Langobardisaurus pandolfii (Renesto 1994a; holotype MCSNB 2883; Norian, Late Triassic ~ 210mya, ~15 cm in length) has been largely ignored due to the better preservation of other specimens (below). Here the 2883 specimen is reconstructed as an obligate biped with presumeably small forelimbs and tiny hands. Even so it preserves the sternum coincident with the clavicles and interclavicle, the precurso condition in the pterosaurian sternal complex.

The fourth specimen attributed to Langobardisaurus, the P10121 specimen (Saller, Renesto and Dalla Vecchia 2013) is smaller than the others.

Langobardisaurus pandolfii referred specimen (Renesto 1994a; MCSNB 4860; Norian, Late Triassic ~ 210mya, ~15 cm in length) was derived from Macrocnemus and was a sister to Tanytrachelos and Tanystropheus.

Distinct from Macrocnemus, the skull of Langobardisaurus was shorter and dominated by a huge orbit. The upper temporal bar bisected the orbit and the posterior cranium was depressed. The procumbent premaxillary teeth were transformed into a narrow rake-like configuration. The posterior teeth were broader and multi-cusped, as in the smaller Tanystropheus.

The cervical series was longer and more gracile, but still composed of eight vertebrae. Eleven caudals bore transverse processes. The tail tip is unknown, but rapid dimunition suggests a short caudal series.

The scapula and coracoid were relatively smaller. The scapula was strap-like. The manus was relatively smaller with shorter digits.

The ilium was elongated both anteriorly and posteriorly. The ischium was narrow proximally. The pedal digits were shorter. Digits II-IV were the same length. Pedal 5.1 was greatly elongated and extended nearly to the distal end of metacarpal IV. Pedal 5.4 extended as far as p3.4.

With a cropping muzzle, grinding, slicing teeth, a high coronoid and the ability to rise on their hind legs and reach high places with their long necks, it appears possible that the langobardisaurs were the only plant-eating macrocnemids. Occasional bipedal locomotion appears possible (Renesto, Dalla Vecchia & Peters 2002).

Langobardisaurus tonelloi (Muscio 1970; MFSN 1921) was similar overall, but distinct in several traits. The orbit was not so large. The premaxillary dentition was smaller. The posteriormost teeth had elongated cutting/grinding surfaces. The coronoid process was larger than in any sister taxon (latter two not exposed in L. pandolfii).

Only four anterior caudals bore elongated transverse processes. The tail diminished rapidly after the sixteenth caudal.

The scapula did not have a strap-like appearance. The forelimbs were longer. Metacarpal I was aligned with II-IV.

The hind limbs were longer. No pedal digit tips were aligned and digit III was the longest.

Atanassov M 2001. Two new archosauromorphs from the Late Triassic of Texas. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Abstracts 21(3): 30A.

Atanassov M 2002. Two new archosauromorphs from the Late Triassic of Texas. Dissertation. online abstract

Muscio G 1997. Preliminary note on a specimen of Prolacertiformes (Reptilia) from the Norian (Late Triassic) of Preone (Udine, north-eastern Italy). Gortania - Atti del Museo Friulano di Storia Naturale 18:33-40

Renesto S 1994. A new prolacertiform reptile from the Late Triassic of Northern Italy. Rivista di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 100(2): 285-306.

Renesto S and Dalla Vecchia FM 2000. The unusual dentition and feeding habits of the Prolacertiform reptile Langobardisaurus (Late Triassic, Northern Italy). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20: 3. 622-627.

Renesto S and Dalla Vecchia FM 2007. A revision of Langobardisaurus rossii Bizzarini and Muscio, 1995 from the Late Triassic of Friuli (Italy)*. Rivista di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 113(2): 191-201. online pdf

Renesto S, Dalla Vecchia FM and Peters D 2002. Morphological evidence for bipedalism in the Late Triassic Prolacertiform reptile Langobardisaurus. Senckembergiana Lethaea 82(1): 95-106.

Saller F, Renesto S, Dalla Vecchia FM 2013. First record of Langobardisaurus (Diapsida, Protorosauria) from the Norian (Late Triassic) of Austria, and a revision of the genus. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie. 268 (1): 89–95. doi:10.1127/0077-7749/2013/0319

Wild R 1980. Tanystropheus (Reptilia: Squamata) and its importance for stratigraphy. Mémoires de la Société Géologique de France, N.S. 139:201–206.

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