Barrosasaurus (Barrosasaurus casamiquelai) was a titanosaur sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Patagonia, Argentina. Titanosaurs were long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs that became especially diverse in the Southern Hemisphere near the end of the dinosaur era. Barrosasaurus is known from limited fossil material, but it represents an important record of titanosaur diversity in the Neuquén Basin.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Barrosasaurus casamiquelai
Period: Cretaceous (Late Cretaceous deposits)
Diet: Herbivore
Type / clade: Sauropod (titanosaur)
Lived in: South America (Argentina)
Formation: Anacleto Formation (Sierra Barrosa, Neuquén Province)
Discovery and Naming
Barrosasaurus was formally described in 2009. The genus name refers to Sierra Barrosa, the locality where the fossils were discovered. The species name casamiquelai honors Argentine paleontologist Rodolfo Magín Casamiquela.
What Was Found
The holotype consists of three large dorsal vertebrae (back vertebrae). Although incomplete, these bones are well preserved and show anatomical features that allow researchers to distinguish Barrosasaurus from other titanosaurs.
Size and Body Plan
Barrosasaurus is estimated to have reached roughly 18 meters in length and about 13.5 tonnes in mass. These values should be treated as approximations because the known remains are limited. As a titanosaur, it would have had a long neck and tail, a large deep torso, and sturdy limbs adapted for supporting great weight.
Habitat
The Anacleto Formation records Late Cretaceous environments in Patagonia that included river systems and floodplains. Barrosasaurus likely lived in broad lowland landscapes, moving across large areas to find enough vegetation.
Diet
Barrosasaurus was a herbivore. Like other sauropods, it likely fed in bulk—taking in large amounts of plant material and relying on a powerful digestive system to extract nutrients.
Why Barrosasaurus Matters
Even fragmentary titanosaurs can be valuable because they help paleontologists map how sauropods diversified across South America. Barrosasaurus adds another distinct titanosaur to the Neuquén Basin record, improving our understanding of Late Cretaceous ecosystems in Patagonia.
