Describer

Young, 1937

Time

Jurassic Late Oxfordian

Classification

Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Camarasauridae Camarasaurinae

Diet

Herbivore

Fossilsite

Junggar Basin, Shishugou Formation, Xinjiang, Weiwuer Ziziqu, China

Length

12 meter

Info

Genus - Typespecies

Partial postcranial skeleton. Tienshanosaurus chitaiensis a relatively small sauropod known from several cervical and dorsal vertebrae, a series of caudal vertabrae, chevrons pectoral girdle, humerus, ilium, ischium, a fragmentary pubis and hindlimb bones. The cervicals are relatively short, and the one that has been illustrated suggest a divided neural spine, but this may be an extends backward beyond the end of the centrum.

The humerus is relatively slender and resembles that of Camarasaurus. The relationships of Tienshanosaurus are uncertain. The caudals immediatly eliminate reference to the Brachiosauridae or Titanosauria. If the cervical spine is indeed divided, the Cetiosauridae would also be eliminated.

The long, slender, cervical ribs, simple proximal caudal ribs, short distal caudals and shape of humerus, and ischium suggest referral to the Camarasauridae. The scapula suggests a relationship with Apatosaurus, and the bridged-over chevrons also indicate a relationship with the Diplodocidae.