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Vollardisaurus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Genus of large theropod dinosaur}} | {{Short description|Genus of large theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of Sarpolevantia}} | ||
{{ | {{Taxobox | ||
| name = ''Vollardisaurus'' | |||
| fossil_range = {{wpl|Early Cretaceous}} <br/>{{Geological range|125|120}} | | fossil_range = {{wpl|Early Cretaceous}} <br/>{{Geological range|125|120}} | ||
| image = Acrocanthosaurus skeleton (1).jpg | | image = Acrocanthosaurus skeleton (1).jpg | ||
| image_caption = Mounted ''V. acracanthus'' skeleton cast, [[Vollardie Paleontological Museum]] | | image_caption = Mounted ''V. acracanthus'' skeleton cast, [[Vollardie Paleontological Museum]] | ||
| image_upright = 1.15 | | image_upright = 1.15 | ||
| | | regnum = {{wp|Animalia}} | ||
| | | phylum = {{wp|Chordata}} | ||
| | | classis = {{wp|Dinosauria}} | ||
| type_species = {{extinct}}'''''Vollardisaurus | | ordo = {{wp|Theropoda}} | ||
| familia = [[Joanusaurid|Joanusauridae]] | |||
| genus = '''''Vollardisaurus''''' | |||
| genus_authority = [[Killian Lange]], 1842 | |||
| type_species = {{extinct}}'''''Vollardisaurus acracanthus''''' | |||
| type_species_authority = [[Killian Lange]], 1842 | | type_species_authority = [[Killian Lange]], 1842 | ||
| subdivision_ranks = | | subdivision_ranks = | ||
| subdivision_ref = | | subdivision_ref = | ||
| subdivision = | | subdivision = | ||
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'''''Vollardisaurus''''' is a genus of large [[joanusaurid]] theropod dinosaur that lived 125 to 120 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous epoch in modern day [[Levantia]] and [[Sarpedon]] on a supercontinent known as [[Sarpolevantia]]. Like most dinosaur genera, ''Vollardisaurus'' contains only a single species, ''V. acracanthus''. Its fossil remains are found mainly in the [[Levantia|Levantine]] nationstates [[Anglei]], [[Urcea]] and [[Yonderre]], although teeth attributed to ''Vollardisaurus'' have been found as far away as [[Caphiria]], suggesting a continent wide range. It is speculated by some paleontologists to be the most direct descendant of the ''[[Joanusaurus]]''. | '''''Vollardisaurus''''' is a genus of large [[joanusaurid]] theropod dinosaur that lived 125 to 120 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous epoch in modern day [[Levantia]] and [[Sarpedon]] on a supercontinent known as [[Sarpolevantia]]. Like most dinosaur genera, ''Vollardisaurus'' contains only a single species, ''V. acracanthus''. Its fossil remains are found mainly in the [[Levantia|Levantine]] nationstates [[Anglei]], [[Urcea]] and [[Yonderre]], although teeth attributed to ''Vollardisaurus'' have been found as far away as [[Caphiria]], suggesting a continent wide range. It is speculated by some paleontologists to be the most direct descendant of the ''[[Joanusaurus]]''. | ||
''Vollardisaurus'' was a bipedal predator. The scientific name ''Vollardisaurus acracanthus'' translates to "[[Vollardie|Vollardic]] lizard high spines" or "tall-spined [[Vollardie|Vollardic]] lizard". As the name suggests, it is best known for the high neural spines on many of its vertebrae, which most likely supported a ridge of muscle over the animal's neck, back, and hips. ''Vollardisaurus'' was one of the largest theropods, reaching an estimated 14.5 m (47½ ft) in length, and weighing up to 6.2 metric tons (6.8 short tons). Large theropod footprints discovered in [[Pelaxia]] and | ''Vollardisaurus'' was a bipedal predator. The scientific name ''Vollardisaurus acracanthus'' translates to "[[Vollardie|Vollardic]] lizard high spines" or "tall-spined [[Vollardie|Vollardic]] lizard". As the name suggests, it is best known for the high neural spines on many of its vertebrae, which most likely supported a ridge of muscle over the animal's neck, back, and hips. ''Vollardisaurus'' was one of the largest theropods, reaching an estimated 14.5 m (47½ ft) in length, and weighing up to 6.2 metric tons (6.8 short tons). Large theropod footprints discovered in [[Pelaxia]] and [[Takatta Loa]] may have been made by ''Vollardisaurus'', although there is no direct association with skeletal remains. | ||
Recent discoveries have elucidated many details of its anatomy, allowing for specialized studies focusing on its brain structure and forelimb function. ''Vollardisaurus'' was the largest theropod in its ecosystem and likely an apex predator which preyed on {{wpl|sauropods}}, {{wpl|ornithopods}}, and [[testudosaurs]]. | Recent discoveries have elucidated many details of its anatomy, allowing for specialized studies focusing on its brain structure and forelimb function. ''Vollardisaurus'' was the largest theropod in its ecosystem and likely an apex predator which preyed on {{wpl|sauropods}}, {{wpl|ornithopods}}, and [[testudosaurs]]. | ||
==Discovery== | ==Discovery== | ||
The holotype and paratype of the ''Vollardisaurus'' were both discovered in the early 1840s and described at the same time in 1842, consisting of two partial skeletons and a piece of skull material from the [[Vollardic mountains]] in [[Yonderre]]. ''Vollardisaurus'' is the first theropod dinosaur to be described scientifically when [[Killian Lange]] described it in 1842. Two much more complete specimens were described by [[Thibault d'Avignon]] in the 1890s. The first is a partial skeleton, missing most of the skull, recovered from silver mines in the [[Vollardic mountains]] of [[Yonderre]] and currently part of the [[Collinebourg Natural History Museum]] collection. An even more complete skeleton was recovered from the [[Vollardic mountains]] the next year and is now housed at the [[Vollardie Paleontological Museum]] in [[Koop]]. This specimen is the largest and includes the only known complete skull and forelimb. | The holotype and paratype of the ''Vollardisaurus'' were both discovered in the early 1840s and described at the same time in 1842, consisting of two partial skeletons and a piece of skull material from the [[Vollardic mountains]] in [[Yonderre]]. ''Vollardisaurus'' is the first theropod dinosaur to be described scientifically when [[Killian Lange]] described it in 1842. Two much more complete specimens were described by [[Thibault d'Avignon]] in the 1890s. The first is a partial skeleton, missing most of the skull, recovered from [[Vollardic silver|silver mines]] in the [[Vollardic mountains]] of [[Yonderre]] and currently part of the [[Collinebourg Natural History Museum]] collection. An even more complete skeleton was recovered from the [[Vollardic mountains]] the next year and is now housed at the [[Vollardie Paleontological Museum]] in [[Koop]]. This specimen is the largest and includes the only known complete skull and forelimb. | ||
The presence of ''Vollardisaurus'' in [[Caphiria]] was established in 1912 with the description of another partial skeleton. This specimen, consisting of parts of two vertebrae, partial pubic bones, a femur, a partial fibula, and fragments, represents a juvenile animal. It came from a bonebed in [[Iscasta]] and was found near the shoulder blade of a Sauroposeidon. An assortment of other fragmentary theropod remains from the formation may also belong to ''Vollardisaurus''. | |||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
[[File:Museum_of_Natural_Science_Acrocanthosaurus.jpg|thumb|Mounted cast of V. achracantus seen from above]] | [[File:Museum_of_Natural_Science_Acrocanthosaurus.jpg|thumb|Mounted cast of V. achracantus seen from above]] | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Joanusaurid]] | |||
*[[History of paleontology]] | *[[History of paleontology]] | ||
*[[ | *[[Paleontology in Yonderre]] | ||
[[Category:Paleontology]] | [[Category:Paleontology]] | ||
[[Category:Joansaurid]] | |||
[[Category:Greater Levantine Formation]] | [[Category:Greater Levantine Formation]] | ||
[[Category:Vollardic mountains]] | [[Category:Vollardic mountains]] | ||