Ksepka, Daniel T.Norell, Mark.Mongolian-American Museum Paleontological Project.Mongolyn Shinzhlekh Ukhaany Akademi.2006-03-212006-03-212006http://hdl.handle.net/2246/5783Specimen 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).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.2122688 bytesapplication/pdfen-USQL1 .A436 no.3508, 2006Erketu ellisoni.Dinosaurs -- Mongolia -- Dornogov Aimag.Reptiles, Fossil -- Mongolia -- Dornogov Aimag.Paleontology -- Cretaceous -- Mongolia -- Dornogov Aimag.Paleontology -- Mongolia -- Dornogov Aimag.text