Scientists in Argentina have uncovered the skeleton of what is believed to be a new dinosaur species - and an enormous one at that. This previously unknown species of Titanosaur, named Futalognkosaurus dukei, is among the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, and a remarkable portion of its skeleton has been found.

This massive plant eater was about 4 stories tall (43 ft), with a neck 56 ft long and a tail that stretched 49 ft. One neck vertebra alone was more than 3 ft high, and the excavated spinal column weighed about 9 tons.

The skeleton was found in a region of Patagonia known for its amazing quantity and diversity of fossils. Along side it were fossils of fish, crocodile-like reptiles, a flying pterosaur, and a sickle-clawed meat-eater called a megaraptor.

A member of the research team from Brazil’s National Museum said

The accumulation of fish and leaf fossils, as well as other dinosaurs around the find, is just something fantastic. It’s like a whole lost world for us.”

See the story at
National Geographic: Giant dinosaur in Patagonia, Argentina
See also the photo gallery and video.

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Our Patagonia adventure for women will be back in early 2009, as exciting as ever. I’m always on the lookout for interesting, relevant items, and will post whatever I find in our Patagonia category.