In the Anacleto Formation in Argentina, a massive titanosaur was discovered by paleontologists. The site has over 20 fossil examples of the species, now known as Chadititan calvoi. These fossils may offer insight into the Late Cretaceous environments.
An Enormous Dinosaur
Although Chadititan calvoi is massive for a dinosaur, it is a smaller example of the titanosaur species. It measures ten meters long and had a brachiosaur-like build and posture, which meant it was much more slender than the rest of its species.
The Name
“Chadi” means salt in Mapudungun and references the salt flats near where the fossils were found. Calvoi honors a great paleontologist named Jorge Calvo. He was the first to coin the term Rinconsauria, which is an extinct group of titanosaurs.
Anacleto Formation
The Anacleto Formation has been an important paleontological sight that’s held 432 fossils with over 100 animal groups and counting. They’ve found fish, turtles, and an abelisaur predator. The diversity found at the sight represents the rich ecosystems that were around the site during different eras.
A Unique Environment
Diego Pol, head of the science department at Egidio Feruglio Paleontology Museum in Patagonia, said that the ecosystem was quite arid, and life was drawn towards the water. Both lungfish and armored fish suggest that the region was much warmer than Patagonia is today.
Rinconsaurian Traits
Chadititan is part of the Rinconsauria subgroup of titanosaurs, which is notable for its small size, usually less than 11 meters tall. A unique set of traits that it has when compared to other titanosaurs is its pelvis, which looks different from its relatives.
Other Fossils
Other fossils found at the site suggest that Chadititan coexisted with many other animals including abelisaur, a six meter long predator. There may have been a dynamic between these individuals, with them both being part of the same food-chain.
Abundance Of Fossils
The site showed evidence that it was mostly an aquatic landscape, dominated by freshwater turtles, which have been 90% of the fossils found. This is a rarity when compared to North American and European fossil sites.
Funding
The paleontological work at the site was funded by the National Geographic Society. Contributions were also made by local museums and universities in Argentina. The excavations are a multi-year investment, and have given researchers new insights into the Cretaceous era.
The Extinction
While many dinosaurs survived up until the asteroid impact, many fossils have told scientists that rinconsaurians died out millions of years before the mass extinction event. It is still up to debate as to how they died out, but further research could still yield further insight.
Ecological Insights
The fossil site could give scientists insight into how ecosystems were 78 million years ago. Chadititan living in a lagoon-like environment contrasts the species from bigger titanosaurs, which tended to thrive in open plains and forests of the time.
Significance
Frederico Agnolin, a paleontologist and a co-author of the study, stated, ” The overwhelming abundance of turtles is highly unusual… offering clues to Patagonia’s ancient climate and biodiversity.” This proves the site’s value among other fossil sites around the world.
Redefining Beliefs
The findings of the Chadititan are redefining many beliefs about titanosaurs, their habitat, as well as their size and physiology. They play their part of a larger role at the fossil site in giving scientists a deeper understanding of the time period.
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