Leinkupal
From Mapudungun 'lein' (vanishing) and 'kupal' (family); meaning 'vanishing family', in reference to it being the last known diplodocid
Early Cretaceous stages
Leinkupal is a genus of diplodocine sauropod known from the Early Cretaceous (Late Berriasian to Early Valanginian stage) of the Bajada Colorada Formation, southeastern Neuquén Basin in the Neuquén Province of Argentina. It contains a single species, Leinkupal laticauda.
Diagnosis
- Anterior caudal transverse process extremely developed (about equal or wider to centrum width) with lateroventral expansions reinforced by robust dorsal and ventral bars
- Very robust centroprezygapophyseal lamina in anterior caudal vertebra
- Paired pneumatic fossae located on the base of the postzygapophysis, opposite to the articular side, in anteriormost caudal vertebra
Species
Leinkupal laticauda Gallina et al., 2014
Type species
From Latin 'latus' meaning 'wide' and 'cauda' meaning 'tail', referring to the broad caudal vertebrae that characterize the holotype.
- Holotype
- MMCH-Pv 63-1 , Museo Municipal ‘Ernesto Bachman’, Villa El Chocón
- Material
- One anterior caudal vertebra (Caudal 7).
- Horizon
- Bajada Colorada Formation, Valanginian, Early Cretaceous , 137.1–132.6 million years ago
- Locality
- 40 km south of Picún Leufú on National Route 237, Neuquén, Argentina
References
- Gallina, P. A.; Apesteguía, S.; Haluza, A.; Canale, J. I. (2014). A Diplodocid Sauropod Survivor from the Early Cretaceous of South America. PLoS ONE 9(5): e97128. Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097128 gallina2014a
-
Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Sauropods. Princeton University Press.
Source of the mass and hip height estimates.
jones2026b