Rebbachisaurus tessonei sp. nov. a new Sauropoda from the Albian-Cenomanian of Argentina; a new evidence on the origin of the Diplodocidae

CALVO, J., SALGADO, L.

GAIA

Gaia

Lugar: Lisboa, Portugal; Año: 1995 vol. 11 p. 13 - 33

A new species of Albian -Cenomanian sauropods, Rebbachisaurus tessonei sp. nov., is described. This new taxon is known from at least four specimens. One of them, the holotype is an almost complete and articulated specimen from the Rio Limay Formation of Northwestern Patagonia, and the most complete sauropod ever found in South America. Twelve autapomorphies support the creation of this new taxon. Rebbachisaurus tessonei sp. nov. shares eleven cranial and postcranial characters to support a close relationship to diplodocids; however, other ten postcranial characters, which characterize the family Diplodocidae, are not present in R..tessonei sp. nov. Therefore, the eleven synapomorphies allow the erection of a new lower taxon, Diplodocimorpha to include R. tessonei sp. nov. as the sister group of Diplodocidae. Rebbachisaurus tessonei sp. nov., is described. This new taxon is known from at least four specimens. One of them, the holotype is an almost complete and articulated specimen from the Rio Limay Formation of Northwestern Patagonia, and the most complete sauropod ever found in South America. Twelve autapomorphies support the creation of this new taxon. Rebbachisaurus tessonei sp. nov. shares eleven cranial and postcranial characters to support a close relationship to diplodocids; however, other ten postcranial characters, which characterize the family Diplodocidae, are not present in R..tessonei sp. nov. Therefore, the eleven synapomorphies allow the erection of a new lower taxon, Diplodocimorpha to include R. tessonei sp. nov. as the sister group of Diplodocidae.