Katepensaurus (meaning hole lizard) is an extinct genus of rebbachisaurid sauropod that lived in Late Cretaceous of Argentina. The type species is Katepensaurus goicoecheai.
Discovery and Naming[]
The holotype (UNPSJB-PV 1007) was discovered in "2005 quarry" at Estancia Laguna Palacios, by a ranch owner Alejandro Goicoechea. In 2013, Lucio M. Ibiricu, Gabriel A. Casal, Rubén Darío Martínez, Matthew C. Lamanna, Marcelo Luna and Leonardo Salgado described this specimen as representing a new genus and species. The generic name is from Tehuelche word "katepenk", meaning hole, combined with "saurus", meaning lizard, while the specific name is named after Alejandro Goicoechea.
Description[]
It is from a partial skeleton in the lower member of Bajo Barrel formation. It is distinguished from other rebbachisaurids by various details of its dorsal vertebrae and opening in the transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae. Various details include vertical ridges on the junction between the neural arch and centrum.
Classification[]
It is classified as a member of the subfamily Limaysaurinae in the family Rebbachisauridae.
Gallery[]
