[N] 2005 Sauropodomorph diversity in the U. Elliot Fm.
Barrett, P.M. (2004) Sauropodomorph diversity in the upper Elliot Formation (Massospondylus range zone: Lower Jurassic) of South Africa. South African Journal of Science 100(9/10):501-503.
A previously undescribed sauropodomorph dinosaur skull collected from the upper Elliot Formation (Massospondylus range zone) of South Africa is shown to be morphologically distinct from the widespread sympatric genus Massospondylus. Consequently, the generic-level diversity of basal sauropodomorphs in the Lower Jurassic dinosaur fauna of this region was higher than supposed previously. This unnamed taxon may represent either a new genus, new material of an established lower Elliot Formation (Euskelo-saurus range zone) sauropodomorph or cranial elements of a genus currently regarded as synonymous with Massospondylus. As a result, this specimen has important implications for upper Elliot Formation palaeoecology and for the use of sauropodomorph dinosaurs in biostratigraphical correlations.