Researchers have identified a giant new species of long-necked dinosaur in Thailand that is now believed to be the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Southeast Asia. The discovery comes from a collaboration led by scientists from University College London (UCL), Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology and Thailand’s Sirindhorn Museum.
The dinosaur was described in the journal scientific report The fossils were first discovered near a pond in northeastern Thailand nearly a decade ago after researchers examined them.
By studying vertebrae, ribs, pelvic bones and leg bones, the team determined that this massive animal stood about 27 meters (89 feet) long and weighed about 27 tons, which is the equivalent of nine adult Asian elephants. The front leg bone alone measured 1.78 meters in length (as tall as a human).
Newly identified species named Nagatitan Chiafumensis. The name combines “naga”, a legendary serpent from Thai and Southeast Asian mythology, and “titan”, referring to the giants of Greek mythology. The species name honors Chaiyaphum Province, where the fossils were found. It is the 14th officially named dinosaur species in Thailand.
A giant sauropod from the Early Cretaceous
Nagatitan Belonging to the sauropods, a group of giant plant-eating dinosaurs known for their long necks and tails. Famous sauropods include diplodocus And brontosaurus. This newly discovered dinosaur lived during the Early Cretaceous period, 100 to 120 million years ago.
Lead author Thittiwoot (Perth) Sethapanichasakul, a Thai PhD student at UCL Earth Sciences, said: “Our dinosaur is big by most people’s standards – it probably weighed at least 10 tonnes more than Dippy the Diplodocus (Diplodocus carnegiei). However, it is still dwarfed by sauropods like Patagotitan (60 tonnes) or Ruyangosaurus (50 tonnes).
“We refer to Nagatitan as the ‘last titan’ of Thailand. This is because it was discovered in Thailand’s youngest dinosaur-bearing rock formation. Younger rocks laid down at the end of dinosaur times are unlikely to contain dinosaur remains because by then the area had become a shallow sea. So it may be the last or most recent large sauropod we will find in Southeast Asia.”
Scientists believe the area was arid to semiarid during the Early Cretaceous, conditions that appear to have favored sauropods. Researchers believe the animals may have used their long necks and tails to release heat and help regulate body temperature.
The fossil site also points to an ancient river environment teeming with fish, freshwater sharks and crocodiles.
Ancient Thailand was home to hunters and flying reptiles
Giant dinosaurs probably shared their habitat with various prehistoric animals. Small plant eaters such as iguanodontians and early ceratopsians (relatives of). triceratops) lived in the area alongside giant predators, including carcharodontosaurians and spinosaurids. Flying reptiles known as pterosaurs also hunted fish along the river system.
Researchers classified Nagatitan As a somphospondylan sauropod, a branch of sauropods that became widespread about 120 million years ago. More specifically, it belonged to a suborder called Euhelopodidae, which is known only from Asia.
The dinosaur is distinguished from related species by several unique features found in its spine, pelvis, and leg bones. A life-size reconstruction of Nagatitan Currently on display at the Thenosaur Museum of Asiatica in Bangkok.
Thailand’s growing dinosaur research scene
Sethapanichasakul said: “My dream is to continue efforts to get Southeast Asian dinosaurs recognized internationally. More international collaboration between Thailand and other institutions like UCL can further our understanding of the paleontology of the region and apply it to a global context. It all starts with identifying and describing the specimens we have found before. We have a large collection of sauropod fossils that have not yet been formally described – including Many new species may be included.
“I’ve always been a dinosaur kid. This study not only establishes a new species, but also fulfills a childhood promise of naming dinosaurs.”
Co-author Professor Paul Upchurch, from UCL Earth Sciences, said: “This discovery comes from a new collaboration between UCL and colleagues in Thailand. The material was studied in both Thailand and UCL – 3D scanning and printing means we can study the samples and collect data without travelling(good for reducing carbon footprint).
“We have a long-standing interest in the evolution of these giant plant-eaters and we have good collaborative relationships with researchers around the world. It is great to work with Thai colleagues and gain insight into what was happening in Southeast Asia during the Jurassic and Cretaceous.”
UCL’s dinosaur development team consists of five academics as well as research fellows, postdoctoral researchers and over 10 PhD students. Many focus specifically on the evolution of dinosaurs, while others study vertebrates such as crocodiles and birds.
Dr. Sita Manitkoon, a researcher at Mahasarakham University’s Palaeontological Research and Education Centre, project leader and National Geographic Explorer, said: “Although Thailand is a small country in Asia, we have a very high diversity of dinosaur fossils, possibly the third most abundant in Asia in terms of dinosaur remains. We have actually been studying dinosaurs in Thailand for almost 40 years (since the first dinosaur was named in 1986), and “Already we have an increasing number of young generation paleontologists who are actively conducting research and promoting paleontology and its importance within the country.”
The research was funded by the National Geographic Society.