Plateosaurus was a big, bipedal herbivore, and an vital member of the sauropodomorph lineage that ultimately gave rise to the enormous sauropods akin to Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus.
Learn on to find attention-grabbing Plateosaurus information…
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Plateosaurus Information
- Kind of Dinosaur: Basal sauropodomorph.
- Food regimen: Herbivore.
- Continent(s) Discovered: Plateosaurus fossils have been present in Europe, particularly in international locations like Germany, France, Switzerland, and Greenland.
- Size: Roughly 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 toes)
- Peak: 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 toes)
- Weight: 600 to 4,000 kilograms (1,300 to eight,800 kilos)
- Interval: Late Triassic Interval, roughly 214 to 204 million years in the past.
What Did Plateosaurus Look Like?
Plateosaurus was a big, strong dinosaur. It measured roughly 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 toes) in size and stood about 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 toes) tall.
Though as soon as thought to have been a quadruped, Plateosaurus is now believed to have been bipedal, strolling on its longer hind legs.
The burden of Plateosaurus assorted considerably, and is estimated to have been between 600 to 4,000 kilograms (1,300 to eight,800 kilos), relying on the person.
Plateosaurus had a protracted neck and tail, which balanced its heavy, muscular physique. Its forelimbs had been shorter than its highly effective hind limbs, every ending in greedy fingers with giant, clawed fingers.
The top was comparatively small with a protracted, flat cranium and quite a few leaf-shaped tooth suited to an herbivorous food plan.
The general construct of Plateosaurus was sturdy and tailored for a primarily plant-based food plan, able to reaching excessive vegetation. Though giant, Plateosaurus reveals a number of diversifications for quick operating.
Over 100 Plateosaurus specimens have been discovered, together with some near-complete skeletons, and it is likely one of the most studied dinosaurs. Three Plateosaurus species have been recognized: P. trossingensis, P. longiceps and P. gracilis.
What Kind Of Dinosaur Was Plateosaurus?
Plateosaurus was a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur. Sauropodomorphs are an early group of long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs that ultimately developed into the enormous sauropods of the Jurassic and Cretaceous intervals. (A “basal” sauropodomorph is a really early instance of any such dinosaur.)
Plateosaurus is likely one of the most well-known and well-studied representatives of this group, offering essential insights into the early levels of sauropodomorph evolution.
The place Did Plateosaurus Dwell?
Plateosaurus lived in what’s now Europe throughout the Late Triassic Interval.
Fossils of Plateosaurus have been present in a number of European international locations, together with Germany, France, Switzerland, and Greenland.
Through the Late Triassic, these areas had been a part of the supercontinent Pangaea, which had a heat, semi-arid local weather with distinct moist and dry seasons. This surroundings supported various vegetation, which Plateosaurus doubtless ate up as an herbivore.
When Did Plateosaurus Dwell?
Plateosaurus lived throughout the Late Triassic Interval, roughly 214 to 204 million years in the past.
This era was a vital time in dinosaur evolution, as many early dinosaur teams, together with the sauropodomorphs, started to diversify and unfold out throughout Pangaea.
Europe Throughout The Triassic Interval
Through the Triassic Interval, Europe was a part of the huge supercontinent Pangaea. The geography of this area was characterised by a mixture of deserts, river methods, and coastal plains.
The local weather was usually heat and arid, with pronounced moist and dry seasons. This semi-arid surroundings supported a wide range of vegetation, together with ferns, cycads, ginkgos, and early conifers, forming the first meals sources for herbivorous dinosaurs like Plateosaurus.
Periodic monsoonal rains doubtless created lush, vegetated areas alongside river valleys and floodplains, offering various habitats for a variety of prehistoric life.
What Dinosaurs And Different Animals Did Plateosaurus Dwell With?
Plateosaurus shared its Late Triassic habitat with a wide range of dinosaurs and different prehistoric animals. A few of the contemporaneous dinosaurs and different creatures embody:
- Procompsognathus: A small, agile carnivorous dinosaur from Triassic Europe.
- Efraasia: A small, early sauropodomorph dinosaur present in what’s now Germany.
- Halticosaurus: A small theropod dinosaur present in what’s now Germany.
- Liliensternus: A theropod dinosaur present in what’s now Germany. One of many largest Theropod dinosaurs of this time.
Along with dinosaurs, Plateosaurus coexisted with different reptiles and amphibians, akin to:
- Aetosaurs: Armored, herbivorous (or omnivorous) reptiles resembling modern-day crocodiles. Specimens have been present in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
- Phytosaurs: Giant, semi-aquatic reptiles with lengthy snouts, just like crocodiles. Specimens have been present in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
- Rhynchosaurs: Herbivorous reptiles with beak-like mouths present in Triassic Europe and elsewhere.
- Temnospondyls: Giant, primitive amphibians resembling modern-day salamanders.
These animals collectively contributed to a various ecosystem, with Plateosaurus being one of many dominant herbivores of its time.
Conclusion
Like different dinosaurs of the Triassic interval, Plateosaurus provides us the chance to review how dinosaurs developed and diversified into the most important branches, akin to sauropods and theropods.
Plateosaurus, being a sauropodomorph, was a member of the group of animals that had been the ancestors of would possibly herbivores akin to Apatosaurus and Diplodocus.
You’ll be able to see extra Triassic dinosaurs on this web page: Triassic Dinosaurs
You’ll be able to see a listing of Triassic Animals on this web page: Triassic Animals (That Weren’t Dinosaurs)
