Rapetosaurus

Rapetosaurus is a genus of titanosauriform sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. The only recognized species is Rapetosaurus krausei. The name combines Rapeto, a giant figure in Malagasy folklore, with sauros (“lizard”), while the species epithet honors the field paleontologist David Krause, who led the excavation that produced the fossils.

Fossils of Rapetosaurus come from the Maevarano Formation in northwestern Madagascar and date to the Maastrichtian stage, around 70 to 66 million years ago. The genus is notable for including a skull and several postcranial elements, making it one of the better-preserved titanosaurs from Africa and providing rare cranial material for the group. Estimates for adult size place Rapetosaurus at roughly 9 to 11 meters in length, with a body mass of several tons.

Anatomically, Rapetosaurus exhibits features consistent with a herbivorous, long-necked sauropod lifestyle. The skull and jaw structure offered important insights into the anatomy of titanosaurs and their sensory and feeding adaptations, contributing to broader understanding of sauropod evolution in Gondwana.

Ecologically, Rapetosaurus inhabited a diverse Maastrichtian ecosystem in Madagascar, coexisting with other dinosaurs described from the Maevarano Formation. The genus is currently considered monotypic, represented solely by Rapetosaurus krausei.