Elaphrosaurus last got a mention here way back in 2009 when Limusaurus came out. In the phylogeny accompanying that paper, the two were recovered as sister taxa which hinted at the possibility that Elaphrosaurus was also herbivorous. Given that there’s no known skull, that’s not as outrageous as it sounds alongside this image – the head was reconstructed before Limusaurus was known. Whichever way it cuts though, this is a great specimen in great condition and a lovely mount that shows off the material. You can also spot a really quite hefty theropod femur in the case behind it as well – this might be the only vaguely-complete theropod from Tendaguru, but it’s far from the only theropod known.
a few posts with more photos, some of which a normal visitor can’t take:
http://dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/theropod-thursday-29-elaphrosaurus/
http://dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com/2012/10/05/addendum-to-theropod-thursday-29-elaphorsaurus/
http://dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com/2012/01/13/theropod-thursday-9/
http://dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/theropod-thursday-3-run-even-if-you-cant/
🙂
Janensch DOES mention the scattering of small-ish teeth associated with the type skeleton. Be it a associated from a scavenger or predator, or the animal’s own, seems ambiguous. Other basal abelisauroids have teeth, so it seems a weak inference either way.
I did say “hinted at the possibility”, that’s hardly the most forthright of statements.
Keep meaning to do a skeletal restoration…not…enough…hours…in….the…day!
so now you want to draw headless chickens, too? 😉
Wasn’t Elaphrosaurus a sister-taxon of Spinostropheus?
Well these things do move around. I’ve not kept up with recent phylogenies, but the obvious question is who said this and when?