Europasaurus

Europa lizard

• Europa · Latin/Greek · Europe (also the Europa Archipelago)
• sauros · Greek · lizard

The name means "Europa lizard". It refers to Europe, where the fossils were found, and also to the Europa Archipelago, the island group that this dwarf sauropod lived on in the Late Jurassic. Its small size is thought to be an example of island dwarfism.

Named by

Sander et al.

Year named

2006

Period

Late Jurassic

Stage

Kimmeridgian

Found in

Langenberg Quarry, near Oker, Lower Saxony, Germany

A small basal macronarian sauropod, about 6 to 6.5 metres long as an adult. It is known from many individuals and is often cited as a case of island dwarfism. The type species is Europasaurus holgeri.