Genus: Ligabuesaurus BONAPARTE, GONZALES RIGA & APESTEGUIA, 2006
Etymology: In honor of Italian philanthropist and friend Dr. Giancarlo Ligabue, and Greek, sauros, "izard."

Species: leanzai BONAPARTE, GONZALES RIGA & APESTEGUIA, 2006
Etymology: In honor of Dr. Hector Leanza, geo-paleontologist, colleague and friend, who informed us about the palaeontological riches of Cerro Leon, Picun Leufu, Neuquen Province, Argentina.

Holotype: MCF-PHV-233

Locality: Cerro de los Leones locality, a hill located ~10 km to the north-west of Picun Leufu, Neuquen Province, Patagonia, Argentina.

Horizon: Lohan Cura Formation.

Biostratigraphy: Lohancuran Tetrapod Assemblage.

Age: Aptian-Albian Stage, Middle Gallic Subepoch, Upper Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material:

Breakdown as follows (BELLARDINI, CORIA, PINO, WINDHOLZ, BALANO & MARTINELLI, 2022):

MCF-PHV-233/01: Incomplete maxilla with 10 teeth.

MCF-PHV-233/02: A posterior cervical vertebra.

MCF-PHV-233/03: Anterior dorsal vertebra.

MCF-PHV-233/04, 05: 2 articulated midposterior dorsal vertebrae.

MCF-PHV-233/06, 07: 2 articulated posterior dorsal vertebrae.

MCF-PHV-233/08, 09: Both scapulae.

MCF-PHV-233/10: Left humerus.

MCF-PHV-233/11, 12: A proximal and distal epiphysis of the right humerus.

MCF-PHV-233/13: A right metacarpal II.

MCF-PHV-233/14: A right metacarpal III.

MCF-PHV-233/15: A distal ephiphysis of the left metacarpal II.

MCF-PHV-233/16: A distal epiphysis of teh left metacarpal IV.

MCF-PHV-233/17: Right femur.

MCF-PHV-233/18: A right tibia.

MCF-PHV-233/19: A rgith fibula.

MCF-PHV-233/20: A rigth astragalus.

MCF-PHV-233/21-28: A nearly comlete and articulated right pes, with 5 metatarsals and 3 phalanges.

6 cervical and dorsal vertebrae, incomplete ribs, left and right scapulae, left humerus, and proximal and distal parts of the right one, 4 left metacarpals and a right hind limb made of an incomplete femur, tibia, fibula, astragalus, 5 metatarsals and phalanges.

Referred material:

BELLARDINI, CORIA, PINO, WINDHOLZ, BALANO & MARTINELLI, 2022

Locality: Type quarry no. 4, Cerro de los Leones locality, a hill located ~10 km to the north-west of Picun Leufu, Neuquen Province, Patagonia, Argentina.

Horizon: Lohan Cura Formation.

Biostratigraphy: Lohancuran Tetrapod Assemblage.

Age: Aptian-Albian Stage, Middle Gallic Subepoch, Upper Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material:

MCF-PVPH-261 breakdown as follows:

MCF-PVPH-261/01, 02: 2 posterior cervical vertebrae.

MCF-PVPH-261/05, 06: Both coracoids.

MCF-PVPH-261/07: A distal half of left radius (?).

MCF-PVPH-261/08: A partial left ilium.

MCF-PVPH-261/09-11: Both pubes.

MCF-PVPH-261/12: A left femur.

MCF-PVPH-261/13: Left tibia.

MCF-PVPH-261/14: A proximal epiphysis of the left fibula.

MCF-PVPH-261/15: An anterior caudal vertebra.

MCF-PVPH-261/16: Mid-cervical vertebra.

MCF-PVPH-261/17: An incomplete dorsal rib.

 

Locality: Type quarry no. 3, Cerro de los Leones locality, a hill located ~10 km to the north-west of Picun Leufu, Neuquen Province, Patagonia, Argentina.

Horizon: Lohan Cura Formation.

Biostratigraphy: Lohancuran Tetrapod Assemblage.

Age: Aptian-Albian Stage, Middle Gallic Subepoch, Upper Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material:

MCF-PVPH-228 Breakdown as fosslows:

MCF-PVPH-228/01, 02: 2 articualted posterior cervical vertebrae.

MCF-PVPH-228/03, 04: 2 articualted mid-posterior dorsal vertebrae.

MCF-PVPH-228/05-20: 6 incomplete dorsal ribs.

MCF-PVPH-228/11: Right scapula.

MCF-PVPH-908: A nanterior dorsal vertebra.

MCF-PVPH-744: 1 isolated, almost complete tooth.

 

MARTINELLI, GARRIDO, FORASIEPI, PAZ, & GUROVICH, 2007

Locality: 800 m west of the holotype, Cerro de Los Leones Locality, Neuquen Province, Patagonia, Argentina.

Horizon: Cullin Grande Member, Lohan Cura Formation.

Biostratigraphy: Lohancuran Tetrapod Assemblage, Fossilifeorus level 2

Age: Albian Stage, Middle Gallic Subepoch, Upper Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material:

MCF-PVPH-744: Dentary fragment.