Erketu ellisoni, a long-necked sauropod from Bor Guvé (Dornogov Aimag, Mongolia).  American Museum novitates ; no. 3508

Ksepka, Daniel T.; Norell, Mark.; Mongolian-American Museum Paleontological Project.; Mongolyn Shinzhlekh Ukhaany Akademi.

Erketu ellisoni, a long-necked sauropod from Bor Guvé (Dornogov Aimag, Mongolia). American Museum novitates ; no. 3508

Files

N3508.pdf (2.02 MB)

Date

2006

Authors

Ksepka, Daniel T.

Norell, Mark.

Mongolian-American Museum Paleontological Project.

Mongolyn Shinzhlekh Ukhaany Akademi.

Publisher

New York, NY : American Museum of Natural History

Abstract

The first specimen of the new sauropod Erketu ellisoni, from the Lower Cretaceous of the eastern Gobi of Dornogov, Mongolia, is described here. The specimen comprises a well-preserved articulated anterior cervical series, an articulated lower hindlimb, and a sternal plate. This sauropod displays a unique combination of features including low, bifid neural spines, elongate cervical centra, and crescent-shaped sternal plates. Computed tomography imaging reveals the vertebrae were extensively invaded with pneumatic camellae. The holotype individual of Erketu was of modest mass relative to other neosauropods, but had an extremely elongate neck. Phylogenetic analysis indicates Erketu is a member of the Somphospondyli and may belong to a more exclusive clade therein.

Description

Specimen collected during the 2002 field season of the American Museum of Natural History-Mongolian Academy of Sciences Paleontological Project.
16 p. : ill., map ; 26 cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 14-15).

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/2246/5783

Collections

American Museum Novitates

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