**Baotianmansaurus: An Extinct Dinosaur**
Baotianmansaurus is an extinct type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 99 to 90 million years ago. Its fossils were found in the Gaogou Formation in Henan Province, China, where it is the only species identified, called Baotianmansaurus henanensis.
**Discovery and Naming**
The fossils were discovered near Nanyang City, in an area known as Baotianman National Nature Reserve. This location has yielded many dinosaur egg fossils, but body fossils are quite rare. The specific fossil used to name this dinosaur is kept at the Henan Geological Museum.
Baotianmansaurus was given its name in April 2009 by a group of researchers. The name combines “Baotianman,” referring to the nature reserve, and the Greek word “saûros,” which means “lizard.” The species name “henanensis” recognizes the province where it was found.
**Description**
Baotianmansaurus was a medium-sized sauropod. Although it was large compared to many animals, it was not as big as some other dinosaurs of its time. Estimates suggest that it could have been around 22.5 meters long, 5.3 meters tall at the shoulder, and weighed about 21 tons. Other estimates are slightly smaller.
The fossils we have of Baotianmansaurus are not complete. They include parts of its back vertebrae, ribs, sacral vertebrae, and other bone fragments. This limited collection of bones was enough for scientists to classify a new genus and species.
Baotianmansaurus has some unique features that set it apart from other sauropods. These include special characteristics of its vertebrae and ribs.
**Classification**
Baotianmansaurus belongs to a group of dinosaurs called Somphospondyli. Its exact relatives have been debated among scientists. Some believe it is related to a group called Saltasauridae, while others think it belongs to different categories within sauropods.
Because many dinosaur fossils are incomplete, classifying them can be tricky. Despite the differences in classification, many studies show that Baotianmansaurus is closely related to another dinosaur called Dongyangosaurus.
**Conclusion**
Baotianmansaurus is an interesting dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous, giving us insights into the variety of life that existed millions of years ago. Its fossils, though incomplete, help us understand the evolution of sauropods and their diverse forms.