Abrosaurus
Abrosaurus was a genus of macronarian sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic Period in what is now Asia. It is known for its relatively small size for a sauropod and its distinctive boxy skull with a prominent nasal arch. The only named species, Abrosaurus dongpoi, was discovered in China.
Key Facts
- ›Abrosaurus was a quadrupedal herbivore.
- ›It measured no more than 9.1 meters (30 ft) in length.
- ›Its skull was boxy and featured a tall, bony arch housing the nostrils.
- ›Fossils were discovered in the Dashanpu Quarry, Sichuan Province, China.
- ›It is classified as a basal member of Macronaria, a group of sauropods.
Quadrupedal, Relatively Small For A Sauropod, Boxy Skull, Tall, Bony Arch Containing Nostrils
Camarasaurus
Asia
About Abrosaurus
Abrosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the Middle Jurassic Period. Its name, derived from Greek words meaning 'delicate lizard,' reflects the nature of its skull, which featured large openings separated by thin bony struts. This dinosaur is one of many species discovered at the famous Dashanpu Quarry in Sichuan Province, China.
Discovery and Naming
The process of formally naming Abrosaurus was notably complex. While first described in a 1986 Ph.D. thesis by Ouyang Hui as "A. gigantorhinus," this designation did not meet the standards for scientific publication and is considered a nomen nudum (a bare name). The species was later formally described by Ouyang in 1989 as A. dongpoensis. Following conventions in biological nomenclature, the specific epithet was revised to dongpoi to correctly honor individuals, making Abrosaurus dongpoi the accepted scientific name. The original specimen, a nearly complete and well-preserved skull, is housed at the dinosaur museum in Zigong, China.
Paleobiology and Classification
Abrosaurus was a quadrupedal herbivore, typical of most sauropods. It was relatively small for its group, reaching an estimated length of no more than 9.1 meters (30 feet). A distinctive feature was its boxy head, topped with a tall, bony arch that housed its nostrils. Initially classified as a camarasaurid sauropod, further research suggests that Abrosaurus is a basal member of Macronaria, a broader group that includes genera like Camarasaurus. However, the precise placement within the sauropod family tree remains challenging due to the incomplete description of its remains.
Geological Context
The sediments from the Lower Shaximiao Formation (also known as Xiashaximiao) at the Dashanpu Quarry, where Abrosaurus fossils were found, are dated to the Bathonian to Callovian stages of the Middle Jurassic. This places Abrosaurus in an ecosystem alongside at least four other sauropod species, approximately 168 to 161 million years ago.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Abrosaurus mean?
The name Abrosaurus comes from Greek words. 'Abros' means 'delicate' or 'dainty,' and 'sauros' means 'lizard,' so it translates to 'delicate lizard'.
Where were Abrosaurus fossils found?
Fossils of Abrosaurus were discovered at the Dashanpu Quarry in the Sichuan Province of China.
What period did Abrosaurus live in?
Abrosaurus lived during the Middle Jurassic Period, approximately 168 to 161 million years ago.
What was the diet of Abrosaurus?
Like most sauropods, Abrosaurus was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants.
How large was Abrosaurus?
Abrosaurus was considered rather small for a sauropod, with an estimated length of no more than 9.1 meters (30 ft).
What is the most well-known species of Abrosaurus?
The only formally named species is Abrosaurus dongpoi, named in honor of the eleventh-century Chinese poet Su Shi, also known as Su Dongpo.
Related Dinosaur species
Baiyinosaurus
Baiyinosaurus is an extinct genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period. Its fossils, discovered in Gansu Province, China, represent a partial skeleton including cranial and vertebral bones. Baiyinosaurus exhibits transitional features, displaying characteristics of both basal thyreophorans and more derived stegosaurs, making it a significant find for understanding the evolution of armored dinosaurs.
Bashanosaurus
Bashanosaurus is an extinct genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period in what is now China. Known from incomplete skeletons, it is considered one of the earliest and most basal members of the Stegosauria, exhibiting a mix of ancestral and derived traits. Its discovery in the Shaximiao Formation provides important insights into the early evolution and diversification of plated dinosaurs.
Bashunosaurus
Bashunosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period in what is now China. Known from skeletal remains including vertebrae and limb bones, its precise classification remains uncertain, with suggestions ranging from camarasaurid to a primitive neosauropod. Estimated to have been a large quadrupedal herbivore, Bashunosaurus provides a glimpse into the diversity of sauropods in ancient Asia.