[D] Baotianmansaurus henaensis [sG] [T]
Describer
Zhang, Lü, Xu, Li, Yang, Hu, Jia, Ji Q. & Zhang 2009
Time
Cretaceous Late
Classification
Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Titanosauria
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Gaogou Formation, Nanyang, Neixiang, Henan Province, China
Info
Baotianmansaurus henaensis is characterized by somphospondylius presacral vertebrae; a highly-developed lamina system on the dorsal vertebrae; transverse process supported by four laminae; and the dorsal portion of the anterior centroparapophyseal lamina is bifurcated, with a small branch extending to the verntral surface of the prezygapophysis. It represents a new titanosauriform sauropod.
Eytmology
Baotianman, refers to the Baotianman natural preservation area, from which the holotype was found, Henan refers to the Chinese administrative unit, Henan Province, in which the holotype locality is situated.
Holotype
One incomplete anterior dorsal vertebrae (the third dorsal vertebra), one nearly complete mid-posterior dorsal vertebra (the fifth dorsal vertebra), five dorsal ribs (three are complete), one and a half sacral vertebrae, one incomplete anterior caudal vertebra, a portion of distal end of scapula, and some unidentified bone fragments. The specimen (41HIII-0200) is housed at the Henan Geological Museum, Zhengzhou, China.
Diagnosis
A medium-sized titanosauriform sauropod dinosaur bearing the following combined characters: somphosponylous presacral vertebrae, similar to those of Euhelopus and other titanosaurs; the neural spine of the mid-dorsal vertebra is very short, with weak post-spinal laminae and no prespinal laminaa; the transverse process is supported by four laminae; the dorsal portion of the anterior centroparapophyseal laminae if bifurcated, with a small branch extending to the ventral surface of the prezygapophysis; posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina is thin, nearly vertical, and not forked at its ventral end; the popzygodiapophyseal lamina is undeveloped; posterior dorsal neural arches with prezygapophyses; anterior dorsal ribs are apneumatic, similar to those of basal macronarians; and the anterior caudal vertebrae is much shorter than wide and amphicoelous.