Cedarosaurus

Cedarosaurus (meaning "Cedar lizard" - named after the Cedar Mountain Formation, in which it was discovered) is a genus of nasal-crested macronarian sauropod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Period (Valanginian). The fossils were discovered in 1996 in eastern Utah within the rocks of the Yellow Cat Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation. It was officially named and described by Tidwell, Carpenter and Brooks in 1999. It shows similarities to the brachiosaurid Eucamerotus from the Wessex Formation of southern England, as well as to Brachiosaurus from the Morrison Formation.

==Description== thumb|left|Size comparison thumb|left|Life restoration Cedarosaurus was identified as a brachiosaurid sauropod. Prior to its classification as a new genus, brachiosaurid fossil material from the early and middle Cretaceous Period which had been found in North America was ascribed to the genus Pleurocoelus, which is now regarded as a junior synonym of Astrodon. However, the shape of the animal's vertebrae and forelimb bones were distinct enough to warrant its classification as a new genus.