Amphicoelias
Amphicoelias was a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth approximately 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. Known from fossils found in Colorado, United States, it was moderately sized, with estimated lengths of around 18 meters and a body mass of 15 metric tons. Its anatomy, particularly its vertebrae and limb bones, shares similarities with its close relative, Diplodocus.
Key Facts
- ›Lived during the Tithonian stage of the Late Jurassic Period.
- ›Meaning "biconcave" due to its vertebral structure.
- ›Estimated to be around 18 meters long and weigh 15 metric tons.
- ›Its hindlimbs were notably long and thin.
- ›Fossils discovered in Colorado, United States.
- ›Classified as a herbivorous sauropod dinosaur.
- Amphicoelous vertebrae.
- Long and thin hindlimbs.
- Proportionally longer forelimbs compared to relatives.
- Unusually long and slender femur.
- Estimated length of 18 meters.
- Estimated body mass of 15 metric tons.
Diplodocus, Camarasaurus, Apatosaurus
North America
About Amphicoelias
Amphicoelias is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that lived approximately 150 million years ago during the Tithonian stage of the Late Jurassic Period. The name "Amphicoelias" is derived from Greek words meaning "on both sides" and "hollow, concave," a reference to the distinctive shape of its vertebral centra.
Discovery and Paleobiology
Fossils attributed to Amphicoelias were discovered in Colorado, United States. The type species, Amphicoelias altus, was described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1877. While initially thought to be moderately sized, with estimates around 18 meters in length and 15 metric tons in weight, comparisons with its close relative Diplodocus are common. Amphicoelias shared similarities with Diplodocus, including proportionally longer forelimbs than some other sauropods and a long, slender femur. Its vertebral anatomy, characterized by amphicoelous centra, distinguished it from other sauropods like Camarasaurus.
Paleoecology
Amphicoelias inhabited an environment that resembled a modern savanna, with a potential for gallery forests along river systems. This arid, seasonally dry climate, coupled with the availability of low-quality food sources like ferns, likely promoted the evolution of large body size in herbivores like Amphicoelias. Larger size would have aided in more efficient digestion and provided relative immunity from predators.
Taxonomy and Classification
The taxonomic classification of Amphicoelias has been a subject of debate. Some researchers have suggested that Amphicoelias altus might be a senior synonym of Diplodocus, meaning it would take precedence if they are proven to be the same genus. However, analyses have also placed Amphicoelias as a basal diplodocid, outside of the main subfamilies of Apatosaurinae and Diplodocinae, indicating its primitive features. Other species initially assigned to the genus, such as A. latus and A. fragillimus, have since been reclassified or moved to different genera, with A. fragillimus now known as Maraapunisaurus.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Amphicoelias mean?
The name Amphicoelias comes from Greek words meaning "on both sides" and "hollow, concave." This refers to the structure of its vertebrae, which are concave on both ends.
How large was Amphicoelias?
Amphicoelias was a moderately sized dinosaur, estimated to be about 18 meters (59 ft) in length and weighing around 15 metric tons (17 short tons). This made it shorter than its close relative, Diplodocus.
Where were the fossils of Amphicoelias found?
Fossils of Amphicoelias have been discovered in rock outcrops in Colorado, United States, specifically near Cañon City.
What did Amphicoelias eat?
Amphicoelias was a herbivore, meaning it primarily ate plants. Its environment, resembling a modern savanna, likely provided ferns and other vegetation as its food source.
What geological period did Amphicoelias live in?
Amphicoelias lived approximately 150 million years ago, during the Tithonian stage of the Late Jurassic Period.
What are the key physical characteristics of Amphicoelias?
Amphicoelias had amphicoelous vertebrae (concave on both ends), very long and thin hindlimbs, and proportionally longer forelimbs compared to its relatives. Its femur was unusually long and slender.
Related Dinosaur species
Apatosaurus
Apatosaurus was a large, herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that roamed North America during the Late Jurassic period. Known for its "deceptive lizard" name, it possessed a long neck, a whip-like tail, and stocky limbs, distinguishing it from its close relative, Diplodocus. Fossils have been unearthed primarily in the Morrison Formation, providing significant insights into its anatomy and lifestyle.
Atlantosaurus
Atlantosaurus is a dubious genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of Colorado, United States. It was the first sauropod described during the "Bone Wars" and is known from limited fossil material, making its distinctiveness as a species uncertain.
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus was a genus of large sauropod dinosaur that inhabited North America during the Late Jurassic period. Known for its exceptionally long arms compared to its legs, which gave it a steeply inclined trunk, Brachiosaurus was a high browser that likely fed on vegetation up to 9 meters off the ground. While once thought to be one of the largest dinosaurs, its popular image has often been influenced by the closely related genus Giraffatitan.