Tazoudasaurus

Tazoudasaurus is one of the most complete early sauropods ever found. Scientists have discovered bones from at least ten different individuals, including both adults and juveniles.1

Its neck was flexible, with long vertebrae that lacked true pleurocoels (air pockets). In contrast, its back and tail vertebrae were more rigid.1

Tazoudasaurus lived alongside the early theropod Berberosaurus, a meat-eating dinosaur. Their fossils were found together in the same bone bed.12

The name Tazoudasaurus comes from the village of Tazouda near where the fossils were discovered. The species name naimi means 'slender' in the Berber language.1

Tazoudasaurus had a primitive lower jaw that was not U-shaped like in later sauropods. Its teeth had small bumps called denticles, similar to those of earlier prosauropods.1

The environment where Tazoudasaurus lived was a river floodplain with sand-filled channels and abundant ferns, cycads, and conifers. The climate had both wet and dry seasons.1