Open Paleo

Futalognkosaurus

Calvo et al., 2007 FOO-tuh-long-ko-SAW-ruhs /ˌfuːtəˌlɒŋkoʊˈsɔːrəs/

Giant chief lizard; from the Mapuche words futa (giant) and lognko (chief), combined with Greek sauros (lizard)

93.9–85.7 million years ago Turonian–Coniacian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Futalognkosaurus is a genus of titanosaurian dinosaur. The herbivorous Futalognkosaurus lived approximately 93.5 to 85.8 million years ago in the Portezuelo Formation, in what is now Argentina, of the Coniacian stage of the late Cretaceous Period. The fish and fossilized leaf debris on the site, together with other dinosaur remains, suggest a warm tropical climate in Patagonia during this period.

Diagnosis

  1. Neurapophysis of the atlas laminar and rectangular, and posteriorly directed
  2. Neural spine of the axis high and triangular
  3. Posterior border of the neural spine on middle cervical elements concave; ventral depression between parapophyses on middle cervical centra
  4. First caudal vertebra with prespinal lamina bifurcated at its base forming two small infraprespinal laminae; supraspinal cavity bordered by prespinal and lateral laminae
  5. 2Nd and 3rd sacral ribs fused
  6. Wide and well developed iliac peduncle on ischia

Species

Futalognkosaurus dukei Calvo et al., 2007

Type species

Named in honor of Duke Energy Argentina, the company that sponsored the excavation from 2002 to 2003.

Holotype
MUCPv 323 , Universidad Nacional del Comahue
Material
Atlas, axis, five anterior, four middle, and three posterior cervicals; 10 dorsals; ribs; complete sacrum; both ilia; right pubis and ischium; and one anterior caudal.
Horizon
lower Portezuelo Formation, Turonian–Coniacian, Late Cretaceous , 93.9–85.7 million years ago
Locality
Futalognko Quarry, Neuquén, Argentina

References

  1. Calvo, J. O.; Porfiri, J. D.; González Riga, B. J.; Kellner, A. W. A. (2007). A new Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem from Gondwana with the description of a new sauropod dinosaur. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 79(3): 529-541. FapUNIFESP (SciELO). doi:10.1590/s0001-37652007000300013 calvo2007a
  2. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Sauropods. Princeton University Press.

    Source of the hip height estimate, and the appearance features.

    jones2026b
  3. Calvo, J. O.; Porfiri, J. D.; Kellner, A. W. A. (2004). On a new maniraptoran dinosaur (Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina. Arquivos do Museu Nacional 62(4): 549-566. Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

    Names the Costa Dinosaurio locality for the same site on the northern shore of Lago Barreales.

    calvo2004c