Paleontologists in Northern Patagonia have discovered a new titanosaur dinosaur species, Chadititan calvoi, which sheds light on the world before the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. The discovery was made at the Anacleto rock formation near General Roca city in Argentina, where over 400 fossils of various animal groups were found.
The site is believed to have been an oasis in a harsh environment during the late Cretaceous period, with temperatures around 5-10 degrees Celsius higher than today. The diverse fossil record includes turtles, fish, crocodile relatives, slugs, and dinosaurs, making it a unique find. Chadititan calvoi, the new species, is approximately 22 feet long and is considered small compared to other titanosaur species.
The discovery is significant because it provides insights into the diversity of ecosystems in Southern Hemisphere during the late Cretaceous period. The new species shares characteristics with other herbivorous dinosaurs found in the region but has distinct features that set it apart. Studying Chadititan calvoi and others could help paleontologists understand how biodiversity changed as the world approached the end of the dinosaur reign.
The finding also challenges the prevailing theory that there was a crisis in biodiversity just before the mass extinction event, particularly among herbivores. The discovery of Chadititan calvoi and other titanosaur species in South America contradicts this trend, suggesting that herbivore diversity may have been higher than previously thought. Further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis and test the thesis.
Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/new-titanosaur-dinosaur-fossils-patagonia