small non-[[sauropod]] sauropodomorph, showing an unusual combination of basal and derived characters. This indicates that the evolution of early sauropodomorphs witnessed a great degree of [[convergent evolution]].<ref name=Poletal2011/>

==Discovery==
[[File:Leonerasaurus humerus.jpg|thumb|Right humerus in anterior, posterior, and lateral view]]
The fossils assigned to ''Leonerasaurus'' were found near Cañadón Las Leoneras (an affluent of the left margin of the Chubut river), southeast of Sierra de Taquetrén, [[Chubut Province]], Central [[Patagonia]], Argentina. This formation is probably early Jurassic in age,<ref name=Nakayama1973/> interpreted as [[Pliensbachian]] to [[Toarcian]]<ref name=FigariCourtade1993/> or late [[Sinemurian]] to Toarcian.<ref name=Pageetal2000/> The volcanic facies of the overlying Lonco Trapial Formation is certainly from the [[Middle Jurassic]], so that the younger boundary of the Las Leoneras Formation is well constrained. However, a [[Late Triassic]] affinity cannot be rules out, because the lower constraint of the formation is not well-defined.<ref name=Poletal2011/>

===Etymology===
The [[name of a biological genus|generic name]] is derived from ''Leoneras'', in reference to the lithostratigraphic unit where this taxon was found, and ''saurus'', "lizard" (Latinized Greek). The [[specific name (zoology)|specific name]] ''taquetrensis'' refers to the Sierras de Taquetrén, where Las Leoneras Formation crops out in Central Patagonia.<ref name=Poletal2011/>


==Description==
==Description==
[[File:Leonerasaurus NT.jpg|thumb|left|Restoration]]
[[File:Leonerasaurus NT.jpg|thumb|left|Restoration]]
''Leonerasaurus taquetrensis'' is know from one incomplete individual. Parts of a [[dentary]] and some teeth, neck and trunk [[vertebra]]e, a [[sacrum]], parts of the [[Pectoral girdle|pectoral]] (shoulder) and [[pelvis]] (hip) girdle as well as several limb bones were found. Much of the remains were found in articulation.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
''Leonerasaurus taquetrensis'' is known from one incomplete individual. Parts of a [[dentary]] and some teeth, neck and trunk [[vertebra]]e, a [[sacrum]], parts of the [[Pectoral girdle|pectoral]] (shoulder) and [[pelvis]] (hip) girdle as well as several limb bones were found. Much of the remains were found in articulation.<ref name=Poletal2011/> It was only 2.40 meters long, 1 m high and weighing about 70 kg.


===Dentary and teeth===
===Dentary and teeth===
Of the skull only the anterior part of the right [[Mandible#In_other_vertebrates|dentary]] was found. Near the area where it touches the contralateral element at the tip of the lower jaw (the [[Symphysis menti|symphysis]]) the bone is straight and only gently arched medially, as is seen in basal sauropods. More derived sauropods ([[Eusauropoda|eusauropods]]) have medially broadly arching symphyseal regione and anterior portions of the tooth row. The ventral (lower) edge of the dentary is damaged, but does not appear to be ventrally deflected at the symphysis as in some basal sauropodomorphs such as [[Plateosaurus]]. Also, a longitudinal ridge that is seen in some basal sauropodomorphs (e.g., ''[[Massospondylus]]'', ''[[Coloradisaurus]]'' and ''[[Plateosaurus]]'') is not preserved in ''Leonerasaurus''. However, this may be related to the damaged state of the specimen.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
Of the skull only the anterior part of the right [[Mandible#Other vertebrates|dentary]] was found. Near the area where it touches the contralateral element at the tip of the lower jaw (the [[Symphysis menti|symphysis]]) the bone is straight and only gently arched medially, as is seen in basal sauropods. More derived sauropods ([[Eusauropoda|eusauropods]]) have medially broadly arching symphyseal regione and anterior portions of the tooth row. The ventral (lower) edge of the dentary is damaged, but does not appear to be ventrally deflected at the symphysis as in some basal sauropodomorphs such as [[Plateosaurus]]. Also, a longitudinal ridge that is seen in some basal sauropodomorphs (e.g., ''[[Massospondylus]]'', ''[[Coloradisaurus]]'' and ''[[Plateosaurus]]'') is not preserved in ''Leonerasaurus''. However, this may be related to the damaged state of the specimen.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
[[File:Leonerasaurus dentary.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Lateral and medial view of the dentary]]
[[File:Leonerasaurus dentary.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Lateral and medial view of the dentary]]
On the dentary, 13 teeth or tooth fragments were found. There are two empty [[Dental alveolus|alveoli]], so that the total tooth count on one side was at least 15. Three teeth were found isolated near the dentary. The teeth and alveoli are angled forward (procumbent) by ~60°, similar to eusauropods, but also to juveniles of ''[[Mussaurus]]''. Tooth height and width decreases from the front to the back, and neighboring teeth overlapping each other. The edges of the teeth in the front of the jaw likely were not serrated, or at least only at the crown tips. This is usually the case in eusauropods. Teeth further back in the dentary are nearly all damaged, but an not erupted tooth has large denticles similar to basal sauropodomorphs.<ref name=Poletal2011/> This pattern of teeth without denticles in front, and teeth with denticles in the back of the lower jaw is also seen in juveniles of ''Mussaurus'' and ''[[Melanorosaurus]]''. Also, in contrast to eusauropod teeth, there are no high-angle wear facets on the teeth of ''Leonorasaurus''.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
On the dentary, 13 teeth or tooth fragments were found. There are two empty [[Dental alveolus|alveoli]], so that the total tooth count on one side was at least 15. Three teeth were found isolated near the dentary. The teeth and alveoli are angled forward (procumbent) by ~60°, similar to eusauropods, but also to juveniles of ''[[Mussaurus]]''. Tooth height and width decreases from the front to the back, and neighboring teeth overlapping each other. The edges of the teeth in the front of the jaw likely were not serrated, or at least only at the crown tips. This is usually the case in eusauropods. Teeth further back in the dentary are nearly all damaged, but a not erupted tooth has large denticles similar to basal sauropodomorphs.<ref name=Poletal2011/> This pattern of teeth without denticles in front, and teeth with denticles in the back of the lower jaw is also seen in juveniles of ''Mussaurus'' and ''[[Melanorosaurus]]''. Also, in contrast to eusauropod teeth, there are no high-angle wear facets on the teeth of ''Leonorasaurus''.<ref name=Poletal2011/>


The anterior teeth are spoon-shaped, with the outer surface convex (bulging out), the inner one concave (hollowed out), again resembling basal sauropods. The surface texture, however, is more similar to basal sauropodomorphs, and not to sauropods.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
The anterior teeth are spoon-shaped, with the outer surface convex (bulging out), the inner one concave (hollowed out), again resembling basal sauropods. The surface texture, however, is more similar to basal sauropodomorphs, and not to sauropods.<ref name=Poletal2011/>


===Vertebrae===
===Vertebrae===
The neck of ''Leonorasaurus'' is known almost completely, only the [[Atlas (anatomy)|atlas]] is lost. The nine remaining [[Cervical vertebrae|cervicals]] were found articulated with the first five complete [[Vertebral_column#In_other_animals|dorsal]] (trunk) vertebrae. Additionally, a probable sixth dorsal and an articulated group of three mid-dorsals were found. Fragments of more posterior dorsals and of ribs were also recovered. The sacrum (fused vertebrae that form the core of the hip), consisting of four vertebrae, is nearly complete, but no bones of the tail was recovered.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
The neck of ''Leonerasaurus'' is known almost completely, only the [[Atlas (anatomy)|atlas]] is lost. The nine remaining [[Cervical vertebrae|cervicals]] were found articulated with the first five complete [[Vertebral column#In other animals|dorsal]] (trunk) vertebrae. Additionally, a probable sixth dorsal and an articulated group of three mid-dorsals were found. Fragments of more posterior dorsals and of ribs were also recovered. The sacrum (fused vertebrae that form the core of the hip), consisting of four vertebrae, is nearly complete, but no bones of the tail was recovered.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
[[File:Leonerasaurus cervical vertebrae.png|thumb|upright|Cervical vertebrae]]
[[File:Leonerasaurus cervical vertebrae.png|thumb|upright|Cervical vertebrae]]
[[File:Leonerasaurus sacrum.jpg|thumb|upright|Sacrum in dorsal, ventral, and lateral view]]
[[File:Leonerasaurus sacrum.jpg|thumb|upright|Sacrum in dorsal, ventral, and lateral view]]
Line 35: Line 41:


A [[cladogram]] after Pol, Garrido & Cerda, 2011,<ref name="Poletal2011"/> illustrates a possible placing of ''Leonerasaurus'' in Sauropodomorpha:
A [[cladogram]] after Pol, Garrido & Cerda, 2011,<ref name="Poletal2011"/> illustrates a possible placing of ''Leonerasaurus'' in Sauropodomorpha:
{{clade| style=font-size:85%;line-height:85%;margin:1em auto;
<center>
{{clade| style=font-size:85%;line-height:85%
|label1=[[Sauropodomorpha]]
|label1=[[Sauropodomorpha]]
|1={{clade
|1={{clade
Line 78: Line 83:
|2={{clade
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Vulcanodon]]''
|1=''[[Vulcanodon]]''
|2=[[Eusauropoda]] }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }}</center>
|2=[[Eusauropoda]] }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }}


The following cladogram shows the position of ''Leonerasaurus'' within Massopoda, according to Oliver W. M. Rauhut and colleagues, 2020:<ref name="Rauhut2020">{{cite journal |last1=Rauhut |first1=O. W. M. |last2=Holwerda |first2=F. M. |last3=Furrer |first3=H. |title=A derived sauropodiform dinosaur and other sauropodomorph material from the Late Triassic of Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland |journal=[[Swiss Journal of Geosciences]] |date=2020 |volume=113 |issue=1 |page=8 |doi=10.1186/s00015-020-00360-8|s2cid=220294939 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
==Discovery==
[[File:Leonerasaurus humerus.jpg|thumb|Right humerus in anterior, posterior, and lateral view]]
The fossils assigned to ''Leonerasaurus'' were found near Cañadón Las Leoneras (an affluent of the left margin of the Chubut river), southeast of Sierra de Taquetrén, [[Chubut Province]], Central [[Patagonia]], Argentina. This formation is probably early Jurassic in age,<ref name=Nakayama1973/> interpreted as [[Pliensbachian]] to [[Toarcian]]<ref name=FigariCourtade1993/> or late [[Sinemurian]] to Toarcian.<ref name=Pageetal2000/> The volcanic facies of the overlying Lonco Trapial Formation is certainly from the [[Middle Jurassic]], so that the younger boundary of the Las Leoneras Formation is well constrained. However, a [[Late Triassic]] affinity cannot be rules out, because the lower constraint of the formation is not well-defined.<ref name=Poletal2011/>


{{clade| style=font-size:85%;line-height:80%
===Etymology===
|label1=[[Massopoda]]
The [[name of a biological genus|generic name]] is derived from ''Leoneras'', in reference to the lithostratigraphic unit where this taxon was found, and ''saurus'', "lizard" (Latinized Greek). The [[specific name (zoology)|specific name]] ''taquetrensis'' refers to the Sierras de Taquetrén, where Las Leoneras Formation crops out in Central Patagonia.<ref name=Poletal2011/>
|1={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Eucnemesaurus]]''
|2=''[[Riojasaurus]]'' [[File:Riojasaurus sketch3.jpg|80px]]
}}
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Sarahsaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|label1=[[Massospondylidae]]
|1={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Yunnanosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Jingshanosaurus]]'' <span style="{{MirrorH}}">[[File:Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis.png|80px]]</span>
|2=''[[Seitaad]]''
}} }}
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Coloradisaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Glacialisaurus]]'' [[File:Glacialisaurus2.jpg|80px]]
|2=''[[Lufengosaurus]]''
}} }}
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Massospondylus]]'' [[File:Massospondylus reconstruction.png|80px]]
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Adeopapposaurus]]''
|2=''[[Leyesaurus]]''
}} }} }} }}
|label2=[[Sauropodiformes]]
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Xingxiulong]]''
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Anchisaurus]]''
|2='''''Leonerasaurus''''' <span style="{{MirrorH}}">[[File:Leonerasaurus NT.jpg|80px]]</span>
}}
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Mussaurus]]'' [[File:Mussaurus patagonicus life restoration.png|80px]]
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Aardonyx]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Sefapanosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Meroktenos]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Melanorosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Camelotia]]''
|2={{clade
|1={{clade
|1=''[[Lessemsaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Antetonitrus]]'' [[File:Antetonitrus reconstruction.jpg|80px]]
|2=''[[Ingentia]]''
}} }}
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Blikanasaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Pulanesaura]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Gongxianosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Schleitheimia]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Isanosaurus]]''
|2={{clade
|1=''[[Tazoudasaurus]]''
|2=[[Sauropoda]] <span style="{{MirrorH}}">[[File:Diplodocus carnegii (flipped, cropped).jpg|80px]]</span>
}} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }} }}


==References==
== References ==
{{Portal|Dinosaurs}}
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=FigariCourtade1993>{{cite journal |authors=E. Figari, S.F. Courtade |year=1993 |title= Evolución tectosedimentaria de la Cuenca de Cañadón Asfalto, Chubut, Argentina |journal=13° Congreso Geológico Argentino y 2° Congreso de Exploración de Hidrocarburos, Actas |volume=1|pages=66–77 }}</ref>
<ref name=FigariCourtade1993>{{cite journal |author=E. Figari |author2=S.F. Courtade |year=1993 |title= Evolución tectosedimentaria de la Cuenca de Cañadón Asfalto, Chubut, Argentina |journal=13° Congreso Geológico Argentino y 2° Congreso de Exploración de Hidrocarburos, Actas |volume=1|pages=66–77 }}</ref>
<ref name=Nakayama1973>{{cite journal |authors=C. Nakayama |year=1973 |title= Sedimentitas pre-bayocianas en el extremo austral de la Sierra de Taquetrén |journal=5° Congreso Geológico Argentino, Actas |volume=3|pages=269–277 }}</ref>
<ref name=Nakayama1973>{{cite journal |author=C. Nakayama |year=1973 |title= Sedimentitas pre-bayocianas en el extremo austral de la Sierra de Taquetrén |journal=5° Congreso Geológico Argentino, Actas |volume=3|pages=269–277 }}</ref>
<ref name=Pageetal2000>Page, R., Ardolino, A., de Barrio, R.E., Franchi, M., Lizuain, A., et al. 2000. "Estratigrafía del Jurásico y Cretácico del Macizo de Somún Curá, provincias de Río Negro y Chubut." In: Caminos, R., (ed.) ''Geología Argentina''. Buenos Aires: Subsecretaría de Minería de la Nación. pp. 460–488.</ref>
<ref name=Pageetal2000>Page, R., Ardolino, A., de Barrio, R.E., Franchi, M., Lizuain, A., et al. 2000. "Estratigrafía del Jurásico y Cretácico del Macizo de Somún Curá, provincias de Río Negro y Chubut." In: Caminos, R., (ed.) ''Geología Argentina''. Buenos Aires: Subsecretaría de Minería de la Nación. pp. 460–488.</ref>
<ref name=Poletal2011>{{cite journal |authors=Diego Pol, Alberto Garrido, Ignacio A. Cerda |year=2011 |title=A New Sauropodomorph Dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of Patagonia and the Origin and Evolution of the Sauropod-type Sacrum |url=http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0014572 |journal=PLoS ONE |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=e14572 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0014572 |pmid=21298087 |pmc=3027623}}</ref>
<ref name=Poletal2011>{{cite journal |author=Diego Pol |author2=Alberto Garrido |author3=Ignacio A. Cerda |year=2011 |title=A New Sauropodomorph Dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of Patagonia and the Origin and Evolution of the Sauropod-type Sacrum |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=e14572 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0014572 |pmid=21298087 |pmc=3027623 |bibcode=2011PLoSO...614572P |doi-access=free }}</ref>
<ref name=Yates2010>{{cite journal |last=Yates |first=A.M. |year=2010 |title=A revision of the problematic sauropodomorph dinosaurs from Manchester, Connecticut and the status of ''Anchisaurus'' Marsh |journal=Palaeontology |volume=53| issue=4 |pages=739–752 |doi= 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2010.00952.x}}</ref>
<ref name=Yates2010>{{cite journal |last=Yates |first=A.M. |year=2010 |title=A revision of the problematic sauropodomorph dinosaurs from Manchester, Connecticut and the status of ''Anchisaurus'' Marsh |journal=Palaeontology |volume=53| issue=4 |pages=739–752 |doi= 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2010.00952.x|s2cid=140535438 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2010Palgy..53..739Y }}</ref>
}}
}}


{{Sauropodomorpha|S.}}
{{Portal|Dinosaurs}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q135102}}


[[Category:Sauropodomorpha]]
[[Category:Massopoda]]
[[Category:Dinosaurs of South America]]
[[Category:Dinosaur genera]]
[[Category:Jurassic dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Early Jurassic dinosaurs of South America]]
[[Category:Jurassic Argentina]]
[[Category:Fossils of Argentina]]
[[Category:Cañadón Asfalto Basin]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2011]]
[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 2011]]
[[Category:Monotypic sauropodomorph genera]]

Latest revision as of 17:09, 14 October 2024

Leonerasaurus
Temporal range: Early Jurassic
~199 Ma
↓
Restored skeleton, photographed at the special exhibition "DINOSAURIER – Giganten Argentiniens" when stationed at the ForschungsMuseum Alexander König in Bonn in 2009.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: †Sauropodomorpha
Clade: †Sauropodiformes
Clade: †Anchisauria
Genus: †Leonerasaurus
Pol, Garrido & Cerda, 2011
Species:
†L. taquetrensis
Binomial name
†Leonerasaurus taquetrensis
Pol, Garrido & Cerda, 2011

Leonerasaurus is a basal genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur. Currently, there is only one species known, named L. taquetrensis by Diego Pol, Alberto Garrido and Ignacio A. Cerda in 2011. The fossil, an incomplete subadult individual, was found in the Las Leoneras Formation in Argentina. This formation is probably Early Jurassic in age. Leonerasaurus was a small non-sauropod sauropodomorph, showing an unusual combination of basal and derived characters. This indicates that the evolution of early sauropodomorphs witnessed a great degree of convergent evolution.[1]

Discovery

[edit]
Right humerus in anterior, posterior, and lateral view

The fossils assigned to Leonerasaurus were found near Cañadón Las Leoneras (an affluent of the left margin of the Chubut river), southeast of Sierra de Taquetrén, Chubut Province, Central Patagonia, Argentina. This formation is probably early Jurassic in age,[2] interpreted as Pliensbachian to Toarcian[3] or late Sinemurian to Toarcian.[4] The volcanic facies of the overlying Lonco Trapial Formation is certainly from the Middle Jurassic, so that the younger boundary of the Las Leoneras Formation is well constrained. However, a Late Triassic affinity cannot be rules out, because the lower constraint of the formation is not well-defined.[1]

Etymology

[edit]

The generic name is derived from Leoneras, in reference to the lithostratigraphic unit where this taxon was found, and saurus, "lizard" (Latinized Greek). The specific name taquetrensis refers to the Sierras de Taquetrén, where Las Leoneras Formation crops out in Central Patagonia.[1]

Description

[edit]
Restoration

Leonerasaurus taquetrensis is known from one incomplete individual. Parts of a dentary and some teeth, neck and trunk vertebrae, a sacrum, parts of the pectoral (shoulder) and pelvis (hip) girdle as well as several limb bones were found. Much of the remains were found in articulation.[1] It was only 2.40 meters long, 1 m high and weighing about 70 kg.

Dentary and teeth

[edit]

Of the skull only the anterior part of the right dentary was found. Near the area where it touches the contralateral element at the tip of the lower jaw (the symphysis) the bone is straight and only gently arched medially, as is seen in basal sauropods. More derived sauropods (eusauropods) have medially broadly arching symphyseal regione and anterior portions of the tooth row. The ventral (lower) edge of the dentary is damaged, but does not appear to be ventrally deflected at the symphysis as in some basal sauropodomorphs such as Plateosaurus. Also, a longitudinal ridge that is seen in some basal sauropodomorphs (e.g., Massospondylus, Coloradisaurus and Plateosaurus) is not preserved in Leonerasaurus. However, this may be related to the damaged state of the specimen.[1]

Lateral and medial view of the dentary

On the dentary, 13 teeth or tooth fragments were found. There are two empty alveoli, so that the total tooth count on one side was at least 15. Three teeth were found isolated near the dentary. The teeth and alveoli are angled forward (procumbent) by ~60°, similar to eusauropods, but also to juveniles of Mussaurus. Tooth height and width decreases from the front to the back, and neighboring teeth overlapping each other. The edges of the teeth in the front of the jaw likely were not serrated, or at least only at the crown tips. This is usually the case in eusauropods. Teeth further back in the dentary are nearly all damaged, but a not erupted tooth has large denticles similar to basal sauropodomorphs.[1] This pattern of teeth without denticles in front, and teeth with denticles in the back of the lower jaw is also seen in juveniles of Mussaurus and Melanorosaurus. Also, in contrast to eusauropod teeth, there are no high-angle wear facets on the teeth of Leonorasaurus.[1]

The anterior teeth are spoon-shaped, with the outer surface convex (bulging out), the inner one concave (hollowed out), again resembling basal sauropods. The surface texture, however, is more similar to basal sauropodomorphs, and not to sauropods.[1]

Vertebrae

[edit]

The neck of Leonerasaurus is known almost completely, only the atlas is lost. The nine remaining cervicals were found articulated with the first five complete dorsal (trunk) vertebrae. Additionally, a probable sixth dorsal and an articulated group of three mid-dorsals were found. Fragments of more posterior dorsals and of ribs were also recovered. The sacrum (fused vertebrae that form the core of the hip), consisting of four vertebrae, is nearly complete, but no bones of the tail was recovered.[1]

Cervical vertebrae
Sacrum in dorsal, ventral, and lateral view

The overall shape of the neck vertebrae is typical for basal sauropodomorphs, but Pol et al. interpret the remains of the neural arches to indicate a more sauropod-like shape. Some characters, however, show an intermediate development.[1] In the trunk, the vertebrae show typical non-sauropod characters, such as relatively long and low neural arches with a narrow anterior ridge (the anteriormost dorsal vertebrae have slightly high neural arches), an anteriorly placed parapophysis (one of the articulation points for the ribs), and lack of or less strong development of certain laminae (thin ridges). The diapophysis (the second articulation for the rib) is also in the same position as in basal sauropodomorphs. A lamina connecting the diapophysis to the prezygapophysis on all dorsals, but not in no-sauropod sauropodomorphs, is present in the posterior dorsals.[1]

Phylogenetic position

[edit]

Leonerasaurus appears to be belong into the Anchisauria, as the closest sister taxon to the group sauropods (following Yates)[5] + Melanorosaurus (M. is seen as a sauropod by some researchers).

A cladogram after Pol, Garrido & Cerda, 2011,[1] illustrates a possible placing of Leonerasaurus in Sauropodomorpha:

Sauropodomorpha

The following cladogram shows the position of Leonerasaurus within Massopoda, according to Oliver W. M. Rauhut and colleagues, 2020:[6]

Massopoda

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Diego Pol; Alberto Garrido; Ignacio A. Cerda (2011). "A New Sauropodomorph Dinosaur from the Early Jurassic of Patagonia and the Origin and Evolution of the Sauropod-type Sacrum". PLOS ONE. 6 (1): e14572. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...614572P. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0014572. PMC 3027623. PMID 21298087.
  2. ^ C. Nakayama (1973). "Sedimentitas pre-bayocianas en el extremo austral de la Sierra de Taquetrén". 5° Congreso Geológico Argentino, Actas. 3: 269–277.
  3. ^ E. Figari; S.F. Courtade (1993). "Evolución tectosedimentaria de la Cuenca de Cañadón Asfalto, Chubut, Argentina". 13° Congreso Geológico Argentino y 2° Congreso de Exploración de Hidrocarburos, Actas. 1: 66–77.
  4. ^ Page, R., Ardolino, A., de Barrio, R.E., Franchi, M., Lizuain, A., et al. 2000. "Estratigrafía del Jurásico y Cretácico del Macizo de Somún Curá, provincias de Río Negro y Chubut." In: Caminos, R., (ed.) Geología Argentina. Buenos Aires: Subsecretaría de Minería de la Nación. pp. 460–488.
  5. ^ Yates, A.M. (2010). "A revision of the problematic sauropodomorph dinosaurs from Manchester, Connecticut and the status of Anchisaurus Marsh". Palaeontology. 53 (4): 739–752. Bibcode:2010Palgy..53..739Y. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2010.00952.x. S2CID 140535438.
  6. ^ Rauhut, O. W. M.; Holwerda, F. M.; Furrer, H. (2020). "A derived sauropodiform dinosaur and other sauropodomorph material from the Late Triassic of Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland". Swiss Journal of Geosciences. 113 (1): 8. doi:10.1186/s00015-020-00360-8. S2CID 220294939.
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