Microcoelus Facts
Pronunciation: MY-kro-SEE-lus
Name meaning: Small Hollow
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 3 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Microcoelus was a small sauropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 86 to 72 million years ago. This creature represents one of the more enigmatic discoveries in palaeontology, known from remarkably limited fossil evidence that makes it challenging to fully understand its place in dinosaur evolution.
As a sauropod, Microcoelus would have possessed the characteristic long neck and tail of its group, though it was considerably smaller than giants like Argentinosaurus. Living in the ancient landscapes of Patagonia, it inhabited a warm, humid environment with abundant plant life including conifers, ferns, and early flowering plants that provided ample food for herbivorous dinosaurs.
Like other sauropods, Microcoelus was a herbivore that used its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights. It would have stripped leaves and soft shoots from trees and bushes, swallowing them whole to be processed in its large gut. The dinosaur's relatively small size compared to other sauropods may have allowed it to exploit different ecological niches alongside its larger relatives.
The fossil evidence for Microcoelus consists of just a single dorsal vertebra discovered in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation. This limited material has led many palaeontologists to question whether there is sufficient evidence to maintain it as a distinct genus, highlighting the challenges faced when studying prehistoric life from fragmentary remains.
What made Microcoelus distinctive?
Microcoelus is distinguished primarily by the characteristics of its single known dorsal vertebra, which shows features typical of small titanosaurian sauropods. The vertebra exhibits the hollow spaces that gave the dinosaur its name, meaning 'small hollow'.
Behaviour
As a small sauropod, Microcoelus likely lived in herds for protection against predators. It would have spent most of its time feeding, using its long neck to browse on vegetation at different levels without having to move its body frequently.
Microcoelus FAQ
What did Microcoelus eat?
Microcoelus was a herbivore that fed on plants such as conifers, ferns, and early flowering plants. Like other sauropods, it would have used its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights, stripping leaves and soft shoots which it swallowed whole for digestion in its large gut.
How big was Microcoelus?
Microcoelus was relatively small for a sauropod, estimated to be around 8 metres long and 2 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 3 tonnes. However, these estimates are highly uncertain due to the limited fossil evidence available.
When did Microcoelus live?
Microcoelus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85.7 to 72.2 million years ago. This was near the end of the age of dinosaurs, shortly before the mass extinction event that ended their reign.
Where was Microcoelus found?
Microcoelus was discovered in Argentina, specifically in the Bajo de la Carpa Formation in Patagonia. This region has proven to be one of the world's most important areas for dinosaur fossil discoveries.
How do you pronounce Microcoelus?
Microcoelus is pronounced 'MY-kro-SEE-lus', with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'small hollow'.
What does Microcoelus mean?
Microcoelus means 'small hollow' in Greek, referring to the hollow spaces within the dinosaur's vertebra. These spaces helped reduce the weight of the bone whilst maintaining its strength.
How fast could Microcoelus run?
The speed of Microcoelus is unknown due to limited fossil evidence. However, as a sauropod, it would likely have been a slow-moving animal, probably walking at speeds similar to modern elephants rather than running.
What type of dinosaur was Microcoelus?
Microcoelus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the family Saltasauridae. However, it is considered a dubious genus because it's based on only a single vertebra, making it difficult to confirm its validity as a distinct species.
Was Microcoelus related to birds?
Microcoelus was not directly related to birds. As a sauropod, it belonged to the saurischian dinosaurs, but birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which were a different group entirely. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestry.
How many Microcoelus fossils have been found?
Only one fossil of Microcoelus has been found - a single dorsal vertebra discovered in 1893. A humerus bone was originally assigned to this dinosaur but was later determined to belong to a different species called
Neuquensaurus.
