Short note on a caudal vertebra of Titanosaur (Sauropoda, Lithostrotia) from the Late Cretaceous of Atacama Region

Abstract

We report here an isolated anterior caudal vertebra belonging to a lithostrotian titanosaur sauropod. The material comes from the Hornitos Formation (Late Cretaceous) at quebrada La Higuera, Atacama Region, North of Chile. Previous local records only included juvenile individuals. The new find represents the first evidence of adult titanosaurs in this locality. The sediment removed during preparation is similar to that found in the level with the two in situ specimens, suggesting similar environmental conditions, and possibly belonging to the same stratigraphical unit.