[D] Wintonotitan wattsi [sG] [T]
Describer
Hocknull, White, Tischler, Cook, Calleja, Sloan & Elliott, 2009
Time
Cretaceous Early Albian
Classification
Saurischia Sauropodomorpha [Titanosauriformes] Incertae Sedis
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Winton Formation, QML 313 ‘‘Triangle Paddock’’, Elderslie Station, approximately 60 km north-west of Winton, central, Queensland, Australia
Info
Holotype
QMF 7292; left scapula, partial left and right humeri, partial left and right ulnae, partial right and near complete left radii, near complete right metacarpus preserving complete metacarpals II–V with proximal half of metacarpal I, fragmentary dorsal and sacral vertebrae and ribs, partial right ilium, right ischium, caudal vertebral series including anterior caudals, middle caudals, posterior caudals and proximal chevrons. Numerous additional unidentified or unrecognised bone fragments.
Referred specimen
QMF 10916; Chorregan, Winton; isolated middle and posterior caudals.
Etymology
Winton, for the town of Winton. Titan –Giant in Greek Mythology / For Keith Watts, who discovered the type specimen and donated it to the Queensland Museum in 1974.
Diagnosis
Wintonotitan wattsi gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by the unique association of the following features. Dorsal vertebrae possessing camellate pneumatic cavities; deep eyeshaped pleurocoels; prespinal and postspinal laminae extending along entire length of neural spine; incipient spinoprezygopophyseal lamina (autapomorphic). Dorsal ribs with pneumatic cavities along 1/3 of proximal end; large and planklike. Caudal vertebrae number approximately 35; all with solid internal bone structure; anterior and middle caudal vertebrae amphiplatyan; anterior caudals with straight neural spines above cranial half of vertebra; posterior caudals incipiently biconvex and cylindrical (autapomorphic). Scapula long with broad acromial blade; ventromedial process present; mid-scapular blade ridge present; scapular-coracoid articular connection thin mediolaterally; distinct acromial ridge. Humerus gracile with divided distal condyles; deltopectoral crest low and narrow, terminating proximal of mid-shaft. Ulna long and gracile with broad proximal end and rounded distal articular end. Radii long and gracile; expanded sub-equally at proximal and distal ends. Metacarpals long and robust, distal condyles undivided and flat, missing phalangeal articular facets. Mc I longest, then Mc II, Mc III, Mc IV and Mc V. Preacetabular blade of ilium projecting anterolaterally from sacral axis; iliac blade with pneumatic cavities. Ischium broad and flat with robust iliac peduncle and thin ischial blade with rounded distal margin.