Dinosaur fossil unearthed 98 million years ago in Argentina may be the largest animal to ever walk on Earth, study claims
- The fossil remains – including caudal and pelvic bones – were uncovered in 2012
- The giant titanosaur sauropod dinosaur is said to have had a long neck and tail
- It was preserved in a muddy floodplain in what is now the province of Neuquén
- Researchers believe the remains could belong to a new sauropod species
- They think it was bigger than Patagotitan, which grew to about 37 meters long
The fossilized bones of a dinosaur excavated in Argentina that would have trampled the Earth 98 million years ago may have been the largest land animal ever.
Local paleontologists found the remains – including 24 vertebrae from the creatures’ tails and some adjacent pelvic bones – in Neuquén Province in 2012.
It is believed to be a titanosaur, one of the largest sauropods – a clade of dinosaurs characterized by their enormous size, pillar-like legs, and elongated necks and tails.
While the team has not been able to confirm that it is a new species so far, the fossils do not seem to match any other known remains of sauropod dinosaurs.
The find could help experts better understand how giant sauropod dinosaurs evolved and lived millions of years ago.
Despite the new find, the title of ‘largest animal ever’ is still held by the blue whale – known to reach 33.6 meters in length.
The fossilized bones (photo) of a dinosaur excavated in Argentina that is said to have trampled the earth 98 million years ago were possibly the largest land animal ever
“It is clear that the titanosaurus partially recovered from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote. Probably with a body weight comparable to Patagotitan [pictured, in a full sized model] or Argentinosaurus or even bigger ‘
The fossilized remains were found in layers of rock that geologists call the ‘Candeleros Formation’ – and more specifically at a level that represents the deposits of a muddy floodplain.
“It is clear that the titanosaurus partially recovered from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote.
“Probably with a body weight comparable to Patagotitan or Argentinosaurus or even larger,” they added.
Patagotitan – which was first excavated in Argentina in 2013 – is said to have reached a length of more than 37 meters and probably weighed some 55-57 tons.
Unlike other remains excavated from the formation, this specimen – designated ‘MOZ-Pv 1221’ – remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton is likely to be uncovered at the same site as the excavation progresses.
Indeed, the team reports that the bones of the dinosaurs’ limbs have been found, but have not yet been excavated.
Due to the partial nature of the find thus far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely have weighed in life.
Unlike other remains excavated from the formation, this specimen – designated ‘MOZ-Pv 1221’ – remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton is likely to be uncovered at the same site as the excavation progresses. Pictured, an artist’s impression of MOZ-Pv 1221 and – below it – two other sauropods from the same location, Limaysaurus (left) and Andesaurus (right)
Due to the partial nature of the find so far, the researchers said it was not yet possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely have weighed in life. Depicted, an artist’s impression of the silhouette of the specimen, with the bones exposed so far
According to the researchers, the Neuquén province would have been home to numerous species of sauropods 98 million years ago – each of which would have taken on a different role or ‘niche’ in the ecosystem and food web.
The specimen reported here strongly suggests the coexistence of the largest and medium-sized titanosaurs with small rebbachisaurids at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous. […] indicating alleged niche partitioning, ‘they said.
The full findings of the study are published in the journal Cretaceous Research.
SAUROPODS: LONG NECK AND SMALL BRAIN DINOSAURS
Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 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, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 million years, from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous.
They were widespread – their remains have been found on all continents except Antarctica.
They had nostrils high on their skull – instead of being located at the end of the snout like those of so many other land vertebrates.
Some fossils show that these nostril openings were so far into the skull that they were very close to the eye openings.
Sauropods like the Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic about 180 million years ago.
Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology