A dinosaur defending itself with thorns is discovered in Argentina

<img src = "https://cdn-istoe-ssl.akamaized.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/02/5c14fe2be822c22c15daa470b0fa10523f6868c5.jpg" title = "Dinossauro that defended itself com espinhos é descoberto na Argentina "alt =" Replica of "Bajadasaurus pronuspinax", a new species of dinosaur discovered in Argentine Patagonia, during its presentation in Buenos Aires, February 4, 2019 – AFP [19659003] A species of herbivorous dinosaur that lived there At 140 million years ago, with defensive spines on the neck and back, was discovered in Argentine Patagonia, an area known as the "Jurbadic Park" of the southern hemisphere.

discovery was published (19659004) called Bajadasaurus pronuspinax, the dinosaur belongs to the family of dicraeosauridae A reproduction of the thorny neck was exhibited at the Cultural Center of Science of Buenos Aires

. "We think the long spines sharp and very long on the neck and the backs of Bajadasaurus and Amargasaurus cazaui (another dicraeosauridae) to deter potential predators, "said Pablo Gallina, badociate researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research (Conicet) and at the Felix de Azara Foundation of the University Maimonides.

The sauropods were quadrupeds who lived between the upper Tribadic and the deceased. Upper Cretaceous, characterized by their large size and the length of their necks and tails.

"We think that if (thorns) were only bare bone structures or only cutaneous bones, they could easily break or fracture easily at once. or when it is attacked by other animals, "added Gallina.

Therefore, the paleontologist suggested that "These spines should be protected by a horny layer of keratin, similar to what happens in the horns of many mammals."

Amargasaurus cazaui inhabited the South American continent about 15 million years after the Bajadasaurus. Both species were found in the province of Neuquén, 1,800 kilometers southwest of Buenos Aires.

In the area was found in 1993 the Giganotosaurus carolinii, considered the largest carnivorous dinosaur of all time.

– Sexual Attraction –

"Some hypotheses suggest that the spines (of dicraeosauridae) served as a support for a kind of candle that regulated the body temperature of dinosaurs or that formed Conicet said in a statement that the body had "speculated, for example, that these species might have had a fleshy bump among the thorns used to store reserves."

"Another presumption is that thorns were covered with horn linings that served a defensive purpose against 39, possible attacks, "added the agency.

The skull of Bajadasaurus is the best preserved of a dicraeosauridae." Their study suggests that these animals feed a lot of soil plants, while their ocular orbits located near the top of the skull allowed them to control what was happening in their environment, "said Conicet

.The name of the species e This was due to the fact that it was found in the city of Bajada Colorada, with the participation of the Ernesto Bachmann Paleontological Museum of Villa El Chocón