[D] Fusuisaurus zhaoi [sG] [T]
Describer
Mo, Wang, Huang, Huang and Xu, 2006
Time
Cretaceous Early Aptian Albian
Classification
Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Sauropoda Titanosauria
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Napai Formation, Liubang village, Fusui County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Based on a partial postcranial skeleton. The holotype specimen consists of the left ilium, left pubis, anterior caudals, most of the dorsal ribs and distal end of the left femur. Fusuisaurus zhaoi is diagnosed by a unique combination of character states among the known sauropods. It displays several synapomorphies of Titanosauriformes but lacks many derived features seen in other titanosauriforms, suggesting that the new taxon represents the basalmost known titanosauriform and providing new evidence that Titanosauriformes originated from Asia. A size comparison suggests that Fusuisaurus zhaoi is among the largest Early Cretaceous sauropods,providing an important addition to the Early Cretaceous Chinese sauropod diversity.
Etymology
Fusui, after the fossil-producing Fusui County; The specific name is dedicated to professor Zhao Xijin for his contribution to the dinosaur research in Guangxi.
Holotype
NHMG6729 (Natural History Museum og Guangxi); a relative complete left ilium, a complete left pubis, 3 incomplete articulated anterior caudals, most of dorsal ribs and distal end of the left femur are preserved.
Diagnosis
A large sauropod distinguished from all other taxa in having a combination of the following character states: anterior dorsal ribs non-pneumatic, presence of a prominent, pointed anteroventral process of the ilium, the preacetabular blade strongly expanded dorsoventrally, posterior margin of the ilium notched, and transverse process of the anterior caudal vertebrae dorsoventrally flattened.