Which ancient landmass, defined by early Cretaceous geography, did *Xenoposeidon*'s presence confirm as a habitat for Rebbachisaurids?
Answer
Laurasia
The placement of *Xenoposeidon* in southern England during the Berriasian has significant biogeographical implications, especially concerning the Rebbachisauridae family. Traditionally, many sauropod groups, like Titanosaurs, were hypothesized to have originated primarily in the southern supercontinent, Gondwana, after Pangaea fragmented. However, *Xenoposeidon*'s confirmed existence in the northern landmass, Laurasia, at such an early date suggests a substantial revision to this hypothesis. It raises the possibility that rebbachisaurids either originated in the north and dispersed south later, or that the Gondwanan fossil record for this early epoch is simply incomplete.
Related Questions
What catalog number identifies the singular *Xenoposeidon proneneukos* dorsal vertebra specimen?Which specific locale near Hastings is the most likely unearthing site for the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra?The exposed rock layers at Ecclesbourne Glen, where R2095 was found, belong to which specific geological formation?What precise geological age is estimated for the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra based on its Ecclesbourne Glen location?What geological Supergroup encompasses the geological context of the *Xenoposeidon* find?Which ancient landmass, defined by early Cretaceous geography, did *Xenoposeidon*'s presence confirm as a habitat for Rebbachisaurids?What key anatomical structure, cataloged as R2095, is the sole fossil evidence for *Xenoposeidon proneneukos*?What other major sauropod group is mentioned alongside Titanosauria as potentially existing in the Hastings Beds Group during the Early Cretaceous?What depositional environment does the Ashdown Formation at Ecclesbourne Glen typically represent?Relative to the Wessex Formation, how does the geological age of the Hastings Beds Group containing *Xenoposeidon* compare?