Another new sauropod from Cretaceous China

[acp002@mcdaniel.edu]

I ran across this while browsing on the internet.  I do not believe it has been 
mentioned on list, so I thought I would introduce Ruyangosaurus giganteus.

Lu J, Xu L, Jia S, Zhang X, Zhang J, Yang L, You H, Ji Q. 2009. A new gigantic 
sauropod dinosaur from the Cretaceous of Ruyang, Henan, China. Geological 
Bulletin of China 28(1).

Abstract: 

The new gigantic sauropod dinosaur Ruyangosaurus giganteus gen. et sp. nov. 
from the early Late Cretaceous Mangchuan Formation of Ruyang, Henan, China is 
described.  It is characterized by a lower neural spine, lack of 
centroprezygoapophyseal lamina, a large, irregularly triangular deep fossa on 
the lateral surface of the neural arch, the prezygodiapophyseal lamina oriented 
anteroposteriorly, and a robust tibia, some 127 cm in length.  The discovery of 
Ruyangosaurus indicates that a higher diversity of sauropod dinosaurs occurred 
during the early Late Cretaceous than previously thought.

I cannot access the paper due to subscription requirements, but it is available 
at this URL: http://www.cqvip.com/qk/95894a/2009001/29231349.html.

Adam Pritchard
acp002@mcdaniel.edu