Ardetosaurus (meaning burned lizard) is an extinct genus of diplodocid sauropod that lived in the Late Jurassic of Wyoming, US. The type species is Ardetosaurus viator.
Discovery and Naming[]
The holotype (MAB011899) was discovered during an extraction of Camarasaurus named "E.T" in 1993. It was collected, and sent to Europe via the name "Brösmeli" for study. In 2024, it was described as a new species of dinosaur by van der Linden. The generic name combines "ardere", meaning to burn, and referencing the fire that happened in a museum in Germany, and "sauros", meaning lizard. The specific name is viator, referencing the specimen's long journey to arrive in the Netherlands.
Preparation history[]
It was named SMA 0013 and sent to Dinosaurier Freilichtmuseum in Germany for preparation. However, in 2003, the fire destroyed most of the specimens, and the specimens moved to a museum in the Netherlands. They were fully prepared along with triplo and twin and mounted in Oertijdmuseum, Netherlands.
Description[]
It is from a fragmented skeleton, including vertebrae from the neck, back, and tail, hip bones, and part of the left hindlimb. The specimens is an adult, reaching maturity at the age of 17. though it is incomplete, the femur has a length of 130 centimeters (51in). The tibia has a length of 91.5 centimetres (36.0 in). The nasal openings are closer to the eyes than the tip of the snout, and it is distinguished from other diplodocids by a unique arrangement of lamine on its back bones.
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of diplodocinae.
Paleoecology[]
It coexisted with Stegosaurus, Suuwassea, Maraapunisaurus, Allosaurus, Torvosaurus tanneri, Marshosaurus, Camptosaurus, Uteodon and others in the Morrison Formation.
Gallery[]
