Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Ligabuesaurus leanzai (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin, Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

Abstract Osteological knowledge of the sauropod dinosaur Ligabuesaurus leanzai is increased by the description of new postcranial elements assigned to the holotype MCF-PVPH-233. Furthermore, a newly referred specimen, MCF-PVPH-228, is recognized after a detailed revision of the abundant sauropod material collected from the Lohan Cura Formation outcrops in the Cerro de los Leones locality (southern Neuquén Basin, Patagonia, Argentina). Recent laboratory preparation and fieldwork allowed us to recognize several new morphological features of the pectoral and pelvic girdles and the cervical and caudal anatomy. Thus, a new diagnosis of Ligabuesaurus is proposed that includes new autapomorphies and a unique combination of features. A phylogenetic analysis based on this new material recovers Ligabuesaurus as a non-titanosaurian somphospondylan, more derived than Sauroposeidon. Therefore, we discuss the palaeobiogeographical implications for the diversification and distribution of South American somphospondylans, especially in the Neuquén Basin, which are closely related to the early stages of evolution of Titanosauria. In this context, Ligabuesaurus represents one of the more complete Early Cretaceous Titanosauriformes and the earliest non-titanosaurian somphospondylan of South America. Finally, the new information on Ligabuesaurus contributes not only to reconstruction of the sauropod faunal composition of south-western Gondwana, but also sheds light on the early stages and emergence of titanosaurians.