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Ferganasaurus

Alifanov & Averianov, 2003 fur-GAH-nah-SOR-us

From Fergana (the Fergana Valley in Kyrgyzstan, where it was found) + Greek sauros (lizard): 'Fergana Valley lizard'.

165.3–161.5 million years ago Callovian, Middle Jurassic
Middle Jurassic stages

Ferganasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in the Balabansai Formation of Kyrgyzstan, which dates to the Callovian stage of the Middle Jurassic. It was formally described in 2003 by Alifanov and Averianov as the type species Ferganasaurus verzilini. It is believed to be similar to Rhoetosaurus.

Diagnosis

  1. Femur shaft with sigmoid curve (primitive retention unique among neosauropods)
  2. Fourth trochanter of femur blade-like with acuminate apex (primitive retention)
  3. Single midline lamina supporting hyposphene from below on dorsal neural arches
  4. Ischiadic peduncle of ilium greatly reduced
  5. Proximal and distal portions of pubis located in the same plane
  6. Cnemial crest of tibia laterally projecting

Species

Ferganasaurus verzilini Alifanov & Averianov, 2003

Type species

Named in honor of Prof. Nikita N. Verzilin, who found the holotype in 1966.

Holotype
PIN N 3042/1 , Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Material
Partial skeleton comprising two dorsal and 16 caudal vertebrae, pelvis, and limb bones; manus known from drawings only (original lost).
Horizon
upper Balabansai Formation, Callovian, Middle Jurassic , 165.3–161.5 million years ago
Locality
Balabansai, Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan

References

  1. Alifanov, V. R.; Averianov, A. O. (2003). Ferganasaurus verzilini, gen. et sp. nov., a new neosauropod (Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropoda) from the Middle Jurassic of Fergana Valley, Kirghizia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 23(2): 358-372. Informa UK Limited. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2003)023[0358:fvgesn]2.0.co;2 alifanov2003a
  2. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Sauropods. Princeton University Press.

    Source of the hip height estimate.

    jones2026b