Panamericansaurus
Named after the Pan American Energy company that financially supported the paleontological investigations, combined with Greek sauros (lizard); meaning "Pan American Energy lizard".
Late Cretaceous stages
Panamericansaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period of Argentina. The holotype is very similar to known fossil material of Aeolosaurus, which Panamericansaurus is thought to be closely related to.
Diagnosis
- Mid-posterior caudal vertebrae with prezygapophyses directed anterodorsally equal to or shorter than length of vertebral centrum base
- Postzygapophyses located in medial position with respect to vertebral centrum
- Spinoprezygapophyseal lamina expanded dorsoventrally in middle caudals
- Humerus with robustness index less than 0.40
Species
Panamericansaurus schroederi Calvo & Porfiri, 2010
Type species
Named for the Schroeder family, on whose land in Neuquén, Argentina, the holotype remains were discovered.
- Holotype
- MUCPv-417 , Universidad Nacional del Comahue
- Material
- Five caudal vertebrae, one sacral vertebra, left humerus, two hemal arches, rib fragments.
- Horizon
- Allen Formation, Maastrichtian, Late Cretaceous , 72.2–66.0 million years ago
- Locality
- 3 km west of San Patricio del Chañar, Neuquén, Argentina
References
- Calvo, J. O.; Porfiri, J. D. (2010). Panamericansaurus schroederi gen. nov. sp. nov. Un nuevo Sauropoda (Titanosauridae-Aeolosaurini) de la Provincia del Neuquén, Cretácico Superior de Patagonia, Argentina [Panamericansaurus schroederi gen. nov. sp. nov. A new Sauropoda (Titanosauridae-Aeolosaurini) from Neuquén Province, Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina]. Brazilian Geographical Journal: Geosciences and Humanities Research Medium 1: 100-115. calvo2010a