New dinosaur species, largest ever, unearthed in Argentina

Scientists have unearthed several fossils from a new species of dinosaur called the Titanosaur -- the biggest yet discovered. Researchers from Argentina's Museum of Paleontology Egidio Feruglio announced their discovery last week, and released photos of the newly-found fossils over the weekend. Although there is no official scientific paper yet released on the dino, early details and photos lend credibility to the boastful claim of "largest dinosaur ever." Titanosaur -- short for Argentinosaurus -- lived roughly 95 million years ago during the late Mesozoic Era, subsisting solely on vegetation. The Titanosaurs is a member of the distinct group of sauropod dinosaurs, herbivores characterized by their extremely long necks, long tails, small heads and thick, steady legs. Other famous sauropods include the Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus and Brontosaurus. These dinos were big; but the Titanosaur was bigger. "It's like two trucks with a trailer each, one in front of the other, and the weight of 14 elephants together," said Jose Luis Carballido, of the Museum of Paleontology Egidio Ferugli. The fossil remains of the lizard-like behemoth were discovered in the desert outside Trelew, a city in southern Argentina's province of Chubut. Early estimates put the Titanosaur at some 130 feet long and more than 65 feet tall, but more detailed analysis will have to be done before an exact and peer-reviewed calculation of its size is accepted into the literature. Largest dino or not, the seven new specimens will offer one of the most in-depth looks at ancient sauropods. "It's a real paleontological treasure," Carballido added. "There were many and they were practically remains intact, which does not happen often. In fact, the remains of giant titanosaurs known to be slow and fragmented."