Re: Update on new old bones

[Thomas_R_HOLTZ@umail.umd.edu (th81)]

>I'm a curious amateur dinosaur fan.  I seem to recall a news item back a 
>few years now that announced the discovery of some really huge bones that 
>indicated a sauropod much larger than any perviously known.  If memory 
>serves, the names ultrasaur and seismosaur were used.  I don't recall 
>having heard any follow up since then.  Could anybody bring me up to 
>speed on the status of these animals?
>
>
>Joe Sexton
>
>Work Phone: 813-335-2949
>Work Fax: 813-338-3220
>InterNet: JOE@SEXTON.MHS.COMPUSERVE.COM
>
>

Seismosaurus hallorum is a very large diplodocid, as is Supersaurus
vivianae.  However, it is difficult (if not impossible) to distinguish these
individuals from Diplodocus, so they might just be large, old members of one
of the known Diplodocus species.

Ultrasauros macintoshi is almost certainly just a big individual of
Brachiosaurus altithorax.  (The name "Ultrasaurus" was unfortunately
preempted by a Korean dinosaur based on very fragmentary bones).

>

Thomas R. HOLTZ
Vertebrate Paleontologist, Dept. of Geology
Email:Thomas_R_HOLTZ@umail.umd.edu (th81)
Phone:301-405-4084