466
Paleontologists led by National Geographic researcher Diego Paul have discovered the remains of a new species of titanosaur in Argentina, shedding light on a little-known ecosystem. The find demonstrates the unique adaptation of dinosaurs to arid environments. The fossils were found near a vast salt flat in northern Patagonia, which is significantly different from the usual habitats of dinosaurs.
Chadititan calvoi: the “gentle giant” of ancient Patagonia
The new species was named Chadititan calvoi, which translates as “salt titan.” The dinosaur reached about 7 meters in length and lived about 78 million years ago. Despite belonging to the titanosaurs, it was distinguished by its relatively small size and slender body structure.
Titanosaurs were a diverse family of sauropod dinosaurs that flourished during the late Cretaceous period, between 90 and 66 million years ago.
A unique ecosystem and treasure trove of ancient life
The site, located in the Anacleto Formation, was rich in a variety of fossils. In addition to the dinosaur remains, paleontologists have found numerous fossils of snails, fish, and turtles. These findings allow us to reconstruct the ecosystem inhabited by Chadititan.
Of particular value are the first fossils of a family of tropical land snails (Neocyclotidae). The team also recorded the first documented specimen of a small, air-breathing tropical land snail of the genus Leptinaria. These findings indicate a unique microclimate in the arid region.
The unusual advantage of turtles
The biggest mystery of this place is the unusually high concentration of freshwater turtle fossils. They account for over 90% of all paleontological finds in this region. This proportion is extremely atypical for the relevant period.
“Such a high percentage is very unusual, as in contemporaneous sites from North America and Europe turtles rarely make up more than 50% of the fauna”", explained Federico Agnolin, first author of the study. This observation highlights the uniqueness of Patagonian ecosystems during the Cretaceous period.
Titanosaur diversity: changing scientific ideas
The discovery of Chadititan calvoi complements Paul's team's discovery last year of the titanosaur Titanomachya gimenez. That creature was even smaller, about the size of a cow. Both discoveries challenge traditional views of titanosaurs as exclusively gigantic creatures.
A study supported by National Geographic shows the remarkable diversity of dinosaurs that inhabited Patagonia during the late Cretaceous period, a period that ended with the mass extinction of dinosaurs caused by an asteroid impact about 66 million years ago.
The results of the study, published in the journal Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, significantly enrich our understanding of the biodiversity of the Southern Hemisphere before the global catastrophe and highlight the unique features of Patagonian ecosystems during the Late Cretaceous period.
