Re: Brachytrachelopan mesai [was Short-necked dinosaur challenges accepted theory]

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Mickey Mortimer wrote:

> > Interestingly, the cladogram shows _Amphicoelias_ as a basal diplodocoid 
> -
> > more basal than _Suuwassea_, rebbachisaurids and dicraeosaurids (like
> > _Brachytrachelopan_).  This must be based on new and undescribed 
> material
> > of _Amphicoelias_.
>
> Also interesting- Cetiosauriscus and Losillasaurus are omeisaurids.
> Haplocanthosaurus and Jobaria are basal to neosauropods.
> Amazonsaurus and Tehuelchesaurus are basal titanosauriformes.
> Dinhierosaurus is a diplodocine.

Harris and Dodson (2004) also found a close relationship between 
_Mamenchisaurus_ and _Losillasaurus_.  Unfortunately, most of the nodes in 
the _Brachytrachelopan_ cladogram (including the position of _Amphicoelias_) 
have low bootstrap support (<50%).  Somphospondyli comes up roses though 
(96% support for _Euhelopus_ as sister taxon to Titanosauria).

Cheers

Tim