Sciences. How were the new species of dinosaurs discovered in Australia?

A huge dinosaur whose fossils were discovered in 2006 in Australia has been officially recognized as a specimen of a new species. The animal received the name “Australotitan coprensis”. It is one of the largest animals known to roam the Earth’s surface.

Dinosaur “is one of the five largest titanosaurs in the world.”

This dinosaur belongs to the Titanosaurus group that lived nearly 100 million years ago. Specimens of this group of long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs are found on all continents.

Australotitan coprensis is estimated to be 5 to 6.5 meters high and 25 to 30 meters long, making it the largest known Australian dinosaur.

Long and boring selection

The fossilized bones were discovered in 2006 on Robin Mackenzie’s family farm, 1,000 miles west of Brisbane in the Eromanga Basin, and the “cooper” skeleton is named after the state river. This discovery was initially kept secret while researchers patiently carried out the excavations. The skeleton was first shown to the public in 2007.

Confirming that Cooper really belonged to a new species was the result of a “very long and tedious process”, Scott Hocknall, a paleontologist at the Queensland Museum, explained. The research, which included 3-D comparisons of Cooper’s bones with those of his relatives, was published in the scientific journal Monday. berg.

Scott Hocknall said that many other dinosaur bones have been found in the same area, adding that more fossils are needed. “Such results are just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

The largest dinosaur known to date is the Patagotitan Mayorum, “Patagonian Titan,” discovered in Argentina and described in 2017. Paleontologists estimate that it could weigh about 70 tons, the equivalent of about 10 African elephants, and be about 37 meters long. It is several meters long. Cross.

A few weeks ago, a dinosaur discovered in Mexico, Tlatolophus galorum, was officially recognized as a new species.