For the first time, the presence of large bodied herbivorous
dinosaurs in Antarctica has been recorded. Until now, remains of
sauropoda - one of the most diverse and geographically widespread
species of herbivorous dinosaurs - had been recovered from all
continental landmasses, except Antarctica.
Dr. Ignacio Alejandro Cerda, from CONICET in Argentina, and his
team's identification of the remains of the sauropod dinosaur
suggests that advanced titanosaurs (plant-eating, sauropod
dinosaurs) achieved a global distribution at least by the Late
Cretaceous (see the end notes). Their work has just been
published online in Springer's journal, Naturwissenschaften - The
Science of Nature.
Sauropoda is the second most diverse group of dinosaurs, with
more than 150 recognized species. It includes the largest
terrestrial vertebrates that ever existed. Although many sauropod
remains have been discovered in North and South America, Africa,
Asia, Australia and Europe, there is no previous record of
sauropoda in Antarctica. Other important dinosaur discoveries have
been made in Antarctica in the last two decades - principally in
the James Ross Basin.
Dr. Cerda and colleagues report the first finding of a sauropod
dinosaur from this continent and provide a detailed description of
an incomplete middle-tail vertebra, recovered from James Ross
Island. The specific size and morphology of the specimen, including
its distinctive ball and socket articulations, lead the authors to
identify it as an advanced titanosaur.
These titanosaurs originated during the Early Cretaceous and
were the predominant group of sauropod dinosaurs until the
extinction of all non-bird dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous.
Although they were one of the most widespread and successful
species of sauropod dinosaurs, their origin and dispersion are not
completely understood.
The authors conclude: "Our discovery, and subsequent report, of
these sauropod dinosaur remains from Antarctica improves our
current knowledge of the dinosaurian faunas during the Late
Cretaceous on this continent."
Notes:
Photos credit: Cerda/Naturwissenschaften.
The Cretaceous Period spanned 99.6-65.5 million years ago, and
ended with the extinction of the dinosaurs.
CONICET is the leading organization dedicated to the promotion
of science and technology in Argentina. More infos here.
Full bibliographic information: Cerda IA et al (2011). The first
record of a sauropod dinosaur from Antarctica. Naturwissenschaften
- The Science of Nature. DOI 10.1007/s00114-011-0869-x.