Taxonomy, taphonomy, and biostratigraphic significance of a basal sauropodomorph from the lower elliot formation, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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Date
2018
Authors
Dinter, Cory Michaela
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Abstract
South Africa's lower Elliot Formation is notably depauperate in fossils relative to the upper
strata. These lower layers, however, are important because they preserve Triassic deposits
leading up to a mass extinction event at the Triassic-Jurassic boundary. A new, associated
skeleton of a single specimen of basal sauropodomorph recently collected from the lower Elliot
Formation represents an extremely rare find from this stratum. This project investigates the
systematic position, taphonomy, and stratigraphic context of this specimen through anatomical
description, phylogenetic systematics, and sedimentological interpretation. This dissertation
shows that the specimen was preserved in a sequence of low-energy stream deposits and
overbank/oxbow lakes suggestive of a local death instead of one of transportation. The new
specimen represents a new species that is part of a small clade of specimens referred to
"Melanorosaurus". However, due to poor provenance data and poor association within the
syntype and referred material calls into question the validity of "Melanorosaurus". This clade,
and the taxa within it, require taxonomic revision.
Description
A dissertation presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Palaeontology) Faculty of Science, School of Geosciences and Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI), University of the Witwatersrand, 2018