Apatosaurus Vs. Aardonyx

Though these dinosaurs have failed to exist for the past 150 million years (during the Jurassic Period), many remains have yet to be recovered today. The discovery of the Aardonyx in November of 2009, along with another species of Ankylosauridae in October 2009, proves this. The Aardonyx is said to be an estimated 23 feet long, nearly six feet high "at the hip" and weighing over 1,000 pounds. What exactly does this new discovery detail?

Though the Aardonyx is considered a species of prosauropod, and the Apatosaurus is classified as merely a sauropod, the relationship between the two is very comparable. Sauropods are herbivores with four legs and long necks that assist them in consuming plant life at tree level. They were quite possibly some of the largest creatures to ever exist on land. For example, some were known to reach 60 feet tall. The difference among the two species, however, is that sauropods were restricted to movement on four limbs. The prosauropod, on the other hand, was not. Could the discovery of the Aardonyx provide insight to evolution?

Research estimates the Aardonyx to have existed before the time of sauropods. The evidence suggests that as prosauropods evolved into merely sauropods, specific restrictions were developed along with other attributes. For instance, though the two-legged herbivore was smaller in size, eventually it would become accustomed to life on all four legs. Four-legged creatures can easily carry more weight as it is dispersed throughout their bodies, which allowed the sauropod to grow increasingly larger in size and provide better protection from carnivorous enemies. One such example is the Apatosaurus; estimated to grow over 70 feet in length and weigh in at 23 metric tons.

Though the Aardonyx was discovered in Johannesburg, South Africa, recent discoveries are still uncovering fossils of new species today. Such discoveries are aiding scientists in developing time frames as species evolve into creatures that exist today. I have included a link below; though I am sure after studies are conducted, we will be provided with a picture as to what the creature actually looked like. Stay updated.

Aardonyx celestae: New Dinosaur Species Discovered (2009). Retrieved Nov 11, 2009 from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/11/aardonyx-celestae-new-din_n_353548.html