Volume 25 1984

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A reassessment of Vulcanodon karibaensis Raath (Dinosauria:Saurischia) and the origin of the Sauropoda
(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 1984) Cooper, Michael R.
Vulcanadon karibaensis Raath is redescribed and figured in detail. It forms the basis of the new sauropod family Vulcanodontidae, to which the Indian Barapasaurus is also provisionally referred. The retention of numerous symplesiomorphies with the Prosauropoda leaves little doubt as to its ancestry. It is considered a primitive sauropod on account of its large size, columnar limbs, pelvic structure, reduced cnemial crest to the tibia, lack of distal tarsals, the length of its forelimbs and its quadrupedal gait. The post-cranial anatomy of Vulcanodon is sufficiently generalized for the Vulcanodontidae to have formed the ancestral stock of both the Camarasauridae and Diplodocidae.