Re: Coelophysis, Rioarribasaurus, Eocoelophysis

["Timothy Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Marco Auditore wrote:

> -EOCOELOPHYSIS Sullivan et Lucas, 1999 [nomen dubium]

It's _Eucoelophysis_ - "true Coelophysis" since it includes the original 
_Coelophysis_ holotype (AMNH 2722).  From Sullivan and Lucas (1999):

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Genus: Eucoelophysis Sullivan and Lucas, 1999
Species: E. baldwini Sullivan and Lucas, 1999 (type)

Material.
NMMNH P-22298: Hindlimb and pelvic fragments; vertebrae.
SMP VP-453: Incomplete dorsal vertebra.
SMP VP-456: Dorsal vertebra.
SMP VP-462: ?Distal end of fibula.
SMP VP-465: ?Distal end of fibula.
SMP VP-468: Vertebrae (dorsal, caudal), hindlimb fragments.
SMP VP-487: Dorsal vertebra.
SMP VP-491: Distal portion of scapula.
Locality: Orphan Mesa, near Arroyo Seco, New Mexico, United States.
Horizon: Petrified Forest Formation, Chinle Group; Late Triassic (late 
Carnian?).

AMNH 2722: Four articulated sacral vertebrae and proximal portion of a tibia 
(not a pubic process, as previously thought).
Note: This specimen was the previous holotype of Coelophysis bauri, until 
supplanted by Ghost Ranch specimen AMNH 7224.
Horizon and locality: "Gallina Canyon" and "Arroyo Seco"; believed by 
Sullivan et al. (1996) to be same as above.

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HOWEVER, I wondered about the status of _Longosaurus_ too.  The type 
material of _Longosaurus (=Coelophysis) longicollis_ probably does belong to 
_Eucoelophysis baldwini_.  If Sullivan and Lucas are correct, Baldwin's 
original _Coelophysis_ material comes from the same horizon and locality as 
_Eucoelophysis_.  Sullivan and Lucas probably chose to give the Orphan Mesa 
theropod a new name due to the non-diagnostic nature of the _C. longicollis_ 
holotype.  Like _C. willistoni_, _C. longicollis_ (type of _Longosaurus_ 
Welles, 1984) is best considered a nomen dubium.  From memory, Sullivan and 
Lucas (1999) were not explicit about the status of _Longosaurus_.

A similar example is _Majungasaurus_ which, although probably representing 
the same theropod as the later-named _Majangatholus_, is based on poor and 
probably non-diagnostic type material.  Therefore, Cathy Forster and gang 
chose _Majungatholus_ as the right and proper name.


Tim



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