Skull

The cranial material of the holotype of Narambuenatitan palomoi is well preserved. However, the ventral portion of the braincase, from the base of the occipital condyle toward the basipterygoid processes, is lightly deformed toward the right lateral side. The sedimentary matrix obscures the interior of the neurocranium, though it is possible to identify some of the foramina for exit of the cranial nerves.

Fig. 3.

Braincase of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype), in lateral (A), dorsal (B), and caudal (C) views.

Most of the sutures of the skull cannot be recognized. In spite of this, the following elements can be identified: braincase, frontals, parietal, supraoccipital, right exoccipital—opisthotic, left exoccipital—incomplete opisthotic, prootic, basioc-cipital, basisphenoid, incomplete laterosphenoid—orbitosphenoid in their ventral portion, and caudal portion of the presphenoid (Fig. 3).

The left premaxilla and maxilla are articulated and preserve some of their processes (Fig. 4). The right quadrate is complete (Fig. 5) and the left one is incomplete and slightly deformed.

Premaxilla.—The left premaxilla is almost complete; only the distalmost part of the nasal process is missing. This element is articulated joined to the maxilla. The main premaxillary body has a robust aspect, is taller (without taking into account the nasal process) than wide and is convex rostrally. The premaxilla body extends caudodorsally with the nasal process, a delicate and narrow bony bar of 24 cm of length (Fig. 4). The medial face is a plane surface that corresponds to the symphysis among both premaxillae. The nasal process with the anteriorly ascending process of the maxilla (distally incomplete) defines the rostrodorsal limit of the nasal openings. The ventral limit of the nasal openings, which extend rostrolaterally through the posterior ascending process (incomplete), forming a semilunar contour (Fig. 4A₁).

In medial view, the premaxilla reaches its maximum thickness a few centimeters above the alveolar border (Fig. 4A₁), where the replacement teeth were presumably kept, and becomes thinner distal to the nasal process. The premaxilla has four alveoli, as typically in titanosaurs (Powell 1979; Bonaparte 1986; Britt and Naylor 1994; Chatterjee and Zheng 2002, 2005; Upchurch et al. 2004; Wilson 2005). In this case functional teeth have not been preserved, however the replacement teeth (non erupting) of each alveolus, can be seen in a more internal position of the alveolus, due to incomplete preservation of the lingual wall (Fig. 4A₁). These teeth appear to have a diameter of about 0.5 cm.

Fig. 4.

Premaxilla-maxilla of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype), in ventral (A) and medial (B) views.

Maxilla.—The left maxilla is preserved almost complete and in articulation with the premaxilla. The alveolar margin of the maxilla has eight alveoli; the size of the alveoli decreases caudally (Fig. 4A₁). In any of the alveolus were found functional teeth pieces. However, as with the premaxilla, the lingual wall is incompletely preserved. About about 4 cm dorsal to the alveolar border a row of six replacement teeth can be observed.

The anteriorly ascending process is dorsocaudally overlapped by the premaxilla nasal process along at least 5 cm. Because of the partial preservation of this process, it is not possible to determine if it was extended near the premaxilla process. Both processes define the nasal opening rostrodorsally. The posterior ascending process, which only preserves its basal portion, is thin and could have a caudodorsal inclination. However, it cannot be determined how long it would have been. Caudal to the posterior ascending process and to the posteriormost alveoli, the maxilla is incomplete; the contact with the jugal is not preserved. As a consequence of the incomplete preservation of its caudal portion, the shape and the size of the antorbital fenestra cannot be determined with precision. The main body of the maxilla loses thickness from its symphysis portion with the premaxilla toward its more caudal portion, where it in only 0.3 cm thick, by which we surmise that the jugal process would have been thin (Fig. 4A₂). Although, the region of the antorbital fenestra is not preserved, it is possible to infer that the row of maxillary teeth would have been located in the rostral portion of the snout.

Frontal.—Both frontals are preserved (Fig. 3A₁, A₂), the left being incomplete along its rostrolateral border. The right frontal, has its lateromedial axis equivalent to 75% of the rostrocaudal axis, approaching a quadrangular form, almost as wide as long. This condition is different in other neosauropods, where the difference between its axes brings closer to a more mediolaterally rectangular form (Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004; Paulina-Carabajal and Salgado 2007). Each frontal is 8.7 cm wide, from the lateral border to the midline, which would comprise 17.4 cm. of total width of the skull. The reconstructed size of this new specimen's skull is similar to that of specimens described by Powell (2003); Martinelli and Forasiepi (2004); Paulina-Carabajal and Salgado (2007) and García et al. (2008). It is not possible to distinguish the interfrontal and the fronto-parietal sutures, due to the advanced state of fusion. Nevertheless, the inter-frontal suture is high along the contact defining its position. The frontal presents on its rostrolateral border a small prominence, preceded by a concavity of subcircular contour that would correspond to the articulation with the prefrontal (Fig. 3A₂). This border is also present in Pitekunsaurus macayai and Rapetosaurus krauset (Filippi and Garrido 2008; Curry Rogers and Forster 2004). Between the articular prominences for the prefrontals (only the right is preserved) a slight depression is observed, which surely corresponds to the contact with the nasals. The frontal participates as much in the fossa as in the supratemporal fenestra, defining it rostrally in the same way as is observed in Antarctosaurus wichmannianus (Huene 1929: fig. 28.2), Bonatitan reigi (Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004: figs. 7A, 8) and Muyelensaurus pecheni (Calvo and González Riga 2004, Calvo et al. 2007a) (contra Wilson and Sereno 1998: character 65; Upchurch et al. 2004: 276). This fenestra projects a wide supratemporal fossa directed medially, reducing in this way the distance between both fenestrae. The frontal has a great participation of the rostral border of the supratemporal fossa, unlike the condition in other neosauropods (Wilson and Sereno 1998). The articular surface for the postorbital is reduced and it is caudolaterally directed. Although the frontal is incompletely preserved, it lacks ornamentation, like other sauropods, particularly on the lateral or supraorbital borders.

Fig. 5.

Quadrate of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype), in posterior (A) and medial (B) views.

Parietal.—Both parietals are preserved complete, except a small portion of the distal border of the left element (Fig. 3A₂, A₃). These bones are mediolaterally expanded, with their minor axis rostrocaudally oriented like in all titanosaurs. The fronto-parietal contact is restricted to half of the skull width, owing to the fact that the contact surface is reduced by the supratemporal fenestrae. Posterolateral to the supratemporal fenestra, the parietal surface presents a marked, semilunar crest (parietal crest) which extends mediolaterally for the entire length of the element. This parietal edge defines the supratemporal fenestra caudally as in other Patagonian titanosaurs (e.g., Antarctosaurus [Huene 1929], Bonatitan [Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004], MGPIFD-GR 118, and a Titanosauria indet. [Paulina-Carabajal and Salgado 2007]). A unique character of Narambuenatitan is the presence of a lamina or small crest that joins the parietal crests with the rostral portion of the supratemporal protuberance (Fig. 3A₂). The suture between the parietals cannot be distinguished.

Supraoccipital.—The supraoccipital and the exoccipitals form the caudodorsal margin of the skull and the dorsal margin of the foramen magnum. This foramen has a subcircular contour or an arch form, with its base formed by the dorsal portion of the occipital condyle (Fig. 3).

The highest point of the braincase is a robust protuberance of the supraoccipital that is defined by lateral depressions. This supraoccipital protuberance is also present in other titanosaurs: MGPIFD-GR-118, from Salitral Ojo de Agua, Río Negro, Argentina (Paulina Carabajal and Salgado 2007), UFRI-MN 6913-V, a cast of the specimen MUCPv334, described by Calvo and Kellner (2006), Pitekunsaurus macayai (Filippi and Garrido 2008), from Rincón de los Sauces, and in Antarctosaurus wichmannianus (Powell 2003). A medial groove is lacking (Fig. 3B, C). The supraoccipital protuberance with a medial groove is present in Saltasaurus (Powell 2003), Rapetosaurus (Curry Rogers and Forster 2004), Bonatitan (Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004) and the specimen MML-194 of Loma Salamanca, Río Negro province, Argentina, studied by Garcia et al. (2008). On each lateral surface of the supraoccipital protuberance, it is possible to observe a depression that involves the exoccipitals in their dorsal region. These depressions are also present in other titanosaurs (Huene 1929; Paulina-Carabajal and Salgado 2007; García et al. 2008), and they probably mark the insertion points of some of the neck musculature.

Exoccipital—opisthotic—prootic complex.—The three elements that form this complex fuse in ontogeny (Berman and McIntosh 1978); in this specimen, the sutures between them are not observable (Fig. 3).

As in other sauropods, the exoccipital makes up the lateral margin of the foramen magnum and the lateral and dorsal portions of the occipital condyle. The occipital condyle, of subcircular contour, is notably bigger than the foramen magnum, as in Nemegtosaurus mongoliensis (Nowinski 1971: fig. 5; Wilson 2005: fig. 18), Quaesitosaurus orientalis (Kurzanov and Bannikov 1983: fig. 2) and basal sauropods such as Shunosaurus lii (Chatterjee and Zheng 2002).

The articulation of the exoccipital with the opisthotic constitutes the paroccipital process, only the right of which is preserved. This process is robust mainly in its medial portion, bending ventrolaterally, as in all titanosaurs (Huene 1929; Salgado and Calvo 1997; Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004; García et al. 2008). However, in this taxon the distal end of the paroccipital process ventrally surpasses to the occipital condyle, reaching the level of the basal tuberosities, a condition otherwise known only in Saltasaurus.

Fig. 6.

Anterior cervical vertebra of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype), in lateral (A) and posterior (B) views.

The opisthotic is completely fused to the prootic caudally; the two comprise a bony complex that contains the inner ear. In lateral view, along the crest that defines the ventral border of the paroccipital process and the prootic crista opens a great depression corresponding to the middle ear, there is a wide metotic foramen for the cranial nerves that would have exited here (IX, Glossopharyngeal; X, Vagus; XI, Accessory), together with the jugular vein (Chatterjee and Zheng 2002; 2005; García et al. 2008). In an immediately dorsal position to the metotic foramen opens the fenestra ovalis (Fig. 3A₁). The fenestra ovalis position, dorsal to the metotic foramen, is a distinctive difference from the condition in other titanosaurs, where it can be observed rostral to the metotic foramen. The foramen for the exit of nerve VII, which in other titanosaurs shows up between the fenestra ovalis and the exit for nerve V, cannot be observed in this specimen. The exit foramen of nerve V (Trigeminal, with three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular), opens between the middle ear (caudal), and the opening for the exit of nerve III (Oculomotor)(rostral). The border rostral to the foramen for V1–3 is limited for a remarkable antotic crista that defines the caudal limit of the laterosphenoid. The ventral border of this foramen continuous ventrally, forming a gutter that goes along the basipterygoid process, where the maxillary branch of the Trigeminal nerve (V2) went through (White 1958; Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004). From the corner dorsorostral to the foramen for nerve V, it extends to the roof of the skull, a crest that corresponds to the contact between the orbito-laterosphenoid complex and the exoccipital—opisthotic—prootic complex.

Laterosphenoid—orbitosphenoid complex.—The elements that comprise this complex are strongly fused and the suture between the elements is indistinguishable (Fig. 3A₁). In this specimen only the dorsal portion of the complex was preserved, so that the region that has the foramina for the exit of nerves IV, VI and VII is not present. This complex is caudally articulated with the previously described complex (exoccipital—opisthotic—prootic) and with the frontal in its dorsal part, without a visible suture between the complexes. The foramen of nerve III (Oculomotor) has a circular form; it opens rostral to the foramen for nerve V, immediately anterior to the antotic crista.

Basioccipital—basisphenoid complex.—The elements of this complex are completely fused to each other and to the presphenoid. The bony complex corresponds to the floor of the braincase, taking part in the basal tuberosities, basipterygoid processes, occipital condyle and the (not preserved) cultriform process (Fig. 3A₁, A₃). This complex is distorted, showing a marked inclination toward the right flank. The basioccipital forms most of the occipital condyle. The occipital condyle is subspheroidal and is slightly flattened dorsally, adjacent to the foramen magnum. The foramen magnum is subcircular, with a greater dorsoventral than mediolateral diameter. The highest point of the braincase in the supraoccipital protuberance and the foramen magnum is located in a vertical plane, showing the occipital condyle caudoventrally inclined of 135° with regard to this plane.

The only element that forms the basal tuberosities is the basioccipital. The basal tuberosities are well developed and show a subcircular contour in lateral view. Between the basal tuberosities lies a shallow depression that is immediately ventral to the occipital condyle and has a hole, which is probably not a natural opening.

The basipterygoid processes are completely formed by the basisphenoid. Due to deformation, it is not possible to appreciate the divergence degree between the two processes. These processes have a subcircular contour; in section the foramina for exit of the carotids are observed. Ventrally, between the basipterygoid processes, there is a deep fossa defined by a crest that joins the processes. This fossa defines the floor of the pituitary cavity.

Quadrate.—The right quadrate is complete; only part of the left is preserved (Fig. 5A₁, A₂). The quadrate measures 19 cm high from the condylar head to the distal articular surface. The dorsal process bears the condylar head, which articulates with the paroccipital process and the squamosal. The quadrate is short and straight, except in its distal end, where a light caudomedially inclination can be seen (Fig. 5). In caudal view, the main body of the quadrate possesses a very deep fossa, of kidney shape contour, 3 cm wide (mediolaterally) by 7.5 cm high (dorsocaudally). The lateral and medial walls of the fossa are 0.4 cm thick.

Fig. 7.

Posterior dorsal vertebra of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype), in anterior (A), posterior (B), dorsal (C), and lateral (D) views.

The main body of the quadrate in lateral view expands rostrally, and its maximum total length is 8.9 cm. This portion corresponds to the process for the pterygoid articulation, and this process has a triangular form and its mediolateral thickness is very thin. Ventrally to the fossa, this element is projected 4 cm, forming the articular condyle, which is mediolaterally compressed, with a concave lateral surface and a convex medial surface.

Vertebrae

Anterior cervical vertebra.—Only an anterior cervical vertebra, not well preserved and dorsoventrally crushed, is known (Fig. 6). The centrum is long and cylindrical, with an incomplete anterior articulation region. The neural spine is low. The postzygapophyses possess an articular surface that is almost horizontal and that surpasses the posterior border of the centrum, as in Saltasaurus (Powell 1992; 2003), and unlike several titanosaurs such as Rinconsaurus (Calvo and González Riga 2003), Mendozasaurus (González Riga 2005), Alamosaurus (Lehman and Coulson 2002) and Trigonosaurus pricei (Campos et al. 2005), which have short postzygapophyses that do not surpass the vertebral centrum. The postzygapophyses are joined by an interpostzygapophyseal lamina, forming a deep postspinal fossa. Remains of the capitulum and tuberculum of both cervical ribs are preserved, fused to the diapophyses and parapophyses of the centrum.

Posterior dorsal vertebra.—Among the materials corresponding to the dorsal region of the axial skeleton, only a posterior dorsal vertebra was recovered (Fig. 7). The neural spine is incomplete in its distal extreme. According to comparisons with specimens that have complete and well-preserved dorsal series such as Trigonosaurus (Campos et al. 2005) and an unpublished titanosaur specimen MAU-Pv-CO-439, regarded as a posterior dorsal (probably the seventh). The centrum is opisthocoelous, wider than high, with the anterior and posterior articular surfaces inclined anterodorsally (Fig. 7A₄). As in most of the well-known titanosaurs, it lacks a hyposphene— hypantrum complex, unlike Andesaurus delgadoi (Calvo and Bonaparte 1991), Argentinosaurus huinculensis (Bonaparte and Coria 1993) and Epachthosaurus sciuttoi (Martínez et al. 2004). The pleurocoel is dorsally placed, and it is distinguished for being very deep, and occupying nearly half of the vertebral centrum. The pleurocoel is dorsally defined by a very marked convex bony edge, a character considered as autapomorphic for this species (Fig. 7A₄). The spinal sector where the spinodiapophyseal lamina starts to project has a lateral enlargement. The prespinal lamina is very well developed anteriorly, extending to the base of the neural spine. Although the distal portion of the spine has not been preserved, it can be observed that dorsodistally, the prespinal lamina presents a lateral enlargement that coincides with the lateral enlargement of the neural spine (Fig. 7A₁, A₃). Probably, the neural spine had a rhomboidal aspect in anterior view. This character is similar in Barrosasaurus casamiquelai (Salgado and Coria 2009), which present small lateral expansions of the neural spine, considered to be probably homologous to the aliform processes of Epacthosaurus (Salgado and Coria 2009). The distal enlargement of the prespinal lamina is absent in other well-known titanosaurs, and it is here considered as an autapomorphic character for this species. The prezygapophyses are strongly inclined dorsomedialry; their articular surface has a kidney shape, very wide and with a sharp and prominent anteromedial border (Fig. 7A₃). The articular surface of the prezygapophyses in well-known titanosaurs have a subcircular or subelliptical contour, therefore the presence of prezygapophyses with a kidney-shaped contour in posterior dorsal vertebrae is considered to be an autapomorphic character for this species. The dorsal surface of the diapophysis is flat, as occurs in posterior dorsal vertebrae of titanosaurs, such as Saltasaurus (Powell 1992; 2003), Lirainosaurus astibiae (Sanz et al. 1999), Rinconsaurus (Calvo and González Riga 2003) and Muyelensaurus (Calvo et al. 2007a). Ventrally, the diapophysis is reinforced by the posterior centrodiapophyseal (pcdl) and accessory posterior centrodiapophyseal laminae (apcdl), which are connected. The accessory lamina of the posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina joins ventrally with the anterior centroparapophyseal lamina (acpl), forming a deep cavity. The parapophyses are placed before the diapophyses and almost at the same level so that the paradiapophyseal lamina is not clearly distinguished. Posterior to the anterior centroparapophyseal (acpl) and posterior centrodiapophyseal laminae (pcdl) a series of pneumatic cavities of different size and with subcircular to subelliptical contour can be observed (Fig. 7A₂, A₄). These cavities are not known in any other well-known titanosaur, and their presence is considered as an autapomorphic feature. The postzygapophyses possess an articular surface with a subelliptic contour and they are strongly inclined medially. Laterally, the postzygapophyses join the diapophyses to form a postzygodiapophyseal lamina (podl); this lamina does not join to the spinodiapophyseal lamina (spdl), but rather, it is over and near the pneumatic cavities previously described (Fig. 7A₂, A₄). The postzygodiapophyseal lamina (podl) is present in other titanosaurs such as Neuquensaurus (Salgado et al. 2005), Muyelensaurus (Calvo et al. 2007a), Epachthosaurus (Martínez et al. 2004), and an unpublished titanosaur specimen (MAU-PV-CO-439) collected 50 km south of Rincon de los Sauces, Neuquen, Argentina (R.A. Coria, personal communication 2009). This lamina is scarcely developed in Trigonosaurus (Campos et al. 2005) and absent in Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii (Borsuk-Białynicka 1977). Ventrally, the postzygapophyses are reinforced by a centropostzygapophyseal lamina (cpol) which join to the posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina (pcdl) in the posterior border of the neural arch. The postzygapophysis is dorsally connected to the spine by a ramification of the spinopostzygapophyseal lamina (spol) (Wilson 1999), generating a fossa between the two laminae. One of the branches, the medial one, is more robust and connects the postzygapophysis with the neural spine, while the other one does it laterally with the spinodiapophyseal lamina (spdl). Posteriorly, the cavity between the postzygapophyses is divided by a short and a scarcely developed postspinal lamina.

Caudal vertebrae

Eleven anterior caudal vertebrae were recovered, including a series of three articulate elements (Fig. 8), and six middle caudal vertebrae, which include two pairs of articulated vertebrae, have been found (Fig. 9).

In most of the anterior caudal vertebrae are observed very evident sutures corresponding to the fusion between the centra, the neural arches and the transverse processes. Additionally, some disarticulated transverse processes and caudal vertebrae without the neural arch are known. In the middle caudals, the sutures between the vertebral centra and the neural arches are also present, but they are less evident. The sequence of the neurocentral suture closure is one criterion for the determination of the ontogenetic stage in extant crocodylians (Brochu 1996). For this reason, the material of Narambuenatitan is regarded as that of a subadult specimen.

Anterior caudal vertebrae.—The first caudal vertebra (Fig. 8A₁-A₃), which is laterally deformed, has a strongly procoelous centrum as in the remainder of the recovered caudal vertebrae. The centrum is compressed anteroposteriorly, with its ventral and lateral faces anteroposteriorly concave. This is in contrast with the condition in titanosaurs such as Baurutitan britoi (Kellner et al. 2005), Alamosaurus (Lehman and Coulson 2002), Pellegrinisaurus powelli (Salgado 1996) and Neuquensaurus (Powell 2003; Salgado et al. 2005), where the first caudal vertebra is biconvex. The neural arch of Narambuenatitan is high and shows basally a suture between it and the centrum. (Fig. 8A₁, A₃). The prezygapophyses are incomplete; nevertheless, the preserved portion of the left prezygapophysis suggests that they were dorsoventrally compressed. The transverse processes are slightly projected posteriorly and join the prezygapophyses to form a prezygadiapophyseal lamina with a sharp border. The neural spine is straight, robust and transversely wide, generally similar to that observed in Adamantisaurus mezzalirai (Santucci and Bertini 2006), but differing in having two bulbous lateral prominences in its distal extreme (Fig. 8A₁, A₃). The spine is reinforced by the robust prespinal and postspinal laminae that extend to the base of the arch, similar to Adamantisaurus (Santucci and Bertini 2006). The spine is connected to the prezygapophyses to form a spinoprezygapophyseal lamina, and to the postzygapophyses to form a spinopostzygapophyseal lamina. These laminae are positioned laterally in the neural spine, and they differ strongly from Mendozasaurus (González Riga 2003), in that they extend practically up to the distal extreme of the spine. The articular surfaces of the postzygapophyses are wide and of subtriangular contour, with the biggest angle ventrally orientated (Fig. 8A₂). The postzygapophyses are joined ventrally, forming a robust bridge on the neural canal, with a deep postspinal fossa between the two.

Fig. 8.

Anterior caudal vertebrae of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype). A. First caudal vertebra in anterior (A₁), lateral (A₂), and posterior (A₃) views. B–F. Anterior caudal vertebrae in left lateral (B, C, D) and in rigth lateral (E, F) views.

The centra of the remainder anterior caudal vertebrae (Fig. 8B–F) are proportionally wider than high. The lateral and ventral faces are anteroposteriorly concave. The anterior caudal vertebrae lack a ventral keel, unlike the condition in Bonatitan reigi (Martinelli and Forasiepi 2004). The neural arch is robust and low, positioned in the anterior portion of the centra, and anteriorly inclined. The transverse processes are prominent and posterolaterally projected. The prezygapophyses are robust and relatively short, anterodorsally projected to a very marked angle. Between them, there is a deep prespinal fossa delimited by short spinoprezygapophyseal laminae. The articular surfaces of the prezygapophyses are very wide, with an elliptical shape, and medially orientated. The postzygapophyses are wide and have a subtriangular contour; they are medially oriented and are joined to the base of the spine for a short process. The neural spine in the first anterior caudal is more inclined than in Adamantisaurus (Santucci and Bertini 2006). In the articulated series of three caudals (Fig. 8 F), the neural spine is laterally compressed, with a big anteroposteriorly development. The most anterior caudal has a neural spine reinforced by a well developed spinoprezygapophyseal lamina that extends up to the distal portion of the spine, and posterior for a short spinopostzygapophyseal lamina. With the exception of the first caudal, where the prespinal lamina is well developed up to the base of the spine, following anterior caudals have a prespinal lamina that is smoothly developed and disappears toward the middle part of the spine. On the contrary, the postspinal lamina is robust, distally enlarged as in Adamantisaurus (Santucci and Bertini 2006).

Middle caudal vertebrae.—The middle caudal vertebrae are procoelous, characterized by centers of quadrangular aspect both in anterior and lateral views, with slender prezygapophyses and neural arches (Fig. 9). This condition is interpreted as an autapomorphic feature of this taxon. The posterior condyle is prominent, with a centrally-placed apex. In Mendozasaurus (González Riga 2003), the posterior articular facet of the caudal centra presents surfaces practically planar, with reduced articular condyles that are dorsally displaced. The neural arch is located in the anterior portion of the vertebral centra and slightly inclined anteriorly. The prezygapophyses are thin, laterally compressed and anterodorsally projected. The articular surfaces of the prezygapophyses are subcircular and are located practically parallel to the axial plane. In anterior view and between the prezygapophyses, a small prespinal fossa is observed. The neural spine is laterally compressed and posteriorly elongated, similar to what is observed in Epachthosaurus (Martínez et al. 2004). Nevertheless, in Narambuenatitan it is more dorsoventrally and posteriorly developed (Fig. 9C, D). The middle caudal vertebrae are procoelous, characterized by a square aspect in both anterior and lateral views, with slender prezygapophyses and neural arches (Fig. 9B–D), a condition interpreted as an autapomorphic feature of this species.

Fig. 9.

Middle caudal vertebrae of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype). A–D. Middle caudals in rigth lateral views.

Table 1.

Measurements of vertebrae and appendicular skeleton of Narambuenatitan palomoi. All measurements in cm.

Appendicular skeleton

Sternal plate.—A left sternal has the typical semilunar form present in titanosaurians (Fig. 10D) (Salgado et al. 1997). Moreover, it shows the medial inside border in its half portion, and the notorious concave (external) lateral border. It is robust in its lateral border and very thin toward the medial border. The posterior border is rounded, differing from the relatively straight border presents in Mendozasaurus (Gonzalez Riga 2003), Malawisaurus (Jacobs et al. 1993; Gomani 2005) and Alamosaurus (Gilmore 1946). The proximal end is prominent and robust, rugose in the anteroventral crest, as in MAU-Pv-PH-449 (Filippi et al. in press).

Coracoid.—Although the right coracoid is incomplete, it can be inferred that it had a quadrangular shape, as typically in titanosaurs. (Fig. 10C). The lateral surface is convex and the medial one is concave as in Isisaurus colberti (Jain and Bandyopadhyay 1997) and Malawisaurus (Gomani 2005). The articulation for the scapula has a slightly concave surface, while the surface corresponding to the glenoid cavity is robust and rough. The coracoid foramen is elliptic and it is restricted to the dorsal border as in Malawisaurus.

Fig. 10.

Anterior appendicular skeleton of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N-425 (holotype). A. Left ulna in lateral (A₁), proximal (A₂), and distal (A₃) views. B. Left humerus in anterior (B₁) and posterior (B₂) views. C. Right coracoid in lateral view. D. Left sternal plate in anterior view.

Humerus.—The left humerus is in a very good state of preservation, corresponding to a graceful bone with not very expanded ends, although its proximal end is more developed than the distal one (Fig. 10B₁, B₂). The head of the humerus is medially less projected than in Alamosaurus (Lehman and Coulson 2002). In posterior view, the humerus head is prominent and subspherical (Fig. 10B₂); this character is also present in Brachiosaurus brancai (Janensch, 1950) and it is strongly developed in Ligabuesaurus leanzai (Bonaparte et al. 2006). The dorsal margin of the proximal end is lightly sigmoid, similar to what has been described for Saltasaurus (Powell 1992; 2003). Nevertheless, in Saltasaurus the curve is very marked and the proximal end of the humerus is much expanded mediolaterally. The deltopectoral crest extends up to the half portion of the diaphysis, and it is medially inclined (Fig. 10B₁), differing from the strong medial projection present in Gondawanatitan faustoi (Kellner and Azevedo 1999). Anteriorly, delimited by the deltopectoral crest and the lateromedial border, a deep fossa is observed that extends up to the half part of the diaphysis. The radial and ulnar condyles are slightly twisted with regard to the proximal end of the humerus. In the distal end, two intercondylar grooves are observed, one anterior and one posterior that is deeper.

Ulna.—The left ulna is relatively robust and proximally more expanded (Fig. 10A). The proximal end is triradiate, with an olecranon process less prominent that in Epachthosaurus (Martínez et al. 2004) and Saltasaurus (Powell 1992; 2003). The distal end has a semicircular contour with rounded borders. The medial face is concave and proximally wider, it possesses a deep depression. The radial side distally has a crest or strongly developed longitudinal tuberosities.

Pubis.—Both pubes are in a very good state of preservation, the right one incomplete. They are robust in the lateral border, but medially become more laminar. The articular surface for the iliac pedicel is transversely wide, robust and with a subelliptic contour. The acetabulum is reduced as in Rinconsaurus (Calvo and González Riga 2003). The pubic foramen is closed, big and with a subcircular contour (Fig. 11B). As in Saltasaurus (Powell 1992; 2003), that foramen is located near the angle that forms the articular surface for the ischium and the acetabular region of the pubis. The articular surface for the ischiatic pedicel is very extensive and have a concave border. The pubic symphysis is straight and short. The distal end of the pubis is transversely wide, robust and with a subquadrangular contour in anterior view (Fig. 11B). The lateral border of the pubis is concave with the distal end straight and laterally oriented. The medial border of the pubis is also straight.

Ischium.—The proximal portion of the left ischium (Fig. 11C) has been recovered. Only the iliac pedicel has been completely preserved. It is slender and laterally inclined, with a rounded articular surface. The contact surface with the pubis is not complete, but it is inferred that it was not extensive. The diaphysis of the ischium is very narrow.

Femur.—From the left femur, only the distal end and the half of the diaphysis that preserves the fourth trochanter have been found (Fig. 11A). The transverse section of the diaphysis is anteroposteriorly compressed, while the distal end is slightly laterally expanded. The fourth trochanter is well developed; medially, it has a flat surface and has a subelliptical contour. In anterior view, an incipient crest is observed distally on the tibial condyle, defining medially the intercondylar anterior groove. In posterior view, the tibial condyle is very well developed and laterally compressed. The condyle is transversely wider and more robust that the epicondyle. Between the tibial and the fibular condyles, a wide and deep posterior intercondylar groove is observed. In ventral view, the condyles are medially inclined.

Fig. 11.

Posterior appendicular skeleton of the titanosaur sauropod Narambuenatitan palomoi gen. et sp. nov. from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) Anacleto Formation of Neuquén Province, Argentina; MAU-Pv-N425 (holotype). A. Left femur in posterior (A₁) and distal (A₂) views. B. Left pubis in ventral view. C. Left ischium in ventral view. D. Peduncle of the left ilium in posterolateral (D₁) and medial (D₂) views.