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Clade
Subclade

Taxon
Taxon
Sauropoda
Nominal Author
Marsh 1878
2nd Nominal Author
Taxon Status ACTIVE
Comments

Sauropoda was initially defined as both a node- and stem-based group by Salgado et al. (1997) and McIntosh (1997), respectively. The node-based definition focuses on the basal sauropod Vulcanodon. The stem-based definition was initially constructed when at least a core group of prosauropods were regarded as monophyletic. With most basal sauropodomorphs redistributed as successive stem taxa, a stem-based definition for Sauropoda must be retooled to exclude the most derived forms. Otherwise Sauropoda will subsume many taxa formerly considered prosauropods (e.g. Yates and Kitching 2003).

The active definition is a first-order revision of McIntosh (1997), Wilson and Sereno (1998) and Sereno (1998). Two external specifiers, Mussaurus patagonicus and Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis (Pol and Powell 2005, Zhang and Yang 1994) were used to delimit the taxonomic content of Sauropoda. There is significant evidence that these two well preserved and documented sauropodomorphs are among the closest to Sauropoda. Their postcranial skeletons, however, are remarkably similar to that of other basal sauropodomorphs.

Potential Synonomy

Active Phylogenetic Definition
Active Definition
The most inclusive clade containing Saltasaurus loricatus Bonaparte and Powell 1980 but not Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis Zhang and Yang 1994, Mussaurus patagonicus Bonaparte and Vince 1979.
Shorthand
> Saltasaurus loricatus but not Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis, Mussaurus patagonicus.
Definitional Author
Sereno 2005
Definition Status checked
Definition Type STEM
Node-Stem Triplet NO
Other Triplet Taxa
Specifiers
Specifier(s) A
Saltasaurus loricatus
Specifier(s) B
Specifier(s) C
Jingshanosaurus xinwaensis, Mussaurus patagonicus
Qualifiers
+Taxon
-Taxon
Datum
Taxonomic Content
Publication Year Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
1997

Inactive Taxon Status
Rejection Criteria
Critique
 

Definitional History #1
Earliest Record
The clade including the most recent common ancestor of Vulcanodon karibaensis and Eusauropoda and all of its descendants.
Latest Record
Salgado et al. 1997:6
Range (My)
Range (My)
Vulcanodon karibaensis, Eusauropoda
Range (My)

Definitional History #2
Earliest Record
Cetiosaurs, brachiosaurs, diplodocids, titanosaurs, and all sauropodomorphs closer to these than to prosauropods, assuming the latter as a monophyletic group.
Latest Record
McIntosh 1997:654
Range (My)
Range (My)
cetiosaurs, brachiosaurs, diplodocids, titanosaurs, prosauropods
Range (My)

Definitional History #3
Earliest Record
All sauropodomorphs closer to Saltasaurus than to Plateosaurus.
Latest Record
Wilson and Sereno 1998:31
Range (My)
Range (My)
Saltasaurus, Plateosaurus
Range (My)

Definitional History #4
Earliest Record
All sauropodomorphs closer to Saltasaurus than to Plateosaurus.
Latest Record
Sereno 1998:63
Range (My)
Range (My)
Saltasaurus, Plateosaurus
Range (My)

Definitional History #5
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Definitional History #6
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Definitional History #7
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Definitional History #8
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Definitional History #9
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Definitional History #10
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