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barrosasaurus: herbivore dinosaur from the Cretaceous era

Barrosasaurus Facts

Pronunciation: bah-ROH-sah-SORE-us

Name meaning: Barrosa lizard

Diet	Herbivore
Height	4m
Length	18m
Weight	13.5 tonnes
Environment	Land
Era	Cretaceous
Period	Late Cretaceous
Type	Sauropod
Location	Argentina

Barrosasaurus was a massive sauropod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 94 to 84 million years ago. This titanosaurian giant measured an estimated 18 metres in length and weighed around 13.5 tonnes, making it one of the impressive long-necked herbivores that dominated South America during this time.

As a sauropod, Barrosasaurus possessed the characteristic features of its group: an enormously long neck, a relatively small head, a bulky body, and a lengthy tail. Its four pillar-like legs supported its tremendous weight as it moved across the Cretaceous floodplains of what is now western Argentina. Like other titanosaurians, it likely had a more flexible neck compared to earlier sauropods, allowing it to browse vegetation at various heights.

Barrosasaurus fed exclusively on plants, using its long neck to reach high into the canopy of conifers and other Cretaceous vegetation. Its small head contained simple, peg-like teeth designed for stripping leaves rather than chewing, meaning it swallowed plant material whole and relied on gastroliths (stomach stones) to help grind food in its digestive system.

The discovery of Barrosasaurus is based on three well-preserved dorsal (back) vertebrae found in the fossil-rich Anacleto Formation. While the remains are incomplete, these vertebrae provide valuable insights into the diversity of titanosaurian sauropods that flourished in South America during the Cretaceous period.

What made Barrosasaurus distinctive?

Barrosasaurus is distinguished by the specific characteristics of its dorsal vertebrae, which show features typical of titanosaurian sauropods but with unique anatomical details that separate it from other members of this group. The vertebrae display the robust construction typical of large sauropods, designed to support the creature's massive body weight.

Behaviour

Like other sauropods, Barrosasaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly across the landscape while feeding continuously on vegetation. Its long neck would have allowed it to browse efficiently without needing to move its massive body frequently, conserving energy while accessing food sources at various heights.

Fun Facts About Barrosasaurus

Barrosasaurus is known from just three fossil vertebrae, yet these bones were sufficient for scientists to identify it as a distinct species
The genus name honours the Sierra Barrosa mountain range in Neuquén Province where the fossils were discovered
Barrosasaurus lived alongside other South American dinosaurs including the massive predator Giganotosaurus
The species name 'casamiquelai' honours Rodolfo Magín Casamiquela, a prominent Argentinian palaeontologist
Despite being known from limited remains, scientists estimated Barrosasaurus weighed as much as three African elephants

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Saurischia
Genus	Barrosasaurus

Discovery

Barrosasaurus was first described by Leonardo Salgado and Rodolfo Coria in 2009. The original fossils were discovered at Anacleto Formation, Neuquén Province, Argentina.

Barrosasaurus FAQ

What did Barrosasaurus eat?

Barrosasaurus was a herbivore that fed exclusively on plants. It used its long neck to browse on conifers, ferns, and other Cretaceous vegetation, stripping leaves with its simple peg-like teeth and swallowing them whole.

How big was Barrosasaurus?

Barrosasaurus was estimated to be 18 metres long, about 4 metres tall at the hip, and weighed approximately 13.5 tonnes. This makes it comparable in size to other large titanosaurian sauropods.

When did Barrosasaurus live?

Barrosasaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, between approximately 93.9 and 83.6 million years ago, making it one of the later sauropod species before the mass extinction event.

Where was Barrosasaurus found?

Barrosasaurus fossils were discovered in the Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province in western Argentina. This region is famous for its diverse collection of Cretaceous dinosaur fossils.

How do you pronounce Barrosasaurus?

Barrosasaurus is pronounced 'bah-ROH-sah-SORE-us', with emphasis on the second syllable. The name combines 'Barrosa' (referring to the Sierra Barrosa mountains) with 'saurus' meaning lizard.

What does Barrosasaurus mean?

Barrosasaurus means 'Barrosa lizard', named after the Sierra Barrosa mountain range in Neuquén Province, Argentina, where the fossils were discovered.

How fast could Barrosasaurus run?

The speed of Barrosasaurus is unknown, but like other large sauropods, it likely moved quite slowly due to its enormous size and weight. It would have been built for steady, energy-efficient movement rather than speed.

What type of dinosaur was Barrosasaurus?

Barrosasaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the titanosaurian group within the family Titanosauridae. These were the long-necked, herbivorous giants that dominated many Cretaceous ecosystems.

Was Barrosasaurus related to birds?

As a sauropod, Barrosasaurus belonged to the saurischian dinosaurs, which is the same major group that eventually gave rise to birds. However, sauropods represent a very different evolutionary branch and were not directly ancestral to modern birds.

How many Barrosasaurus fossils have been found?

Only one specimen of Barrosasaurus has been found, consisting of three well-preserved dorsal (back) vertebrae. While limited, these remains were sufficient for palaeontologists to identify it as a distinct species in 2009.