A juvenile <i>Diamantinasaurus matildae</i> (Dinosauria: Titanosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, with implications for sauropod ontogeny

Although sauropod dinosaur bones are the most abundant vertebrate fossils found in Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of northeast Australia, only subadult and adult specimens have been described to date. Herein, we describe first juvenile from derived (Cenomanian–lower Turonian). The preserved material belongs a single individual is sufficiently diagnostic classify as Diamantinasaurus matildae—the third specimen be referred species. It also enables identification new local autapomorphy for Diamantinasaurus: distinct tuberosity on medial surface scapula, posterior junction acromion distal blade. Nevertheless, several morphological changes observable between two skeletons matildae. These include less well-defined or entirely absent muscle attachment sites relative heavily scarred rugose specimens. Overlapping elements indicate allometric matildae throughout ontogeny, with limb growing at more rapid proportional rate than other skeletal elements. Finally, review global record remains, demonstrating that growth patterns sauropods vary greatly taxa. titanosaurs display range isometry allometry bones, it appears was primary pattern this group.