Abstract

Eleven femoral measurements on 33 specimens of European anchisaurid taxa are analyzed to gain insight into the taxonomic structure of the genus Plateosaurus. Principal Components Analysis indicates that the taxon as a whole is fairly homogeneous with respect to gross femoral dimensions. Within the general pool of material, two morphs may be indicated on the second Principal Component. These morphs, also analyzed using bivariate analyses, are discernable in relative dimensions of the proximal and distal femoral articulations, and the size and shape of the fourth trochanter. The two morphs may be sexual in nature, implying that locomotory regimes may have been different between males and females.

Introduction

Plateosaurus has long been regarded as one of the best known taxa among the earliest dinosaurs. Plateosaurus material is known from Upper Triassic deposits in the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Switzerland, and France. It ranges in quality from isolated bones and teeth to mass accumulations often comprising an outstanding number of complete individuals. Most localities are clustered along the Neckartal in Baden–Württemberg and Pegnitztal of Bavaria, both of the Federal Republic of Germany, although other sites are found along the Franche Comte in eastern France and in the northern Harz Mountains along the border between the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany.

One of the first dinosaurs to be named (Meyer 1837), Plateosaurus has been the subject of several monographic treatments of anatomy and taxonomy (Huene 1907/08, 1926, 1932), as well as shorter treatments (Plieninger 1850; Pidancet and Chopard 1862).