Despite being one of the most well-known dinosaurs around, the long-necked, plant-eating Brontosaurus hasn't actually been a recognized type of dinosaur for more than a century. Now a new study published in the open access journal Peer J is seeking to restore the Brontosaurus to its rightful position among dinosaur aristocracy.
Although the first Brontosaurus was classified in 1879 by famed paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh, later evaluations in 1903 by one Elmer Riggs suggested that the dinosaur was actually just a younger specimen of the closely related Apatosaurus. The confusion, claimed Riggs, was in the number of bones attaching the tail to the spinal cord. But a new analysis shows that this correction was probably incorrect.
Using computer algorithms to compare hundreds of anatomical characteristics, an international team of paleontologists carried out the largest-ever analysis of the Diplodocidae family — the family to which both the Brontosaurus and Apatosaurus belong. As a result, not only do the researchers suggest that the Brontosaurus genus should be resurrected, but they've also added a completely new subcategory of dinosaur — called a "genus" — to the family: the less catchily named, but equally stout-legged Galeamopus.
The study was mainly about clarifying past discoveries made during the "Bone Wars" — a period during the late 19th century where rival paleontologists charged around the US, digging up dinosaur bones in a frenzy. "[This] resulted in a large amount of species being named, because that’s one of the most prestigious things you can do in science," says lead author Emanuel Tschopp in an interview with Peer J. "Since they were in such a rush to describe new species, many of them were based on fragmentary specimens."
Although Tschopp and his team appear to have properly ordered these fragments, their analysis isn't the final word on the subject — the naming of species is more about consensus than "proving" this or that classification is correct. However, they're confident their work is exhaustive enough to stand up to the criticism. "There will always be details that some people might not like [the research]," Tschopp says, "but others will be more than happy to hear that one of the most famous dinosaur genera of all times — Brontosaurus — is back."
Correction: This article originally stated that "Brontosaurus" meant "noble thunder lizard." It doesn't — Brontosaurus means "thunder lizard;" Brontosaurus excelsus, the animal's full name, means "noble thunder lizard." We regret the error.
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Comments
A serious blow to obnoxious pedants everywhere.
By krugler on 04.07.15 11:52am
By TCrimson05t on 04.07.15 12:04pm
Pluto, you’re next!
By Sibelius on 04.07.15 12:22pm
As long as they bring Ceres, Vesta, and all the other currently dwarf planets to the party, I’m game. They could all use a little more love.
By SRPuffinstuff on 04.08.15 10:10am
Maybe not directly related to this article, but I really hope someone makes a serious VR dinosaur/wildlife experience.
Maybe it’s just cuz I went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium this weekend and was awestruck at seeing jellyfish, hammerheads, and sea otters up close. But short of making a Jurassic Park-type zoo, VR might be the next best thing to educating people about these extinct animals and giving them an emotionally resonant experience.
By acslater017 on 04.07.15 12:24pm
Honestly I’m shocked that I haven’t heard of anyone doing a great Jurassic Park style ridethrough for the Rift, where you’re just in one of the jeeps going through the park.
Actually, I haven’t checked in a while, and at very least http://www.oculus-rex.com/ seems to exist, probably others.
Personally though I’d hope for ones that try and plunk you down in accurate (as we know it) reproductions of different eras in Earth’s history. I think there’s a lot of awe and wonder to be experienced there.
By KeithZG on 04.07.15 7:28pm
but I like this stamp
By blackgeorge on 04.07.15 12:43pm
The first four words in the headline made for a mild heart attack.
By tipoo on 04.07.15 1:02pm
The name Brontosaurus just means "Thunder lizard." It’s from the Greek brontē meaning thunder and sauros meaning lizard. There’s no "noble" in there, sorry.
By HughesHilton on 04.07.15 1:03pm
one of the reason why science trumps religion, a willingness to admit "we were wrong"
By joepatbob on 04.07.15 1:11pm
Thank you for your relevant input
By krugler on 04.07.15 1:18pm
Dino DNA
By IamPAYNE on 04.07.15 1:19pm
Scientists resurrect the Brontosaurus…
NAME with a bit of bone magic
By Chevy1981 on 04.07.15 1:35pm
The Atari of the dinosaurs.
By gregorian on 04.07.15 9:07pm
You damn well better!
By McDowski on 04.08.15 2:27am
Wha?
By andy_o on 04.08.15 3:06am
Yeah. Let’s use a word almost everyone post high school knows in a sentence. Then in the very next sentence, let’s put it in quotes and explain the word to the readership as if they’re 8 years old, as if the word hadn’t already been used 3 seconds earlier.
By Jman13 on 04.08.15 6:51am
And strangely just in time for Jurassic park 4. :)
By kentsmith on 04.08.15 7:21am