The key difference between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus is based on the genus to which they belong. Brontosaurus belongs to the genus of gigantic quadruped sauropod dinosaurs while Diplodocus belongs to the genus diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs are an extinct species of reptiles which dominated earth during the Jurassic period. Different genera of dinosaurs have been characterized based on their physical appearance, morphology and their behavioral patterns.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Brontosaurus
3. What is a Diplodocus
4. Similarities Between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus
5. Side by Side Comparison – Brontosaurus vs Diplodocus in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Brontosaurus?
Brontosaurus, also referred to as thunder lizard, belongs to the genus of quadruped sauropod dinosaurs. The main species under this genus are Brontosaurus excelsus, Brontosaurus yahnahpin, and Brontosaurus parvus. These species existed in the late Jurassic period. Moreover, they are believed to be distributed in the Morrison Formation of North America. These species, as other dinosaurs, faced extinction by the end of the Jurassic period.
Figure 01: Brontosaurus
Long thin necks and small heads are the characteristic morphological features of the genus Brontosaurus. They also have a characteristic heavy torso and a whip-like tail. These animals had a body weight of about 15 tons and a body length of about 22 meters. They are herbivorous animals. Moreover, they are known to be very slow dinosaurs that are unable to lift their tails due to their bulky weight.
What is a Diplodocus?
Diplodocus is also a sauropod, meaning a long-necked herbivorous reptile or dinosaur. Diplodocus is longer and higher in weight in comparison to Brontosaurus. They are about 27 metres long, and the body mass weighs up to about 18 tons.
According to phylogenetical studies and archaeological studies, Diplodocus lived in the late Jurassic period. Their remains were discovered in the middle to upper Morrison Formation, confirming their presence many years back.
Figure 02: Diplodocus
The morphological features of the Diplodocus are similar to that of the Brontosaurus although the tail has characteristic chevron bones located in the underside of the tail. They are also herbivorous in nature, and the long neck enables them to grab leaves from the tall trees. It was a useful adaptation. They are rather slow in locomotion and bulky in nature.
What are the Similarities Between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus?
- Brontosaurus and Diplodocus belong to the reptile group dinosaurs under the phylum Chordata and kingdom Animalia.
- They lived during the Jurassic period and underwent extinction during the very late Jurassic period.
- Both have long thin necks.
- They are herbivorous.
- Both are bulky; hence they show slow locomotory patterns.
What is the Difference Between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus?
Brontosaurus belongs to the genus of gigantic quadruped sauropod dinosaurs. However, Diplodocus belongs to the genus diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs. Thus, this is the main difference between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus. Diplodocus had a longer body and was weightier than Diplodocus. In contrast to Brontosaurus, Diplodocus has chevron bones in their tails, which is yet another morphological difference.
Summary – Brontosaurus vs Diplodocus
Brontosaurus and Diplodocus are two genera under the very large extinct animal group – the dinosaurs. While both are herbivores with a long neck, the key difference between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus depends on the genus of the two groups. They have high weighted bulky bodies as well as long necks and tails.
Reference:
1. “Diplodocus.” Argentinosaurus Pictures & Facts – The Dinosaur Database, Available here.
2. “The UnMuseum – What Happened to the Brontosaurus?” Seven Wonders of the Midieval World – Stonehenge, Available here.