South American Sauropodomorph Dinosaurs: Record, Diversity and Evolution

Sauropodomorpha Huene 1932 is a successful group of dinosaurs, including the most abundant and diverse herbivorous forms with a worldwide record, extending from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous. It includes the dominant herbivorous dinosaurs, from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous, with a unique body plan, characterized by gigantic size, graviportal locomotion, long necks and tails, and reduced skulls. The South American fossil record is particularly rich and abundant, shedding light on the origin of Sauropodomorpha, the transition to Sauropoda, and the diversification of its most successful evolutionary lineages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 582 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Sauropodomorpha Huene, 1932, stands as one of the most remarkable and successful groups of dinosaurs, encompassing a wide array of herbivorous forms that have left an indelible global record spanning from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous. This diverse assemblage includes both early prototypes known as "prosauropods" and the well-established clade Sauropoda Marsh, 1878. The early sauropodomorphs were relatively small to medium-sized creatures, characterized by elongated necks and reduced skulls, primarily inhabiting continental environments during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. These early forms were predominantly bipeds and omnivores, thriving in diverse ecological niches across the ancient continents.

Over time, sauropodomorphs underwent significant evolution, leading to the development of the iconic group known as Sauropoda. With over 150 valid species and a widespread distribution across the globe, Sauropoda represents the dominant herbivorous dinosaur lineage from the Middle Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous. Its unique body plan, characterized by colossal size, graviportal locomotion, long necks and tails, and reduced skulls, has become an enduring symbol of popular culture since the 19th century. In South America, the sauropodomorph record is particularly rich and abundant, offering valuable insights into the evolutionary history of this group. The South American fossil record provides a remarkable illustration of the origin of Sauropodomorpha, the transition to Sauropoda, and the diversification of its most successful evolutionary lineages.

In this contribution, we aim to synthesize the diversity of sauropodomorphs from South America, encompassing a range of data related to their geographic and stratigraphic provenance, phylogenetic relationships, paleobiology, taphonomy, and behavior. By highlighting the significance of sauropodomorphs within the broader context of sauropodomorph evolution, we aim to shed light on their remarkable contributions to our understanding of dinosaurian biology and evolution.

Weight: 902g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030959616
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022