Open Paleo

Lirainosaurus

Sanz et al., 1999 lee-RIEN-o-SAWR-us

From Basque lirain (slender) combined with Greek sauros (lizard); meaning "slender lizard"

83.6–66.0 million years ago Campanian–Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous
Late Cretaceous stages

Lirainosaurus is a genus of titanosaur sauropod which lived in what is now Spain. The type species, Lirainosaurus astibiae, was described by Sanz, Powell, Le Loeuff, Martinez, and Pereda-Suberbiola in 1999. It was a relatively small sauropod, measuring 4 meters (13 ft) long, possibly up to 6 meters (20 ft) long for the largest individuals, and weighed about 2-4 metric tons (2.2-4.4 short tons).

Diagnosis

  1. Restricted articular condyle in posterior caudal vertebrae
  2. Sagittal condylar groove in posterior articular surface of distal caudal vertebrae
  3. Lamina in interzygapophysial fossa in anterior caudal vertebrae
  4. Spinopostzygapophysial structure not posteriorly projected in posterior caudal vertebrae
  5. Lateroanterior process on sternal plate
  6. Ridge in ventral margin of medial side of scapular blade

Species

Lirainosaurus astibiae Sanz et al., 1999

Type species

Named in honor of Dr. Humberto Astibia, leader of the research at the outcrop in Lano.

Holotype
MCNA 7458 , Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Álava
Material
Anterior caudal vertebra, probably the first one
Horizon
Campanian–Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 83.6–66.0 million years ago
Locality
Laño quarry, Burgos, Spain

References

  1. Sanz, J. L.; Powell, J. E.; Le Loeuff, J.; Martínez, R.; Pereda-Suberbiola, X. (1999). Sauropod remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Laño (northcentral Spain). Titanosaur phylogenetic relationships. Estudios del Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Alava 14(especial 1): 235-255. sanz1999a
  2. Jones, B. (2026). The Princeton Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: Sauropods. Princeton University Press.

    Source of the hip height estimate.

    jones2026b