Describer

Alifanov & Averianov, 2003

Time

Jurassic Middle Callovian

Classification

Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda

Diet

Herbivore

Fossilsite

Balabansai Formation, Fergana Valley, Kirgizia

Info

Genus - Typespecies

Based on a partial skeleton from the Middle Jurassic (Callovian) Balabansai Formation. Discovered by Prof. Nikita N. Verzilin in 1966 and collected by a team led by A. K. Rozhdestvensky, it was informally named \\\"Ferganasaurus\\\" by Rozdestvensky in a popular audience book (in Russian) in 1969.

Holoytpe

PIN N 3042/1, partial skeleton including two dorsal and 16 caudal vertebrae, pelvis, limb bones, manus known only from drawings (original material lost).

Etymology

Fergana [Valley]\\\" + Greek sauros = \\\"lizard\\\"

Diagnosis of genus (as for the type species)

Distinguished by combination of the following derived characters: caudal dorsal vertebrae slightly opisthocoelous; caudal dorsals having pleurocoels (+); presence of centroparapophyseal lamina on dorsals; presence of single midline lamina supporting hypopsphene from below on dorsal neural spines; five coossified sacral vertebrae; six fused sacral spines; proximal caudal vertebrae slightlyprocoelous; \\\"fan-like\\\" caudal ribs on proximal caudal vertebrae; ischiadic peduncle of pubis greatly reduced; proximal and distal portinons of pubis in same plane; fourth trochanter on posterior margin of shaft; tibia having subsircular proximal end; cnemial crest of tibia laterally projecting; fibular lateral trochanter; astragalus tapering medially; astragalar ventral surface convex transversely. And the following primitive characters: shaft of femur having sigmoid curve; fourth trochanter of femur blad-like, apexacuminate. (Alifanov and Averianov, 2003)