Pesquisadores identified a new species of dinosaur in Chaiyaphum, northeast of Tailândia. The animal, called Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, weighed approximately 27 tons and was about 27 meters long. The discovery was published this Thursday in the magazine Scientific Reports. The fossil remains were found about ten years ago by local residents next to a community lake. Escavações occurred between 2016 and 2019, with additional work completed in 2024. The dinosaur lived between 100 million and 120 million years ago, during the Cretáceo Inferior period.
Pesquisadores from Thai institutions and University College London analyzed bones of the legs, spine, ribs and pelvis. The work was led by Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a Thai PhD student based at Londres. The team used 3D scans to study the materials. Comparações with other sauropods showed unique characteristics that justified classification as a new species.
Úmero measuring almost two meters impresses researchers
The arm bone, known as the humerus, measured 1.78 meters. Ele caught the team’s attention from the first contact with the fossils. Quando Thitiwoot saw the bone for the first time, the element surpassed his own height. Fieldwork took place during the dry season, when the water level dropped and exposed the remains preserved in the rock formation. The Chaiyaphum region offers ideal conditions for fossil preservation. Exposição smaller to rain and native vegetation help in the maintenance of ancient archaeological materials.
The bone elements analyzed include:
- Úmero 1.78 meters long
- Fêmur almost full legs
- Partes significant spinal column
- Costelas and elements of the pelvis
- Restos compatible with meandering river habitat
Scientific Nome combines mythology and local geography
The dinosaur received a name that mixes cultural references and location. “Naga” refers to a mythical serpent from Southeast Asian folklore, important in Thai tradition. “Titan” references the giants of classical Greek mythology. The suffix “chaiyaphumensis” indicates the province where the fossils were discovered. Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul described the animal as “the last titan”. The Khok Kruat formation, from which the bones came, represents one of the most recent layers with dinosaurs in Tailândia. Após During this geological period, the region turned into a shallow sea.
Nagatitan’s size dwarfs other known sauropods from the region. The researcher compared the giant to Diplodocus Dippy, the famous skeleton exposed in Museu of História Natural of Londres. The Nagatitan weighed at least ten tons more than the Diplodocus. The animal lived in a hot and dry environment, close to rivers that were home to fish, freshwater sharks, crocodiles and turtles. Seu size offered protection against predators of the time.
Tailândia consolidates position as an important paleontological center
Nagatitan becomes the largest known dinosaur in Southeast Asia. Ele surpasses other sauropods already recorded in the country. Tailândia now has fourteen named dinosaur species. The finding indicates that large sauropods thrived in Ásia during Cretáceo Médio. Esse period was marked by warmer weather than previous periods. The environment included other medium-sized, iguanodont-like dinosaurs. Formas primitive ceratopsids, relatives of Triceratops, also inhabited the region.
Cientistas estimate that the animal fed on the tops of tall trees. The nutrition method took advantage of its elongated neck. A full-size reconstruction of the skeleton is displayed in Thainosaur Museum, in Bangcoc. The research center set up at the discovery site continues to host studies on Asian sauropods.
Colaboração international advances paleontological research
The research team involved Departamento of Recursos Minerais of Tailândia, local universities and University College London. Collaboration between Thai and international researchers is strategic. Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul fulfilled a childhood dream by naming a new species from his country. The specific anatomical details justified the separation of Nagatitan from other sauropods. The publication in Scientific Reports details the precise measurements of each bone structure analyzed. The estimated total length reaches 27 meters, according to calculations derived from the preserved bones.
The rock formation at Tailândia has a large thickness of sediment from Mesozoico, offering the potential for new discoveries. Equipes continue to explore the area systematically. Nagatitan represents another step in understanding the evolution of Asian sauropods. The work reinforces the paleontological potential of the Southeast Asian region as a whole.