Home Previous Random Next Search
RAYOSOSAURUS
(ya-o-so-soer-us)
meaning: "Rayoso lizard - after the Rayoso Formation"
Named By: Jose Fernando Bonaparte in 1996
Time Period: Early Cretaceous
Location: Argentina, Patagonia - Rayoso Formation
Size: Uncertain, but very roughly estimated to be about 6 meters long
Diet: Herbivore
Fossil(s): Partial post cranial remains including Scapula, femur and partial fibula
Classification: | Chordata | Reptilia | Dinosauria | Saurischia | Sauropodomorpha | Sauropoda | Diplodocoidea | Rebbachisauridae |
About

Rayososaurus is a genus of plant-eating sauropod dinosaur of the superfamily Diplodocoidea. It was found in the Rayoso Formation, in Patagonia, Argentina and lived about 99 million years ago (during the Early Cretaceous). The type species is R. agrionensis, named by Argentinian paleontologist Jose Bonaparte in 1996.

There is some debate whether Rayososaurus is indeed a separate genus. However, morphological and temporal differences tend to support its claim. Fossil finds are only a scapula, femur and part of fibula. The racket-shaped scapula is characteristic of the Rebacchisauridae.

Read more about Rayososaurus at Wikipedia
PaleoCodex is a weekend hack by Saurav Mohapatra