Galeamopus

an unfortunate Galeamopus succumbs to the circle of life

Type Species: Galeamopus hayi

Classification: Dinosauria – Saurischia – Sauropoda – Gravisauria - Eusauropoda - Neosauropoda - Diplodocoidea – Flagellicaudata – Diplodocidae – Diplodocinae

Time Period: Late Jurassic 

Location: North America

Diet: Herbivore   

Until 2015, the nearly complete skeleton with an associated skull of a certain diplodocid of the Morrison Formation was assumed to be a species of Diplodocus; the change came when researchers determined that these skeletal remains had enough differences from Diplodocus – at least eight! – to determine it as a new species. Thus Galeamopus was born. This sauropod closely resembled its contemporary Diplodocus, and they share the same family group. Galeamopus was lightly-built and most likely had a whip-like tail capable of cracking the sound barrier. Researchers believe this sauropod also had a series of short keratinous spines running down the length of its body, as these are present in many other species of diplodocid sauropods. Galeamopus’ long neck was probably held close to the ground, swinging in crescent-shaped arcs as it fed on low-growth foliage in the wetlands and savannahs of Late Jurassic North America.