Atlasaurus imelakei n.g., n.sp., a brachiosaurid-like sauropod from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco alen

Abstract

The nearly complete skeleton of a large sauropod discovered at Wawmda (High Central Atlas of Morocco) in strata of Bathonian-Callovian age represents a new taxon: Atlasaurus imelakei n.g., n.sp. The sauropod appears to be closer to Brachiosaurus than any other known sauropod, but possesses (relative to the length of the dorsal vertebral column) a larger skull, shorter neck, longer tail and more elongated limbs. The presence of large sauropods of Middle Jurassic age is very important in understanding the history and the evolution of these Mesozoïc giants.