Researchers have recently discovered a new dinosaur species, Titanomachya, based on just one partial skeleton. However, paleontologist Pablo Gallina from Universidad Maimónides believes that the distinct bone characteristics of this dinosaur justify the new-species distinction. Gallina, a National Geographic Explorer, points out that Titanomachya stands out for its small size compared to other titanosaurs found in Patagonia.
Titanomachya lived in what is now Argentina around 67 million years ago and had body dimensions of a large cow. It weighed between five and 10 tons and had a long neck and tail that reached about 20 feet in length. This made it much smaller than the biggest titanosaurs that were over a hundred feet long and weighed more than 70 tons.
During the Late Cretaceous period, the environment where Titanomachya lived was very different from present-day Patagonia. The area was characterized by coastal lagoons and estuaries, making it a wet and marshy habitat. Carnotaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur known as the “meat-eating bull,” roamed the area along with a variety of other dinosaur species that scientists are still working to understand. Fossil discoveries in the La Colonia Formation where Titanomachya was found have also revealed duck-billed hadrosaurs, armored ankylosaurs, and more. Titanomachya’s discovery may just be the beginning of uncovering more fossils in the region.
In conclusion, despite being based on just one partial skeleton, Titanomachya’s distinct bone characteristics warrant its classification as a new species. The discovery of this small titanosaur sheds light on how diverse and adaptable these creatures were during their time on Earth.
