Anatomy and systematics of the sauropodomorph Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis from the Early Jurassic Kayenta Formation.

ABSTRACT: Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis, from the Kayenta Formation of Arizona, is one of only three sauropodomorph dinosaurs known from the Early Jurassic of North America. It joins Anchisaurus polyzelus, from the older Portland Formation of the Hartford Basin, and Seitaad reussi, from the younger Navajo Sandstone of Utah, in representing the oldest North American sauropodomorphs. If it is true that sauropodomorphs were absent from North America during the Late Triassic, the relationship among these three dinosaurs offers a test of the mechanisms that drove recovery in North American biodiversity following the end-Triassic extinction event. Here we provide the first thorough description of Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis based on completed preparation and computed tomographic imaging of the holotype and re

SUBMITTER: Marsh AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6179219 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature