Dongyangosaurus
Herbivore·Late Cretaceous·Zhejiang province, China·Quadrupedal
Dongyangosaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Known from a single, fragmentary skeleton discovered in Zhejiang province, China, it was a midsized, quadrupedal herbivore. Its classification has been debated, with early placements as a titanosauriform and later as a saltasaurid, currently considered to be outside of the Lithostrotia.
Key Facts
- ›Dongyangosaurus is a sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous.
- ›Only a single, fragmentary skeleton is known for this species.
- ›It was a midsized quadrupedal herbivore, measuring approximately 15 meters in length.
- ›Fossils were discovered in the Jinhua Formation in Zhejiang province, China.
- ›Its classification has been revised multiple times by paleontologists.
- ›The sacrum possessed six fused sacral vertebrae, a characteristic of somphospondylans.
- Midsized sauropod
- Approximately 15 meters in length
- Approximately 5 meters in height
- Dorsal vertebrae with eye-shaped pleurocoels and low bifurcated neural spines
- Sacrum with six fused sacral vertebrae
- Amphicoelous caudal vertebrae
- Pubis shorter than ischium
- Narrow and extended obturator foramen
Opisthocoelicaudia
China
About Dongyangosaurus
Dongyangosaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period. The sole species, Dongyangosaurus sinensis, is known from a single, fragmentary skeleton discovered in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. This dinosaur was described and named by Lü Junchang and his colleagues.
Description and Classification
The holotype specimen, DYM 04888, consists of ten dorsal vertebrae, the sacrum, two caudal vertebrae, and the complete pelvis, all found articulated. Dongyangosaurus was a midsized sauropod, estimated to have been around 15 meters (50 feet) in length and 5 meters (15 feet) in height. Its dorsal vertebrae featured distinctive eye-shaped pleurocoels and low, bifurcated neural spines. A unique characteristic was its sacrum, composed of six fused sacral vertebrae, a trait found in somphospondylans. The caudal vertebrae were amphicoelous, meaning they were concave at both ends. The pelvis showed a pubis shorter than the ischium, with a narrow and extended obturator foramen.
When first described, Dongyangosaurus was considered a titanosauriform of uncertain placement. Subsequent analyses in 2013 suggested it was a saltasaurid, closely related to the Mongolian sauropod Opisthocoelicaudia. However, by 2019, its classification was revised again to a position outside of the Lithostrotia.
Discovery
The Upper Cretaceous strata of Zhejiang province are particularly noted for their fossil dinosaur eggs. Skeletal remains are less common. Alongside Dongyangosaurus, other described dinosaurs from this region include the sauropod Jiangshanosaurus and the nodosaurid Zhejiangosaurus. Dongyangosaurus fossils originate from the Jinhua Formation, whose age is estimated to be between the Turonian and Coniacian stages. The specimen was unearthed in 2007 in the village of Baidian, within the city of Dongyang, which lent its name to the genus. The specific epithet, sinensis, is derived from Greek and signifies 'from China'.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of dinosaur was Dongyangosaurus?
Dongyangosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the titanosaurian group. These were typically large, long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs.
Where were the fossils of Dongyangosaurus found?
The fossils of Dongyangosaurus were discovered in the village of Baidian, within the city of Dongyang in Zhejiang province, eastern China. This area is known for its dinosaur egg fossils.
How large was Dongyangosaurus?
Dongyangosaurus is considered a midsized sauropod. It is estimated to have measured approximately 15 meters (50 feet) in length and stood about 5 meters (15 feet) tall.
What did Dongyangosaurus eat?
Like other sauropods, Dongyangosaurus was a herbivore. Its diet would have consisted of plants, typical for its large quadrupedal build.
When did Dongyangosaurus live?
Dongyangosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The geological unit where its fossils were found is dated to the Turonian-Coniacian stages.
Related Dinosaur species
Antarctosaurus
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Achelousaurus
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Aeolosaurus
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