A definite prosauropod dinosaur from the Lower Elliot Formation (Norian: Upper Triassic) of South Africa
Date
2003
Authors
Yates, Adam M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research
Abstract
A new sauropodomorph dinosaur specimen is described and identified as a prosauropod. It is tentatively placed as the sister taxon of
Riojasaurus incertus from Argentina. The systematic position of all commonly accepted sauropodomorph dinosaurs from the Lower
Elliott Formation of South Africa is reviewed and it is found that none can be positively identified as prosauropod. Euskelosaurus browni
is a nomen dubium based on material that cannot be identified further than Sauropodomorpha. Blikanasaurus cromptoni and Antetonitrus
ingenipes are basal sauropods. Melanorosaurus readi is probably another basal sauropod but opinion remains divided. Plateosauravus
cullingworthi presents conflicting character data and at present is classified as Sauropodomorpha incertae sedis. Consequently the
specimen described here represents the only prosauropod specimen currently recognized in the Lower Elliot Formation of South
Africa.
Description
Main article
Keywords
Triassic, Lower Elliot Formation, South Africa, Sauropodomorpha, Prosauropoda.
Citation
None