José Bonaparte (1928-2020)
Today’s blog post is dedicated to José Bonaparte, one of the greatest palaeontologists of the 20th century and regarded as the “Father of Argentinian Palaeontology”, who has passed away. He died yesterday (18th February), at the age of 91. Social media has been filled with tributes to this dedicated, passionate and influential scientist, who was such an inspiration to a whole generation of palaeontologists.
José Fernando Bonaparte (1928-2020)
Picture credit: Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”
El Padre de la Paleontología en la Argentina
Respected and admired by many professional palaeontologists, the self-taught José Bonaparte was regarded as a workaholic and a tough taskmaster, but perhaps, he more than anybody else is responsible for introducing the remarkable vertebrate fossils found in Argentina to the rest of the world. Dinosaur palaeontologist Peter Dodson stated that “almost single-handedly he’s responsible for Argentina becoming the sixth country in the world in kinds of dinosaurs”.
His legacy will live on and his contribution will continue to be recognised, for example, last year alone there were something like ten new genera of non-avian dinosaurs described from fossil remains found in Argentina.
Bonaparte, who spent the majority of his career as head of the Vertebrate Palaeontology Division of the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, in Buenos Aires was responsible for, or at least played a significant role in the study of iconic dinosaurs – famous animals such as Carnotaurus, Amargasaurus, Abelisaurus, Argentinosaurus, Noasaurus and numerous others. He made many other hugely important discoveries such as the finding of the first fossilised remains of Mesozoic South American mammals and he was amongst the first scientists to lead the “dinosaur revolution” inspired by Ostrom in the 1970s.
The “Master of the Mesozoic”
Robert Bakker nicknamed Bonaparte the “Master of the Mesozoic” (Maestro del Mesozoico). He was responsible for training a generation of palaeontologists, many of which are now regarded as leaders in the field – scientists such as Luis Chiappe, Rodolfo Coria, Agustín Martinelli, Fernando Novas, Jaime Powell, Guillermo Rougier, Leonardo Salgado, Sebastián Apesteguía and many others.
El Maestro del Mesozoico – José Bonaparte (1928-2020)
Picture credit: Télam
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” in the compilation of this article.
I am sorry for the loss of Jose Bonaparte.
What is the dinosaur in the picture?
Not known (Theropoda).
I can’t wait to see Safari Ltd make the Pterodaustro!!
I hope Collecta makes their Giganotosaurus Deluxe!
Dinosaurs that Jose Bonaparte discovered:
Abelisaurus
Its name means “Abel’s Lizard. He discovered it in 1983 and named and described it in 1985 . It existed in the Late/Upper Cretaceous Period in Argentina, approximately 83 to 80 million years ago. It grew up to 6 to 7 meters Long and at least 2 tons in weight.
Agustinia
It’s name means “Agustín Martelli’s animal. It was discovered in 1998 and was named and described in 1999. It had a series of strange looking spines running down its back, like Amargasaurus. It existed in the Early/Lower Cretaceous Period in Argentina, approximately 116-104 million years ago. It grew to 10-12 metres Long and weighed approximately 8-9 tons.
Alvarezsaurus
Its name means “Alvarez’s Lizard.” It existed in the Middle Cretaceous Period, approximately 89-86 million years ago in Argentina. It was discovered in 1989 and named and described in 1991. It grew up to almost 2 metres and 20 kg in weight.
Amargasaurus
Its name means “Amarga’s Lizard.” It was discovered in 1984 and described and named in 1991. It lived in the Early/Lower Cretaceous of Argentina, approximately 130-122 million years ago. It grew up to 11 metres and almost 5 tons in weight. It had spines running down its back.
Andesaurus
Its name means “Ande’s lizard. It was discovered in 1991. It existed in the Middle Cretaceous Period of Argentina, approximately 99-95 million years ago. It grew to 19 metres Long and almost 39 tons in weight.
Argentinosaurus
Its name means “Argentina’s lizard.” It was discovered in 1989 and named and described in 1993. It lived in the Middle Cretaceous Period of Argentina, approximately 97 to 92 million years ago. It may have been the biggest dinosaur ever to walk the Earth. It grew up to 32-39 metres long and 55-100 tons in weight.
Carnotaurus
Its name means “Meat eating bull.” It was discovered in 1984 and was named and described in 1985. It lived in the Late/Upper Cretaceous Period, approximately 72 – 70 million years ago in Argentina. It is noted for it’s devilish looking horns above it’s eyes. It grew up to 7-9 metres Long and 2-3 tons in weight.
Lapparentosaurus
Its name means “Lapparent’s lizard.” It was discovered in 1984 and named and described in 1986. It lived in the Middle Jurassic Period in Madagascar, approximately 176-171 million years ago. It grew up to 15 metres Long and almost 23-25 tons in weight.
Mussaurus
Its name means “Mouse lizard.” It was discovered in 1976 and named and described in 1979. It lived in the Late/Upper Triassic Period, approximately 215-212 million years ago in Argentina. A lot of hatchlings have been found. It grew up to 3-4 metres in length and 73 kg in weight.
Noasaurus
Its name means “NOA/NOrthwestern Argentina’s Lizard.” It was discovered in 1980. It existed in the Late/Upper Cretaceous Period, approximately 74-70 million years ago. It grew up to 2-3 three metres and 20-27 kg in weight.
What is the dinosaur on the left in the picture and what do you think it is?
We have already replied to an earlier comment (Not known – Theropoda).