According to the study, a 98-million-year-old dinosaur fossil discovered in Argentina could have been the largest animal to ever walk the Earth.
- Fossil remains – including the tail and pelvic bones – were discovered in 2012
- The giant dinosaur titanosaur sauropod would have had a long neck and tail
- It was kept in a muddy floodplain in what is now the province of Neuquén.
- Researchers believe the remains may belong to a new species of sauropod
- They believe it was larger than the Patagotitan, which grew to about 121 meters in length
The fossilized bones of a dinosaur dug up in Argentina, which would have trodden the earth 98 million years ago, could have been the largest terrestrial animal ever.
Local paleontologists found the remains – which include 24 creatures’ tail vertebrae and some adjacent pelvic bones – in the province of Neuquén in 2012.
It is believed to be a titanosaur, one of the largest sauropods – a clade of dinosaurs characterized by their vast size, pillar-like legs and elongated necks and tails.
While the team has not been able to confirm it as a new species yet, the fossils do not appear to match other known remains of sauropod dinosaurs.
The discovery may help experts better understand how giant sauropod dinosaurs evolved and lived millions of years ago.
Despite the new discovery, the title of “largest animal ever” is still held by the blue whale – which is known to grow up to 33.6 meters in length.
The fossilized bones (pictured) of a dinosaur unearthed in Argentina that would have stepped on the earth 98 million years ago could have been the largest land animal ever
“It is clear that the titanosaur partially recovered from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote. – Probably a body mass comparable to Patagonian [pictured, in a full sized model] or Argentinosaurus or even larger ”
Fossilized remains have been found in layers of rock that geologists refer to as the “Candeleros Formation” – and more specifically in a level that, although, represents the deposits of a muddy floodplain.
“It is clear that the titanosaur partially recovered from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote.
“Probably with a body mass comparable to Patagotitan or Argentinosaurus or even higher,” they added.
The Patagotitan – which was first unearthed in Argentina in 2013 – is believed to have reached lengths of over 37 meters and probably weighed about 55-57 tons.
Unlike other remains excavated in the formation, this specimen – which has been designated “MOZ-Pv 1221” – has remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton will probably be discovered in the same place where the excavation took place.
Indeed, the team reported that the bones of the dinosaur limbs had been found, but had not yet been excavated.
Due to the partial nature of the discovery so far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would probably weigh in life.
Unlike other remains excavated in the formation, this specimen – which has been designated “MOZ-Pv 1221” – has remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton will probably be discovered in the same place where the excavation took place. In the image, an artist’s impression of MOZ-Pv 1221 and – below him – two other sauropods from the same location, Limaysaurus (left) and Andesaurus (right)
Due to the partial nature of the discovery so far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would probably weigh in life. In the image, the impression of an artist about the silhouette of the specimen, which shows the bones discovered so far
According to researchers, the province of Neuquén is home to many species of sauropods 98 million years ago – each of which would have played a different role, or “niche”, in the ecosystem and the food web.
“The specimen reported here strongly suggests the coexistence of larger and medium-sized titanosaurs with small rebbachisaurids in the early to late Cretaceous. […] indicating a supposed niche partition, “they said.
The full results of the study were published in the journal Cretaceous Research.
SAUROPODE: DINOSAURS WITH LONG HANDLE AND SMALL SLEEVE
Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for over 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous.
They had long necks and tails and relatively small skulls and brains.
They stretched up to 40 meters and weighed up to 80 tons (80,000 kg) – 14 times the weight of an African elephant.
Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs to dominate most terrestrial ecosystems for over 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous.
They were scattered – their remains were found on all continents except Antarctica.
They had nostrils raised on their skulls – rather than being located at the tip of their snouts like those of many other terrestrial vertebrates.
Some fossils show that these nostrils were so high up to the skull that they were very close to the eye openings.
Sauropods such as Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic about 180 million years ago.
Source: University of California Paleontology Museum