A new species of titanosaur, believed to be 73 million years old and weighing an estimated 15 tons, has been unearthed, according to a recent scientific revelation.
This colossal creature, identified from a single partial skeleton, was discovered at the Lo Hueco site near Cuenca, Spain. The study, published in the journal Communications Biology, has named this behemoth Qunkasaura pintiquiniestra, or "Qunka" for short. It is thought that this remarkable species was among the "last giants" to inhabit our planet before an asteroid event led to their extinction.
As reported by the Daily Caller, the Qunka's remains are part of an extensive collection of over 12,000 fossils gathered since 2007 along the Madrid-Levante high-speed train tracks. The creature is estimated to have measured over 65 feet in length, according to Francisco Ortega, one of the study's authors. The discovery of Qunka has provided researchers with new insights into the prehistoric world. "The study of this specimen allowed us to identify for the first time the presence of two distinct lineages of saltasauroids in the same fossil locality," lead author Pedro Mocho shared.
The two groups of dinosaurs identified include the Lirainosaurinae, a relatively known group in the Iberian region, characterized by small and medium-sized species that evolved in an island ecosystem. However, Qunka belongs to a different group of sauropods, represented by medium-large species 73 million years ago. "This suggests to us that this lineage arrived in the Iberian Peninsula much later than other groups of dinosaurs," Mocho further explained.
The Qunka is one of the most complete fossilized dinosaurs ever discovered in Europe. The remains include cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, part of the pelvic girdle, and fragments of its limbs. This discovery not only adds to our understanding of the prehistoric world but also serves as a testament to the power of scientific research and its ability to continually uncover the mysteries of our planet's past.
For those interested in witnessing this piece of prehistoric history, part of the Qunka's remains are currently on display at the Paleontological Museum of Castilla-La Mancha in Cuenca. This exhibit offers a tangible connection to a time when these "last giants" roamed the earth, serving as a stark reminder of the earth's ever-evolving history.
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