Dicraeosauridae is a family of sauropod dinosaurs belonging to the Flagellicaudata, and is a sister group to Diplodocidae. They lived from the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous. The group was first named in 1914 with the discovery of Dicraeosaurus.
Classification[]
Dicraeosauridae is a sister group to the family Diplodocidae, as characterized by their proportionally short necks.
Phylogeny[]
There are many groups within Dicraeosauridae that have been proposed but to controversy.
Paleobiology[]
Unlike their other sauropod relatives. Dicraeosaurids had short necks that may have been used for feeding on low lying vegetation. Some such as Amargasaurus and Bajadasaurus had rows of spines on their necks that may have been used to control their body temperature, display, to tell others that it’s one of them or for attracting a mate.