What’s happening:
A novel species of long-necked herbivorous dinosaur, Sidersaura marae, has been unearthed in Neuquén Province, Argentina, as reported by the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) paleontologists.
Why it matters:
The discovery of Sidersaura marae enhances our understanding of sauropod diversity and evolution. Sauropods, recognized for their immense size and long necks, play a crucial role in the narrative of prehistoric life on Earth. This new species, in particular, provides insight into the late-surviving members of the rebbachisauridae family before their extinction approximately 90 million years ago.
The details:
Published in the peer-reviewed journal Historical Biology, the discovery is based on the fossilized remains of four specimens found in Cañadón de Las Campanas, an area known for abundant paleontological discoveries of Rebbachisauridae fossils. Displaying characteristic wide snouts for grazing low vegetation and pneumatic hollow bones to support its hefty neck, the Sidersaura species stands out as the largest in its family, with an estimated weight of 15 tons and length between 18 and 20 meters. A striking feature leading to its name is star-shaped tail bones, with “sider” translating to “star” in Latin.
Impact of the discovery:
The Sidersaura marae findings are significant because they reveal an ancient lineage that extended into the later periods of sauropod existence. The size of these animals indicates their dominance and adaptability in their ecosystems before the mass extinction that wiped out numerous species including large carnivorous dinosaurs like the carcharodontosaurids. According to researcher Sebastián Apesteguía of CONICET, Sidersaura’s survival into the end times of the rebbachisaurids exemplifies the endurance of early evolutionary lineages within this family of giants.
Bottom Line:
The discovery of Sidersaura marae not only adds a new chapter to the history of dinosaurs but also underscores the rich paleontological heritage of Argentina. It highlights the ongoing quest of science to unravel the mysteries of our planet’s distant past and the creatures that once roamed its landscapes.
This story was first published on jpost.com.