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Tazoudasaurus & Gravisauria



Big paper (80 pages).


Allain, R. and Aquesbi, N.  (2008).  Anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of 
Tazoudasaurus naimi (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the late Early Jurassic of 
Morocco.  Geodiversitas 30(2): 345-424.

http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/publication/14887_g08n2a5.pdf



ABSTRACT

"The complete osteology of the basal sauropod _Tazoudasaurus naimi_ from the 
late
Early Jurassic Toundoute continental series of Ouarzazate Province, Morocco, is
presented. The described material belongs to juvenile to adult individuals. The
skeleton of _Tazoudasaurus_ is virtually complete except for the skull and 
presents
a combination of plesiomorphic and apomorphic sauropodomorph characters.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates that _Tazoudasaurus_ shares with _Vulcanodon_ 
several
derived features that include strongly transversely flattened tibial shaft and
the marked dorsoventral flattening of the unguals of pedal digits II and III.
Both taxa are placed within the Vulcanodontidae, at the base of a new clade
named Gravisauria n. nom. Our analysis underscores the major morphological
changes that occur among Gravisauria between the Vulcanodontidae and the
Eusauropoda. The numerous remains of _Tazoudasaurus_ were recovered from a
bone-bed associated with a few remains of the basal abelisauroid 
_Berberosaurus_.
A minimum of six individuals was buried at the site. Taphonomical data suggest
that _Tazoudasaurus_ had a gregarious behaviour. The different interpretations 
of
the evolution of the configuration and posture of the manus in basal sauropods
can be tested thanks to the discovery of a complete articulated manus of
_Tazoudasaurus_. The latter is clearly digitigrade with a spreading 
configuration
of the metacarpus. Early sauropod evolution is analyzed in a broad extinction/
radiation perspective. Prosauropoda and Coelophysoidea extinction around the
Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary, followed by the late Early Jurassic to Middle
Jurassic radiation of Gravisauria, Neoceratosauria, Tetanurae and Euornithopoda
are linked to the Pliensbachian-Toarcian mass extinction event."




________________________________

From: rgarrisonjr@hotmail.com
To: cbrow@ucalgary.ca; df9465@yahoo.co.uk; don.brinkman@gov.ab.ca; 
jharris@dixie.edu; keith.minor@gmail.com; hooley01@midrivers.com; 
lowellcarhart@yahoo.com; mahe_manukau@clear.net.nz; twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com
Subject: Tazoudasaurus anatomy
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:08:20 -0400




Don't think this was mentioned.  Apologies if it was.  Big paper at 80 pages!

Lee

Allain, R. and Aquesbi, N.  2008.  Anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of 
Tazoudasaurus naimi (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the late Early Jurassic of 
Morocco.  Geodiversitas 30(2): 345-424.

http://www.mnhn.fr/museum/front/medias/publication/14887_g08n2a5.pdf



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