[D] Tonganosaurus hei [sG] [T]
Describer
Li, Yang, Liu, J. & Wang 2010
Time
Jurassic Early
Classification
Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Euhelopodidae [Mamenchisauridae]
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Yimen Formation, Tong\\\'an, Sichuan Province, China
Info
Abstract
A new sauropod, Tonganosaurus hei gen. et sp. nov. from the Yimen Formation (Lower Jurassic) of Southern Sichuan, China is described on the basis of a collection of bones. These fossils include about 20 vertebrae, a complete right pectoral girdle and a right forelimb, the distal end of a left scapula, a pair of complete ischia, a complete right hindlimb, the proxmal and distal ends of a left femur, right metatarsals (mt. I, II, III and V), a right pedal ungual, and ten neural spine andrib fragments. The third cervical and anterior caudals are most simular in shape to those of the mamenchisaurid Omeisaurus (from the Middle Jurassic, Sichuan Basin), and quite differened from those of other sauropds. The material was therefore assigned to the family [Mamenchisauridae] Young and Chao, 1972 [Euhelopodidae] and a new genus and species was established. This represents the first discovery of a sauropod in the Lower Jurassic of China since Gongxianosaurus was found in Sichuan Basin. The Tonganosaurus material is of great importance for understanding the phylogenetics of the early Sauropoda.
Holotype
An incomplete skeleton of a long-necked sauropod (MCDUT 14454)
Etymology
The generic nbame is from the type locality of Tonganosaurus, Tong\\\'an, Huili, Sichuan. The specific name, hei, refers to He Xinlu, who spent a lifetime in dinosaur research.
Locality and horizon
The town of Tong\\\'an in the south of Sichuan Province, China. The Lower Jurassic Yimen Formation.
Diagnosis
Pleurocoels are developed in all presacral vertebrae, and the bone texture is solid. Pleurocoels are large and deep. cervical centra are slender. A ventral keel is present on each cervical centrum. posterior cervical centra have well developed laminae and cavities. Both laminae and pleurocoels are well developed in the dorsal vertebrae. Cervical and anterior caudal centra are opisthocoelous, middle dorsal centra are platycoelous, posterior dorsal and anterior caudal centra are amphicoelous. Centra lack a cancellous structure. Forelimb length is 0.80 of hindlimb length. Humerus is traight and robust, and deltapectoral crest is well developed. Femur is straight and robust with a well developed 4th trochanter.