Thai paleontologists have identified a new species of sauropod dinosaur, named Uragasaurus kalasinensis, that lived 150 million years ago. It is the first member of the Mamenchisauridae family found in Southeast Asia.
A team of paleontologists has announced the discovery of a new species of long-necked dinosaur in Kalasin province, northeastern Thailand. The specimen, called Uragasaurus kalasinensis, inhabited the Earth during the Late Jurassic, approximately 150 million years ago, and its remains were extracted from the Phu Noi site, one of the most important vertebrate deposits in Asia.
The finding, published in a specialised scientific journal, marks a milestone for Southeast Asian paleontology. Until now, dinosaurs from the Mamenchisauridae family had only been documented in China and Mongolia, so this specimen significantly expands the distribution area of these giants with extraordinarily long necks.
A name that evokes a serpent
The scientific name of the new species combines the Sanskrit word uraga, meaning serpent, with the Greek term saurus, referring to the enormous length of its neck. The epithet kalasinensis pays tribute to the province where the remains were found. According to the researchers, the neck of this dinosaur could exceed the length of any other known terrestrial animal.
The fossils were discovered in the rock layers of the Phu Kradung formation, a site that preserves remnants of an ancient ecosystem of rivers, floodplains, and lakes. The accumulation of sediments in these water basins allowed the preservation of over 6,000 fossils, making the area an exceptional archive of Jurassic life.
Keys to understanding the evolution of sauropods
The importance of the finding transcends the mere record of a new species. By identifying a Mamenchisauridae in Thailand, scientists confirm that these dinosaurs were not isolated in East Asia, but were part of a complex system of biological exchange facilitated by the climatic and geographical conditions of the time. This new giant provides key data to understand how long-necked sauropods evolved and how they adapted to the riverine environments of the past.
The Phu Noi site had already yielded other unique species, such as Minimocursor phunoiensis, a small herbivorous dinosaur. The accumulation of findings reinforces the theory that Southeast Asia was a high biodiversity refuge during the Jurassic. With this discovery, Thailand adds its fifteenth officially recognised dinosaur, establishing itself as a hotspot for global paleontology.
For the science-interested reader, this finding demonstrates that there are still great secrets to uncover in less explored regions. The fossils of Uragasaurus kalasinensis will soon be displayed at the Kalasin Fossil Museum, where visitors can appreciate the dimensions of this Jurassic colossus. Who knows if, beneath the Thai rice paddies, more prehistoric surprises await.
You may also like
