Re: Pleurocoelus

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

Steve  Brusatte wrote:

> However, if Astrodon and Pleurocoelus nanus are the same animal, doesn't 
> Astrodon have preference, as it was named first?  From what I have read, 
> Astrodon was named in 1859 by Leidy based on teeth found by a dentist in 
> Maryland. Pleurocoelus was named by Marsh in 1888.  Am I missing something?


As Tom said, the name _Astrodon_ is probably a _nomen dubium_ and, as such,
must be restricted to the type material.  Therefore, _Astrodon_ cannot
have priority over any other name based on different material.


> Wouldn't Astrodon be the proper name, therefore jeopardizing Texas' state 
> dinosaur (Pleurocoelus)??


There is no evidence that _Pleurocoelus_ is found in Texas.  The
"Pleurocoelus" material from Texas most likely does *not* belong to the same
genus as the Maryland/Arundel material.  A lot of sauropod material from the
SW previously referred to _Pleurocoelus_ has already been assigned to other
sauropod genera.  Looks like another State Dinosaur might bite the dust!


Tim





------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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