Although remains of sauropods (one of the most diverse and widespread species of herbivorous dinosaurs, with more than 150 recognized species) have been found on all continental land masses, there have been none found in Antarctica. Now for the first time, the presence of large herbivorous dinosaurs in Antarctica has been discovered. The new specimen was discovered on James Ross Island by an Argentinian-led team of scientists.
The identification of the remains of this sauropod dinosaur suggests or confirms what we already believed, that advanced titanosaurs (plant-eating, sauropod dinosaurs) were widely distributed across the entire globe by the Late Cretaceous Period, which spanned 99.6 – 65.5 million years ago. Titanosaurs are believed to be the last significant group of sauropods before dinosaurs became extinct.
Dr. Cerda and his team reported the first discovery of a sauropod dinosaur, with a detailed description of an incomplete middle-tail vertebra. Due to the size and morphology as well as its ball and socket articulations, they have identified it as an advanced titanosaur, the most successful group of sauropod dinosaurs.
This find will help to extend our knowledge of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period.