Newly Discovered Titanosaur: Bustingorrytitan Shiva
Introduction
A titan dinosaur named Bustingorrytitan Shiva, inspired by the Hindu deity Shiva, has been recently unearthed in western Argentina. This colossal creature, known as B. Shiva, is one of the largest sauropods ever discovered.
Key Details
The study published in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica revealed that B. Shiva stretched an impressive 98 feet in length and weighed about 74 tonnes. This discovery places B. Shiva among the megatitanosaurs, a group of enormous titanosaurs that exceeded 55 tons.
Discovery and Excavation
The remains of B. Shiva were first found by a local farmer named Manuel Bustingorry in 2000. Subsequent excavations led by palaeontologist María Edith Simón uncovered at least four individual dinosaurs from this species, including a relatively complete skeleton and three partial specimens.
Unique Characteristics
B. Shiva exhibits distinctive features such as crests on the humerus and femur, setting it apart from other known sauropods. This differentiation suggests the coexistence of two gigantic titanosaur lineages in North Patagonia during the middle of the Cretaceous period.
Ecological Diversity
According to lead author María Edith Simón, each sauropod species, including B. Shiva, had unique characteristics that allowed them to coexist without competing with one another. This ecological diversity highlights the adaptation of these giant creatures in their environment.
Significance of the Name
The name “Bustingorrytitan” pays homage to the farmer who discovered the fossils, while “Shiva” references the Hindu deity known as ‘the destroyer.’ This naming reflects the power and magnitude of this titan dinosaur.
Conclusion
The discovery of Bustingorrytitan Shiva sheds light on the evolution and diversity of titanosaurs during the Cretaceous period. This finding adds to our understanding of prehistoric giants that once roamed the earth.
