[N] 2007 Anchisaurus misinterpreted
Fedak, T.J., and Galton, P.M. 2007. New information on the braincase and skull of Anchisaurus polyzelus (Lower Jurassic, Connecticut, USA; Saurischia: Sauropodomorpha): implications for sauropodomorph systematics; pp. 245-260 in Barrett, P.M. and Batten, D.J. (eds.), Evolution and Palaeobiology of Early Sauropodomorph Dinosaurs. Special Papers in Palaeontology 77. Palaeontological Association, London.
ABSTRACT: A skull of Anchisaurus polyzelus (YPM 1883) has been misinterpreted for over 120 years as a result of deformation during preservation and loss of a small piece of the skull block shortly after collection in 1884. The only other skull of this taxon (YPM 209), from a smaller individual, has been largely ignored in previous studies owing to distortion and incomplete preparation. Additional preparation of the latter specimen has exposed several new elements, including the nearly complete parabasisphenoid, a region that is damaged and incomplete in YPM 1883.
Based on this new information, a phylogenetic analysis supports the recent hypothesis that Anchisaurus was a basal sauropod. However, the strength of this hypothesis has been greatly reduced, and is also undermined further by the possibility that the specimens of Anchisaurus are skeletally immature. In general, the skull and braincase of Anchisaurus resembles those of \\\\\\\'prosauropods\\\\\\\' more closely than those of derived sauropods.
ABSTRACT: A skull of Anchisaurus polyzelus (YPM 1883) has been misinterpreted for over 120 years as a result of deformation during preservation and loss of a small piece of the skull block shortly after collection in 1884. The only other skull of this taxon (YPM 209), from a smaller individual, has been largely ignored in previous studies owing to distortion and incomplete preparation. Additional preparation of the latter specimen has exposed several new elements, including the nearly complete parabasisphenoid, a region that is damaged and incomplete in YPM 1883.
Based on this new information, a phylogenetic analysis supports the recent hypothesis that Anchisaurus was a basal sauropod. However, the strength of this hypothesis has been greatly reduced, and is also undermined further by the possibility that the specimens of Anchisaurus are skeletally immature. In general, the skull and braincase of Anchisaurus resembles those of \\\\\\\'prosauropods\\\\\\\' more closely than those of derived sauropods.