Basal sauropodomorphs from the Ischigualasto Formation

A new phylogenetic analysis of basal sauropodomorphs from the Ischigualasto Formation, including Eoraptor lunensis, Panphagia protos, and Chromogisaurus novasi, confirms Chromogisaurus as a distinct genus while revealing a weak but structured evolutionary branching at the base of Sauropodomorpha. The study positions Panphagia as the most basal sauropodomorph, followed by Eoraptor, Pampadromaeus, and a clade grouping Chromogisaurus with Saturnalia. This challenges earlier assumptions about the parafiletic nature of early sauropodomorphs. The research combines detailed skeletal analysis of Chromogisaurus novasi's holotype with comparative morphology to refine taxonomic distinctions and phylogenetic relationships, offering new insights into the evolutionary trajectory of these early dinosaurs.

MartÍnez, R. N., Apaldetti, C., & Abelin, D. (2012). Basal sauropodomorphs from the Ischigualasto Formation. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 32(sup1), 51–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2013.819361