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Source: This post is based on the article “A new species of dinosaur has been discovered in Argentina” published in “Sci News” on 8 January 2024.
Why in news?
Recently, a new species of dinosaur has been discovered in Argentina.
What was discovered?
| Specifications | Details |
| Species | Dinosaurs |
| Discovery Location | Patagonia, Argentina. |
| Scientific name | Sidersaura Marae |
| Period | Cenomanian age of the Late Cretaceous epoch, between 96 and 93 million years ago. |
| Distinctive Features | 1) The animal belongs to Rebbachisauridae, a large family of sauropod dinosaurs. 2) It is known from fragmentary fossil remains from South America, Africa, North America, Europe and Asia. 3) These dinosaurs have long neck, duck-beak, and had a very long tail. 4) They are up to 20 m in length and had an estimated mass of 15 tons. 5) These dinosaurs are identified by unique teeth, some with tooth batteries, like hadrosaurs and ceratopsians. 6)Sidersaura marae is distinguished by its star-shaped hemal arches, a unique characteristic. |
Who are sauropod dinosaurs?
1) Sauropod dinosaurs were large, long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous periods.
2) They are the largest animals to have ever lived on land.
2) The sauropods’ most distinctive feature was their enormous body size and their signature long sauropod necks.
3) Sauropod dinosaurs are also known for having spines on their necks and backs.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
