Postcranial osteology of the neotype specimen of Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854 (Dinosauria: Sauropodomorpha) from the upper Elliot formation of South Africa
Date
2019-04
Authors
Barrett, Paul M.
Chapelle, Kimberley E.J.
Staunton, Casey K.
Botha, Jennifer
Choiniere, Jonah N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Evolutionary Studies Institute
Abstract
Massospondylus carinatus Owen, 1854, from the earliest Jurassic upper Elliot Formation of South Africa, was one of the first dinosaurs to
be described from Gondwana. It has been incorporated into numerous phylogenetic, palaeobiological and biostratigraphic analyses, is
often viewed as an exemplar for understanding sauropodomorph anatomy and is a key taxon in studies of early dinosaur evolution.
Since its initial description, numerous specimens have been referred to this species, ranging from isolated postcranial elements to
complete skeletons with three-dimensional skulls. In addition,M. carinatus has been identified in areas outside of the main Karoo Basin.
Surprisingly, however, there have been few attempts to define the taxon rigorously, so that the basis for many of these referrals is weak,
undermining the utility of this abundant material. Here, we provide the first detailed postcranial description of the neotype specimen
ofM. carinatus, use it as a basis for diagnosing the species on the basis of cranial, axial and appendicular characters, demonstrate that it
represents an adult individual on the basis of osteohistology, and discuss ways in which these data can assist in providing a better
understanding of Karoo-aged African dinosaur faunas.
Description
Keywords
Massospondylidae, postcranial anatomy, osteohistology, taxonomy