Describer

Lü, Li, Ji, Wang, Zhang and Dong, 2006

Time

Jurassic Middle

Classification

Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Euhelopodidae

Diet

Herbivore

Fossilsite

Zhanghe Formation, Jiangyi, Yuanmou County of Yunnan Province, China

Length

Estimated at 17 meters

Info

Genus - Typespecies

Yuanmousaurus jiangyiensis gen. et sp. nov. is erected based on an incomplete skeleton. It is characterized by more complex structures of the neural arches in the dorsal vertebrae than those in Omeisaurus, but less complex than those of Euhelopus; the dorsal vertebra bears 9 laminae, forming three cavities on the lateral surface of the neural arch; the dorsal vertebral neural spines with dorsoventrally-oriented cavities are similar to those of Omeisaurus and Patagosaurus. Yuanmousaurus is more primitive than Euhelopus, but more derived than Omeisaurus. The similar dorsal vertebral structure between Yuanmousaurus and Patagosaurus may indicate that they have a close relationship to each other.

Etymology

The generic name refers to the Chinese administrative unit Yuanmou, which the holotype locality, Jiangyi refers to the holotype locality.

Holotype

An incomplete skeleton without skull, including an antertior part of a cervical vertebra, 9 dorsal vertebrae, two and a half posterior sacral vertebrae, 7 caudal vertebrae, both almost complete scapulae, one nearly complete right humerus, right ulna and radius, partial right ilium, one right complete femur, one right tibia and fibula, one astragalus, one ungual and other bone fragments. The specimen is housed at the Yuanmou Museum, registered No. YMV 601.