New dinosaur species with exceptionally long neck discovered in Thailand
Thai palaeontologists have identified a new long-necked dinosaur species, Uragasaurus kalasinensis, from fossils found in Kalasin Province. The plant-eating dinosaur lived about 150 million years ago and measured up to 20 metres in length.
Thai researchers have announced the discovery of a new dinosaur species, based on fossils unearthed in the northeastern province of Kalasin. The species, named Uragasaurus kalasinensis, was a herbivore that roamed the Earth approximately 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. It boasted an unusually long neck and reached lengths of up to 20 metres, comparable to the length of a cricket pitch.
The fossils were part of a large collection from the Phu Noi site, which was first identified in 2008 when a local resident found fragments resembling serpent scales. Over 90% of the fossils excavated at this site belong to dinosaurs. A survey team later uncovered dinosaur teeth and bones, but the key to identifying the new species was a dorsal vertebra that exhibited distinctive characteristics.
A CT scan revealed that the dinosaur belongs to the Mamenchisauridae family of sauropods, known for their extremely long necks. While most Mamenchisauridae fossils have been found in China, this marks the first discovery of this family in Thailand. The scan also highlighted unique features, including a Y-shaped arrangement of supporting bones (laminae) and a distinctive air-cavity structure.
Dr Apirat Nilphanaphan of Mahasarakham University, the lead author of the study, said he smashed his keyboard upon realising the discovery, feeling both exhilarated and relieved. The study was published this week in the scientific journal Nature.
Earlier this year, in May, another long-necked herbivore dinosaur, nagatitan, was identified from remains in Thailand. Nagatitan is the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia, weighing 27 tonnes and measuring 27 metres in length.
