Asylosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: ah-SY-lo-SORE-us
Name meaning: Unravaged lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.6m |
| Length | 2m |
| Weight | 50 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Triassic |
| Period | Triassic |
| Type | Other |
| Location | England |
Asylosaurus was a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, approximately 206 million years ago in what is now England. This early dinosaur represents one of the primitive members of the group that would eventually give rise to the massive long-necked sauropods of later periods. Asylosaurus lived in a world very different from today, when dinosaurs were just beginning to diversify and establish their dominance.
This dinosaur was relatively small compared to its giant descendants, measuring about 2 metres in length and standing roughly 0.6 metres tall at the hip. As a basal sauropodomorph, Asylosaurus likely moved on two legs most of the time, though it may have occasionally dropped to all fours when feeding. Its teeth and jaw structure suggest it was herbivorous, feeding on the ferns, cycads, and early conifers that dominated Triassic landscapes.
The fossil remains of Asylosaurus have a remarkable survival story. Originally discovered in 1834 near Bristol and initially thought to belong to another dinosaur called Thecodontosaurus, these bones were taken to Yale University in America between 1888 and 1890. This transatlantic journey proved fortuitous, as the original Thecodontosaurus specimens were destroyed during World War II bombing raids in 1940, whilst the Asylosaurus bones remained safe in Yale's collections.
It wasn't until 2007 that palaeontologist Peter Galton recognised these remains as belonging to a distinct genus, naming it Asylosaurus yalensis in honour of Yale University. The species name reflects the important role this American institution played in preserving these precious fossils for future scientific study.
What made Asylosaurus distinctive?
Asylosaurus possessed the characteristic features of early sauropodomorphs, including a relatively long neck for its body size and small head with leaf-shaped teeth adapted for plant material. Its limb proportions suggest it was primarily bipedal, distinguishing it from later four-legged sauropods.
Behaviour
As an early sauropodomorph, Asylosaurus likely spent much of its time foraging for vegetation, using its moderately long neck to reach plants at various heights. It probably lived in small groups and may have been capable of both bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion depending on the situation.
Discovery
Asylosaurus was first described by Peter Galton in 2007. The original fossils were discovered at Durdham Down, Clifton, Bristol, England.
Asylosaurus FAQ
What did Asylosaurus eat?
Asylosaurus was herbivorous, feeding on the plants available during the Late
Triassic period including ferns, cycads, early conifers, and other primitive vegetation. Its leaf-shaped teeth were well-suited for processing plant material.
How big was Asylosaurus?
Asylosaurus was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring about 2 metres in total length and standing roughly 0.6 metres tall at the hip. It weighed approximately 50 kilograms, making it much smaller than the giant sauropods that evolved later.
When did Asylosaurus live?
Asylosaurus lived during the Late
Triassic period, approximately 206 million years ago. This was a time when dinosaurs were still relatively new and had not yet become the dominant land animals they would later become.
Where was Asylosaurus found?
Asylosaurus fossils were discovered at Durdham Down in Clifton, Bristol, England. The remains came from ancient cave deposits called the Avon Fissure Fill, where bones had been preserved in sediment that filled underground chambers during the
Triassic period.
How do you pronounce Asylosaurus?
Asylosaurus is pronounced 'ah-SY-lo-SORE-us', with emphasis on the second syllable. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'unravaged lizard', referring to the fact that these fossils survived when many others were lost.
What does Asylosaurus mean?
Asylosaurus means 'unravaged lizard' in Greek. The species name 'yalensis' refers to Yale University, where the fossils were housed and studied. Together, the name celebrates both the fossils' survival and their preservation at Yale.
How fast could Asylosaurus run?
The running speed of Asylosaurus is not well established due to limited fossil material. However, as a small, primarily bipedal dinosaur, it was likely capable of reasonably swift movement when needed, though probably not as fast as later, more specialised dinosaurs.
What type of dinosaur was Asylosaurus?
Asylosaurus was a basal sauropodomorph, an early member of the group that would eventually evolve into the giant long-necked sauropods. It belongs to the order Saurischia, the 'lizard-hipped' dinosaurs, though its exact family relationships remain uncertain.
Was Asylosaurus related to birds?
Asylosaurus was not directly related to birds. As a sauropodomorph, it belonged to a different branch of the dinosaur family tree from theropods, which are the dinosaurs that eventually gave rise to modern birds.
How many Asylosaurus fossils have been found?
Asylosaurus is known from partial skeletal remains discovered in the 1830s. Only one set of fossils has been definitively assigned to this genus, making it relatively rare compared to some other dinosaurs. The limited material means some aspects of its biology remain uncertain.
