A new basal sauropodiform dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Yunnan Province, China

The Lufeng Formation in Lufeng Basin of Yunnan Province, southwestern China preserves one of the richest terrestrial Lower Jurassic vertebrate faunas globally, especially for its basal sauropodomorphs, such as Lufengosaurus and Yunnanosaurus. Here we report a new taxon, Xingxiulong chengi gen. et sp. nov. represented by three partial skeletons with overlapping elements. Xingxiulong possesses a number of autapomorphies, such as transversely expanded plate-like summit on top of the neural spine of posterior dorsal vertebrae, four sacral vertebrae, robust scapula, and elongated pubic plate approximately 40% of the total length of the pubis. Phylogenetic analysis resolves Xingxiulong as a basal member of Sauropodiformes, and together with another two Lufeng basal sauropodiforms Jingshanosaurus and Yunnanosaurus, they represent the basalmost lineages of this clade, indicating its Asian origin. Although being relatively primitive, Xingxiulong displays some derived features normally occurred in advanced sauropodiforms including sauropods, such as a four sacral-sacrum, a robust scapula, and a pubis with elongated pubic plate. The discovery of Xingxiulong increases the diversity of basal sauropodomorphs from the Lufeng Formation and indicates a more complicated scenario in the early evolution of sauropodiforms.

Comment. Xingxiulong chengi is estimated to have had a total length of 4-5 m and a hip height of 1-1.5 m based on measurements of preserved skeletons (Fig. 2). Among them, LFGT-D0001 is the smallest, and the holotype (LFGT-D0002) is about the same size as LFGT-D0003 (12-14% larger than LFGT-D0001; see Supplementary Information). The fully fused skull elements and neurocentral sutures as well as the relatively large sizes indicate that the holotype and LFGT-D0003 are probably adults, whereas the visible neurocentral sutures and the relatively small size of LFGT-D0001 indicate that it might be a subadult.
Type locality and horizon. The specimens were excavated near Sankeshu (Three Trees) Village, Jinshan Town, Lufeng County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, southwestern China (Fig. 1). The specimens were from the base of the Shawan Member of the Lower Jurassic Lufeng Formation 17 , composed of dark purple silty mudstones.
Etymology. The generic name "Xingxiu"( ), meaning constellation in Chinese, is derived from the name of the ancient "Xingxiu Bridge" in Lufeng County, which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The specific name is dedicated to Prof. Zheng-Wu Cheng , for his lifetime contribution to Chinese terrestrial biostratigraphy, including the Lufeng Basin.

Diagnosis.
A medium-sized basal sauropodiform with the following unique combination of character states (autapomorphies are marked by *): both surangular and angular extended more anteriorly with respect to the external mandibular fenestra; transversely expanded plate-like summit on top of posterior dorsal vertebrae* (convergent in basal saurischians); four sacral vertebrae, with two primordial sacrals bounded by a dorsosacral and a caudosacral* (convergent in derived sauropodiforms); robust scapula with both ends extremely expanded; ilium with ventral margin of postacetabular process strongly concave*; pubis with elongated proximal pubic plate relative to the pubic apron, with pubic plate approximately 40% of the total length of the pubis*(convergent in basal sauropods); posterolateral process of distal tibia much narrower anteroposteriorly and extended more laterally and distally than anterolateral process*; a median bulge present on the dorsoposterior margin of the astragalus; metatarsal V with strongly expanded proximal end with a proportion of proximal width/total length 0.85*.
Description. The holotype preserves the posterior part of the skull and mandible as well as the articulated proatlas, atlas, and the anterior end of the axis ( Fig. 3a-f). The skull is distorted severely and most of the preserved bones are misaligned. Another skull and mandible is adhered to the anterior caudal vertebrae (C9-C13) of the holotype (Fig. 3g,h). Based on its similar size with that of the holotype and the presence of articulated axis (also present in the smaller specimen LFGT-D0001), this skull and mandible are considered to belong to LFGT-D0003. In LFGT-D0003, only the posterior three quarters portion of the maxilla, which is the posteroventral part of the ascending ramus and the horizontally directed posterior ramus of the left maxilla, has been remained. The vascular foramina have not been preserved. No ridge is present on the lateral surface of the posterior maxilla, differing from Lufengosaurus in which the presence of a maxillary ridge is one of its autapomorphies 18 . Eleven short alveoli are preserved in the maxilla, but their length would be longer due to the covering from the tooth in the mandible (Fig. 3g,h). The lachrymal has a prominent flange ventral to its dorsal end along the anterior margin of the shaft (Fig. 3g,h); a similar condition is also present in Lufengosaurus, Adeopapposaurus Massospondylus, and Riojasaurus 13,18-20 , but absent in Yunnanosaurus, Jingshanosaurus, and more derived sauropodiforms. The postorbital has a relatively long contact with the anterior surface of the dorsal ramus of the jugal, similar to that in Lufengosaurus. In contrast, the postorbital has a simple tongue-and-groove contact with jugal in Yunnanosaurus 21 . The jugal is a triradiate bone and consists of an anterior ramus, a dorsal ramus, and a posterior ramus. The dorsal ramus projects posterodorsally and diverges from the posterior ramus at an angle of approximately 80°, resembling although slightly smaller than that of Plateosaurus and Thecodontosaurus, whereas it is larger than that of Lufengosaurus, Jingshanosaurus, Mussaurus (50°), Yunnanosaurus and Xixiposaurus (60°), and Chuxiongosaurus (70°) 3,9,[21][22][23] . The quadratojugal is a slender element that gives rise to an anterior ramus and a dorsal ramus (Fig. 3g,h). In lateral view, the two rami diverge from each other at an angle slightly less than 90°, contrary to the angle of 45° in Lufengosaurus, 60° in Yunnanosaurus, and 110° in Jingshanosaurus. The paired quadrates are well preserved in the holotype. Its distal articular surface is composed of a lateral condyle and a medial condyle, which are separated by a sharp ridge (Fig. 3c,d). The lateral condyle is subtriangular in shape,  17 . This map is created by Y.M.W. using CorelDRAW (vers. X7) http://www.corel.com/cn/.
whereas the medial condyle is smaller, semicircular, and situated more ventrally than the lateral one, similar to that of Lufengosaurus and Yunnanosaurus but differing from that of Plateosaurus in which the lateral condyle is more ventrally offset than the medial one. A postparietal fenestra is developed along the suture between the supraoccipital and the parietal (Fig. 3e,f). The supraoccipital slopes anteriorly. The basipterygoid processes are long, slender, and ventrolaterally projected, resembling that of Plateosaurus. They diverge from each other at an angle of approximately 80°. In contrast, the basipterygoid processes of Lufengosaurus and Jingshanosaurus are short, robust, and nearly parallel with each other.
Both the angular and the surangular extend anteriorly beyond the external mandibular fenestra (Fig. 3g,h), resembles the condition in some basal sauropodomorphs such as Adeopapposaurus and Plateosaurus 24 , but unlike the short extension of these elements in Lufengosaurus, Yunnanosaurus, and Jingshanosaurus. The articular possesses a large pyramidal process as the medial extension of the glenoid region. Posteriorly, a dorsomedially projected and tab-like process is developed on the medial surface of the retroarticular process ( Fig. 3a-d). This feature is also reported to be present in Coloradisaurus and is considered as an uncertain autapomorphy 13 . A similar medial process is present in some other basal sauropodmorphs from Lufeng, such as Jingshanosaurus and an unnamed new specimen (pers. observ.).
Based on overlapping preservation, Xingxiulong can be safely said to possess 10 cervical, 14 dorsal, four sacral, and more than 35 caudal vertebrae. Both the proatlases are preserved almost in life position in the holotype ( Fig. 3a-f). Anteriorly, they are situated at the dorsolateral corner of the foramen magnum. The atlas consists of the intercentrum, odontoid, and paired neural arches; however, these elements have been distorted and lack critical anatomical details. The centrum of the axis is relatively short with respect to its dorsoventral height, and has moderately compressed lateral and ventral surfaces (Fig. 2a). All cervical centra are proportionally shorter; the length/height ratio of the anterior cervical centra ranges from 2.5 to 3, and this ratio decreases posteriorly, which resembles that of Lufengosaurus. This contrasts with Jingshanosaurus, Massospondylus, Adeopapposaurus, and Leyesaurus with a range of 3-4 [25][26][27] . The ventral keel is present in cervicals 4 to 9 and becomes more prominent along the cervical series, as in Jingshanosaurus Massospondylus, Adeopapposaurus, Coloradisaurus, and Lufengosaurus. Cervical lamination is poorly developed in Xingxiulong; although the prezygodiapophyseal lamina is present in C7 to C9, it is not as developed as in derived sauropodiforms. Neural spine tables are well-developed on the posterior cervicals.
The dorsal vertebrae are slightly amphicoelous, as in other non-eusauropod sauropodomorphs. The blade-like ventral keels are well developed in D1 to D3 and are absent in the middle and posterior series, as seen in most basal sauropodomorphs. The neural spines of the anterior and the last three dorsals are dorsoventrally low, anteroposteriorly short, and expanded to plate-like summits (Fig. 2b). The anterior dorsal neural spine expansion is commonly developed in sauropodomorph dinosaurs; however, it rarely occurs at the posterior dorsal vertebrae, and only developed in some basal saurischians (e.g. Herrerasaurus and Eoraptor). Hence, we suggest this feature as a possible autapomorphy of Xingxiulong. A projecting posterodorsal corner of the neural spine is present in the middle-posterior dorsals, forming a concave posterior margin shared with that of some other basal sauropomorphs but contrasting with the straight posterior margin of Lufengosaurus, Riojasaurus, Jingshanosaurus, and Yunnanosaurus. Lamination of the dorsal vertebrae is well developed. Notably, a prezygodiapophyseal lamina is developed in D3 to D7 but absent in the posterior dorsals, and the condition in the anterior dorsals is unclear because of the poor preservation. The prezygodiapophyseal lamina is absent in the mid-dorsals in most basal sauropodmorphs, but is present in Plateosaurus, Sarahsaurus and Mussaurus, and in eusauropods 22 . ecp, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; inc, intercentrum; j, jugal; l, lachrymal; lc, lateral condyle; lsp, laterosphenoid; ma, maxilla; mc, medial condyle; mpp, medial pyramidal process of the articular; n, nasal; ns, neural spine; od, odontoid; p, parietal; par, paroccipital process; pat, proatlas; pre, prearticular; prf, prefrontal; po, postorbital; popf, postparietal fenestra; ps, parasphenoid; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; r, rib; sa, surangular; sk, fragments of skull roof; so, supraoccipital; sq, squamosal; stf, supratemporal fenestra; tmp, tab-like medial process of the retroarticular process. Black fills represent voids within the skull, dark grey fills represent matrix, and light grey fills represent damage. Scale bars equal 10 cm.
Scientific RepoRts | 7:41881 | DOI: 10.1038/srep41881 The sacrum consists of four sacral vertebrae (Fig. 4a-d), all of which are preserved in articulation with the ilium. This four-sacral condition is rare in basal sauropodomorphs but resembles that of Melanorosaurus 28 , Leonerasaurus 29 , and the basal sauropods such as Barapasaurus 30 and Shunosaurus 31 . Based on their morphology and relative position, the anterior-most element is interpreted as a dorsosacral, the middle two elements as primordial sacrals, and the posterior one as a caudosacral. The first sacral vertebra (dorsosacral) is placed between the anterior end of the pubic peduncle and the acetabulum of the ilium. It is not fully fused to the subsequent sacral vertebra (first primordial), with the demarcation between them being clear. The transverse process is not entirely fused to the sacral rib; nonetheless, they are sutured tightly with each other to form a single complex that extends anterolaterally and contacts the ilium. The second sacral vertebra (first primordial sacral) is located slightly anterior to the level of the ischial peduncle of the ilium. The third sacral vertebra (second primordial sacral) is placed between the ischial peduncle and the postacetabular process of the ilium. It should be noted, however, that the length of second primordial sacral centrum is approximately equal to the first primordial sacral and the two elements are fused with each other. The transverse process projects posterolaterally, resembles the morphology of most basal sauropodomorphs. The fourth sacral vertebra (caudosacral) is located at the level of the postacetabular process of the ilium. The caudosacral rib is fully fused to the transverse process and extended posterolaterally as the second primordial sacral, forming a lateral expansion to contact the ilium, as observed in Plateosaurus. In contrast, the caudosacral rib of Leonerasaurus is directed anterolaterally 29 . The neural spines of the sacral series exhibit the same dorsal transversely expansion as in the posterior dorsals.
Based on the preserved elements, Xingxiulong possesses more than 35 caudal vertebrae. The caudal vertebrae are tall and robust, and the lateral surface of their centra is concave, as the typical morphology seen in other basal sauropodomorphs (see Supplementary Information). It seems that all the caudal centra have amphicoelous articular facets. The anterior transverse processes are dorsolaterally directed, anteroposteriorly elongated, and dorsoventrally flat, whereas the posterior elements are more slender and nearly horizontal oriented. Lamination of the caudal vertebrae is poorly developed, as in other basal sauropodomorphs; only the prezygodiapophyseal laminae are present in caudal 3 to caudal 8 in LFGT-D0001. The neural spines are tall, posteriodorsally directed, and laterally compressed.
The scapula is characterized by both remarkably expanded proximal and distal ends, with the proximal broader than the distal, as well as a robust scapular shaft (Fig. 2c). The width of the proximal expansion is approximately 56% the total length of the scapula and the distal end is less expanded with a ratio of 49%. A similar robustness is also observed in Antetonitrus and Lessemsaurus; however, contrary to Xingxiulong, the distal end of Antetonitrus and Lessemsaurus is more expanded than the proximal. A number of non-eusauropod sauropodomorphs (e.g. Lufengosaurus, Jingshanosaurus, Plateosaurus, and Anchisaurus) has the similar condition to Xingxiulong that the proximal expansion is more developed than the distal, although the scapula of them is more gracile 14,32 . In contrast, Yunnanosaurus displays a scapula with more pronounced expansion of the distal end compared with the proximal end. The scapular shaft is broad, with its minimum width being 19-20% the total length; this proportion is identical to that of Jingshanosaurus, whereas greater than that of most sauropodomorphs including some basal sauropods such as Isanosaurus and Shunosaurus, which have narrower scapular shafts with ratios varying between 15-17% 14,32 . Antetonitrus and Lessemsaurus, however, exhibit a more broadened scapular shaft.
The humerus has a poorly developed internal tuberosity on the medial surface of the proximal end (Fig. 2d,e), differing from the well-developed internal tuberosity in majority of basal sauropodomorphs (e. g. Adeopapposaurus, Coloradisaurus, Lufengosaurus, and Yunnanosaurus). The length of the ulna is about 61% the length of the humerus (Fig. 2e,f), similar to that of Yunnanosaurus and Jingshanosaurus but contrasting with Lufengosaurus in which this ratio is approximately 68%. Proximally, the ulna is expanded both lateromedially and craniocaudally, with the development of the anteromedial and anterolateral processes. The two processes delimit a shallow radial fossa, resembling that of most basal sauropodomorphs but contrasting with the deep radial fossa in derived sauropodiforms and sauropods. Compared with the ulna, the radius is a slender element (Fig. 2e,f). It is approximately 54% the length of the humerus.
The ilium is similar in overall morphology to that of other basal sauropodomorphs (Fig. 2g,h). The preacetabular process does not project beyond the anterior end of the pubic peduncle. The postacetabular process extends posterolaterally with a subsquare-shaped distal end, contrasting with the pointed postacetabular process of a number of sauropodomorphs. In lateral view, the postacetabular process exhibits a strongly concave ventral margin (between the postacetabular process and the posterior margin of the ischial peduncle), distinguishing it from that of other basal sauropodomorphs. Some taxa such as Plateosaurus, Massospondylus, Lufengosaurus, Antetonitrus and Lessemsaurus possess an almost straight to slightly convex ventral margin, whereas in other taxa such as Adeopapposaurus, Jingshanosaurus, and Yunnanosaurus this margin is more convex. Therefore, this feature is a possible autapomorphy of Xingxiulong. A posterior projecting heel is present on the distal end of the ischial peduncle of the ilium. The pubis is characterized by a relatively long pubic plate and a short pubic apron, with the former being approximately 40% of the total pubic length (Fig. 4e-h), which has not been reported in other basal sauropodomorph in which generally the pubic plate is short, but resembles the condition in some basal sauropods. In anterior view, the lateral margin of the pubic apron is concave. The distal end of the pubis is expanded both lateromedially and anteroposteriorly, with its anteroposterior depth approximately 16% of the total length of the pubis. The obturator plate of the ischium possesses a longitudinal sulcus on its lateral surface (Fig. 2i).
The femur has a lesser trochanter located distal to the distal margin of the femoral head (Fig. 2j), differing from Yunnanosaurus and Jingshanosaurus in which the proximal tip is level with the femoral head. In anterior view, the lesser trochanter is placed more close to the mid-line of the mediolateral axis of the femoral shaft with respect to the lateral margin, as seen in most basal sauropodomorphs but unlike the condition in more derived sauropodiforms including Antetonitrus and Melanorosaurus. The fourth trochanter is located close to the centre of the posterior surface of the femur, contrasting with the more medially placed fourth trochanter in Lufengosaurus, Adeopapposaurus, Coloradisaurus, Riojasaurus and more derived taxa (e.g. Anchisaurus, Aardonyx, Lessemsaurus and Antetonitrus) 27 . The distal end of the tibia possesses a posterolateral process that is much narrower anteroposteriorly and extends more laterally and distally than the anterolateral process (Fig. 2k); in contrast, the posterolateral process of other basal sauropodomorphs is similar in width with or slightly narrower than the anterolateral element and they almost share the same lateral extension (e.g. Plateosaurus, Massospondylus, Coloradisaurus, Lufengosaurus, and Jingshanosaurus) or the former projects less laterally than the latter (e.g. Sarahsaurus, Yunnanosaurus, Mussaurus, and sauropods). The posterior surface of the astragalus bears a dorsally convex bulge close to the mid-line that is lower than the ascending process (Fig. 2l). This feature is also reported in Mussaurus, which has been suggested to be one of the autapomorphic features of this taxon 22 ; the bulge of Abbreviations: cs, caudosacral; ds, dorsosacral; il, ilium; is, ischium; isp, ischial peduncle of ilium; of, obturator foramen; pap, pubic apron; pop, postacetabular process; ppl, pubic plate; pup, pubic peduncle of ilium; s1, the first primordial sacral; s2, the second primordial sacral; sr, sacral rib. Scale bar equals 10 cm. Xingxiulong seems to be less developed and located more laterally than in Mussaurus, although it is still more pronounced than that of Plateosaurus and Blikanasaurus. All the pedal elements are well preserved in the holotype (Fig. 2m,n). Metatarsal I is a robust element; its mid-shaft is mediolaterally wider than that of other metatarsi (see Supplementary Information). Metatarsal V has a markedly expanded proximal end, with its width being approximately 85% of the total length and forming a triangle profile. This differs from other sauropodomorphs including derived taxa in which this ratio ranges from 50% to 77% 15 . Although it appears that metatarsal V of Antetonitrus has the same proximal expansion; unfortunately, the lack of its distal end precludes the comparison between the two taxa. Hence, we assume this feature as a potential autapomorphy of Xingxiulong. The pedal phalangeal formula is 2-3-4-5-1, as in other basal sauropodomorphs.

Discussion
The strict consensus tree obtained from the phylogenetic analysis shows a large polytomy formed by most of basal sauropodiforms (see Supplementary Information). Alternatively, the reduced consensus tree in which the fragmentary Blikanasaurus was pruned from the MPTs displays a high degree of resolution and resolves Xingxiulong as a basal sauropodiform (Fig. 5). Moreover, Xingxiulong has a sister-taxon relationship with Jingshanosaurus, which is supported by five unambiguous synapomorphies: anterior margin of the infratemporal fenestra placed behind the orbit (character 57.0); width of the scapula greater than 20% of its length (character 202.0); lateral margin of the pubic apron concave (character 267.1); anteroposterior expansion of the distal pubis greater than 15% of the total length (character 270.2); angle between the long axis of the femoral head and the transverse axis of the distal femur about 30 degrees (character 285.0). Alternative positions of Xingxiulong were tested to evaluate its suboptimal position. Placing Xingxiulong to a more basal location as a member of Massospondylidae implies 5 extra steps, placing Xingxiulong more basal to Yunnanosaurus but more derived than Massospondylidae implies 6 extra steps, and forcing it to a position more derived than Anchisaurus but basal to Aardonyx requires 8 extra steps. Trees depicting this new taxon as a position more derived than Jingshanosaurus but basal to Anchisaurus, or between Yunnanosaurus and Jingshanosaurus, both require 3 extra steps. However, placing Xingxiulong as a basal member of Massapoda that is more basal to (Massospondylidae + Sauropodiformes) only requires 2 steps. This is unsurprisingly given some primitive features present in Xingxiulong when compared with Massospondylidae and Sauropodiformes, such as the dorsal margin of postorbital gently curved (character 54.0), anterior margin of the infratemporal fenestra behind the orbit (character 57.0), and presence of a medial process of the articular behind the glenoid (character 104.0). This much more basally suboptimal position of Xingxiulong suggests a high level mosaic evolution around the beginning of basal Massopoda and basal Sauropodiformes. Nonetheless, the most parsimonious position of Xingxiulong, which is a basal sauropodiform, is adopted here, although more material and further studies are needed in future to test its alternative phylogenetic placement.
Before the discovery of Xingxiulong chengi, members of three Sauropodomorpha groups have been recognized in the Lower Jurassic of Lufeng Basin: one massospondylid (Lufengosaurus), three basal sauropodiforms (Yunnanosaurus, Jingshanosaurus, and Chuxiongosaurus), and a putative sauropod 33 . Chuxiongosaurus was excluded from this phylogenetic analysis due to its controversial status as it is possibly synonymous with Jingshanosaurus (pers. observ.). The discovery of Xingxiulong adds another basal sauropodiform, and demonstrates the close relationships among these Lufeng basal sauropodiforms. This shows that there were two Interestingly, although relatively basal, Xingxiulong possesses a sacrum composed of four sacral vertebrae, with two primordial sacrals bounded by a dorsosacral and a caudosacral. This condition is contrary to the three-sacral sacrum in most basal sauropodomorphs including other Lufeng taxa (Fig. 6). A key step in the transition from basal sauropodomorphs to sauropods is the increase of sacral vertebrae, and a four-sacral sacrum is traditionally considered as one of the diagnosis of sauropods 29,34 . Three major stages in the evolutionary history of the sauropodomorph sacrum were summarized by Pol et al. 29 : first, a sacrum composed of two primordial sacrals in the early stage; second, a sacrum composed of three sacrals with the incorporation of a dorsosacral in most basal sauropodomorphs (except for Plateosaurus in which the third element is a caudosacral); third, a sacrum composed of four sacrals characterized by the incorporation of a caudosacral present in Sauropoda. Intriguingly, a new basal sauropodiform (Leonerasaurus) reported by Pol et al. 29 also displays a four-sacral sacrum and this taxon is closely related to Sauropoda in our analysis (also McPhee et al. 15 ); therefore, the four-sacral condition is also diagnostic of close relatives of Sauropoda. Consequently, Xingxiulong is the most basal sauropodomorph with a four-sacral sacrum, which may be also convergently achieved later in Mussaurus 22 , and then achieved in Sauropoda and its close relatives.
Moreover, Xingxiulong has a relatively long pubic plate that is approximately 40% of the total pubic length. Generally, the pubic plate is short, being 25% of the total length of the pubis in other basal sauropodomorphs (e.g. Plateosaurus, Massospondylus, Adeopapposaurus, Coloradisaurus, Lufengosaurus and Yunnanosaurus) 27 . In contrast, in sauropods the pubic plate is approximately 33% of the pubic length, and this ratio increases to 45-50% in camarasauromorph sauropods [35][36][37] . However, the distal pubic apron twisted posteromedially in sauropods, unlike the transversely oriented and compressed pubic apron in Xingxiulong and other basal sauropodomorphs 37 . Nonetheless, the relatively long pubic plate in Xingxiulong distinguishes this taxon from other basal sauropodomorphs and resembles that of sauropods.
It also should be noted that the femur of Xingxiulong is robust because the mediolateral width of its femoral shaft (9.4-10.1 cm; see Supplementary Information) is greater than that of most other basal sauropodomorphs although its femur is proportionally shorter 29,38 . Meanwhile, compared with other basal sauropodomorphs, metatarsal I of Xingxiulong is remarkably robust. The minimum width of the mid-shaft of metatarsal I is 38% of its length (left element; 44% in right element), and it is the transversely widest element among all the metatarsi, which resembles that of Aardonyx, Antetonitrus and Blikanasaurus and is a sauropod-like feature 39,40 . In addition, Xingxiulong has a robust scapula and metatarsal V in comparison with other basal sauropodomorphs. All these morphological features as well as the four-sacral condition indicate that Xingxiulong probably had a large body mass and an increasing gut volume, although it only achieved a medium body size relative to other non-sauropodan sauropodomorphs (e.g. Plateosaurus, Riojasaurus, and Jingshanosaurus). However, the relationship between the large gut-capacity and the gigantism of the body size remains to be studied further.
These intriguingly features that Xingxiulong displays inevitably raise questions about its preferred locomotory habit. As noted by Yates et al. 39 , the habitual quadrupedalism is supported by modifications such as the increase of relative length of the forearm relative to the hindlimb, the presence of a large anterolateral process on the ulna, and the straightening of the femoral shaft. None of these specializations is present in Xingxiulong; its ulna and femur exhibit the general features as occurred in other basal sauropodomorphs instead of the quadrupedal clade. Recently, McPhee et al. 41 suggested that the massive scapula of some non-sauropodan sauropodiforms possibly provides two utilities: to counteract the shear stresses produced by the large-bodied quadruped with the less erected forelimb and to increase the mobility of the forelimb for bipedal high-browsing. The three Lufeng basal sauropodiforms, (Xingxiulong, Jingshanosaurus, and Yunnanosaurus) share the robust scapula as well as a number of features involving gigantism (although it remains questionable for Yunnanosaurus as it is probably a sub-adult  29 ). (c) Plateosaurus engelhardti, a non-massopod sauropodomorph (three sacrals; the holotype UEN 552, redrawn from Galton 43 ). (d) Plateosaurus trossingensis, a non-massopod sauropodomorph (three sacrals; the holotype SMNS 13200, redrawn from Galton 43 ). (e) Efraasia minor, a non-massopod sauropodomorph (three sacrals; SMNS 17028, redrawn from Yates 44 ). Dashed lines represent reconstruction, slash lines represent damage, black fills represent voids within the sacrum, and grey fills represent matrix. Abbreviations: DS: dorsosacral; S1 and S2: two primordial sacrals; CS: caudosacral. Scale bars equal 10 cm.
Scientific RepoRts | 7:41881 | DOI: 10.1038/srep41881 or juvenile; pers. observ.). They might represent an important stage towards obligate quadrupedal and further biomechanical analysis on the locomotory habit of these taxa is critical to investigate the scenario at the beginning of the sauropodiforms.
Xingxiulong provides additional information to understand the evolutionary history of basal sauropodomorphs. Many convergent features shared by Xingxiulong and Sauropoda imply that the evolution of the pelvic and pes decoupled from many other features in the transition to the sauropods, such as the shortening and heightening of the skull, the shortening of the trunk, and most importantly, and the increase of body size, which shows a more complex and homoplastic evolution of basal sauropodomorphs than we previously thought. Nonetheless, the unique suite of characters of this new taxon highlights the need for more well-preserved fossils and a more comprehensive analysis to elucidate the interrelationships of basal sauropodomorphs and to improve our knowledge on the origin of Sauropoda.

Methods
A phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the data matrix published by McPhee et al. 41 in order to determine the phylogenetic affinities of Xingxiulong within Sauropodomorpha. We choose this data matrix because it represents one of the most comprehensive datasets for basal sauropodomorphs up to now. A matrix of 365 characters and 55 taxa was analyzed using TNT1.1 42 , applying a heuristic search retaining 10 shortest tree from every 1000 trees, followed by an additional round of tree bisection reconnection (TBR) branch swapping. The following characters were treated as ordered: 8,13,19,23,40,57,69,92,102,117,121,131,144,147,149,150,157,162,167,170,177,205,207,225,230,237,245,254,257,270,283,304,310,318,338,351,354,356,361,365. The phylogenetic analysis produced 648 most parsimonious trees, with tree length of 1274 steps (CI = 0.338, RI = 0.669).