81R1856 JH-D

By: Geren H.C.R. No. 16

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Texas has become world famous for its many dinosaur discoveries; and

WHEREAS, To honor the prehistoric reptiles that long ago resided in the state, Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 57 of the 75th Texas Legislature named Brachiosaur Sauropod, Pleurocoelus, as the official Lone Star State Dinosaur; this designation was based on evidence that supported the presence of the dinosaur Pleurocoelus in Texas; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, the fossilized bones that were thought to be Pleurocoelus have been properly identified as a new species named Paluxysaurus jonesi; the identification was made by Peter Rose during his graduate studies at Southern Methodist University, and his findings have been widely accepted by other scientists since being published in 2007; and

WHEREAS, The dinosaur is named for the town of Paluxy in Hood County and for the Paluxy River, both of which are near the Jones Ranch site where the fossils of this species were discovered; and

WHEREAS, Paluxysaurus jonesi inhabited the earth approximately 95 to 112 million years ago, and these sauropods left behind a rich record of their existence; in addition to the bone fossils, evidence of the species exists in dinosaur footprints that have been found throughout the state; the most famous of these trackways runs along the Paluxy River and its tributaries, not far from the Jones Ranch site; many of these footprints can be viewed at Dinosaur Valley State Park, near the town of Glen Rose; and

WHEREAS, The bones and tracks reveal the massive scale of Paluxysaurus; it is estimated that the dinosaur measured 70 feet long and 12 feet high at the shoulder, and weighed as much as 20 tons; and

WHEREAS, Paluxysaurus continues to be the subject of important paleontological research; a major dinosaur project is ongoing at the Jones Ranch site, with the work being led by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History in partnership with Southern Methodist University; moreover, a public exhibit of the bones of Paluxysaurus jonesi is planned for the museum; and

WHEREAS, Through the insightful work of Texas-based scientists, the tracks and bones of the large quadrupedal sauropod found in the Lone Star State are now clearly known to be those of the species Paluxysaurus jonesi rather than Pleurocoelus; and

WHEREAS, Given the importance of the paleontological discoveries that have taken place in Texas, it is indeed appropriate that the designation of our state dinosaur keep pace with the latest scientific research; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate Paluxysaurus jonesi as the official Lone Star State Dinosaur, replacing Brachiosaur Sauropod, Pleurocoelus.