Paleontologists identify new giant dinosaur from Brazilian rail terminal site

The short version

• Fossils found during construction in Davinópolis, Maranhão, belong to a new dinosaur species named Dasosaurus tocantinensis.[ScienceDaily]
• The 20-meter-long sauropod lived approximately 120 million years ago and is the largest known dinosaur in the state.[ScienceDaily]
• Scientists propose its ancestors migrated to South America across North Africa between 140 and 120 million years ago.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• The newly described species Dasosaurus tocantinensis was discovered at a road rail terminal construction site in Davinópolis, Maranhão.[ScienceDaily]
• The animal reached roughly 20 meters in length and lived about 120 million years ago.[ScienceDaily]
• The recovered skeleton includes tail vertebrae, ribs, arm and leg bones, foot bones, and a 1.5-meter femur.[ScienceDaily]
• Bone analysis demonstrated a growth pattern sharing characteristics of both titanosaurs and older sauropods.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Giant new dinosaur discovered beneath construction site in BrazilScienceDaily - Environment