In Depth
Named from a partial braincase, Vahiny is the second genus of titanosaurid dinosaur to be discovered in the Maevarano Formation of Madagascar, with the first being Rapetosaurus. The titanosaur Rapetosaurus has attained almost legendary status since it was named due to the fact that it is the most complete titanosaur discovered and represented by fossils from numerous individuals. Though only named from a partial braincase, Vahiny has been clearly identified as being distinct from Rapetosaurus, and the hunt is now on for more Vahiny fossils, perhaps even among remains of Rapetosaurus.
Vahiny would have lived amongst several notable dinosaur genera, and apart from Rapetosaurus, these include the dromaeosaurid Rahonavis, the noasaur Masiakasaurus and the abelisaur Majungsaurus, the latter of which may have been a predatory threat to both Vahiny and Rapetosaurus.
Further Reading
- Vahiny depereti, gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation, Madagascar. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34 (3): 606. - K. C. Rogers & J. A. Wilson - 2014.
