Erketu: Research Database
Sauropoda · Cretaceous · Asia
Research Note: Erketu was a sauropod from the Cretaceous of Asia, providing important data on titanosaur diversity and evolution.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mannion & Barrett 2013: Erketu and sauropod diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research | Confirmed | A | 2013 | Fossil | Mannion & Barrett, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
Ksepka & Norell 2006: Erketu and the evolution of sauropod dinosaurs American Museum Novitates | Confirmed | B | 2006 | Fossil | Ksepka & Norell, American Museum Novitates | Taxonomy |
What We Still Do Not Know About Erketu
- Complete skeletal morphology.
- Phylogenetic relationships within Titanosauria.
- Ecological role in Cretaceous ecosystems.
In Depth
Erketu is a genus of sauropod that is noted for having a very long neck in proportion to the rest of the body. So extreme was this neck that it likely took up at least half of the total body length. Despite this, other genera such as Mamenchisaurus may have had an even greater neck length in proportion to the body.
Further Reading
- Erketu ellisoni, a long-necked sauropod from Bor Guv� (Dornogov Aimag, Mongolia) - American Museum Novitates 3508: 1-16 - Daniel T. Ksepka & Mark A. Norell - 2006. – The Illusory Evidence for Asian Brachiosauridae: New Material of Erketu ellisoni and a Phylogenetic Reappraisal of Basal Titanosauriformes. – American Museum Novitates (3700). – D. T. Ksepka & M. A. Norell – 2010.
