Agrosaurus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Extinct genus of reptiles}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Speciesbox |
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| color = pink |
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| fossil_range = [[Rhaetian]], <br />{{fossilrange|206|202|earliest=216.5|latest=Hettangian}} |
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| image = |
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| status = {{StatusFossil}} |
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| image_caption = |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| parent_authority = [[Harry Seeley|Seeley]], 1891 |
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| classis = [[Archosaur|Archosauria]] |
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| ordo = [[Saurischia]] |
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| authority = Seeley, 1891 |
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| subordo = [[Sauropodomorpha]] |
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| synonyms = *''[[Thecodontosaurus]] macgillivrayi'' <small>[[Friedrich von Huene|von Huene]], 1906</small> |
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| infraordo = [[Prosauropoda]] |
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| genus = '''''Agrosaurus''''' <br>Seeley, [[1891]] |
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| species = '''''Agrosaurus macgilivrayi''''' <br>Seeley, [[1891]] |
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'''''Agrosaurus''''' ( |
'''''Agrosaurus''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|æ|ɡ|r|oʊ-|ˈ|s|ɔːr|ə|s}}; perhaps from [[Ancient Greek|Greek]] ''agros'' meaning 'field' and ''sauros'' meaning 'lizard', "field lizard") is a potentially dubious [[genus]] of [[thecodontosauridae|thecodontosaurid]] [[sauropodomorph]] probably originating from the [[Magnesian Conglomerate]] of [[England]] that was originally believed to be a [[Triassic]] [[prosauropod]] from [[Australia]]. ''Agrosaurus'' would thus be the oldest [[dinosaur]] from that country. However, this appears to have been an error, and the material actually appears to come from ''[[Thecodontosaurus]]'' or a ''Thecodontosaurus''-like animal from [[Bristol]], [[England]] ([[Avon Fissure Fill]]). The [[type species]] is ''Agrosaurus macgillivrayi''. |
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==History== |
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The British ship HMS ''Fly'' collected a [[tibia]], a claw and some other fragments in 1844, purportedly from Cape York, Queensland. The original block was purchased by the [[British Museum of Natural History]] in 1879, but the remains were not studied until 1891. [[Harry Seeley]] identified it in that year. The block was prepared in the late 1980s. Following the preparation, Ralph [[Molnar]] (1991) noticed similiarities to the prosauropod [[Massospondylus]]. Galton and Cluver (1976) see Agrosaurus as close to [[Anchisaurus]]. Vickers-Rich, Rich, McNamara and Milner (1999) equate ''Agrosaurus'' and''[[Thecodontosaurus]] antiquus'', claiming that the British Museum remains were mislabelled. The difficulty in correctly identifying the source of the fossil lies in the fact that the log of the ''Fly'' does not record it. The [[matrix]] in which the prosauropod bones were preserved was tested with rocks of similar age in Cape York and Durdham Downs, the latter being beds where ''Thecodontosaurus'' remains have been found in the Bristol area of England. The English beds compared most favourably. In fact, as early as 1906 [[Huene]] had described the rock matrix as 'extremely reminiscent of the bone breccia at Durdham Downs near Bristol.' Remains of the jaw of a [[sphenodont]] identical to ''Diphyodontosaurus avonis'', a lizard-like reptile common to the Bristol Triassic beds has been extracted. |
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[[File:Thecodontosaurus antiquus skeleton.png|thumb|Reconstructed skeleton of ''Thecodontosaurus'', with which ''Agrosaurus'' may be synonymous]] |
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Members of an expedition from the British [[sloop-of-war]] [[HMS Fly (1831)|HMS ''Fly'']] supposedly collected two [[tibia]]e, a [[fibula]] and two foot claws as well as some other fragments in 1844 while erecting a beacon on the coast of [[Cape York Peninsula|Cape York]], [[Queensland]] in [[Australia]]. The context of the discovery is uncertain, as it is not mentioned in books by expedition naturalist John MacGallivray, nor in a 1847 book on the voyage by geologist [[Joseph Jukes|Joseph Beete-Jukes]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Vickers-Rich|first=Patricia|date=1999|title=Is ''Agrosaurus macgillivrayi'' Australia's oldest dinosaur?|url=https://museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/15.%20Vickers-Rich,%20Rich,%20McNamara,%20Milner.pdf|journal=Records of the Western Australian Museum|volume=57|pages=191–200}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | From the scant remains the living animal would appear to have been about |
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The bones were probably instead collected during the [[autumn]] of 1834 in the [[Magnesian Conglomerate]] of [[Bristol]] by [[Henry Riley (scientist)|Henry Riley]] and [[Samuel Stutchbury]].<ref>Williams, (1835), "Discovery of Saurian Bones in the Magnesian Conglomerate near Bristol", ''American Journal of Science and Arts'' '''28''': 389</ref> The original block was purchased by the [[British Museum of Natural History]] in 1879, from Edward Charlesworth selling the collection of the late Samuel Long Waring, and given the inventory number '''BMNH 49984''', but the remains were not studied until 1891. [[Harry Govier Seeley]] in that year named it ''Agrosaurus macgillivrayi'', not giving an [[etymology]].<ref>[[Harry Govier Seeley|Seeley. H. G.]] (1891). On ''Agrosaurus macgillivrayi'' (Seeley), a saurischian reptile from the N.E. coast of Australia. ''Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London'' '''47''':164-165</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The name ''Agrosaurus'' is now generally considered to be a [[nomen dubium]] or a [[junior synonym]] of ''Thecodontosaurus |
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The block was prepared in the late 1980s, the bones being freed from the matrix by an acid bath. Following the preparation, Ralph Molnar (1991) noticed similarities to the basal sauropodomorph ''[[Massospondylus]]''. Galton and Cluver (1976) saw ''Agrosaurus'' as close to ''[[Anchisaurus]]''. Vickers-Rich, Rich, McNamara and Milner (1999) equated ''Agrosaurus'' and ''[[Thecodontosaurus]] antiquus'', claiming that the British Museum remains were mislabelled. |
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The [[Matrix (geology)|matrix]] in which the bones were preserved was tested with rocks of similar age in Cape York and Durdham Downs, the latter being beds where ''Thecodontosaurus'' remains have been found in the Bristol area of England. The English beds compared most favourably. |
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As early as 1906, [[Friedrich von Huene]] had described the rock matrix as 'extremely reminiscent of the bone breccia at Durdham Downs near Bristol' and had renamed the species ''Thecodontosaurus macgillivrayi''.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} |
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Remains of the jaw of a [[sphenodont]] identical to ''[[Diphydontosaurus]] avonis'', a lizard-like reptile common to the Bristol Triassic beds have been extracted. This reinterpretation of ''Agrosaurus'' as a misidentified British specimen has been accepted in later works.<ref name="DBWetal04">{{cite book |last=Weishampel |first=David B. |authorlink=David B. Weishampel |author2=Barrett, Paul M.|author3=Coria, Rodolfo A.|author4=Le Loueff, Jean|author5=Xu Xing|author6=Zhao Xijin|author7=Sahni, Ashok|author8=Gomani, Elizabeth M.P.|author9= Noto, Christopher N. |editor=Weishampel, David B. |editor2=Dodson, Peter |editor3=Osmólska, Halszka |title=The Dinosauria |edition=2nd |year= 2004|publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=978-0-520-24209-8 |pages=517–606 |chapter=Dinosaur distribution }}</ref>{{verify source|date=January 2022}} |
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| ⚫ | From the scant remains the living animal would appear to have been about three metres long (10 ft), with a typical basal [[sauropodomorph]] appearance: bulky body, long neck, small head and clawed feet.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Like other basal [[Sauropodomorpha]], it was probably mainly bipedal, running on its elongated hind legs. It was herbivorous or may have been an [[omnivore]]. |
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| ⚫ | The name ''Agrosaurus'' is now generally considered to be a ''[[nomen dubium]]'' or a [[junior synonym]] of ''Thecodontosaurus''. If ''Agrosaurus'' is not from Australia, which seems most probable, ''[[Rhoetosaurus]]'' and ''[[Ozraptor]]'', both from the [[Bajocian]] ([[Middle Jurassic]]) would be the oldest known Australian dinosaurs. They are well documented. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[List of Australian dinosaurs]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q2252557}} |
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[[Category:Sauropodomorphs]] |
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[[es:Agrosaurus]] |
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[[Category:Rhaetian life]] |
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[[Category:Fossils of England]] |
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[[Category:Fossil taxa described in 1891]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Harry Seeley]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:24, 6 April 2024
| Agrosaurus Temporal range: Rhaetian,
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | †Sauropodomorpha |
| Family: | †Thecodontosauridae |
| Genus: | †Agrosaurus Seeley, 1891 |
| Species: | †A. macgillivrayi
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| Binomial name | |
| †Agrosaurus macgillivrayi Seeley, 1891
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| Synonyms | |
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Agrosaurus (/ˌæɡroʊˈsɔːrəs/; perhaps from Greek agros meaning 'field' and sauros meaning 'lizard', "field lizard") is a potentially dubious genus of thecodontosaurid sauropodomorph probably originating from the Magnesian Conglomerate of England that was originally believed to be a Triassic prosauropod from Australia. Agrosaurus would thus be the oldest dinosaur from that country. However, this appears to have been an error, and the material actually appears to come from Thecodontosaurus or a Thecodontosaurus-like animal from Bristol, England (Avon Fissure Fill). The type species is Agrosaurus macgillivrayi.
History[edit]
Members of an expedition from the British sloop-of-war HMS Fly supposedly collected two tibiae, a fibula and two foot claws as well as some other fragments in 1844 while erecting a beacon on the coast of Cape York, Queensland in Australia. The context of the discovery is uncertain, as it is not mentioned in books by expedition naturalist John MacGallivray, nor in a 1847 book on the voyage by geologist Joseph Beete-Jukes.[1]
The bones were probably instead collected during the autumn of 1834 in the Magnesian Conglomerate of Bristol by Henry Riley and Samuel Stutchbury.[2] The original block was purchased by the British Museum of Natural History in 1879, from Edward Charlesworth selling the collection of the late Samuel Long Waring, and given the inventory number BMNH 49984, but the remains were not studied until 1891. Harry Govier Seeley in that year named it Agrosaurus macgillivrayi, not giving an etymology.[3]
The block was prepared in the late 1980s, the bones being freed from the matrix by an acid bath. Following the preparation, Ralph Molnar (1991) noticed similarities to the basal sauropodomorph Massospondylus. Galton and Cluver (1976) saw Agrosaurus as close to Anchisaurus. Vickers-Rich, Rich, McNamara and Milner (1999) equated Agrosaurus and Thecodontosaurus antiquus, claiming that the British Museum remains were mislabelled.
The matrix in which the bones were preserved was tested with rocks of similar age in Cape York and Durdham Downs, the latter being beds where Thecodontosaurus remains have been found in the Bristol area of England. The English beds compared most favourably.
As early as 1906, Friedrich von Huene had described the rock matrix as 'extremely reminiscent of the bone breccia at Durdham Downs near Bristol' and had renamed the species Thecodontosaurus macgillivrayi.[citation needed]
Remains of the jaw of a sphenodont identical to Diphydontosaurus avonis, a lizard-like reptile common to the Bristol Triassic beds have been extracted. This reinterpretation of Agrosaurus as a misidentified British specimen has been accepted in later works.[4][verification needed]
From the scant remains the living animal would appear to have been about three metres long (10 ft), with a typical basal sauropodomorph appearance: bulky body, long neck, small head and clawed feet.[citation needed] Like other basal Sauropodomorpha, it was probably mainly bipedal, running on its elongated hind legs. It was herbivorous or may have been an omnivore.
The name Agrosaurus is now generally considered to be a nomen dubium or a junior synonym of Thecodontosaurus. If Agrosaurus is not from Australia, which seems most probable, Rhoetosaurus and Ozraptor, both from the Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) would be the oldest known Australian dinosaurs. They are well documented.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Vickers-Rich, Patricia (1999). "Is Agrosaurus macgillivrayi Australia's oldest dinosaur?" (PDF). Records of the Western Australian Museum. 57: 191–200.
- ^ Williams, (1835), "Discovery of Saurian Bones in the Magnesian Conglomerate near Bristol", American Journal of Science and Arts 28: 389
- ^ Seeley. H. G. (1891). On Agrosaurus macgillivrayi (Seeley), a saurischian reptile from the N.E. coast of Australia. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 47:164-165
- ^ Weishampel, David B.; Barrett, Paul M.; Coria, Rodolfo A.; Le Loueff, Jean; Xu Xing; Zhao Xijin; Sahni, Ashok; Gomani, Elizabeth M.P.; Noto, Christopher N. (2004). "Dinosaur distribution". In Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; Osmólska, Halszka (eds.). The Dinosauria (2nd ed.). Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 517–606. ISBN 978-0-520-24209-8.
Further reading[edit]
- John A. Long, Dinosaurs of Australia and New Zealand, UNSW Press 1998
- Vickers-Rich, P., T.H. Rich, G.C. McNamara and A. Milner 1999 Agrosaurus: Australia's Oldest Dinosaur? Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No.57: 191-200