Species determination in sauropod dinosaurs with tentative suggestions for their classification

Upper Jurassic sauropod record in the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal): Geographical and lithostratigraphical distribution

“…The specimen includes cervical, dorsal, sacral, and anterior caudal vertebrae, dorsal and sacral ribs, scapular and pelvic elements, and bones of the hindlimb and forelimb (Figure 17.1-6, 17.8-17;Lapparent and Zbyszewski, 1957;Mocho et al, 2014b). The recent systematic revision of the Lourinhasaurus lectotype confirmed the placement of this taxon within Camarasauridae (Mocho et al, 2014b), a hypothesis previously suggested by other authors (McIntosh, 1990a(McIntosh, , 1990bWilson and Sereno, 1998). A partial opisthocoelous dorsal centrum (Figure 17.7, MG 4799) was found in Castanheira (Vila Franca de Xira), in coarse sandy arkosic sediments of the Abadia Formation (Leinfelder and Wilson, 1989).…”

Taxonomy of Late Jurassic diplodocid sauropods from Tendaguru (Tanzania)

“…In both specimens, metatarsal I exhibits a caudolateral process on the distal articular condyle (Fig. 3E), a character synapomorphic for Flagellicaudata (Berman & McIntosh 1978;McIntosh 1990a;Upchurch 1998;Wilson 2002;Upchurch et al 2004a;Rauhut et al 2005;Harris 2006c;Salgado et al 2006). Two isolated first metatarsals (MB.R.2400 [XVI 21], MB.R.2286 [XVI 28]) that show the same character are also still present in the MB collections.…”

“…Specimens MB.R.2736 (E 6), MB.R.2722 (XI a 10), H 9, and MB.R.2735 (Ki 13) have a prominent, hook-shaped ambiens process caudodorsally. An enlarged ambiens process is a derived trait of Flagellicaudata (McIntosh 1990a;Wilson 2002;Rauhut et al 2005;Salgado et al 2006), but its hook-like shape is synapomorphic for Diplodocinae (Upchurch 1998;Upchurch et al 2004a;Harris 2006c). Therefore, these four specimens may be referred to Diplodocinae indet.…”

“…However, since an ossified calcaneum has been reported for a specimen of Diplodocus (Bonnan 2000), the presence of this element seems to pertain to individual variation. Nevertheless, missing calcanea in fully articulated feet have only been reported for diplodocids (McIntosh 1990a). Furthermore, metatarsals III and IV are the longest metatarsals (Fig.…”

“…The first question aimed at the long-lasting assignment of the material to the North American genus Barosaurus Marsh, 1890 (Janensch 1922(Janensch , 1929(Janensch , 1935(Janensch -36, 1961Russell et al 1980), the appropriateness of which was doubted recently (McIntosh 1990a(McIntosh , 1990b(McIntosh , 2005Harris & Dodson 2004;Remes 2004;Upchurch et al 2004a). Remes (2006) argued for the generic difference to Barosaurus by providing a revised diagnosis for Tornieria africana (based on the holotype [skeleton A], and the material that can be referred to the same species: skeleton k and some isolated cranial caudal vertebrae).…”