- Thotobolosaurus
"Thotobolosaurus" is the name given to an as yet not formally described
genus ofdinosaur . It lived during the LateTriassic (Carnian toNorian stage). "Thotobolosaurus" lived in what is present-dayLesotho , and is believed to have been aprosauropod or earlysauropod . The suggested "type species ", "Thotobolosaurus mabeatae", was coined byPaul Ellenberger in 1970. Although the fossils have been referred to in scientific literature since the 1970s, thisAfrica n dinosaur has never been formally described, and is considered a "nomen nudum ".The name "Thotobolosaurus" comes from Sesotho South African, Thotobolo for "trash heap", referring to where the fossil remains were found, in 1955 by paleontologist Paul Ellenberger, in the immediate vicinity of a refuse pile a few meters from native huts in the Village of Maphutseng, western Lesotho. The specific name, "T. mabeatae", is named after an elderly woman and local resident of the western Lesotho village of Maphutseng whose name was 'Mabeata (from Sesotho, meaning "Mother of Beata"). Remains of the type fossil were found by the author and party in the immediate vicinity of 'Mabeata's refuse pile, located close by her hut. Mabeatae is a feminine proper name in the Latin genitive case.
References
* [http://www.dinoruss.com/de_4/5a94019.htm "Thotobolosaurus" in the Dinosaur Encyclopaedia] at Dino Russ's Lair
* [http://www.users.qwest.net/~jstweet1/sauropodomorpha.htm Sauropodomorpha] at "Thescelosaurus"! (scroll down)
* Etymologies courtesy of [http://www.dinosaurnames.net Terry's DinosaurNames.net]
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