Braincase of an Early Cretaceous titanosauriform sauropod from Texas

ABSTRACT

The first braincase belonging to an Early Cretaceous sauropod from North America is described. The diagnostic characters of this well preserved partial braincase are: prominent supraoccipital crest, with a distinct median ridge extending almost to the foramen magnum; short, ventrally directed basitubera, divided by a deep groove extending to the basipterygoid; single foramen for cranial nerve XII; accessory foramen for cranial nerve XI. A lack of juvenile characters suggests this specimen, although quite small, belongs to an adult individual. Comparison of this specimen with other sauropod crania indicates strong similarities with brachiosaurids and titanosaurids.