Erketu and other Asian sauropods in new AMNH Novitates

[bh480@scn.org]

bh480@scn.org

In case this paper has not been mentioned (it's not yet 
available as free down-load from AMNH site but is on 
BioOne site): 


Daniel T. Ksepka and Mark A. Norel, 2010.
The Illusory Evidence for Asian Brachiosauridae: New 
Material of Erketu ellisoni and a Phylogenetic 
Reappraisal of Basal Titanosauriformes 
American Museum Novitates 3700: 1?27

 Abstract
Phylogenetic relationships among the diverse Cretaceous 
sauropods of East Asia have long been controversial. 
Debate has centered on whether there is any evidence for 
an endemic clade of Asian species (?Euhelopodidae?) and 
on the placement of these taxa within the context of 
higher sauropod phylogeny. While most Cretaceous sauropod 
taxa from Asia are recognized as part of Somphospondyli, 
recent discoveries have suggested Brachiosauridae may 
have dispersed into Asia as well. We present new fossils 
and analyses bearing on these issues. Additional material 
of the holotype individual of Erketu ellisoni recovered 
on a subsequent visit to the type locality expands the 
character data available for this unique sauropod. 
Associated sauropod dorsal and caudal vertebrae were 
collected from the same horizon, at a location 
approximately 2 km from the holotype excavation. The 
dorsal vertebra exhibits synapomorphies suggesting a 
representative of Titanosauria co-occurred with Erketu 
ellisoni. These new specimens, as well as recent 
discoveries of contemporary Asian sauropod taxa, allow a 
basis for phylogenetic reappraisal of Erketu and related 
taxa. Phylogenetic results support a sister group 
relationship between the Asian Cretaceous sauropods 
Erketu and Qiaowanlong. Although Qiaowanlong was 
described as a brachiosaurid, it joins Erketu on the 
somphospondylian side of the Brachiosauridae-
Somphospondyli divergence, erasing the evidence for the 
dispersal of Brachiosauridae into Asia.