Re: Brachiosaurus

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Jan Gonvik wrote:


> If I remember right, James A. Jensen found a Brachiosaurus which was
> named Brachiosaurus macintoshi in Dry Mesa. What are the differences 
> between this specimen and Brachiosaurus altithorax?


AFAIK, the combination _Brachiosaurus macintoshi_ has never been formally 
named.  Nor is it likely to ever be.

Jim Jensen found a dorsal vertebra which he named _Ultrasaurus macintoshi_, 
but this specimen (the type for the species) is now referred to the 
diplodocid _Supersaurus vivianae_.

A brachiosaurid scapulocoracoid from the same Dry Mesa Quarry was also 
referred by Jensen to _Ultrasaurus macintoshi_.  This does *not* belong to 
_Supersaurus vivianae_.  The last I heard, this element is tentatively 
referred to _Brachiosaurus_.

The paper that sinks _Ultrasauros macintoshi_ as a junior subjective synonym 
of
_Supersaurus vivianae_ is:

Curtice, B. D., Stadtman, K. L. and Curtice, L. J., 1996. "A Reassessment of
_Ultrasauros macintoshi_ (Jensen, 1985).  In: Morales, M (Ed.), 1996.
_The Continental Jurassic, Transactions of the Continental Jurassic 
Symposium, October 21-23_  Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona, 
Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin Volume 60 p.87-95

For further grisly details concerning the nomenclature of _Ultrasaurus_ 
check out:

http://www.cmnh.org/fun/dinosaur-archive/2000Dec/msg00184.html


Tim

------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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