Fossils: 98-million-year-old dinosaur discovered in Argentina could be the largest land animal of all time

The fossilized bones of a dinosaur unearthed in Argentina that are believed to have trampled the earth 98 million years ago may have been the largest land animal of all time.

Local paleontologists found the remains – which include 24 vertebrae from the creatures’ tail and a few 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 large size, pillar-shaped legs, and elongated neck and tail.

Although the team has yet to be able to confirm it as a new species, the fossils do not appear to correspond to other known sauropod dinosaur remains.

This discovery may help experts gain a better understanding of how giant sauropod dinosaurs evolved and lived millions of years ago.

Despite the new discovery, the title of “ greatest animal of all time ” is still held by the blue whale – which is known to reach a length of 33.6 meters.

The fossilized bones (pictured) of a dinosaur unearthed in Argentina that is believed to have trampled the earth 98 million years ago may have been the largest land animal of all time.

“It is clear that the partially recovered titanosaur from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote. ‘Probably of a body mass comparable to Patagotitan [pictured, in a full sized model] or Argentinosaurus or even larger ‘

The fossilized remains were found in layers of rock that geologists call the “Candeleros Formation” – and more specifically at a level that is believed to represent deposits from a muddy floodplain.

“It is clear that the partially recovered titanosaur from the Candeleros formation can be considered one of the largest titanosaurs,” the researchers wrote.

“Probably of a body mass comparable to that of the Patagotitan or the Argentinosaurus or even more,” they added.

The patagotitan – which was first unearthed in Argentina in 2013 – is believed to have reached lengths of over 37 meters and likely weighed around 55 to 57 tonnes.

Unlike other excavated remains of the formation, this specimen – which has been designated ‘MOZ-Pv 1221’ – has remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton will likely be found in the same location at as the excavations progress.

Indeed, the team reports that the bones of the dinosaur members have been found, but not yet excavated.

Due to the partial nature of the discovery so far, the researchers said it has not yet been possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely have weighed in life.

Unlike other excavated remains of the formation, this specimen – which has been designated ‘MOZ-Pv 1221’ – has remained largely articulated, suggesting that more of the skeleton will likely be found in the same location at as the excavations progress. Pictured is an artist’s impression of MOZ-Pv 1221 and – below – 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 has not yet been possible to estimate how much MOZ-Pv 1221 would likely have weighed in life. Pictured is an artist’s impression of the specimen’s silhouette, showing the bones discovered so far

According to the researchers, the province of Neuquén was home to many species of sauropods 98 million years ago – each of which occupied a different role, or “niche”, in the ecosystem and food chain.

‘The specimen reported here strongly suggests the coexistence of larger and medium titanosaurs with small rebbachisaurids in the early Late Cretaceous […] indicating a putative niche partition, ”they said.

The full results of the study were published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

SAUROPODS: LONG-NECKED DINOSAURS AND SMALL BRAINS

Sauropods were the first group of successful 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), or 14 times the weight of an African elephant.

Sauropods were the first group of successful herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for over 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous.

They were widespread – their remains have been found on every continent except Antarctica.

They had nostrils high on their heads – rather than being located at the end of the snout like those of so many other terrestrial vertebrates.

Some fossils show that these nostril openings were so far into the skull that there were some very close to the eye openings.

Sauropods such as the Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic around 180 million years ago.

Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology