Construction workers at a transit terminal site in Davinópolis, Brazil, have unearthed the remains of a giant dinosaur that lived 120 million years ago.
Described in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, the newly identified species, Dasosaurus tocantinensis, is providing fresh insights into prehistoric animal migrations.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Scale: At roughly 20 meters (65 feet) long, it is the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Maranhão state.
- Surprisingly Complete: Uncovered nearly eight meters underground, the fossil includes tail vertebrae, a 1.5-meter femur, ribs, and leg bones.
- Ancient Migration Route: Evolutionary analysis links Dasosaurus directly to a close relative in modern-day Spain. Researchers believe its ancestors traveled from Europe through North Africa to South America when the landmasses were joined within the supercontinent Gondwana.
- Fast-Growing Bones: Microscopic bone analysis revealed a unique growth pattern combining older sauropod and titanosaur traits, shedding light on how these giants grew so quickly.
Construction Meets Paleontology
While infrastructure projects pose a risk of destroying fossil beds, they also expose deep rock layers that would otherwise remain hidden. Scientists are currently negotiating with the construction firm to return to the site for further excavation.
