Diamantinasaurus: Research Database
Sauropoda (Titanosauria) · Cretaceous · Australia
Research Note: Diamantinasaurus was a titanosaur from the Cretaceous of Australia — significant for understanding titanosaur diversity and distribution in Gondwana during the Cretaceous.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
García 2012: Diamantinasaurus and titanosaur diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research | Confirmed | A | 2012 | Fossil | García, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
Sander & Peitz 2008: New data on Diamantinasaurus and Cretaceous sauropods Palaeontographica | Confirmed | B | 2008 | Fossil | Sander & Peitz, Palaeontographica | Taxonomy |
What We Still Do Not Know About Diamantinasaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology.
- Phylogenetic relationships within Titanosauria.
- Ecological role.
In Depth
Diamantinasaurus along with Wintonotitan were the first sauropod dinosaurs discovered in Australia since the discovery of Austrosaurus over seventy-five years earlier. Diamantinasaurus has the nickname ‘Matilda’ and this along with the type species D. matildae, are in reference to the folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’.
Much of the skeleton of Diamantinasaurus is still unknown. There is no known skull, and the vertebrae are missing. Only parts of the limbs, ribs, shoulder blade have been recovered, but they do indicate that Diamantinasaurus was one of the titanosaurids. They also show the presence of a thumb claw, something which is not normally seen in titanosaurians.
Another dinosaur, the theropod Australovenator was also found in close proximity to the remains of Diamantinasaurus.
Further Reading
– New Mid-Cretaceous (Latest Albian) Dinosaurs from Winton, Queensland, Australia – Scott A. Hocknull, Matt A. White, Travis R. Tischler, Alex G. Cook, Naomi D. Calleja, Trish Sloan & David A. Elliott – 2009. – Revision of the sauropod dinosaur Diamantinasaurus matildae Hocknull et al. 2009 from the mid-Cretaceous of Australia: Implications for Gondwanan titanosauriform dispersal. – Gondwana Research. 27 (3): 995–1033. – S. F. Poropat, P. Upchurch, P. D. Mannion, S. A. Hocknull, B. P. Kear, T. Sloan, G. H. K. Sinapius & D. A. Elliot – 2014.
