Variación morfológica en la secuencia de vértebras caudales de algunos saurópodos titanosaurios

SALGADO, L., GARCÍA, R.A.

Revista Española de Paleontología

Sociedad Española de Paleontología

Lugar: Madrid, España; Año: 2002 vol. 17 p. 211 - 216

In the proximal caudal vertebrae of many titanosaurs a variation in centrum morphology is observed, here interpreted as the result of change in the distribution of the caudofemoralis muscles. These changes involve the inclination and development of the lateral surfaces and the width of the ventral surface of the centrum. The lateral surfaces of caudals 7-8 of Titanosaurus araukanicus are inclined dorsolaterally, resulting in a narrow ventral surface. In caudals 8-9, the primary lateral surface is restricted to the ventrolateral corners of the centrum. The lateral surface of caudal 10 and those distal to it, named the secondary lateral surface, is nearly vertical and replaces the primary lateral surface. Although this morphological pattern is present in several titanosaur, its phylogenetic significance must be still established. Musculature may have important in the evolution of caudal morphology in titanosaurs.