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Amphicoelias
The largest sauropod in our quarry belongs to Amphicoelias. This specimen was recently discovered in the spring of 2008, and the bones uncovered up to now indicate that it may represent an associated skeleton partially articulated similarly preserved as the Diplodocus Sleeping Beauty. The principle bones unearthed are the femur, tibia, fibula, both ischia and rib, which are all complete and in superb condition. In addition to its larger size, Amphicoelias also differs in the proportions of the femur. The more than 5 foot long femur is unusually long, slender, and round in cross section and not compressed as in Diplodocus or Apatosaurus. Amphicoelias is a problematic sauropod largely due to the lack of sufficiently complete specimens preventing the necessary comparisons to be made. A femur and two vertebrae are essentially what are known for Amphicoelias alta, and the second species A. fragillimus is based on a single neural arch and spine belonging to a gigantic individual estimated to be larger than any known sauropod. The close similarity between Amphicoelias alta and to other Diplodocids raises questions. The completeness of the Dana specimen will certainly lay –to- rest questions surrounding the taxonomic status of Amphicoelias, which if proven valid may threaten Diplodocus and others names in having priority. It should be noted here that the smaller Diplodocus skeleton lying in the same quarry is only 7 meters distance from the Amphicoelias alta, and its femur appears compressed.
