Bonapartesaurus

Bonapartesaurus had very long neural spines on its tail vertebrae, up to four times the height of the backbone center. This may have supported a tall tail fin or sail.2

Its name honors José Bonaparte, a famous Argentine paleontologist who discovered many South American dinosaurs.1

The only known skeleton is a partial, articulated specimen that includes parts of the spine, hips, legs, and feet.1

Bonapartesaurus belongs to the group Saurolophini, which includes duck-billed dinosaurs like Saurolophus and Prosaurolophus.42

Scientists think Bonapartesaurus or its ancestors migrated from North America to South America during the Late Cretaceous.2

The fossils were found in the Allen Formation, which was deposited in a river environment about 72 to 66 million years ago.42

Bonapartesaurus was originally thought to be part of another dinosaur called Willanakaqe salitralensis, but later study showed it was a different species.12