A new diplodocine from Wyoming - Ardetosaurus viator

[CarnotaurusKing]

https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/2024/5327-new-diplodocine-sauropod




Another diplodocine from the Morrison Formation, specifically the Howe-Stephens Quarry in Wyoming. Known from one fairly complete, partially articulated specimen (MAB011899). Parts of the skeleton, including three cervical vertebrae and portions of the limb elements, were damaged beyond salvation in a case of arson. There is a brief discussion on the morphology and position of the first chevron (pg 66), and its variability potentially due to sexual dimorphism or individual variation, emphasizing the need for further study on this bone in sauropod dinosaurs.

It is mentioned in the paper that this description is part of a collaborative project investigating the systematics of diplodocoidea, hence the lack of a detailed phylogenetic analysis in the paper. More exciting stuff to come soon, it would seem. Can't wait!

Fairly complete specimen, and companies have made figures of much scrappier taxa    My first thought was that this is the Gnatalie specimen at the LACMNH, but it's actually another specimen in a Dutch museum.

[thomasw100]

Fairly moderately sized one actually and with these rather decent remains perfectly suitable for a figure.