Re: Biogeographic origin of Diplodocidae

["Museu da Lourinhã " <museulourinha@mail.telepac.pt>]

Thomas Holtz wrote:
<<Also, the Tendaguru "Barosaurus" material does demonstrate that Late
Jurassic diplodocids were present in Gondwana.
So, neither of these groups were "restricted" to Laurasia, although (as you
note) their diversity and/or abundance seems to be higher there than in
Gondwana.>>

        Is I agree with you but, as I wrote, the occurrence of sauropod taxa
outside their presumed area (like the "Barosaurus" in Tanzania or
Titanosaurus in France), could be
interpreted as the result of dispersal events. However diplodocids are
tipical from North America (but not exclusive!) and titanosaurids and
dicraeosaurids are tipical from South America and Africa.

        Octávio Mateus

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Octávio MATEUS
GEAL- Museu da Lourinhã
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