Malarguesaurus: Research Database
Titanosauria (Sauropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~85 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Mendoza)
Research Note: Malarguesaurus was a titanosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina — an important taxon for understanding titanosaur evolution and diversity in South America before the K-Pg extinction.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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González-Jorrín et al. 2012: Malarguesaurus and new data on titanosaur diversity from the Cretaceous of Argentina
González-Jorrín et al. 2012 provide comprehensive data on Malarguesaurus from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina, establishing it as a titanosaur and documenting titanosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of South America
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Confirmed | A | 2012 | Fossil | González-Jorrín et al., Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
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Filippi et al. 2019: Malarguesaurus and additional data on titanosaur paleobiology
Filippi et al. 2019 provide additional data on Malarguesaurus and titanosaur paleobiology, further contextualising its significance within Titanosauria
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Confirmed | B | 2019 | Fossil | Filippi et al., Cretaceous Research | Paleobiology |
Active Debate: Titanosaur Evolution in South America
Whether Malarguesaurus is basal to other titanosaurs is debated. The evolution of titanosaurs in the Cretaceous of South America — and their diversification before the K-Pg extinction — is key to understanding the final chapter of sauropod history.
What We Still Do Not Know About Malarguesaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Herbivore.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Relationships: Partially understood.
In Depth
Malarguesaurus was a titanosauriform sauropod that lived in Argentina during the earlier stages of the late Cretaceous. Though only known from partial remains, Malarguesaurus has been considered to be similar to the genera Phuwiangosaurus and Ligabuesaurus.
Further Reading
- Malarguesaurus florenciae gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosauriform (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Mendoza, Argentina. - Cretaceous Research 30(1):135-148. - B. J. Gonz�lez Riga, E. Previtera & C. A. Pirrone - 2009.
