Four New Beasts Unveiled: A Species Never Before Known to the World.
According to Sci-News, the newly discovered species, named Bustingorrytitan shiva, has emerged in the Patagonia region of Argentina, a territory famous for its colossal creatures.
Fossilized remains of at least four individuals have been collected by paleontologists. These are oversized bones dating back to 95 million years ago, belonging to the Late Cretaceous period.
Among them, a relatively complete skeleton has helped scientists create an accurate picture of this beast when it roamed the land that is now South America.
The newly unearthed creature in Argentina belongs to the titanosaurs – (Graphic: SCI-NEWS).
Bustingorrytitan shiva is classified under the group of “titanosaurs.” These are the largest dinosaurs in the world, characterized by their extremely long necks and massive, column-like legs.
According to a detailed report recently published in the scientific journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, calculations suggest that this new species weighed an average of 67.3 tons while alive.
The largest known titanosaur is Argentinosaurus, which weighed approximately 70 tons.
The name Bustingorrytitan combines the last name of farmer Manuel Bustingorry, owner of the land where the beast rested, with “Titan,” referring to the group of giant deities in Greek mythology.
Thus, they are among the largest species within the titanosaur group.
Dr. María Edith Simón, the paleontologist leading the international research team, stated that the discovery of this beast in the area known as Northern Patagonia in southern South America confirms that this region is indeed a territory of oversized titanosaurs, with body weights exceeding 50 tons.
Patagonia is a geographical region encompassing the southernmost part of South America, covering parts of Argentina and Chile. The “Destroyer” beast is located in the Patagonia region of Neuquén province, Argentina.
The first fossil remains were uncovered in 2000, but paleontologists spent many years excavating the giant bones and analyzing them.
Dr. Simón mentioned that she was responsible for the laboratory and research area at the Ernesto Bachmann Paleontology Museum nearby at the time the beast was revealed, thus organizing excavations from 2001 onward.
Over the years, they have found the remains of at least four individuals of the new species, including one relatively complete skeleton and three incomplete specimens.
The Bustingorrytitan shiva beast – (Photo: María Edith Simón).
This new beast originates from the Huincul Formation, dating back 93 to 96 million years, which is also where the “monster king” Argentinosaurus was found.
Thus, it is also a representative of the golden age of dinosaurs: the Late Cretaceous period.
This lineage of beasts is believed to have existed until the end of the Late Cretaceous when the Chicxulub asteroid collided with Earth, ending the existence of all dinosaurs, flying reptiles, and ancient marine reptiles.
Prior to Bustingorrytitan shiva, four titanosaur species weighing over 50 tons had been discovered in Patagonia.
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Titanosaurs are the largest branch within the Sauropod family, a group of large dinosaurs characterized by long necks, massive bodies, column-like legs, and long, heavy tails. Despite their size, sauropods are herbivorous. |
