Adynomosaurus

Background

Adynomosaurus was discovered at the Costa de les Solanes locality of the Conques Formation in 2012, in a wheat field near the village of Basturs in Catalonia. Researchers from the Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona excavated the site during 2012 and 2013, recovering associated but disarticulated remains from at least two individuals. The holotype specimen, MCD 7125, is a left scapula, chosen for being the most diagnostic element. The genus name combines Greek words for 'weak', 'shoulder', and 'lizard', referencing the underdeveloped scapula, while the species name arcanus means 'secret' or 'occult', alluding to the sparse hadrosaur fossil record in the region.

Did You Know?

• Adynomosaurus is known from only scant material, including a partial left dentary, vertebrae, a left scapula, a left sternum, a partial rib, and pelvic and hindlimb bones.
• Its scapula is proportionally the shortest of all hadrosaurs, though this cannot be definitively confirmed due to incompleteness.
• The species name arcanus means 'secret' or 'occult', referring to the poor fossil record of hadrosaurs in the South-Central Pyrenean Basin.
• Adynomosaurus lived in a coastal estuary ecosystem with meandering rivers and mud flats on the Ibero-Armorican island.