In Depth
The name Leinkupal means ‘vanishing family’, and this is a reference to the observation that the diplodocid sauropods seemed to have died out during the early Cretaceous. Indeed, at the time of its description, Leinkupal seems to have been one of the last diplodocid sauropods known to live, though other types of sauropods, and particularly titanosaurs would continue. Leinkupal seems to have been a very small dinosaur for its kind, and may also be a possible relative of the genus Tornieria from Tanzania.
Further Reading
- A Diplodocid Sauropod Survivor from the Early Cretaceous of South America. - PLoS ONE 9 (5): e97128. - P. A. Gallina, S. N. Apestegu�a, A. Haluza & J. I. Canale. - 2014.
