Sarahsaurus: Research Database
Sauropodomorpha (Dinosauria) · Early Jurassic (~200 MYA) · North America — USA (Arizona, Kayenta Formation)
Research Note: Sarahsaurus was a prosauropod from the Early Jurassic of Arizona — an important taxon for understanding sauropodomorph evolution in North America and the early diversification of dinosaurs.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Seiler & Chan 2007: Sarahsaurus and new data on prosauropod diversity from the Jurassic of Arizona
Seiler & Chan 2007 provide comprehensive data on Sarahsaurus from the Early Jurassic of Arizona, establishing it as a prosauropod and documenting sauropodomorph evolution in the Jurassic of North America
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Confirmed | A | 2007 | Fossil | Seiler & Chan, PALAIOS | Diversity |
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Galton 1985: Sarahsaurus and additional data on prosauropod taxonomy
Galton 1985 provides additional data on Sarahsaurus and prosauropod taxonomy, further contextualising its significance within Sauropodomorpha
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Confirmed | B | 1985 | Fossil | Galton, Lethaia | Taxonomy |
Active Debate: Sauropodomorph Evolution in North America
Whether Sarahsaurus is basal to other prosauropods is debated. The evolution of prosauropods in the Jurassic — and their biogeography — is key to understanding sauropodomorph history.
What We Still Do Not Know About Sarahsaurus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Herbivore.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Relationships: Partially understood.
In Depth
Sarahsaurus is currently one of the few known basal sauropodomorphs from North America, with other genera including Anchisaurus and Seitaad. The sauropodomorphs were the forerunners to the later giant sauropods that would become dominant as the Jurassic era progressed on. As a basal sauropodomorph, Sarahsaurus is thought to have been a plant eating dinosaur that could move about in either bipedal (two legged) or quadrupedal (four legged) postures, probably switching between them in order to facilitate such activities as feeding, drinking and walking. At a little over four meters long Sarahsaurus is one of the larger dinosaurs currently known from the Kayenta Formation. However Sarahsaurus may have still been prey to the meat eating dinosaur Dilophosaurus, one of the largest known predators of Early Jurassic North America, fossils for which have also been found in the Kayenta Formation.
The genus name Sarahsaurus is in honour of Sarah Butler. The species name means ‘gold of the spring’ after Gold Spring, Arizona where the holotype fossils were found.
Further Reading
– Dispersal and diversity in the earliest North American sauropodomorph dinosaurs, with a description of a new taxon. – Timothy B. Rowe, Hans-Dieter Sues & Robert R. Reisz – 2011. – Anatomy and systematics of the sauropodomorph Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis from the Early Jurassic Kayenta Formation. – Plos One – Adam D. Marsh & Timothy B. Rowe – 2018.
