New Haplocanthosaurus Specimen Uncovered in Colorado’s Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry

A major discovery has been made in Colorado’s Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry, the place paleontologists have unearthed a brand new specimen of Haplocanthosaurus, an intermediate sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic interval, roughly 155 to 152 million years in the past. This new discovering contributes helpful perception into the anatomy and evolutionary place of the enigmatic genus, which stays much less understood in comparison with different Morrison Formation dinosaurs like Apatosaurus and Diplodocus.

Particulars of the New Specimen

In line with a research revealed in The Anatomical Report, the specimen consists of three anterior dorsal vertebrae, 4 posterior dorsal vertebrae, and a proper tibia. Researchers recognized it by distinct anatomical options comparable to dorsally angled transverse processes and a broad distal tibia. Dr. Mathew Wedel, a paleontologist at Western College of Well being Sciences, acknowledged that the brand new specimen is the geologically youngest instance of Haplocanthosaurus found on the Colorado Plateau.

Haplocanthosaurus and Its Significance

Haplocanthosaurus is taken into account a uncommon genus, recognized from solely 11 specimens in comparison with the quite a few fossils of different Morrison Formation sauropods. Dr. Wedel and his staff defined that essential skeletal components just like the cranium and limbs stay both undiscovered or undescribed, leaving gaps in understanding this dinosaur’s full morphology and phylogenetic place. The genus has been variously labeled as a basal diplodocoid, a basal macronarian, or simply exterior Neosauropoda.

Implications of the Discovery

This discovery extends the vary of Haplocanthosaurus into the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation. Researchers emphasised the significance of such findings for reconstructing the evolutionary historical past of sauropod dinosaurs. As new specimens are unearthed, the understanding of those uncommon Jurassic giants continues to evolve, contributing to broader insights into dinosaur biodiversity throughout this era.

The findings have been attributed to collaborative efforts by paleontologists from establishments together with Western College of Well being Sciences, Brigham Younger College, the Arizona Museum of Pure Historical past, and Auburn College.